Merry Christmas!

Wow... has it been another year already. I remember as a kid, a year was measured from the end of opening presents one year to getting up Christmas morning the next. That excitement seems to dull a bit as we became adults but has returned this year with Natalie. Christmas this year is being celebrated with family and plenty of activity. Natalie is soaking it all in, even when exhaustion gets the better of her... wouldn't want to miss anything fun. Hope everyone's holiday is warm, merry, and just a little crazy ('cuz what fun would it be if it weren't).

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Happy Birthday Natalie...

Happy Halloween!

Mmm... remote...

Satallite TV good for the teeth??

Making music

Budding Mozart or learning 'Chopsticks'? Natalie just discovered the piano and the range of sounds it will make.

Teeth

Two teeth so far. These are a couple weeks old. Great for chewing on things!

Lesson learned...

...unattended baby food should be kept out of reach.

I-D-A-H-O... Idaho, Idaho, Go, Go, Go...

Natalie went her first University of Idaho game last weekend (don't worry grandma the tattoo will come off). The Vandals lost, but in true Idaho tradition, it was more about the tailgate... before, during and after the game.

Nine Month Checkup

19 lbs. 2 oz.

28 in

Happy, healthy and on the move!

We're back... a summer recap

First, my aplogizes to all of you that have been checking back to see new photos. I could blame it on the summer and the lost sense of time as the days run together. Or, I could blame the hectic life chasing an infant that has figured out to crawl at a very effiecient clip. The reality is more a combination of the two and a misguided belief that nothing "exciting" has happened... I guess you all can be the judge of that...

After visiting cousin Lincoln and our good friend Jeanne in Denver, the month of June was spent at home. The weather was surprisingly mild (80-90, not 100+) and I discovered a local mom/baby group in the neighborhood that got us out walking and playing with other babies near Natalie's age.

In July we traveled home to ID to visit family and play with the cousins. Along with family, my good friend Amy was in town with her girls (the youngest of which, Kelly, is 3 months older than Natalie). Amazingly we managed to coordinate naps in three different households and the girls got some good play time in. Natalie kept up with Kelly and her cousin Emerson, watching and learning new tricks like pulling up on the baby gate. I was hit with a mild case of stomach flu midweek. Not too miserable but did make the remainder of the week more low key.

Throughout the summer we have been camping and exploring the state parks. In a used tent traler, the three of us ventured into the great outdoors to see the mountains and local reservoirs. Shaun got his fishing license and disappears for a couple hours at a time. We hike and bike and take long afternoon naps. We've been 3 times and hope to get one more trip in before it gets too cold.

Beginning of August, Grandma came to visit. While she was here, we shopped and went to the parks enjoying girl time. Later in August, Natalie and I joined Shaun on business trip back to VA. We were able to sightsee in DC and visit old neighbors. Natalie was in heaven playing with the neighbors kids and all of their toys.

... which brings us to September. The summer is fading and the feel of fall is in the air. Before you know it our baby will be 1 year old and we can sigh saying that 'they grow up too fast'. Our blog will be kept more current going forward (or at least that is my intent).

Cousin Lincoln

Natalie got to meet and hang out with her new cousin Lincoln. She appears to be a giant next to the new baby but is anxious for him to catch up so they can play.

Nat with Aunt Elizabeth and Cousin Lincoln

Cousin Lincoln

Natalie and Lincoln

Natalie's 1st Camping Trip

Last weekend was Natalie's first camping trip (and our first camping trip period in a while). Traveling good friends Robert and Maragaret, we tested the new tent trailer and ate too many smores.

Adventures in rice cereal

Simple pleasures...

Currently Natalie's favorite toys include waterbottles and cardboard boxes. At this rate, we'll save a lot of $$ on toys!

San Diego Air Races

So for her dad's birthday Natalie and the family travelled to San Diego to see the Red Bull Air Races (think Nascar in the air). We also had a chance to visit Shaun's brother just south of LA and my aunt and uncle (who graciously put a roof over our heads for the weekend). Natalie took her first boat ride, swam in the pool and generally soaked in the Southern California lifestyle.Natalie and Aunt Marcia

Tall boat gun battle on San Diego bay

Sailing San Diego Bay

Natalie and Shaun's brother Dusty

Weekend pics

The weather was great over the weekend and we spent most of it outside. The sun came out and Miss Natalie soaked it in with her dad.

Baby Shower

Natalie joined up with her cousin Emmie for the next cousins baby shower (Scott and Elizabeth's pending arrival). Shaun and Mark opted out of the girly event so Nat and I flew by ourselves. Not too bad with a 4 month old but I have new appreciation for moms and dads making connections with more then one kid in tow. The weather for the shower was beautiful and we had a great time. Now we just can't wait to meet our new cousin.

Natalie and "her Becca"

Natalie and Cousin Emmie (sitting up in back) at the airport

Road Trip

Just got back from our road trip to visit Uncle Scott and Aunt Elizabeth. We joined grandma and grandpa for their spring break. After hitting snow in Wyoming and spending the night halfway across due to road closures.

Chillin' at the Best Western in WY.

The rest of the week, after reaching our destination, was a blast. We had dinner with some work friends, went to the mall and helped get the house ready for the arrival of Nat's cousin in a couple weeks.

Dancing Queen

Natalie enjoyed another warm day and sported her new t-shirt and tutu from Aunt Wendy and Uncle Fred. Not pictured... matching leg warmers :)

3 Months... 6 days

Playing a little catch up... 3 months old and up to 14+ lbs. Showing more and more personality everyday... laughing, smiling and sticking her tounge out when she's feeling sassy.

Family Visit

Natalie went on her first airplane and met both great-grandmas and loads of aunts, uncles and cousins... lots of rocking, getting held and being loved :)

Cousins Mason, Kelly and Chad

Cousin Adam

Cousin Amy

Cousin Maria

Grandpa Fred

Great-Grandma Jean

Cousins Palmer and Emmie... and buddy Calvin

Aunt Lisa

Grandma Leslie

Spring...?

Warmer weather (50s) graced the valley over the last two days and we we're able to get outside and take a walk. Here we are all bundled up :)

2 months old

Two months old and Natalie is growing like a weed. She weighed in at her last drs. visit over 12 lbs. and is well into her 3 month clothes! She continues to be a very happy, healthy little girl.

Our friend Jack...

...came to visit and brought his mom, Heather. Jack had fun playing with Natalie and took good care of her while she laid on the couch or in her swing. In between snow storms this week (~24" total in 3 storms this week) we got out and saw the fish at Cabela's and had meatballs at IKEA.

Watching football with dad...

Not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Nat found one of her favorite nap spots at a very young age.

Just hanging out...