Vail

We bought Spencer a new pair of sunglasses. He sports them here watching a rushing stream full of spring runoff. He loved the "wawa" and we walked past it for him about ten times a day. Wawa...wawa...wawa...wawa...

We had an amazing long weekend in Vail. Jon and I took Friday off to spend what we think is our first family of four vacation. Spencer found a new love - water (wawa). He ran around in the fountains, watched the roaring creeks, swam in the hotel pool and jumped around in a few puddles. Vail considers Memorial Day weekend off-season so we stayed at one of Vail's nicest hotels for a fraction of what they normally charge. Everyone at the Sonnenalp fell in love with Spencer...one lady who works there even gave him a Sonnenalp teddy bear. And it seemed like almost all the guests by the end of the weekend either knew his name or knew him as the boy with the hammer and screwdriver (which he carried around just about all weekend!).

We spent the weekend relaxing with Spencer and Barkley, walking around Vail Village and doing some serious shopping (Vail's shops had some amazing sales this weekend). I am running another half marathon in a couple of weeks so I went out early one morning and ran about 11 miles at an elevation higher than normal and what seemed like uphill the entire time (I know...not possible). I rewarded myself with a massage at the hotel's spa.

Barkley woke up his normal 5:45am so one morning I took my camera out and played around with my zoom lens...thus the flower shot. I have about a hundred more if anyone's interested!

We are off to get groceries before the week starts. Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day!

Daddy's little helper

Spencer loves helping with just about every household task (except folding laundry...but maybe that will come). Jon was putting up a gate at the top of our steps and Spencer became obsessed with all the tools. Later that day we bought him a kid's tool belt and yesterday he held the toy hammer and screwdriver all the way to daycare, all the way home, at dinner (Spence and I had a burrito date since Jon was out of town) and all last night. Friday night we went to our neighbors for dinner and he held the tape measure the entire time - even while hanging with his neighbor girlfriend Kaia!

parties and potties

Happy mother's day to all you moms out there.

Here's a picture from Spencer's first (photographed) potty experience. He said poo-poo so off we ran to the bathroom!

I took the picture of him hanging on the couch as he watched his "eyen-tine" (baby einstein) neighborhood animals dvd. We watched that at least once a day now. It's actually quite relaxing and he now knows many of the animal names. Ducks rank high on the list and we all feed the ducks at the park.

As for me dressed up - that was taken before a black tie dinner we took some clients to the other night (the camera angle doesn't do justice to my not often worn high heel sandals).

I love bubbles

Spencer has a new favorite activity...bubbles. We go outside every day after work and play with his bubbles only to return again with bubbles after dinner. Spencer's other new favorite before bedtime is watching his Little Einstein animals in my neighborhood video. We played it a few weeks ago and it is the most relaxing 25 minutes! I cannot remember who gave that to us (feel free to remind me)...but thanks again. The video is officially the first Spencer will sit through.

These pictures are from a few weeks ago when Spencer's Texas grandparents Lewie and Linda spent time at our house. We had snow one day and about 70 degree weather the next. This was actually Spencer's first snowtime adventure...we didn't get much snow this winter until March and April came and we had our first significant snow...which would then melt by the next day. With this crazy weather Jon and I both got sick and had a terrible couple of weeks coughing, sneezing, etc. Thankfully we are all better now.

Spencer is just about 20 months old (wow) and is speaking a new word or two every day. A few favorites are "mommydaddymommydaddymommydaddy", ahlalu (i love you), night night, choo choo, bubbles and einstein. He also became a big kisser (to mom, dad, barkley and the girls at daycare) and really any other girl that shows him a little attention!

We are off today to celebrate the retirement of our favorite long-time assistant at work, Rosie. Spencer loves a good party and is looking forward to catching up with his GKB toddler pals.