Girls Ski Trip

I met some friends at Park City and we skied at Deer Valley resort this weekend. I haven't skied in over two years so it was quite the adventure. The slopes were icy in several spots due to lack of snowfall lately, which made for some nasty falls. I really need more practice, but it is hard making time with two little ones.




I accidentally had the camera on the bw setting for this one! Unfortunately this was the only picture of me by myself on the slopes.



Here is Kellee looking too cool on the slopes! She is a great skier.



This picture was taken in auto mode. Compare this one to the previous picture which was taken with the SNOW function on. What a difference! The first picture is so much brighter and really brings out the light.

Picture Effects

I just bought a new digital camera and have been playing with the different picture effects. These are a few pictures from my first attempts. There is a little motion blur, but I am practicing. I thought the one picture of Austin turned out really cool, minus the slight blur.

Austin's First Steps!

Austin is now officially walking! He actually took his first steps in our kitchen on February 11th. I took this video on February 17th, but didn't have a chance to edit and post until now. He loves walking and has been wanting me to hold his hand while walking around the house. We do lots of mini loops around the kitchen and through the family room. He also loves climbing the stairs and really gets upset when we try to pick him up before he is at the top! It is funny watching him learn to walk since he has that classic Frankenstein look with his arms outstretched and a little stiff. He seems to be quite cautious compared to Dylan who seemed to just take off once he was on his feet! I am pleased with the change of pace! Enjoy the video!

Brusha Brusha Brusha!

Dylan had his first dental appointment. I had been preparing him for some time and telling him it would be fun and he would get a new toothbrush, toothpaste and cool toy. So he was actually pretty excited to go. Overall, he was a real trooper! He loved the little play area in the waiting room and one patient even had a tiny pug puppy in her lap. When the hygienist asked us to come back, Dylan excitedly followed and eagerly jumped in the chair for x-rays. He had no problems with the film in his mouth and holding still for the camera. Once we were led to the dental chair he seemed to lose his bravery. He did not want to lay back in the chair for a cleaning even with the cool flat screen TV mounted to the ceiling. He was even more nervous when the hygienist showed him the polishing tool. He was like, "No way! That's not going in my mouth!" I then suggested that she just show him how it works on my teeth and Dylan thought it was neat and finally agreed to try it. He did OK for a while, until the toothpaste started dribbling out and he just wanted to rinse his mouth. I don't think chocolate is the best flavor, but he wasn't enthused about any others. The hygienist thought he did great and said that most kids won't even open their mouths on the first visit.

She then decided to give him his dental goody bag while we waited for the dentist. Normally, I think it would be good to have him entertained while we waited, but he just thought this meant he was done and it was time to go. Of course, he also had to take everything out and wanted to start using the toothbrush and floss. He then proceeded to take the two stickers out and start putting them on the dental equipment. Luckily I could get them off the first time, but once he stuck them on the chair, the bottom half was stuck on! The hygienist assured me that it was OK and they have a special cleaner to get it off. Oh, well! Next time, I will remember to make sure they hold the goody bag until it is time to go.

After about 10 minutes of trying to contain him in this area, the dentist finally arrived! Again, Dylan wouldn't lay in the chair on his own. I offered to hold him and he just laid down on me facing the dentist. It was a little strange, but whatever works! The exam went well and there were no problems found. After the exam, the dentist pulled out a large container of toys and told Dylan to pick one. He had a hard time deciding and really didn't like the idea of only getting one, but he finally settled on a small purple toy car.

We were also instructed to start fluoride toothpaste and train him to spit now. I thought it was going to be a challenge, but Dylan really likes brushing his teeth like Mommy and Daddy. However, he will need to work more on the art of spitting. At times, he just lets it dribble out all over his clothes! Hopefully, he will be a pro by his next appointment.

Rides, Rides and More Rides!

We decided to check out this indoor playground/mini-amusement park. