What has been going on in our lives - Part 6

While in Idaho/Utah Brandon had a conference in San Diego and I joined him for a few days for our anniversary.

 Brandon too a lot of photos, notice the shoe in the incoming tide.

We took a dinner cruise around San Diego Bay.

Afterwards, Brandon returned to NM and went to scout camp and I went back to Utah & Idaho.

We went with Grandma Eames to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving point.

And later in the week we went to a family reunion in Delta, UT where Spencer and his cousin played next to the water - a lot!

Christmas

Christmas PJ's.  In case you can't read it, Spencer's shirt says "I do my own stunts"

Love this picture, especially since they are not always so friendly

Down side of youngest to oldest coming to the tree, the youngest is also the slowest

Although the picture doesn't show it, this ball was one of his favorite presents.

Brandon may not love that I posted this, but I had to.  He is holding Adobe Lightroom a photo editing and organizing program he has wanted FOREVER and was too expensive to justify.  I found it for a STEAL and, for the first time, completely surprised him and beat him in the "what I got you for Christmas" contest.  In the past he has always known what I was giving him or what he got me is better than what I got him.

Here are some photos of Spencer on Christmas that I just love.

A the allure of cords to an 18 month old.

Lazy Sunday Evening

Last Sunday we spent some time in our back yard.  Spencer had to try out his new slide we were given by some friends.

Let's just say Spencer likes it.

We found he also like playing with (eating) chalk with Karissa

He likes doing this often this is from a previous day (and before a hair cut).

Alexis had to show off her painted finger nails

Then Spencer went exploring

and found the flowers.

I am so loving Albuquerque!

Daddy's Boy

Spencer LOVES his Dad.  When Brandon comes home from work, the minute Spencer sees him he starts to whine until Brandon picks him up.  This is him "drumming" Brandon's head.

A day with nature

While I have to admit, I am not a big city person, a big city does have its advantages, like a great library (which I have taken a huge advantage of.  We got our cards the same day we signed our papers. Another is great recreation activities.  A couple of weeks ago we went to the Aquarium and the Botanical Gardens.  The aquarium wasn't anything to jump up and down about, however we did get to touch rays and small sharks.  The Gardens were amazing.  I can't wait to see them in full bloom.  The best part, you can get a yearly pass for a family to both of these and the zoo for about $90.  We are planning to go to the zoo soon.
We started at the aquarium.  As you walk in there is a huge tank with rays.  Andrew was a little nervous about them.  I personally found them facinating.

If you notice, Andrew's body looks like it is ready to run away at a moment's notice if necessary.

Spencer loved the large wall size tank.

Karissa and Andrew loved looking at the sharks -- as long as Andrew didn't have to stand too close to the glass.

I love this photo

After the aquarium was the botanical gardens just next door.

They had a wonderful children's maze where there were vegetables, tunnels, bugs and such built at huge proportions that you felt like you were in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.  Needless to say, the kids loved it.

On a huge ant

Then running away from the huge ant.

Mom and Spencer in the huge carrot patch

Such a cute girl

and so goofy at the same time

Another cute and goofy girl.

I know, you are wondering, why a picture of a duck.  While this is a beautiful duck, I have decided that Brandon must LOVE ducks, because I can't tell you how many photos he has taken of ducks over the years.  So I am including a duck he photographed.

Andrew in the Southwest garden being "careful" not to touch a prickly pear.

Such a fun day.  To top it off, we ended it with a downpour and had to run for the van.  It was a lot of fun.

What have we been up to?

You ask.  Good question.  We have been up to a lot, especially boxes.  You could say we up to our eyeballs in boxes.  We have done a little exploring, and celebrated Alexis' birthday.  Along with other wonderful activites.  I figure since I haven't posted forever I would break up our happenings into bits and pieces over the next few days.  Then you don't have to either find the time to read the possible novel that will follow or just ignore all the posts completely because you don't have time.  lol

Anyway, this is the beginning of when I last posted, I think. . .

The last weekend in January we went to Blackfoot for the boys to go ice fishing with Grandpa.  Andrew loves ice fishing and basically anything that involves snow and getting cold.

Pretty good fisherman with some help from Grandpa.

Following that, the first week of February, Brandon, Spencer and I traveled to Albuquerque to look for a house.  The drive took 14 hours, which, considering we had a 6 mo old with us and took an unintended 45 minute detour (more about that later) I think is pretty good.  Spencer was fantastic, he was so well behaved we had nothing to complain about. 

As for the unintended detour, Brandon missed the exit for Moab and I wasn't paying enough attention to let him know it was coming up, so by the time I said where was the exit and we looked at the mile markers, we were 10 miles past the exit.  So we took the long way around Arches which was one of the best unintended detours we could have taken.  We ended up on a literal "Scenic Route" not just the kind you don't intend to take.  The road followed the Colorado River as it headed to Moab.  We eventually had to stop and take pictures.  This is what we saw. . .

and this

and this

Pretty amazing don't you think.  Once we reached Moab we stopped just outside to feed Spencer and walk around a bit.  Brandon took off to take photos there and took these:

I title this: The calf's head

LOVE THIS TREE!!!

Basically, if you have to drive 14 hours, this isn't bad country to have to drive through.

Christmas Day

We told the kids they weren't allowed out of their bed before 6:00 and they couldn't set an alarm and they couldn't wake each other up.  Miraculously, at about 6:03 all three kids came into our bedroom ready for Christmas.  We chose to pretend they were obedient.  We then read the Book of Mormon Christmas story found in 3 Nephi Chapter 1, and talked a little about it and then went and got Christmas.

Andrew found that Santa had left him a new blanket since he was outgrowing his.

He promptly named it "Wheelie" since it has lots of things with Wheels.

Karissa and Alexis got some doll clothes, a couple from the store and some from me.

What you can't see is that this box holds a lot of doll clothes that are cut out, but not actually sewn.  Ran out of sewing time.  Next weeks project.

Alexis' favorite present was perhaps her crayons and coloring book from her Preschool teacher.

She was so excited as you can see

Spencer was thrilled about Christmas, especially since it was his first.  Santa brought him a new car seat and he also got some books along with a few other things. 

As you can see he loves books!  I must recommend Doggies by Sandra Boynton.  It is so fun!

I got some new pans which was so exciting, especially since I can make candy again.  My previous pans just didn't work for candy.  Brandon got two large Nerf guns, one that is automatic, so him and Andrew spent a lot of time shooting each other.  Brandon also got a .22 so you could call this his "gun" Christmas.  The rest of Christmas for the kids was a little boring since Santa also brought us a Wii.

Which we promptly spent the rest of the day playing.

For breakfast we started a new tradition and made donut balls

YUM!

In the past we have gone to grandparents for Christmas dinner, but since it was the Eames' turn and they were doing their festivities on the 26th we just stayed home.  I cooked a ham, but when it came time to eat we decided we didn't want a fancy dinner so we just ate it with some instant potatoes and snacked and enjoyed just relaxing and spending time together.  It was a perfect Christmas!

The Center of Attention

Everyone is in love with the boy!