Enjoying the holiday season

This week we have been busy getting ready for Christmas. Ethan is showing us how smart he is by repeating everything he hears. The other day Kristen stubbed her toe and said shoot. Ethan proceeded to walk around saying "shoot" for the next twenty mins. or so.

We had some rainy weather just after Thanksgiving and as a result we were able to see this double rainbow. the second one is faint but it is to the right of the brighter one.

This is one of Ethans favorite past times. Pulling out all of the diapers and then clothes in his drawer. If he can finish that without being caught he then goes to our drawes and tries to pull out all of our clothes.

We had some really cool thunderstormes Cory was able to catch some of the lightning in the clouds that accompanied the storm.

Ethan saw Kristen reading on the couch and decided that he needed to read too. Ethan loves books anytime we go anywhere in the car he has to have a book to read.

Ethan loves to "rock" and often climbs up on the rocking chair to read his favorite books.

Blogging again

We have finally acquired a new camera so we should do a much better job of keeping up our blog. Ethan has certainly got much bigger since the last post, he is a very active and happy boy, he loves to run around, get into everything hes not supposed to and give "loves" (which involves kisses, hugs and biting their noses) to every stuffed animal around the house.
This past weekend Cory broke his hand Mtn Biking and Ethan wanted to have an "owie" just like Dad.

Here is Dad and Ethan showing off their "owies" Cory's cast even glowin the dark.

Last week Kristen went to a lunch bunch playgroup with some ladies in the ward, Ethan had so much fun we went back to the park on Saturday, Ethan loves to be able to run around outside and play on the toys.

Slides are very much a favorite, Ethan has no fear in climbing up the stairs, sitting down and going down the slide, he doesn't even care if someone is there to catch him or not. He's our little daredevil.

Driving the bus is also a lot of fun, he likes to run towards it saying "bus, bus"

Dad and Ethan riding on the car.

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All of that playing and running around makes one very thirsty

Chairs have become a favorite toy to climb on and off of, it's definitely a bonus if there is something to play with when he gets up on the chairs. Computers are probably the favorite thing to find.

This week Kristen's sister Kelly came down to Phoenix. Kelly, Ethan and Kristen kept busy by going to the Phoenix Zoo and Disneyland. On the way to California Kristen's car broke down half way there and they had to finish their drive with the heater on the windows down and only driving about 50 on a 70 freeway. It was quite an adventure! Poor Cory was left at home to work. :( He missed out on all the fun. Below are some pics of all of the fun stuff we did. Ethan is a water baby through and through. Just like his mom.

Kelly's friend Josh came to the Phoenix Zoo with us Ethan really took to him. We had a GREAT time!

Kelly and Kristen at the Phoenix Zoo

Kristen and Ethan in California Adventure enjoying the sun.

Look at those Blue eyes!

Ethan enjoying a pretzel with Aunt Kelly

When we were at Disneyland we had some close family friends the Hobbins come with us Jessie her husband Dave and her sister Allie came with us for a night of Disney magic. Thanks guys we had a blast!

Ethan with his "favoite" (kelly's word) Aunt Kelly watching the water fall at California Advenure. Ethan is a absoute water baby and loves all forms of water.

Ethan and Kristen in California Adventure.

This is Ethan's favorite game. He loves to sit in Cory's hands and THROW himself backwards. We are in so much trouble when he is older he has no fear!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Baseball season is finally upon us again and since we now live in a city with a professional team we thought we ought to attend the D-backs home opener. Despite the hike to our seats (four rows from the top) we loved the game and the view. The Diamondbacks played the LA Dodgers and it was a little weird to see Joe Torre not in pinstripes and it was kind of sad to cheer against him but we got over it.

When we first got to our seats the roof was closed, but because of the beautiful Phoenix weather they decided to open the roof, which cooled off the stadium by 10 degrees, and allowed for an awesome view when the four F-16s flew over for the opening of the game.

