B&B Sales Party

The B&B party was great this year, as usual. However, we did miss not have Jaime, Phil and CRC there. Ethan was so fun to watch. He was improving his walking skills which he recently developed two days earlier. He still needs a little help, so Matt and I bought him a toy truck that has a walker feature. Ethan was running all around the restaurant with his cousins thinking he was hot stuff. By the end of the night his check were so flush and he had worked up quite a sweat.


When we got back to Matt's parents later that evening, we discovered that Ethan had developed another new skill that he had been practicing at my mom's earlier that day, crawling up the stairs. First independent steps now stairs. Maybe this is why he hasn't been sleeping lately.

Crawling!!

Ethan practicing his crawling skills.

Christmas Fun

Christmas morning, checking out the presents underneath grandma's tree.

I can't believe that Christmas has come and gone already and now it is 2009. We had such a great Christmas. Matt had to work the night Christmas Eve of course, but did have Christmas Day off. Ethan and I went to Matt's grandma and grandpa Nelson's annual Christmas Eve party with Matt's parents, Alan and Pat. It was so much fun. Ethan had lots of fun watching his second cousins. Yet again this year, the Stephens' were talentless at the party. Hopefully Ethan will be able to represent and bring some talent in the future.

Ethan developing his musical prowess on the kazoo.

Ethan and I rode up to Logan with Alan and Pat. Matt was able to make it up to Logan by midnight. Christmas morning was pretty low key. Ethan didn't know what was going on. He was really only interested in his new hair ball toy and watching Hannah, Matt's sister's dog. Ethan surprised us all that morning by walking 7 to 10 steps by himself.

Later on Christmas Day Matt, Ethan and I trekked on out to Newton in the snow to have a late lunch with my parents and siblings (missed you Krista and Taylor). Ethan, again, had fun watching and trying to play with his cousins. I cannot believe how much it snowed. I don't remember a Christmas where it snowed as much as this one. Matt had to head home that night to be back to work the next day. It took him four hours to get home, travelling about 35-40 mph the whole way. I'm so thankful that he made it without any problems. Ethan and I stayed in Newton since we would have to be back up in two days for the B&B Sales party anyway.

Ethan and his hair ball. (Sorry, turn head -> to view)

Ethan opening his present.

What!?!?! An Update!

I know, I know it's been awhile since we've updated, but I've finally gotten Ethan to bed early so I have a few minutes to type without the little one trying to help. Its amazing how mobile Bitsy is without being able to crawl. Well I should revise that statement, he can kind of crawl. He is finally moving his knees more then two times, so I'm counting it. He has also learned how to pull himself up to a standing position, which is all he wants to do now.

Ethan trying to crawl in his cute new pajama pants.

Since my last post was way back in November, I'll have to back track a little.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13th

Matt, Ethan and I went to the Gingerbread House Festival at Thanksgiving Point. Most of the gingerbread houses were from school groups, but there were some that were very well done. It's amazing the details that some people are able to put into those gingerbread houses.

Ethan splashing in the tub.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15th

James Christensen, one of Matt's and my favorite artists, held signings at some galleries in Salt Lake. We were able to go to the Twigg's and Moore gallery at Gardner Village to see him and have him sign his new book Men and Angels which shows all of his most recent works. We waited in line for over two hours, but is was great to get to meet an artist whose work Matt and I love. I have to say though, he was shorter then I had imagined.

THANKSGIVING

Matt had to work on Thanksgiving of course, so Ethan and I went up to my Mom and Dad's in Newton and had a great Thanksgiving dinner with the fam. I unfortunately did not get to participate in the traditional Thanksgiving day skeet shoot this year, but I did hear Krista got whooped. Don't worry Krista, you're still better then me, though that's not saying much.

While up in Newton for Thanksgiving my Mom helped me sew hand towels, a Christmas table cloth and a cute pair of Christmas pajama pants for Ethan. Who knew sewing could be so fun.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving Matt and I put up the tree and decorated for Christmas. Ethan loves the tree and our advent stocking. He laughs every time we come downstairs in the morning and he sees it. Later that night we met up with my Mom, Dad, Krista, Taylor and Grandma Bird to see the lights on Temple Square. I should amend that we attempted to see the lights on Temple Square. I have never seen that many people there to see the lights, ever! Matt ended up dropping Ethan and I off while he tried to find a parking spot. I have to apologize to everyone since Ethan cried the whole time, it made a short trip of seeing the lights. Matt never did find a parking spot, he ended up just picking us up a few blocks away. Matt, Ethan and I we up to the Captial and played peekaboo behind the pillars on the front steps. Ethan got a kick out of that. I'm sure it helped that we were the only ones there, in sharp contrast to Temple Square that night.

