Reflections of Christ

Mark Mabry, a photographer in Mesa, AZ has compiled photos of people wearing the Easter pageant costumes to show parts of the Savior's life. I think they're so beautiful, what a wonderful idea. He even had people jumping on a trampoline to compile the images of the angels looking as though they're flying.

It's displayed at the Visitor's Center at the Mesa Temple and here's a link to the website:

http://www.reflectionsofchrist.org

How cool-a pool!!

Alec is still receiving birthday presents and today was from his Uncle Christopher & Auntie Joleen. Since Alec loves his baths so much, they got him a big inflatable pool (so impressive they got a warranty)! It's perfect for him and even has a giant tree that you can hook to a hose and will sprinkle water down on him. We put a bit of water in and let him crawl around and play. I have a feeling we'll be out in it nearly every day, especially with the impending summer.

Being watched over by Uncle Christopher.


Playing with Auntie Joleen.

Just hanging out.

Fremont Street

One of my high school buddies, Tasha, and her husband, Aaron, were in town for a wedding, so we talked them into staying at our place Saturday night, so we had all Saturday to hang out with them. In the evening we took them to Fremont Street and had fun taking photos of each other.

Who can resist a photo with the Travelocity gnome?

Ah, the famous Fremont Street cowboy...

Bridal showers, birthday parties, beat boxing & babies with no tops

Well, Alec has lost a little weight. He had his 12-month old shots on Friday and weighed in at 20 lbs, 8 oz. Still a happy little guy and very active, so no worries!

Paul and I have become so busy between my lecture preparations and his PhD. research that we've scheduled who gets the laptop at which times, while the other cares for Alec. Crazy for now, but things will eventually settle down and we will have more time together.

Saturday was fun. I got to attend my cousin, Ross's fiancee (Jordan) bridal shower where we enjoyed putting TP on my sister Kari in the traditional 'create a wedding dress' game.

Immediately following that was Cat's first birthday party. Hilary and I decided we need to send in photos of Alec & Cat to Gymboree-they're both so adorable! I will confess I love buying Alec's clothes and 90% of his wardrobe is from a store called Gymboree that I love. We actually budget out money each month for Alec's clothes so I don't worry about going overboard! We had fun catching up with friends from our old ward and Alec was entranced by the bouncy castle.

Cat & Alec-future Gymboree models...

Alec enjoying a walk around with a great view! What a wonderful daddy.

Alec squirming to try and crawl in the dirt.

After the party we went home for about half an hour, before leaving to watch my sister Kari's fiance, Ben, do some beat boxing at their ward talent show. All in all a fun and productive day!

Sunday morning before church we were all hanging around to say goodbye to Kevie before he left for BYU Idaho and Alec was entertaining us. He loves to clap with people and dance (especially to Ben's beat boxing), so I managed to get a short video of him doing a little of both!



It's been warm enough for him to run around in a diaper (his outfit of choice) and he looks so cute! Luckily not so warm yet that we have to put on the skin-drying, energy-draining air conditioning!

Standing up in his car and clearly enjoying himself as he poses for the camera.

Such a cutie!

Alec's First Birthday Party!

After it's week-long postponement, we were able to celebrate Alec's birthday at the park. It turned out to be a beautiful day and everyone gave Alec loads of attention so he was happy as could be. Since 'Finding Nemo' is the only movie he can watch for about 15 minutes before deciding to get into something, we themed his party around it. I was so excited to make his cake (which is funny, since I don't really enjoy eating cake). Friday afternoon I baked, shaped and frosted while Alec happily ate the cut-off bits:











Saturday, it was party time! My cousin Ross and his fiancee Jordan were the first to give Alec some cuddles, they were good sports and wore party hats with Alec and even blew bubbles for him:













Paul did a wonderful job barbecuing burgers for everyone while they all took turns lavishing attention on the birthday boy. Aunt Linda held him and allowed him to eat...whatever he could grab. Then he got some cuddles from his Auntie Kari and her fiance Ben:















We tried to light his birthday candle, but the wind blew the match out before we could even light it...not like he would have known to blow it out, but he enjoyed pulling it off the cake and sucking the icing off. Everyone sang to him and he cheered by clapping for them:














Since we were at the park, his Uncle Derek took him sliding and it made Alec so happy! After they were finished and I was taking some pictures Alec began to bang on Derek's leg to remind him they needed to go down the slide again! Afterwards he opened his presents-he loved the wrapping paper and the noisy toys his Uncle Ross, Aunt Jordan, Great-Aunt Linda & Great-Uncle Daniel specially picked out for him:

















My cousin Colin's fiancee Sarah held him and I liked this picture, the way he's checking her face (possibly trying to pick her nose-he doesn't pick his own, but enjoys others'). Then his Auntie Kelsey took him sliding, on some bouncy toys and walking.

















Alec's friend Caleb is two months younger, but is about the same size and they had a good time poking each other, once they were done examining Alec's new toys. All in all a fun and successful first birthday party!

Alec's First Birthday

We had a BBQ planned with friends and family coming to celebrate Alec's first birthday, but Alec's cold worsened, as did mine and Paul began feeling rough, so we had to postpone it. Hopefully we will all feel well enough to celebrate on the 12th.

We have received some good news-Paul has been able to extend his PhD!! Now we're sorting out his flight dates and waiting to hear when I'll be teaching this summer & fall. Yay for Paul!

