Stay-cation

Matt recently had a vacation from work. Yay, seven whole days without work. I'm sure it was even nicer for Matt. Anyway, we were going to go to southern Utah, but decided just to stay put and do some fun things around home.

His first day off we just bummed around and didn't do much. The next day we decided to take advantage of the warming weather and went to the zoo. It was so much fun. Usually I dislike the zoo since I've usually been in the summer when it is hot, crowded, and the animals are all inside. The past couple of times we've gone, we've been in the morning and its been great since there aren't as many people, its cooler, and the animals are usually out and about. The last time I took Ethan to the zoo he was still pretty young. This time he loved to watch the animals. The giraffes were his favorite. It was fun to watch him get so excited. Later that day we had his 12 mos. Dr. appointment and shots. He did really well. He was even better when he got his sucker after the shots.

Our third day of vacation was the St. Patrick's Day parade downtown. We had never been to it before and thought it might be fun to check it out. It's not really a parade that would keep the attention of little kids for long, so we left after about an hour. Later that day we had our little party for Ethan.

Ethan blowing out the candle on his Birthday cake.

Our fifth day of vacation we went to Park City and walked around, saw some galleries and had some lunch. Later that day we took Ethan swimming for his second time. The first time I took him swimming a few weeks ago the poor kid was motionless. He didn't know what to do. This time, he loved the water. He was splashing around and crawling everywhere it the pool. The best part about swimming, it makes him tired.

Matt and Ethan hanging out next to the bear in Park City.

Ethan splashing around at the pool.

Our sixth day we did one of our favorite activities. We went to temple square and walked around (Ethan loves the fountains) then had lunch at the Lion House Pantry. It was still a little cool and the spring flowers hadn't fully bloomed yet, so it will just give us and excuse to go back soon.

Ethan hanging out at temple square.

Ethan shows his true identity in the tub (note the little devil horns).

Our last day of we just hung out and then took Ethan swimming again a little later in the afternoon. Later that night I gave Ethan his first haircut. His curls were just getting so unruly. I'm sure people think that I never groom my child since his hair was always looking crazy. Its taken me a few days to get used to his new do. Luckily he still has a few curls in the back.

Before, the crazy kid.

Before, crazy kid back view.

After. My, what a sweet little boy we have.

Birthdays!!

My little boy turned ONE. I can't believe it. This last year has gone by so fast. Ethan and I celebrated our Birthday's a few days late so we could have both Grandma and Grandpa Bird and Stephens come and celebrate with us. The party was mainly for Ethan anyway, of course. We decided to have our St. Patrick's day dinner the same day as well. Justin, Shelly and Ava were in SLC as well so they came to join the party.

Matt was the main chef, I just assist when it comes to things like this. He made corned beef, cabbage, potatoe cheese soup and rosemary potatoes. Yum. And for dessert we had birthday cake. I actually made safari cupcakes since my cake decorating skills aren't all that great.

Ethan didn't really know what was going on. He just liked smashing his cupcake and he had a great time playing with Ava.

Ethan helping me make frosting for his cupcakes.

Ethan not cooperating while I try and take a picture of him with his cake.

Cupcake before.

Cupcake after.

Ethan's Feats

Ethan loves to work out with his dad. His favorite exercises are pull-ups and bench presses. He can actually hang on the pull-up bar and do about 4 to 6 pull-ups, when he's not distracted. For bench presses, he'll usually just make Matt lay him on the bench and then he reaches for the bar. So cute.

Ethan has been walking for about a month now. He is walking everywhere and is just becoming more curious.

Post Options

Weekend in Logan

Matt had actually had two days off in a row which just so happened to be a Friday and Saturday. So we decided to head on up to Logan for some fun.

On Friday we went climbing with Matt's little sister Erica at the local gym, Rock Haus. That was a fun, yet disappointing experience. I know I shouldn't have expected to climb like I used to, its been 5 years after all, but I still had in my mind that I hadn't lost it that much, but I had. I didn't do too bad, but I couldn't climb as hard of routes as I used to. Matt had the same problem. I guess this just means that we'll have to find the time to go climbing more (ha!).



Saturday we went out to Newton dam and went shooting with my dad, little sister Krista, her husband Taylor, and Matt's mom and dad. Check out Krista's blog if you want the details of all the guns we shot. Everyone got a laugh when I shot Krista's .40 m handgun, not knowing what to expect. It wasn't that large of a gun so I wasn't expecting the kick that I got out of it. The gun almost flew out of my hand my first shot. After that I was afraid to pull the trigger. I'll just say that I was glad when the clip was empty. I did much better when we whipped out the shot guns for a little clay pigeon shooting.

Another fun weekend up in Logan. Thanks everyone.

I can't believe it. I actually completed something. Below are two small projects that I was able to complete while Ethan was asleep.

My Valentine's project this year. I found a cute pattern online to make the suitor solider from Alice in Wonderland.

My Easter hand towels, bunnies and jelly beans.

I was able to make a small table cloth for St. Patrick's Day/Spring. I am still trying to finish a baby blanket that I started with a neighbor friend. Hopefully it will be completed by the end of March.

Valentine's Weekend

Ethan and I decided to go up and visit Grandma and Grandpa Bird over Valentine's Day weekend while Matt was working. It was a fun sleepover party with Curt Ryan and Ava as well. Ethan had such a great time playing with his cousins. He just thought that he was so big. Grandma had some fun balloons and Valentine's cupcakes for the kids. Thanks for the great V-Day.

Ethan playing with the big kids. He crawled in the middle of the play
mat and just plopped down.

Ethan playing at the big table. I couldn't believe he sat on that chair
and played for about 10 min.

The kids with their Valentine's cupcakes, which of course had to have candles.

Ethan with Grandma and Grandpa.

Bath Time Ritual

One of Ethan's favorite times of day is bath time. Which I must say is one of my favorites times as well. Not only does Ethan get so excited, but it means that it is close to bedtime.

Some how Ethan has this internal clock that lets him know that it's time to get in the tub. If we are downstairs, he'll head for and start climbing the stairs to the bathroom. Once upstairs, he'll go to his bathroom and sit on the floor and look at me expectantly. We gather all of his stuff and set it up in the bathroom and then Ethan will crawl down the hallway to the tub giggling as he goes.

Ethan doesn't like to get his hair washed so he has to hold one of his tub toys while he lies down to get his hair rinsed. He has such long hair that flows in the water. It cracks me up every time. Recently he has learned how to turn on the water faucet (thanks Matt), so now that is all he wants to do during his bath.


When we are done with his bath, Ethan does a perfect dismount from the tub and always points his toes as he is lifted out and onto his towel. He loves to be wrapped up in his towel and cover his face for a game of peek-a-boo. He'll hide his face under the towel with his toes poking out and whisper as you try and find him. It is so hilarious because he thinks he is so tricky.

Then comes the battle of distracting him long enough to comb his hair, brush his teeth, and put on his diaper and jammies before he can make a break for it.

Usually by the end I am soaked and tired, but we always have such a good time and I love that clean baby smell.