Next Stop Johnson Town

Two weeks ago we made a stop in Johnson Town.  Johnson Town is located in Spokane, WA on the third floor of Grandma and Papa's house.   It is a model train town built with love which quickly captivated our Grady (again).  Grady would wake up from every sleep asking for "train train train."  He learned how to control the train and Papa showed him that if he pushes the throttle forward the train will go faster and told him to say "more power".  He became obsessed with the train and even ran it so hard it started smoking one time and needed a nap. Sitting on Grandma and Papa's lap running the train was undoubtedly Grady's highlight of the weekend. Weeks later Grady still walks around the house pumping his first forward saying "more power" and "uh-oh tree fell" (remembering the tragic event when a tree fell on the train track).  I have a feeling Johnson Town is going to be a favorite memory for our little boy for years to come.

The other parts of our Spokane visit outside of Johnson Town were equally wonderful.  We made a visit to the park, ate lunch at an old fashioned hamburger joint called Hogans, rode the carousel, made a couple trips down the giant red wagon slide, and had lots of laughs and as many cuddles as Grady could give.  It was a very special time and pretty much the perfect weekend.  Thank you Grandma and Papa for loving on Grady and us so much.  We love you!

                                                                                This face?!?!

Grady's important pine cone collecting mission. 

Knock on wood, but this guy made our flight home a breeze.  The flight there was a little touch and go with Grady getting up and down up and up and down and wanting to say hi and talk to everyone on the plane. For the flight back we enjoyed an extra seat and strapped him in and it was like night and day.  Restraints are key from here on out.  Happy travels little guy.

Winter's Finale

For a little winter finale we snuck up to McCall to enjoy a weekend with the Whitfields.  It was a quick little weekend, but a great one.  I think one of the things that makes me most happy is seeing Grady with his cousins.  Grady has the most adorable love for complete infatuation with "Fofie" (AKA, Sophie).  I am pretty sure if he could be like anyone, he'd choose to be like her. She is a regular topic of conversation in this house and she'd probably be freaked out if she knew how much he randomly talked about her.  Strange as it is, it is also pretty adorable.  Grady and Cam are two boundary-pushing yet very sweet peas in a pod. Watching them play together makes me realize how much fun it will be for the two of them to grow up together.  What lucky boys to have one and other. 

 Monkey see Monkey do.

Wild boys!

Look at this cute skier girl.

Crazy cuzies!

Sunny CA

I made my way to San Diego what is now over a month ago for a very impromptu little trip.  My office was closed for relocation, Makenna was celebrating her first birthday and there was a new little 801 baby to meet. Needless to say, Southern California was calling my name.  Thanks to my amazing huz, I escaped for a wonderful little weekend in the sun with some of my very favorite girls.  5 of 8 of my college roommates were there along with several of the other "801 girls."

Love every single one of these girls

Our "do something crazy" pictures have really calmed down over the past 10 years. 

Dina blew all the other Pinterest moms out of the water with her crafty fish party for sweet little Makenna. Makenna was the sweetest little one year old I have ever seen gently plucking her blueberries from her little cake.  She is the most adorable, happy little girl ever and she even showed off for us taking her first series of steps.  Love this little girl and her whole family.  Happy birthday Makenna (now a month late!).

Yeah, my backyard looks like this in February too. :)

I met and snuggled with this adorable dude while down there too.  The Salcidos make the whole second child thing look way too easy. 

Salcido number one and I also became buds. 

Lucky for me, I also got to fit a visit in with my cousin, her adorable kids, and my aunt and uncle.  Although I failed to snap any pictures, it was so much fun to see all of them!  

After lots of girl time, a walk on the beach, more sunshine than I have seen in months, little baby snuggles, and celebrating the birthday of one amazing little girl, I came home with a full heart.  Thanks for letting us convert your house into a hotel for the weekend and for hosting us all Dina and Mark!  Great to see the rest of your girls and kiddos too, I don't know what I'd do without my 801 family.
  

It is always nice to come home to this cutie!

The Middle

We are definitely straddling two seasons here in Boise and I am the first to admit that I am ready to give winter a kick in the pants to say goodbye and to welcome tulips and daffodils with open arms. While the little brave bulbs popping up make me happier than can be, we are still trying to soak in those last few snow filled days as well.   Grady is still a big sledding fan and will probably drag his sled around on the grass begging to be pulled this spring.  Chris and I were thrilled to get an afternoon of skiing in at Brundage thanks to Grandma and Grandpa! 

Hitting the pow pow.

Our sledding trail. 

Lunch with Grandpa.

My jumping bean. 

Inspecting the flowers. 

Even Bella has a spring in her step.