Snow-Sunny-More Snow???

Here is Kai enjoying the latest snow fall in our backyard. He's not wearing mittens because this was a quick diversion on our way in the house. The snow really came down yesterday morning, but Kai and I have just gotten back from a walk in the sunshine this afternoon (still cold though). They are saying more snow is probably on the way. I'm still loving the snow, but I will be excited for Spring and being able to be outside more.

Kai's 18 Months Stats

Kai had his 18 month doctor appointment today- we're a little slow. He did well and got a good report. Here are his new stats.

Weight- 25pounds 12ounces- 50%

Head- 60%

Height- 36 inches- Way above curve! :) See below for how much off the chart.

Last time he was above the curve for height too but this time he is "way above". Looks like he is still working on trying to be one tall little boy. He doesn't have to go back again until his 2 year appointment which I'm sure he is excited about.

Tagged!

Since I have been double tagged here goes:

6 Things That Make Me Happy
1. My Family
2. Kai’s routine
3. Organized closets, cupboards, storage rooms, etc.
4. Walks
5. A warm bath
6. New emails/ blogs from friends who are far away

6 Things That Are Strange About Me
1. I’ve never liked the taste of carrots
2. If I straighten my arms my elbows hyperextend
3. I’ve lived in London twice
4. I usually prefer salty to sweet
5. When I squat down like a soccer player I can’t keep my heels on the ground
6. I live near some of the best ski resorts and I’ve never been skiing in my life

In honor of Dave Mullins, et al

Inspired by my brother-in-law Dave, the master of finding airline deals, Ashleigh and I volunteered to be bumped from our overbooked flight on Sunday. We were scheduled to get home at 4:30 and arrived at 10:30 instead. For this selfless act, we were each rewarded with a 400 dollar flight voucher and a meal in the airport. Not a bad way to get free flilghts (or meals). I highly recommend it sometime. Although it doesn't compare with the time Dave and Kirsten bought 150 soft drinks from Wendy's in order to obtain free flights.

We are now planning our next voyage. Suggestions?

Malibu Adventure

We had a great trip to Malibu. Pepperdine won both Volleyball games, we spent some fun time with all the grandparents, the weather was beautiful (and hot!), we got to see lots of friends from Pep and Church, Lance was sworn in to the Bar, and we had lots of our favorite yummy meals. Here are some pictures from the big weekend.

Walking the beach on the way to Malibu Seafood (close to where the recent fires were):

Go Waves:

Teaching Traditions to the Next Generation:

Lots of Playing:

Loving Woodranch:

Let's Keep A Safe Distance Willy the Wave:

He's Official:

The View From the Top:

All Together:

Home Again with New Treasures:

Happy Valentine's Day 2007!

Today Kai and I passed out his "Cars" Valentines around the neighborhood to some of the little ones around his age, ran some errands, Kai took a solid 2 1/2 hour nap, and we took a brisk walk around the neighborhood which was great. All the snow has melted off the ground, but as we were walking some little white flakes falling from the sky could periodically be seen. We were hoping to see the Andersons but sadly that didn't come together. I guess we'll just have to figure out a next time. :)

Just a quick note to let Lance know how much Kai and I love him. We are excited for him to get home from work (as usual). He is going to pick up some Pei Wei on the way home. Yummy!!! We have a tradition of making homemade cards for each other on Valentines Day so we will exchange those tonight. This is one of our cooler traditions that I look forward to every year. We'll also be gearing up for the trip tomorrow.

Happy Valentine's Day to all! Kai sends a big "MUAH!" to you all!

He's Official!

Kai turned 18 months old today which means he is now an official member of the nursery at Church. Yipppeee!!!! I took him down the hall to his room and he ran in the door and started playing with the toys and never looked back. The teachers comment from today was about how good he is at helping clean up and put things away. My Mom will be so proud. :) This bottom picture best describes how we all (including Kai) feel about nursery so far.

Zoo

The weather/ temperature took a sudden jump up over the last few days so we ventured to the zoo yesterday to get some outside time. I grew up going to the famous San Diego Zoo which is a great zoo, but some things I like about the one here are it is very close to where we live (less than 10 min.), it is under $10 a person, parking is close and easy, and it is big enough that you get your major animals and small enough that you can do it all in a short period of time. Kai loved it and we had a great time too.