LAURA'S VISIT

The Saturday after that (December 6th), Matt's sister Laura and her two girls Bailee and Eli visited from Roswell, NM. Laura her girls and Matt's Mom, Pat, stayed with us for a few nights during their visit.

Sunday, Matt's Dad, Alan, also came down and we all went to go see the lights on Temple Square again. It was pretty busy on Temple Square again since it was the night of the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional, but Ethan did much better this time.

Monday, we all went to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point. I was pretty impressed by the museum. The girls seemed to have a fun time and Ethan loved the sand pit where you uncover dinosaur bones. It was so funny to watch him pick up a hand full of sand and let it run through his fingers. We took off his socks and he loved to squish his toes in the sand. He loved it so much, he was pretty upset when we had to leave. Monday night Matt's Grandparents, Arlen, Marie and Iva Lou, came for dinner and then we all listened to Arlen tell ghost stories around our indoor campfire that my Dad had made for me for scouts.

Laura and the girls and Pat also stayed with us the last night of their trip before flying out on Saturday, December 13th. It was so great to see them and have them stay with us. Ethan had a great time playing with his cousins.

Ethan's First Snow!!

We had our first good snow of the season on Nov. 5th which ended up being about six inches at our house. I am so glad I no longer have to drive to work on snowy mornings. I was so excited to show Ethan the snow. I got him dressed up in the snowsuit which Audrey had given us, which was an experience in itself. Poor Ethan could barely move. I tried to sit him in the snow but since the snowsuit was so puffy he could sit up, so he would be leaning back with his feet stuck in the air. He didn't quite know what to make of the snow. Matt made a snowball for him, but he definitely did not like that.

The snow is all gone now, but it will be fun to see Ethan's reactions throughout his first winter season.

Ethan ready for his first romp in the snow.

Ethan's many talents

We have a singer/songwriter on our hands.






You may not have been able to hear him very well, but Ethan was singing along.

Ethan has the Giggles

Make sure you turn up the sound. It is so cute.

Fun Autumn Days

Two weekends ago, Ethan and I decided to give Matt a break and go up to Logan as he was finishing a nine day work week. We had so much fun and it was perfect fall weather while we were there. On Friday, we went to the pumpkin walk in North Logan. I have actually never been to the pumpkin walk before even though I have lived in my whole life in Cache Valley. They had some really cute displays. I'd have to say my favorite was the Noah's Ark. (Thanks Krista for letting me snag some of your pictures, I forgot my camera)

On Saturday, we went to the USU homecoming parade to see my little sister Krista and husband Taylor's float for the Animal Science Club. Afterward we went back up to Krista and Taylor's to get a better look at the animals that they had on the float. Ethan liked the friendly little Brahman calf. Amazingly enough I have actually never seen the USU homecoming parade either, so it was a weekend of firsts for Ethan and myself as well.

Ethan on Sunday after we came home just chillin' in his sweats.

Matt finally had a day off on Monday, Yeah, and we decided that it was another perfect fall day and to go downtown to the observation deck of the church office buildings. It was such a beautiful view. Afterwards we had lunch at the Lion House Cafe (yum, we love to get their soup, rolls and pie, at such a reasonable price) and then walked around temple square. Ethan loved the fountains and was upset when we had to leave.

Later that night was the annual Nelson Gross Out Dinner at Matt's Uncle Russ' house. Matt and I dressed as tacky tourists and Ethan was our roamin' gnome (the Travelocity travel gnome). He was so cute in his hat and beard. Our gross out treat were monster eyeballs on a pool of coagulated blood. Very tasty. After dinner we walked down the road to Russ' neighbors who own a nursay and had created a small kid friendly spook alley in their back yard. It was so cute I wish I'd taken our camera. Ethan wasn't scared at all. So far the only things that scares Ethan is his Tickle Me Elmo.

Ethan

It's finally here, Ethan's first tooth. In the process he has put everthing in his mouth that was within arms reach. His new favorite toy is his rubber ducky, it squeeks and taste good. Foua gra anyone?

We don't get a lot of time together, so when we do we try to get out and see things. Last week we spent some time checking out all the witches at Gardener Village, Ethan did not pay much attention to them, but mom and dad enjoyed the time out. Here is the infamous Witchy Poo:

Matt and Ethan getting some exposure in front of the Chocolatier Witch:

Ethan in the Pumpkin Patch. Yes, his shirt says "Jugs N' Junk," a little something from Aunt Aud and Uncle Todd.

