Christmas 2008

We had a very nice time on Christmas day. Audrey enjoyed opening gifts and playing with her new toys. She especially liked her Russian nesting dolls and her tea set. Here are some pictures from our Christmas.

Chugga Choo-Choo

Here are a couple of pictures from Audrey's playroom. She has been loving her train table. We took an old coffee table and used masking tape to hold down the track. At this point we only have enough track to make a figure eight, but it seems to be enough to entertain Audrey.

First Night of Hanukkah

We celebrated the first night of Hanukkah last night. Audrey wanted to test our claim that the candle flames were hot, but we were able to keep her from burning herself.

Trimming the Tree

We put up our Christmas Tree last night. Audrey loved the lights and ornaments. She especially liked her Grinch ornament since she recognized the characters from the cartoon special.

A Snowy Day

Yesterday was the first snow of the season. We got about 2 inches, just enough to cover the grass and walk. Audrey really didn't like her snowsuit, but a lollipop convinced her to give it a try. Unfortunately we couldn't get her to wear one of her mittens and her hand got cold, but some hot cider made it all better.



Also, I am getting started on a baby blanket for Audrey's new baby brother. Here is the first square:

Audrey cute as pie

We've been laying low getting ready for Thanksgiving. This year we invited some friends over to our house to celebrate with us. We made some cranberry sauce and cranberry scones yesterday. I am attempting to cook a big stuffed turkey by myself for the first time. Between my mom on the phone and Martha Stewart on the web, I think we have everything covered. Now if I could figure out where the (probably still packed) iron is hiding I might get around to pressing my table linens.

Here are a bunch of pictures of Audrey looking cute! (Sorry, no pictures of pregnant me. Maybe next time.)

19 Months

Audrey is now 19 months. Mama is 24 weeks pregnant and feeling pretty good. Here are some pictures of us hanging out at home and walking near our neighborhood:

Halloween Costume

On Halloween Audrey dressed up as a dragonfly. Erica and Audrey came to my office for some trick-or-treating in the cubes. In the evening, we did a little bit of trick-or-treating on our street and went to a party at a neighbor's house where Audrey got to play with her friends.

Preparing for Halloween and other fun!

We are enjoying some fall weather and getting ready for Halloween. We have been to a couple of farms and fall festivals this month. And we finally picked up some pumpkins yesterday. Now if I could find some time to sew Audrey's costume by friday... Here are some recent pictures, mostly of Audrey. She turned 18 months on October 10th and she is as busy as ever.

It looks like we are having a boy!

Pittsburgh

Adam, Audrey and I went to Pittsburgh for a wedding earlier this month. Adam worked from the Google Pittsburgh office for a week while we stayed with my family.

Adam's camping trip in Canyonlands

Back in early August, Adam and his friend Glen went camping at Canyonlands National Park for a couple of days. Here are some photos of the spectacular scenery:

Doctor's Appointment and some pictures

Audrey had her doctor's appointment this past week. The doctor has no worries about her and actually suggested we skip the next appointment since she has already met her 18 month milestones and come back when she is two! She is 31 3/4 inches tall and weighs 19lbs 12oz, long and lean. I wonder who she gets that from.

Yesterday we drove to the top of Mt. Evans, one of Colorado's 14,000ft+ mountains. At the summit it was a total blizzard (in August) with horizontal snow and no view, but all the way up and down, we had great views: the surrounding mountains, a huge rainbow, some deer and marmots, and the city of Denver on the horizon.

Is that what I think it is?

If you think it is a weird knitting project or the surface of the moon you are wrong. But if you think it is an ultrasound image of the latest Besen, you are right! We are due to have a new baby on March 2nd. I am a weekend shy of 10 weeks and feeling pretty blah, just as I should, but better than I did last week or the week before. I am really looking forward to the 2nd trimester.

California and Home Again

We spent a week in Mountain View, CA in July. Unfortunately, Adam had to work a lot, but we were able to go to the beach and visit with some friends and family while we were out there. Here are some of the pictures from our trip. And then one or two more recent ones from home

July 4th, 2008

We went up to Rocky Mountain National Park with some friends for the 4th of July where we did some hiking and camping.

Mills Lake

We went to RMNP with Jen and Ryan where we did a hike to Mills Lake. Some claim Mills Lake is the most beautiful lake in the park though the author of our guide book tends to put it at number 4. Regardless of rank you can see from these pictures just how beautiful the views are.

Father's Day - June 15, 2008

We had such a nice weekend. Here are some pictures of our hike to Ouzel Falls and some closer to home.

Sand Dunes Camping

We went camping with 3 other families at Great Sand Dunes National Park in South Central Colorado. The wind was really blowing so the sand was also blowing, but we had a great time playing in Medano Creek at the base of the dunes. I wish we took some pictures of Audrey in between us while we swung her over and into the water surges. Everyone was having such a good time.

Audrey is a Busy Girl

Audrey has been having a lot of fun exploring our new house and neighborhood.

May Was Mustache Month

Adam won Best Overall Mustache with the Franz-Josef.

Grandma Judy's visit

Grandma Judy came to Colorado in May. Here are some pictures from her visit.

Audrey's First Birthday

We celebrated Audrey's birthday with friends and family at our new house on Saturday, April 12th. Audrey was too tired to make a mess with her cupcake.

Eating

Monkey

Audrey loves, loves, loves her monkey!