Baby Gymastics!

Garrett's new found love is baby gymnastics. We went for the first time today and he loved it. He had so much fun playing on the giant trampoline and doing sumersalts. He even got to walk the balance beam.

My friend Emily is the gym coach, so it made it even more fun. I brought my friend Elizabeth and her son Drake with us. That is Drake playing with the soccer ball.

Notice Garrett's t-shirt says "I do all my own stunts"...it was suiting for the event. It was hard getting a good picture of him, he was too busy to pause for the camera.

First Date

Aaron and I had outr first dinner date last night since we had Garrett. Aaron had got a gift certificate to The Carlton, so we got to order what ever we desired off the menu. It was so nice to just enjoy a wonderful meal with out the baby. Aaron ordered sushi and I had the most awesome baked salmon with garlic mashed potatoes. We even had this brownie sundae for dessert.

I have to admit most of the conversation revolved around Garrett and how we are so happy to have that little man in our life. We are appreciative that Grandma Kandi came into town to help out and watch the weezer for us. Thanks Grandma!

Grandma comes to town!

I had such a great visit with my mom this weekend. She was able to get in a lot of Garrett time in. We went downtown SLO shopping and to lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen, to church, dinner at the Apple Farm and walking at Atascadero Lake Park. The Apple Farm has the best apple dumpling topped with homemade vanilla ice cream...it is to die for. It was a special treat.

It was so great to show off the house to mom and just spend time with her. I'm so happy to be such great friends with my mom.

Spa Day

My mom came into town and we decided that we needed a little pampering, so we went to the Spa Central Coast for a day of girl time. My friend Emily joined us and we had a great and relaxing time. I would recommend this spa to all my girlfriends!

Mommy and Me

Garrett and I go to a Mommy and Me class every Friday. It is run by the Atascadero School District. It is all kids in his age group and their mommys. The kids have the opportunity to explore all kinds of new toys, painting, circle time, snack and outside play. It really is a great program for Garrett, and the teacher Mrs. Dede is really fun with the kids during circle time.

































Mommy and Me
















My friends Jack and Owen














Snack time...mmmm, yummy!



















Peek-a-Boo!

Baby Genius

Oh course all mothers think their baby is the smartest most cute baby ever, but I truly believe Garrett one smart cookie. Tonight I put in one of Garrett's Blue's Clues movies, he has watched this show several times...maybe even over 12 times. In the show the main character is Joe and he interacts with the viewer, or person watching the show. So here is how it went down...

Joe: "Hey kids, what do we need to solve this clue?"..."Our handy-dandy...(long pause, this is when the viewer is supposed to answer the question)"

Garrett: "Noteboo" (Notebook)

Isn't he the smartest baby ever! Only 16 months saying notebook right on cue!

Wow, it was pretty exciting!

Baby Workout

Today my neighbor Jen and I took our babes (Garrett on the right, Tanner on the left) for a walk around Atascadero Lake Park. There is a great path that wraps around the lake. It's a popular spot for walking, running and feeding the ducks! We went around the lake a few times, and by the time we got back to our cars it was almost dark, even though it looks really dark in the picture!

Home Project

Aaron and Garrett worked all day on Saturday out in the backyard putting up a dog run for Koda...this will save our backyard:) I'm not to sure if Koda will like it. Garrett was a great helper to daddy.








Garrett even got to be like a big boy when he pretended to saw stuff with his Bob the Builder toy saw.
















Here is Aaron posing next to his first big project for the house! Go daddy! We are so proud of you!

Christmas Travels

We had a great time spending Christmas with my family in Riverside. Although Garrett and I were sick, we managed to still see all the family and enjoy the holiday. Garrett got this piano from his Papa Jones, it was a huge hit. We drove to Tehachapi the day after Christmas to celebrate with the Smith family and had a great time there, mostly relaxing and playing with the babies. We were happy to get home and recover from the nasty virus that slammed our family.

We brought in the New Year by having the Smith's and the Kirk's over. We spend time just relaxing and I got in tons of Peyton (our niece) time. It was great. She is so cute. This a pic of Aaron's parents with the two grandkids...they are just eatin' them up! Garrett almost 16 months and Peyton 6 months. I think they kind of look alike in this picture.

Here is a picture of the outfit we got Peyton for Christmas...cheetah girl! I just love it, he he!



















Grandma Debbie got this swing for Garrett for Christmas. As soon as we got home Aaron tied it to an old Oak tree in the backyard. Garrett loves the swing! He also had a blast playing in the new play gym from Grandma and Papa 2 (Aaron's parents). We had a great holiday season and are so thankful to have such loving and wonderful parents! Happy New Year!

Where in the world is Aaron?