Vacation Continued

So, for the remainder of Matt vacation. Monday we were able to just bum around and get some things done. I have recently been called and the new Den Mother in the Cub Scouts for our ward's wolf pack (8 yr olds) and Tuesday night was my first pack meeting. Ethan was just so to go to his first pack meeting. I'll just say that things were a little unorganized. Apparently our ward has not had scout responsibilities for a few years since it has been at the stake level, so all of our scout leaders are new and have never been involved in scouting before. Hopefully we'll be able to get on track and make a great scouting program for our ward. I have even started a blog for our cub scouts to help keep them and their families updated on our activities. Like Matt and my blog, it has just started but if you are really interested the website it http://www.cimarroncubscouts.blogspot.com/.

Me in my oh so attractive cub scout uniform.

Ethan looking spiffy for his first pack meeting.

Me and Itsy ready to go.

Wednesday we went to Body Worlds 3 with Grandma and Grandpa Stephen's. Ethan actually made it the whole way through. Body Worlds is showing at The Leonardo in downtown SLC (right next to the downtown library). Wow!! What and experience. The bodies on display are actual human body plastinates. You know all that stuff is in your body but it is completely different to just see it laid out like that. Matt and my favorite part of the exhibit was the blood vessels. It was just interesting to see how they are mapped throughout the whole body. I would highly suggest going if you have a chance. Check out The Leonardo's website for more information at http://theleonardo.org/bodyworlds/index.php.

This is the only picture we could get of Body Worlds. They do not allow photos of the exhibit. Wouldn't be able to sell those postcards if they did.

Ethan and Dad.

Whew, made it through.

Thursday, Matt's last day of vacation, we went to my cousin Mckenna's wedding luncheon at the Lion House on Temple Square. It was a beautiful luncheon and reception later that night. Congratulations Mckenna and Adam.

Friday was back to work for Matt at 6:00 am, but Ethan and I decided to take another outing and go to Hogle Zoo with his cousin's Curt Ryan (Jaime) Ava (Justin and Shelly) and of course Grandma Bird while they were still in SLC. What a fun day. I must say that this is actually the first time I have been to the zoo and enjoyed it. The weather was perfect and we were able to get there early enough on a weekday that there weren't a ton of people and all the animals were out. Ethan liked the monkeys, bears, zebra's and the ghost of the bayou (white croc) the best. At least that is what I figured since that is when he did his little grunting and ooh-ing. The kids rode on the carousel and went on a train ride. It was so fun to see Curt Ryan and Ava's reaction on the train ride. Ethan does not know who Thomas (the train) is yet.

Ethan, Curt Ryan and Me at the Asian Highland exhibit at Hogle Zoo.

Ethan on the carousel.

Whew, made it through the zoo.

We had a great family vacation and were sad to see it end. Oh well, until the next one.

Ethan

Time is flying past and little Ethan is not so little any more. In fact, he is now over 20 pounds and 28 inches long. He is using his weight to the best of his advantage, already hitting on every woman he meets. It seems no one can resist. How about that smile?

In addition, he is learning how to model, check out his technique, he's a maniac.

Already learning to drink... now he just needs a can of Coke.

Halloween is just around the corner and Ethan is styling in his new PJ's.

Did I mention he has taken over the bed? We are trying to resolve this, but he has a bit of a stubborn streak.

Vacation

Matt and I have decided to start a blog in an attempt to keep up with everyone else. My little sister Krista had to show me how to set one up. Isn't that sad. I used to be more technologically savy.

Matt is currently on his vacation. It has been so nice to have him home and relaxed for awhile. We decided to stay close to home since Ethan doesn't do very well in a car for more then a couple of hours. On Thursday, our first day of vacation, we went to Newton where Ethan rode in Grandma Bird's radio flyer wagon for the first time. He was so cute and did such a good job of sitting up by himself. He has been sitting for a few weeks now, but is still a little wobbly at times. We also got to pick out a pumpkin from Grandma's patch.

We stayed over in Newton and on Friday Matt was able to take his boat, the Pequod, out on Cutler Canyon Dam. It was so beautiful. I can't believe that I have never been up there before where it is so close. Justin, Shelly, Ava, Grandpa Bird and Grandma Stephens were able to come with us as well.

Saturday morning my little sister Krista came out to Newton to take a family picture. The last family photo we have is when Ethan was three months old and he was asleep in every shot. Krista took us up to a beautiful spot up the short divide in Clarkston. Later that night, we had dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Stephens' before heading home.

That had pretty much been our vacation so far. We do have a few more fun things planned while Matt is home. For me, its just nice to have an extra pair of hands home to hold a comuppets.