Steve and Glenwood

Our friend Steve Bridgehouse came to visit recently. So good to see him! We visited him at the North Rim of Grand Canyon way back in October, so this was an overdue visit. Daniel couldn't play with him enough! He buried him in toys, played with him in the gardens at La Posada in Winslow where we went for brunch, and just generally enjoyed his company. Just like us!

We were in Glenwood, NM visiting the Evans Family last weekend. It was great to see them and have the boys play with Daniel. Even though he wasn't feeling great (a second cold in 3 weeks), he played and played and played. The boys were so great with him! Thanks Evans Family! We went to a nearby home with labyrinths, played in the dirt pile, and threw rocks in the San Francisco River. Luckily the weather was much warmer than Holbrook!

Even Chris played with Daniel! Look at all those toys!!

Richard and Tom walk in one of the labyrinths.

Indoor Playtime

We've had some pretty cold days in the last few weeks. Who hasn't? So we've found new things to do indoors. Two of Daniel's favorite things now are play-doh and watercolors. And we like them too! Here are just a few photos of him hard at work? play? Definitely having fun!

Look at the precision! I gave Daniel my cake tester and told him to put holes in the circles on the butterfly. Couldn't have been more perfect! Wow!

One day when it was really, really cold, we did a trip to Flagstaff and visited Summit Gymnastics where they have open gym for the kids on Mondays and Thursdays. It was a big hit, and we hope to go again soon! The jump pit was great and Daniel really like swinging from the rings. He watched other kids flip over but wasn't quite willing to try it himself.

And lastly, celebrating the cold, Daniel got a hand-made hat from a friend. These pics showcase the hat on a daily walk. We still try to walk everyday, though the cold has put a damper on that. The hat is so nice and warm! Thanks Jess!

More from California

It was a really nice vacation in California this Christmas, even with some rainy and colder weather. We've gotten so used to things being dry, that the rain just stopped us in our tracks! What happened to me wheeling around all over Bellingham, WA on my bike all year round? Rain, snow, a little sun... never bothered me!

We started our trip in Flagstaff with snow (left) and ended our trip in Flagstaff with snow (right). So a little rain in California really wasn't too bad!

Christmas was celebrated a little early while Richard's brother and wife, Michael and Denise, could be there with us. Daniel liked opening the presents more than anything else, though he did help Aunt Heidi pass them out to everyone.

We had a wonderful day at Laguna Beach with Richard's Mom. I already posted some in a previous blog, but here are a few more from Richard's camera.

Daniel loves playing with his cousin Matthew. Here they are at The Old Spaghetti Factory (a favorite restaurant) on two different occasions. Thanks Matthew for always being such a good sport!

Aunt Heidi is fun to play with, too. Here they are coloring. I especially liked when Daniel discovered his Oma's flashlights, and Aunt Heidi went around the house with him opening cabinets and closets for him to shine a light into!

We went to the Aquarium of the Pacific with Richard's Mom. I LOVE this aquarium. Daniel didn't focus too much on the exhibits, but it was still a wonderful experience that I know he got more out of than we realize. When we see a picture of a sea anemone, sea urchin, shrimp, hermit crab, ray, or jellyfish, I remind him that he got to touch these in the aquarium! I'm sure he remembers. Who forgets when a ray swims up to your hand for a quick pet!

And finally another trip to Laguna Beach! This time we stayed overnight. My BEST Christmas present was the oceanfront room! The high tide literally came up under out balcony, two stories below. It was wonderful to fall asleep and wake up to the sound of waves washing in and out on the beach. We took a sunset walk at low tide when we checked in, a swim in the pool with Matthew (who came with his girlfriend for dinner), and then another walk on the beach the next morning with my cousins from Encinitas: Debbi, Keith, Amber, and Arielle. What a great trip!

Sooooooo tired as we drove home from the beach!