Funny toy

This week I took some items to the second hand baby store and traded them in for some new clothes (sizes 12-18 months!!!) and a couple of toys. Now I am not big on toys and have actually only bought Matty three before (and one was a book), and we try to discourage toys that need batteries, but he liked this hammer so much I couldn't resist.

Yummy yummy!

Matthew is enjoying his adventures in solid foods with his all time fave being avocado. Unfortunately, it seems that he is allergic to the lovely green fruit. We'll try again later o be sure. Until then, he is quite happy with his second favorite, sweet potato- baked, not boiled. He also likes rice cereal and peas (yick!) and in this video you can see that he is not too excited about banana.

First Foods

While we were in California Matty has his first solid food. He has tried sweet potatoes, bananas, rice cereal, and avocado. And he doesn't like any of them! It doesn't help that he has a nasty cold (another first!) and vomits from coughing so hard. He has dropped to the 50 percentile in weight while jumping to the 97th in height, so we need to start getting some calories in that boy! Next on the menu are carrots, peas, and squash.

San Diego

For the last leg of our trip we went down to San Diego to visit Matthew's cousins. He thought he was one of the big kids and loved that William and Mackenzie shared their toys with him!

Cutie pie cousins!

The night we stayed with the Muellers was actually their very first night in their new house! It was fun seeing the sights of their new town and sharing the joys of parenthood.

This is just so cute since the car is as big as Matt. Notice the towel under him? Yea, that's after he peed on their freshly cleaned carpet. Oops!

More CA fun

We were able to do lots of catching up on our trip. We went to a service at our old church, Rock Harbor, and visited with some friends there. Then, we went to a baby shower for my friend Tara and got to chat with my gal pals.

My cousin Mary and her husband Matias were in town after being gone for a three year honeymoon around the globe. They aren't done traveling yet, but it was nice to visit with them a bit.

Of course we had to do some lounging around Grandma's. Matty sure enjoyed it.

Did I mention that my mom has a ceiling fan? Caleb and Matthew both thought it was amazing!

This year Joshua did not want to spend an entire week vegging at my mom's house like I like to do when in CA, so we packed our schedule chalk full. The morning after Christmas we met up with some old friends that were also in town visiting (or still living). We had so much fun catching up and getting to know the new additions. We miss you guys!

The weather was absolutely gorgeous while we were there. It rained on Christmas, which cleared up the air, so the mountains were crystal clear. It was a lovely high 60's week. Matthew enjoyed getting his fill of vitamin D.

Matty shared smiles with his great great Aunt Lucy (my mom's aunt).

And what fun is a trip to Grandma's house without some kind of weird costume? I think that's a sleeve cut off from a shirt on his head.

Matthew's First Christmas

We began the excitement a bit early when I had three snow days and got to stay home with the little guy! We had a blast hanging out in our pj's and taking a few naps each day. Christmas Eve was spent at Joshua's sister's house with all the fam. We opted out of the gift exchange this year, but Grandma couldn't resist getting her newest cutie a little something. See how eagerly he tore at the paper to gt to the good stuff? He got a boat full (literally!) of bath toys which he adores in the tub and on dry land.

My sweet family on Christmas Eve. Yes, Matthew is wearing a tie. I love hand-me-down dress up clothes!
We headed to the airport just after dinner in the hopes that our flight wouldn't be delayed due to snow like many before us. We managed to get to CA, although we didn't get to my dad's house until almost 3 in the morning! We will not fly into LA so late again, even if it is a better deal!
Christmas morning we had breakfast at my dad's, then went to the big family festivities with my mom.

Matthew wore his dress up outfit for a second day (who knew?), but lost the tie and undid the top button as the day went on. Here is an attempt at a picture of the whole fam. I think we forgot to tell everyone where our camera was! Oh well.

Let it snow!

It is so beautiful with the snow falling tonight. Our front yard is a winter wonderland! I don't look so hot, but how pretty is the tree behind me?

And here is the snowman I made. Handsome, huh? We played for a few minutes outside while Matty napped. And to think we'll be missing a white Christmas since we'll be in sunny so Cal. I guess we will enjoy it while it lasts!

Matty's new sound

Matthew has been making this sound the last couple of days. He sounds upset but then flashes a big grin. I think he is just experimenting with his voice.

Just Ducky

Matthew loves taking a bath in the big tub - even more since he got some new ducky toys (Thank you Craigs!). That little boy melts my heart. We got to spend another day together since the snow has not had a chance to melt yet. Tomorrow Dad gets to join in the fun. I think we'll have a hibernation day for three. :)

Said Mr. Phillips to Mr. Flathead

You, sir, must think you live in a two-dimentional world.

Mr. Cool

Matty enjoys lounging on the couch while playing with his hair. Funny boy! And who put those socks on him with that outfit? Oops, that was me. :)

Jackie's Big Adventure

My little sister decided it was time for her to spread her wings and move to Washington. So she came to stay with us while she looked for work and an apartment in Seattle. Just a few weeks in, she called Joshua at work to ask for a ride to the hospital. Thankfully, my job share partner was able to come in early so I could take her. First we went to the Urgent Care where they thought it might be kidney stones. After a few tests they decided it was not, but they didn't know what it was, so they sent Jackie to the Emergency Room. The doctor there thought it was an appendicitis. After several tests (and a lot of morphine), they discovered an ovarian cyst. So off to the operating room she went. She cane through surgery like a champ and spent the weekend in the hospital recovering. The doctor gave us a picture of the offending object, but that would not be appropriate here ... it was 12x12x15 cm but benign and simple. Phew! Matty shared lots of smiles and even a few kisses with his aunt.

As a bonus, we got to see Grahama for a few days. Maybe one of these days she will come visit when she doesn't have a sick daughter to care for and she can stay for more than a weekend. Then maybe she will enjoy the fine sights of Washington so much she will want to move here too.

Like this! The gorgeous view from Jackie's hotel - I mean hospital stay.

Jackie's recovery is going fairly well. She still has a few weeks before feeling like her old self, but there were no major complications along the way. Except for the fact that she is uninsured ... Prayers are appreciated!

Snow Days

What a wild week! My school was on two hour delays Monday and Tuesday (which means I teach for 45 minutes, then the kiddos go to lunch, then I see them for 20 minutes before my job share partner takes over) and today we had a whole day off! It actually didn't snow as much as we were expecting, but hey, everyone loves a free day off. Here we are just before Joshua's work party. I know you have seen Matty in that outfit before, but he is so cute in it it's just ridiculous.

Here is me and my sis. This is an update of a photo we took the last time we were together in the snow - Christmas 1996 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Doesn't our neighbor's house make a festive backdrop?

Sweet Screaming

Matthew loves to "talk" on the phone with his Grahama (not a typo, my mom's last name is Graham, get it?). I often try to video tape it but he stares blankly at the camera. Finally, I have captured s few of his sweet screams.

What's so funny?

Moses Supposes

His toses are roses and Matthew thinks his are chew toys! This baby has some stinky feet though and he coughed as soon as he got them in his mouth. Better stick to your hands little one.

Thanksgiving 2008

This year we got to dress up fancy and eat out for dinner at the Pacific Grill. My boys looked terrific in their blue pinstripes!

We arrived early and it was a chilly afternoon, so we enjoyed some hot cocoa in front of the fireplace in the hotel lobby. Jackie has not yet adjusted to the colder weather.

Aww, me and my sweetie. Of course this year I am most thankful for little Matthew, our very special gift of the Lord. What a lovely day!

Elf Yourself 2008

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Christmas 2008

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