Avocado Kisses

YUM!!! The art of mushing! Emily is a natural! She didn't want anything to do with me or the spoon so she went for doggy bowl style. We just looked at her with grossed out eyes and chuckled at the same time. Kisses anyone? Natalie is a good sport with that. I didn't even want to come near her with a ten foot pole when she was done taking her slime bath. It's pretty amazing what kids get away with at the dinner table. YUK!

Cousin Ashton's Birthday

Ashton turned one on Saturday so we drove out for the occasion. It was a fun Mickey Mouse birthday party with a BBQ lunch and pinata! He's the only grandchild on both sides so it was fun to see all the excitement and who knows--it may have been the biggest party he'll ever have. Now if only he could remember it. Oh well, that's what pictures are for I guess.
We had a good time--Mike had hamburgers, Natalie had chocolate cake, and Emily had a really big dog to harass. Thanks guys!

Valentine Sweet Hearts

This is Natalie's sunbeam class. Yep, all girls! They do practically everything together and can't get enough of each other. Their teacher went all out for Valentines this year and had a really cute party for them. Natalie loves all the sweets and suckers. But then again, who doesn't?

Whale Watching

Although we didn't see Baby Balooga, we did get to see some beautiful whales close to Dana Point this week. I forgot about sea-sickness and poor Natalie was ready to get off the boat about 5 minutes after we got on. She kept asking "why are there waves, Mom?" and "when are we going to be done?" After a while she did get use to the up and down movements and endured the 2 hour tour. We saw some gray whales, dolphins, and some sea lions. It was a good memory, but it was too difficult catching the whales on camera. Seeing their tales flip up in the air was really neat though. I am glad we did it!

Walking around

So Emily has always been a little go-getter, and she has been standing by herself since we got home from our holidays. She also started pushing the little shopping cart around the house after putting stuffed animals in the basket. Then last night she surprised us and started to take a few steps on her own. So of course we had to record this momentous occasion. She was having a good time practicing last night and actually took about 7 steps all by herself. Today she has been practicing and every chance she gets she takes a few steps by herself. She is just growing up too fast. *sigh* What happened to working on rolling over?

Kristen's Homecoming

Last week we headed out to see our cousin Kristen come home from her mission to Antofogasta, Chile. She had a great mission and we wish we had more time to chat with her about all her mission experiences. Natalie loves to go visit them, but she was a little under the weather and we had to cut our visit short. It's always good to go see family and we're glad to be close enough to see them often.

Kristen holding a feverish Natalie

Us with Lily our cousin and her son Ashton who is the same age as Emily

Getting to know Kristen

Our girls

Just a few pictures of us recently, though mostly the girls. We had to take a trip to the beach when we got back, and watch the sun set. Emily loves to eat the sand. I think it aids in digestion. Emily loves to climb on anything and everything, and Natalie is learning so much with Pre-school and with Mom. It's great to see these girls play together and love each other the way they do.

Ice Skating

Also while in Wyoming, we took Natalie ice skating for her first time. It was a great time, and she got Grandpa out there helping her out as well as Aunt Janetta. It was fun to watch her go around the rink and even try it out by herself. We went twice and the second time she was much better, imagine that! A couple pics with a video that will take you back to those days of teen crushes, Def Leppard ballads, and falling down on your behind trying to impress that special someone.

Wyoming adventures

Sooooo, everyone says we need to update our blog. For some reason, the holidays just took all the "blogginess" out of us and neither Mary nor I wanted to do it. Plus, I've been sitting in front of the computer for about 10 hours every day since we've been home doing work, and I just don't feel like staring into the screen on Sunday too. At any rate, we're back and doing well. It was a good break and great Christmas. Most of you know what we did and where there so we won't put those pics up. Just a couple here though to whet your whistle. Whilst in Wyoming Mary couldn't believe that there was a Christmas tree atop the Hill that overlooks Green River. So we hiked up there in the freezing cold and howling wind, risking life and limb out on the edge of the cliff for a glimpse of the fabled Man's Face Christmas tree. I did have to keep Mary from blowing away, being the lightweight that she is. So there are a couple of pics of us on the top of the world (well on top of Green River any ways) The last picture here is the party animals on New Year's eve at 10:30 pm.