I just returned home at 2:30 am this morning from Mexico on a week long adventure for Coues Whitetail. What an experience to hunt these small but elusive little animals. I unfortunately, returned home to a family on the brink of physical breakdown. Garrett had RSV, a double ear infection, and Pink eyes, yes in both. Sarah has Tonselitis and I also developed a sinus infection while traveling late to get home to them. I was originally planned to fly to Ontario where they would have picked me up but our christmas plans have changed.

I really don't have time to get sick so I will be making sure we get the family well. Love everyone and Merry Christmas.

Aaron

Santa...The Sequel

Garrett and I went to our Ward Christmas Party tonight. Garrett was so tired by the time Santa came, that he was practically running out of his arms...he he he. I think Garrett has had enough Santa photo opts, so I won't torture him anymore! Soon I will be heading to Riverside for Christmas, and I'm really looking forward on getting some extra help with Garrett and visiting family and friends.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

More Holiday Trivia

Guess Who?

Now we know where my niece gets her good looks!!

Another Holiday Poll

If the song were about your life, how would it go "I'm dreaming of a ..."
a. White Christmas
b. Warm Climate
c. Day of Pampering (with out kids)
d. Day off work

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

On Saturday night the family went to my work Christmas party. Garrett was able to see Santa Claus and get a picture, after several attempts. He was intrigued by Santa's beard. Santa even brought Garrett a Bob the Builder tool set. Now Garrett can "work"out in the garage with daddy.

We are getting ready for the holidays since Aaron leaves for Mexico on Wednesday mornin'...another business trip. He will fly into Southern Cali and meet there for Christmas, then we head up to Tehachapi to see the Smith bunch, oh, and Aaron's sister Mandi and her family will be there too! Whoo hoo. We are so excited to see them. Aaron and I have realized this year that family is the most sacred, prized possesion in our lives. We are so greatful for them and thankful for all they do. Family is always there for us. We are also, thankful for our friends for they are our family away from home. This Christmas hoiday were have graditude for our blessings, your home, family, Garrett, and most of all the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Since it was stormy, we laid low all weekend. We are going to wrap presents tonight and watch Frosty the Snowman.
We hope you and your family will be full by the spirit of Christ this holiday. Merry Christmas.

Oh Christmas Tree...

Garrett is really amazed by the Christmas tree, he already has taken down all the decorations within his reach. I need a plan B.

"Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree"

Aaron and I are FINALLY in the same house together, again. He doesn't leave for a week, so we actually had a chance trim the tree. A friend of mine, Tina, dropped off the most beautiful 7 foot tree to our home this afternoon. She apparently had bought a bunch through a fundraiser and had them sitting at her house, and we got so lucky!
It's always fun to reminisce while hanging memories of the past; babies first Christmas, just married, etc. It will be interesting to see how Garrett reacts to the tree when he wakes up in the morning!

Where in the world is Aaron?

I am actually posting this in the LAX Airport waiting for my flight to SLO. I have spent the last 4 days in Texas on a Whitetail Hunt outside of San Antonio. I visited this place last year and absolutely loved it. It's called La Fonda Ranch and we had some great success. The accommodations are 5 star and lets just say that I could play Santa Claus as much food as I ate. It was a great trip but I am really looking forward to being with my family for a week before I head to Mexico. Hears a few pictures of my trip. The first picture is of my room. Pretty nice HUH! This is what I call roughing it. If you don't like dead stuff don't look.

Holiday Poll--What gets you in the Christmas spirit?

a. Listening to Carols
b. Trimming the Tree
c. Shopping for Gifts
d. Cold Weather
e. Football

Christmas Wreath

My neighbor Jenn R. and I made these cute weaths today. I think they look so cute on the front door for the holidays.

Garrett Gets a Hair Cut

My friend Jenn Kirk inspired me to cut Garrett's wild Einstein hair, since she cut her babies hair this week too. Garrett looks like such a big boy!

Snow Days

Tonight Garrett and I went to Snow Days in the Sunken Gardens in Atascadero. I had no idea that it was such the community event. There were snow machines, snow rides, Santa, petting zoo, vendors, you name it. There were probably 10,000 people there! Needless to say that I was not about to stand in a line to see "Santa" that was 100 people deep, with a one-year-old in 50 degree weather, at 8:00 at night. So instead we just wandered around checking out the scene. Garrett got a chance to get a picture with a Christmas dog, as you can tell from the pic he was more interested in the animals nose.
After the Snow Days experience I treated Garrett to In and Out for a vanilla milkshake (his favorite) and he "accidentally" dumped the entire shake on to his lap. It was so funny I had to take a picture. Garrett was even laughing, and sticking his hands in the milkshake and was licking it off his fingers. There is never a dull moment. I do cherish every day I have with my little man, he is such a blessing in my life. I know that while daddy is in Texas, he sure is missing his little shadow.

Happy holidays!