More October Pictures

Just realized these never got posted

Thanksgiving, Marathon, Zions, Christmas

 Baby's first Thanksgiving Dinner

It was a hit!

Last November I did my first full marathon. It was tough...
Lessons learned:
1) Start at your own pace- don't try to keep up with friends who are much faster for you, even for only 3 miles.
2) Eat lots! The week of the race, the night before and even wake early to eat more. (Drinking water is included with this.)
3) Even if your body says eat at 6 miles but that wasn't in the plan, do it! There is more food along the course.
4) Long training runs are important- don't skip these.
5) Finally- audio books are the best mental life saver!

 Mile 5: Cheesy picture, I know

Mile 26.2: Didn't even see my 'support crew.' 

My only thought was to get across the line and lie down, which is what I did!

Christmas Woody and Buzz

We had to put up a tree before the move, even for a short while.

I love this flower that bloomed in CA before we left! 

Don't know what it is called though...

Zion

 No snow but very cold!

 Christmas...

 

 1st present

 

 Star Wars Millenium Falcon- Is he already old enough to have toys like this? Wow, how time flies!

 Christmas morning... a little unsure

...but quickly warm-up

 Check out Eli's 'rock' face!

 "No baby, it's mine!"

 Jumping on bubble wrap! Thanks Uncle Wesley!

The force...

 Christmas morning #2 (some of the gifts got lost with the move)

 Merry Christmas!

Well, we are here...

...sort of.  We are in Utah and it has been a crazy few weeks trying to get settled! I can't believe we have moved back.  I still feel like we will be driving back to California, to our old home and I will go back to my old job. I am sure this will feel like home soon enough but for now we all feel a little misplaced. 

The story goes... Ryan's company was kind enough to pay for some moving costs. Yea! We were able to hire a company to drive all of our gear across the desert and to our new mountain home.  This was so much easier than driving a U-haul again (especially with little kids). We boxed everything and they were at our house Monday the 19th to load it into the truck.  After most everything was loaded the owner stopped by to inform us he is having difficulty finding a driver and our things most likely will not be there by Christmas. What!?! Initially we were told our things would be there within 3 days.  We only packed a few items for 2 days of travel and all our Christmas gifts were on the truck already.  Sigh... so we took advantage of the extra time and stopped in Vegas to see the Aquarium (very cool Swordfish!).  We also stayed in the Zion lodge for a couple of nights and did some cold, but beautiful hiking!  

We arrived in Salt Lake in time for Christmas and all of the family traditions.  I had an interview with Shriner's hospital (no word yet). Ryan had the week off work!

The craziness started again when we went to check out the duplex we were planning on moving into.  It smelled horribly of smoke! After cleaning the carpets, painting walls and changing the heating vent it still smelled.  So Ryan and I spent 1 day rushing around looking for an apartment that had immediate openings and will do a month-to-month lease.  Luckily we found one not too far from Ryan's work. Our things arrived on the truck the next day and we are now pretty much moved in.  Now time to look for buying a house! So we hope to be moving again in the next few months but it will be well worth it and hopefully we will not move again next Christmas (as we did last year and this).

Pictures of Christmas and our adventures to come...

Moving

From this...

To this...

Hopefully we can do more of this...

 Though I will miss this...

And this...

And this...

And this year round...

Ryan got a job in Sandy UT. We were not even looking for a job but a friend referred him and he got the offer 1 week later. It feels right to go despite how much I will miss Santa Barbara and my job.  It will be wonderful to live near family and live somewhere more affordable! I think Eli believes we will live at his grandparents houses and he will play with grandpa's and their toys all day! We hope to be there by Christmas!

A little about Wyatt. . .

My sweet little bug -and I do mean little. The last measure showed him <5% for height and weight. He is an active one; always wanting to keep up (or at least watch) his older brother, though he is a little scared of him as well.  Wyatt loves swim lessons and splashing in the water.  He doesn't even cry when he goes under. He is crawling and cruising like many 10 month olds but recently in a fit of tears, he let go of the couch and took 3 steps toward me! Now I won't say he is ready to walk but it was cute to see him try.  Speaking of crying, Wyatt is in an attachment phase where he constantly wants to be held or near Mom (Dad will work too if Mom's not around). He is also not a great sleeper. Essentially waking every 2-4 hours since he was born. Now I know many of you say we need to let him cry it out but I am not a fan of that since we tried it with Eli without success. Though I am tired this is working for now- 'but please Wyatt any time you want to learn to sleep longer is fine with me...' Wyatt is our sensitive guy. Anything new can get him upset but he generally grows accustom with time. He favorite sayings are 'mama,' 'baba,' clicking his tongue and waving his hand for hello, goodbye, pointing, saying I want, more, and anything else. He has such a cute smile that lightens my spirits!