Malibu Trip

Just a quick note to share that we are coming to Malibu next weekend (Feb.15-18). Yippeee!!! So if anyone is going to be in town we'd love to see you. Pepperdine is playing BYU in Volleyball, Lance is going to be officially sworn in to the CA Bar, and it also happens to be Homecoming weekend. Lance's parents are going to meet us there and my parents/ Whit are going to come up on Saturday to see us. We're super excited since it is going to be Kai's first time there and in May it will have been 2 years since we were last there. Some of the things we are planning on (in addition to the must make it to dining) are:

Thursday 7pm; Pep vs BYU Volleyball game

Friday morning; We'll be on main campus visiting everyone in the TAC

Saturday; Homecoming and Pep vs. BYU Volleyball at 1pm

Sunday; Church at Palisades Ward

Can't wait!!!!!!

Tuppertoy

Lance wants to know why we buy Kai toys?

His creations tonight were...............

Hat:

Chair:

Caught In the Act

Happy Birthday Grandma Coco!

We hope you had a wonderful day and will have a wonderful birthday trip next week. Please come by again to play with trains and puzzles.

Love Lance Ash Kai

Icicles

Pretty cool up close!

It's Been Too Long

We've been slow on our posting lately so here are some updates.

Last Saturday we drove up to Park City/ Heber. It was nice to get up in the mountains and fresh air. We've been having something called an inversion here in Salt Lake which basically means the air isn't too great. We had lunch in Heber at the Dairy Keen (yes that isn't a typo). It is a super cool place full of trains- one is even on a track up high that loops all around the place. Kai was in heaven. Here he is by one of the ones outside.

On Feb. 11 Kai will turn 18 months old which means that he gets to officially start going to Nursery at Church. We have 3 nursery classes in our building which is tons. The class the he will be going in to only has 2 kids in it right now because there are several kids right around Kai's age that will be adding to it over the next few months. So, the nice teachers have been letting Kai come check it out for the last few weeks. So far, Kai goes running in to the room and doesn't even look back for his Dad or I. They have tons of toys, music time, stories, a lesson, and they even get a snack so he thinks it is great. We just hope that this keeps up. On Sunday he was in there the whole time. So far so good.

In other Kai news he is currently obsessed with puzzles. We got him a few new ones and he already has them mastered. He can do them faster than I can. :)
I finally have accomplished a few projects that have been on my list forever. Yesterday, I was feeling quite handy when I pulled out the tool box and got a few things done- re-setting some door handles, adjusting my closet bars etc. What I am really excited about is I FINALLY got our London album and Kai's 1st year album done. Kai has a baby book too, but this book is just pictures. We have taken tons of pictures of him but have only gotten a few developed because they have all been digital. Now I just need to work on getting our family album updated.

Gymnastics

Last night we went to the gymnastics meet at the University of Utah. If you have never been to a college gymnastics meet I would highly recommend getting to one. Gymnastics is big at the U and that is super cool. At the beginning they do an introduction much like you see at an NBA game to introduce the players- spotlights, music, pyrotechnics etc. They also have cheerleaders, a strong large cheering crowd (note the top picture for an idea), a pep band, grown men leading cheers in between events etc. It is really quite the experience. I grew up doing club and then high school gymnastics so you know I love it, but anyone who enjoys a sports atmoshpere (men and women) would think this was fun. This year the University of Utah hosts the NCAA's which is also pretty cool.

It started snowing again late this afternoon. We haven't had snow since the last time I posted about it so we are enjoying a cozy Saturday night indoors. Snow is so much more wonderful when you are enjoying it from the inside of a warm room.

Give a Boy an Inch ...

And he takes a mile.

But give a boy a wicker basket, and he turns it into his own personal playpen.

Keeps Coming Down

It has been snowing since we got up this morning. Here is a picture of Kai checking it out from the warmth of inside our front door. As I'm writing this it seems to be coming down even harder and at an angle.

Such A Boy!

Kai loves cars and planes. He figured out how to work this one that has a little kick to it when you give it a push. He is such a boy!

Last night we watched the football game on tv and monitored the Malibu fire on the internet. The fire was actually very close to Pepperdine but on the other side of PCH. We have spent a bunch of time on Old Malibu Road and the small beach it borders. The homes on that road are big beautiful mansions that are right on the sand. It was sad to watch it last night.

Happy Birthday Cousin Kennedy!

Cousin Kennedy turned 2 yesterday so happy birthday wishes to her. Sorry we couldn't join you to celebrate today. Hope you are having fun and we'll see you soon.

Sick Boys

A little less than 24 hours after we got back from CA Kai began to throw up. This was the first time we had ever seen him throw up. The cycle has been throwing up one day, acting fine but weary of food for the next day or two, and then throwing up and starting the cycle over again. Sunday morning (3:30am)was the last round of throw up so we are sure hoping that we are finally getting over this awful thing. The strangest part is how fine he seems on the days right before he throws up again- laughing, playing etc. Yesterday, Lance decided to finally join in and feel sick too. So needless to say it has been a long week. Here are the boys having a saltine, juice, and soup snack today.