We highly recommend everyone experience the National Anthem at the beginning of a baseball game, there's really nothing like it.

This is Ethan enjoying is very own seat, he was great during the game and satin amazement at everything going on around us. This is the first of many baseball games for him.

We were actually able to get a family picture, next game we hope to be sporting some D-backs gear.

There were three young men that sat behind us and Ethan was enthralled with them and one o them was nice enough to give Ethan his spare ball that he got from batting practice, and Ethan loved the ball.The D-backs gave a very impressive display for their home opener, Mark Reynolds hit 2 of 4 HRs for the D-backs and they came a way with a 9-3 victory and went on to sweep the series, following a sweep of the Rockies in Colorado. Everybody is looking forward to the postseason already.

Catch Up Time

So it has been a VERY LONG time since we have posted anything at all so we are going to try and catch up right now with a whole lot of pics from the last few months. Since we last posted we have gotten ourselves established in Chandler, Az, we love our ward and have recently been called to the Activities Committee, with a special assignment to organize activities for the young married couples, Cory is also a substitute teacher for Elders Quorum. Kristen is the event planner for our apartment complex and is learning more about wine than she probably ever hoped to know. Ethan is developing rapidly, even though he isn't growing very fast (at his 9 month appt he weighed in the 5th percentile) He is learning to walk, taking 6 to 7 steps at a time, and he had greatly increased his vocabulary with several new sounds. We are loving our little family and life here in sunny/ hot Arizona, and hopefully this will be the first of many more pictures/videos to come.

We feel its never too young to learn how to drive, less errands we have to run.

EASTER TIME We went to Worlds Market in Cory's mall and saw this bunny, when we picked up Ethan got very excited and reached for it-he wouldn't put it down as we walked through the store so he came home with us. The ears are especially fun to chew on.This is one of those rare moments that Ethan just lay there and cuddled with his bunny.

This is Ethan Easter outfit, it is hard to see but the vest and pants have pink stripes in them. It was very hard to keep the ladies away from him at church.

THE BEACH

We recently made a very quick trip to California and had a little bit of extra time so we stopped at the beach. Ethan loved the sand, next time we will be sure to be dressed more appropriately for the sand and surf.

Ethan was unsure of the sand at first, but after a minute he couldn't get enough of it. What he really wanted to do was sit down and play in it.

Cory's family will appreciate this picture, we tried to get Ethan to have a pouty face, with his finger in mouth, but he wouldn't go for it.

This is the life!

UTAH TRIP

In February we had the opportunity to go home to both St George and Farmington. We were able to be there for Payton's baby blessing and get all of the grandchildren together for the first time. It was a lot of fun having the three boys together and I'm sure future visits will just get crazier.

Ethan and Ian chillin' together, they really are only 4 weeks apart.

Rachel decided it was to cuddle with her dad while he took a nap.Ian and Ethan, probably up to no good.

Look at those blue eyes.

BATH TIME!!! This is probably Ethans favorite time of the day. No matter where he is in the house, if he hears the bath water he comes cruising into his bathroom ready to play. He loves trying to catch the water in his mouth for his bathketballs (thanks J & B)

We got this elephant at the Disney Store for a buck, and apparently trunks and bunny ears are great chew toys.

Baseball season is right around the corner and we are taking advantage of having a local MLB team by going to the home opener on April 7th when the D-backs take on the LA Dodgers. This is a picture to make Uncle B proud, and I'm sure there will be plenty more to come in Diamondbacks gear.

There were a couple of weeks that it got kind of chilly here, well at least for a baby.

MMMMMMMM!!!! Peas

Although football season is over Ethan is still learning about the finer things in life, football and the Utes.

This was a couple of months ago and he was very proud of himself for being able to climb up on this box.
Life is at its best when there is something in the mouth.

This is Ethans kitchen/living room that he got for Chrsitmas, he loves to play with it, especially with fun hats.