Outside Adventures

It has been uncharacteristically warm this winter, especially the last couple weekends.  So we took advantage of them, bundled up Calder, and headed for the great outdoors.

Weekend Number One: Antelope Island
We went for a hike on Antelope Island.  Craig had never been there before, and I had only ever been there to step in the water (which is kind of gross.) It was beautiful!

Definitely a different kind of beautiful than lush green everywhere, but it was a Utah-desert-in-the-winter beautiful.  We had a lot of fun!  We took the stroller, which was a little difficult at times, (most of the time there was a fairly smooth trail) but Calder was able to stay warm in it.

We even saw a Bison!  I am just glad he didn't see us, too!

Weekend Number Two: the Park
We took Calder to the park for the first time.  He LOVED it!  He couldn't get enough of the swing or the slide.   He had the biggest grin on his face, and would just giggle.  It was so cute!

I guess I know where we will be spending most of our time this summer!

Recap

Well, since it is now February, I figured I ought to write a little about our Christmas.

It is so much fun having a little kid on Christmas!  Calder didn't understand what was going on, but he did love the lights and ripping the wrapping paper, and he does love his new toys. 

 We got to spend the night of the 23rd at my parents' house, and most of the 24th there as well.  All of my siblings were there.  We had a little "Christmas morning" on the 24th.  It was great to spend time with everyone.

We were able to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at our apartment, which was so much fun!  I am so glad we got to spend a little of the holidays with just our little family.

On Christmas, we drove up to Mendon and enjoyed church with Craig's family, and were able to talk to his sister who is on a mission.  We stayed that night, and most of the 26th at their house.

We were spoiled, and loved spending time with family, but I think the best part of Christmas is just the feeling you have all season.

Craig was super busy with work all through the holidays.  They had a project that they had to do for the Federal Regulators, and so he spent long, long hours at his work.  Some nights he didn't get home until 2 am!

The project was due on January 9th, so when they finished, he got a whole week off of work! So we took advantage of the time, and went to San Diego!

We stayed with some of our friends who live there.  They were amazing hosts, and we had such a good time!

Calder loved playing with their little girl, who was 7 months old, and we loved to watch them play together!

 We got to go see the ocean, which was beautiful!

 We drove around San Diego.  I couldn't believe how beautiful it is there!  It is seriously perfect.  Green, mountainous, ocean view, and perfect weather.  We watched the sun set from some cliffs overlooking the ocean.  (Calder has discovered how to stick out his tongue, and he (we) thinks it is hilarious.)

 Calder loved pointing at everything.

We walked around part of the old town in San Diego, and saw the Mormon Battalion museum.  It was really neat!

 We had a great trip!  Calder even did well on the drive to and from.  On the way down, we broke the drive into two days, stayed in Mesquite for the night, walked around Vegas the next day and then finished the drive.  He really struggled on the last half hour there, but other than that he did great.  On the way back, we drove straight and I sat in the back seat with him for about 4 hours, but he did so well, I was so impressed.

Thanks again to our friends who let us stay with them and treated us so well! It was just what the doctor ordered. :-)