The Wiggles coming on stage in their Big Red Car. The fill-in Wiggle is Sam, the yellow shirt wearer.
I was in Denver from the 10-19th of this month. Eric was supposed to have some training out there and I was just going to tag along but his course was canceled and my ticket was nonrefundable, so I went out and Eric joined me for a few days. It was a nice stay with Eric's sister, Lisa, who lives in Parker, CO. His other sister, Lynne, also flew out from Salt Lake for a couple of days to see the kids. Forget about Eric and me, the aunts and cousins just wanted to play with the kids which was fine with me.
Elizabeth and Rachel with cousins Carissa and Michael Condie.
We looked at some model homes and went to the aquarium downtown. I don't know why, but Rachel got scared whenever I put her up to the fish tanks on her own. I enjoyed the aquarium, and looking at beautiful houses.
Feeding the stingrays at the Aquarium. Be careful that you're not like the Crocodile Hunter and get stung through the heart!
We also spent some time separately with two couples that we knew from BYU who are now dentists and starting to roll in the big bucks :) Hanging out with them brought back memories of the days before kids and the fun that we had in school, apart from studying. Ah, BYU. Brent and I got into some mean Boggle games but of course he killed me. I give up on Weboggle and trying to beat him, it's too addictive and I just can't win.
I must say we fell in love with Denver with its bright sun and western feeling. Maybe someday we'll move out there if Eric can find a job and we can afford a home since cost of living is a little higher, okay more than a little, than here in Dayton.
I won't even start about the plane rides to and from Dayton, they were horrible and I'm never flying Northwest again! I survived though and we were home in time to celebrate Rachel's birthday on Monday. I can't believe she's already a year old! She took her first steps out at Aunt Lisa's house but hasn't ventured out on her own with full-fledged walking. She loved the cake and presents although Elizabeth did get a little jealous about the presents and had to wrap one of her own. I think she'll really like her birthday and Christmas this year so aunts and uncles that read this (and grandma and grandma) bring on the presents :)
Birthday girl Rachel
Our turkey day was low key but very nice. My second year making a turkey was a success, at least I think it was. We invited over our friends the Andersons and their girls to entertain ours. We're sad they have left Dayton for Oklahoma then Idaho and then across the world to Japan. Got to love the Air Force! Eric and Ed played video games after dinner, and of course watched some football while us girls relaxed (I cooked and the men cleaned up).
Krista (in the carseat), Kimberley, MaryAnn, Ed, and Keira Anderson. We'll miss you guys!
The next day I slept in in honor of Black Friday and Eric was the one who actually braved the stores at 7am for a present for me. What a loving husband!
The weather here has been so nice and beautiful that yesterday we went on a little walk out at Glen Helen. My new toy is a Kelty baby backpack carrier and Eric actually used it to carry Rachel on our walk. I should have gotten one when Elizabeth was born so we could have gone on more hikes but I've remedied that situation and if Elizabeth's little legs will carry her out in nature like they do around our neighborhood, we'll go hiking this spring/summer.
