Flagstaff PSW Retreat

Dan’s work every year has a retreat where they pay for one night at a hotel.  The location changes each year but this past January we had the opportunity to stay in Flagstaff for a quick trip.  While there we decided to go see some ruins and enjoy the cool weather.  Unfortunately there wasn’t really enough snow to play in so we just froze instead.  Here are some pictures from our trip.

We drove over to Wutapki National Monument.  The drive was really pretty and you go down quite a bit in elevation so it was a little warmer here.

Then we drove back to Sunset Crater Volcano and took a little walk/hike through an area where there was lava flow.  It was really cold here and in parts of it there was some very icy snow. As you can tell we tried to keep Dylan warm but I think he still got a little cold.

Of course Dylan needed a snack after such hard work on that walk. . .

Overall it was really a fun little retreat.  It was nice to get away for just the weekend and feel the cold air on our faces. Plus I had never seen the Wutapki National Monument (at least that I remember) and the lava was pretty cool to see too.

Dylan’s 1st Birthday

My goodness Dylan is already 1.  We can’t believe our little baby has already been in our lives for over a year.  He is such a cute and fun little guy and there is never a dull moment with him around.  We are sure lucky parent to have him around. 

Just before his birthday we had a cake smash photo shoot. I had fun making the diaper cover, tie, and cake.  Unfortunately Dylan didn’t really enjoy smashing the cake.  It appears that we have a little guy who likes to be clean and doesn’t like sticky things on his hands.  Don’t get me wrong he has no qualms going outside and playing in the dirt and eating rocks.  But when it comes to stuff that sticks to his fingers and won’t come off with a quick shake, that’s when he has issues.  Driving home from the cake smash photo shoot Dan made the comment, “well I didn’t think of this before but, Dylan is the kid that ‘freaks’ out when there is syrup on his hands when eating pancakes.”  Oh well we tried. . . plus we still got some pretty cute pictures. Plus how many great pictures do you really need. . . . Just feel a little guilty he had a bit of a melt down during the whole extravaganza. 

Here are some cake smash photos:

“Mom, get this stuff off!!”

“Okay Mom, I’ll give the cake a try. . .”

“I guess it doesn’t taste that bad. . .”

“Dad, I need your help. I can’t eat all this cake myself!!!”

“I can’t take it anymore!!! Please Mom, just pick me up and wash me off. Please. . . .”

This is when I started to feel pretty guilty as a Mom and wanted to just hold my baby.  The problem is, I didn’t really want to get my clothes dirty (maybe I see where Dylan learned his ‘cleanliness’ from"). So Dad came to the rescue. . . .

We threw a birthday bash for Dylan’s first birthday since we knew how much a part would mean to him (okay maybe it was for Mom and Dad). But it was really fun!! We invited all the family here in town. 

Here’s the invitation that Dan had put together:

Food was delicious of course with chicken salad sandwiches, Craprese salad, cheetos, cuties, and off course ice cream cake.

Since Dylan and Dan’s birthday’s are only two days apart we decided to celebrate both with a cake of their own.

Dad made his famous rootbeer for us all to enjoy!

Not sure what this game is called but we played a game where the kids sat in circle and passed around a wrapped present while music played. When the music stopped whoever was hold the present got to unwrap a layer of wrapping paper.  This continues until the last person unwraps to reveal the present they get to keep.  May be should name is “Hot Potato Present”???

We also played “Pin the Birthday Had on Dylan”.

And we just hung out as a family and had fun!

“Happy Birthday to Dylan and Daniel, Happy Birthday to you!”

Dylan loved unwrapping his presents and his favorite one was this keyboard from his Aunt Cristina. . . . Maybe he’s going to be a musician????

Anyway we had a great time and we were so happy that so many of our family was able to make it to our celebration.

It’s Been a Whole Year!!

Well I haven’t been that good at posting a few things here and there. . . . My last post was Dylan’s 1st photo shoot over a year ago.  He’s now 13 months old and growing fast! Dan and I are doing great; having fun being new parents and working.  Here are some things that we’ve done over the last year. 

Dylan at his 1 Month Photo Shoot:

The 1st time Dylan played in his saucer:

Getting ready for his 1st swim in the pool:

Chillin’ in the pool with Dad:

You can obviously tell where Dylan gets his good looks from:

Dan laying sod in our backyard:

“What Mom?? I’m learning how to program. Leave me alone.  Dad and I have it covered!”

Visiting San Francisco for Ben’s graduation:

Dylan’s 5 Month Photo Shoot:

Trip to the Cabin in Island Park, ID:

Getting in a little more swimming before the end of summer:

When Liz came to visit we put her on baby duty:

Dylan’s First Oreo. Mmmmmm

Getting ready for church:

More planting in the backyard:

Halloween:

Family Pictures:

Visiting Carlsbad & San Diego:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas:

2011 was a good year and I hope that 2012 is filled with just as much fun.