Alec's enjoying all the tissue boxes being around during my illness. He likes to pull them out one at a time and hand them to me. I say 'thank you' and he laughs. I guess it helps him learn manners, so it's fun and educational. I feel so bad not being able to play with him, he appeared to be feeling better by Sunday, whereas my cold keeps worsening (my sister keeps telling me to think of it as a great diet-I'd prefer to just exercise!). Luckily he has aunts, uncles and grandparents around who always want to. Once again, Paul proved to be the perfect husband, letting me sleep most of Sunday, he rested when Alec napped.

On his birthday we had Alec wear a birthday hat while we let him open his presents from his Granny, Grandad and Auntie Jennifer because we wanted to do something to celebrate. He really enjoyed it, and we took some videos so I thought I'd share those:

Alec gained some weight!!!

Just a quick note to say we visited the specialist again today and Alec now weighs 20 lbs, 12.5 oz. The doctor was very happy with his 3.5 oz weight gain in one week!

His latest favorite trick is to crawl into his car, even when no one will push him around in it and stare out the window. I thought it was cute, especially since that window looks out at the bleak side yard (and brick wall) reserved for Maggie & Milo to wrestle in.

Alec Update

Alec's reflux began acting up again-he couldn't keep anything down. So, on Wednesday we took him to the GI specialist again and he's back on Zantac. Only 2 days later he's keeping nearly everything down!! What a huge blessing.

Weight: 20 lbs, 9 oz
Height: 29 inches

Alec's current traits:

1. He's still an incredibly happy baby (very ticklish and giggly) and he's become especially cuddly. He loves to thrust his cheek up against people to 'cuddle' them and 'give kisses' which consists of him opening his mouth wide and pushing against your cheek. It's incredibly adorable.
2. He loves being outside and watching birds or the dogs run around-he especially loves going to the park or on a hike.
   
3. He loves to talk! Usually it's baby sounds, but yesterday he looked at Maggie and called out, "Mah-ee" and Maggie tilted her head and looked puzzled-it was pretty funny.
4. He can take a couple steps on his own, but prefers to have someone holding his hand or to push around his walker, so I don't think he's officially walking yet.
5. He still loves music. We bought the Primary CDs and play them during the day and in the car for him. Sometimes he'll sing along or dance (wiggle back and forth). He still enjoys playing with the piano he got for Christmas from his granny and grandad and I thought this photo was great-it looks like he's trying to play it properly.

Random Insights

So, I decided I liked Jordan's idea of adding a playlist to her blog-so I copied it. In doing so I noticed two things about myself: #1. Since being happily married and having a baby, I'm a very sappy/happy person and #2. I'm still incredibly homesick for Colorado!

Well, Shannon tagged me and I thought this one would be fun since it's about Paul and I:

Where did you go on your first date? It was an all day date Paul planned: A tour of Chatsworth House & grounds, lunch beside a river in Bakewell, then a hike in the Peak District (Paul's favorite place in England), then dinner at a New Orleans-themed restaurant in Birmingham
How long have you been together? Married for 3.5 years, together 1 year before that
Who eats more? Paul
Who said I love you first? Paul
Who is taller? Paul
Who sings better? Paul
Who does the laundry? I do
Who pays the bills? Paul makes the money, I pay the bills
Who mows the lawn? Only rocks in Vegas, but Paul picks up the dog poo...
Who cooks dinner? I do, but Paul is always willing to help chop or cut vegetables and he goes grocery shopping with me (did I mention the amazing husband I have???)
Who drives when you are together? Paul
Who is more stubborn? We are both stubborn in our own ways
Whose parents do you see the most? Mine
Who kissed who first? Our first kiss was after he proposed-mutual, I guess
Who proposed? Paul-absolutely beautifully at sunset on a hillside in Topanga Canyon, California
Who is more sensitive? I am
Who has more friends? They're all mutual now
Who has more siblings? I have 1 more than Paul (aren't they really mutual now too?)
Who wears the pants in the family? We're easygoing



I tag Ceri, Hilary, Jordan, Katy, Morgan, Brandi, Natasha, Brittney & Jared

Mount Charleston...again

A week ago Saturday we decided it would be nice to go up to Mt. Charleston again and have a family hike. We figured with all the sunshine in Vegas it might be our last chance to play in some snow. So, after an hour of packing up Alec's things, bundling him up and gathering all the dogs' equipment and plenty of water, we drove 45 minutes up to Mount Charleston.

After bundling up Alec and assuring ourselves the dogs' harnesses and leash were on tight enough, we headed off the clear road into the snow...which turned out to be about 24 inches deep...and promptly soaked our tennis shoes and trousers. Not the most auspicious beginning, but we forged on with cold toes because Alec was laughing-he loves being outdoors. His smiles got to us and we tried to build a snowman, but the snow was too icy. Alec wanted to play in it and kept wriggling to get free. Guess we'll be buying a snowsuit for him next year.

So, after about 30 minutes walking through the snow we headed back...only to be ambushed by Girl Scouts selling cookies next to our parking area. Guess it's that time of year. Any calories we burnt off in the snow were quickly regained with our cookie eating on the way home.

I included this last picture because I think Alec's face is hilarious. I think he was a little impatient waiting for me to harness the dogs: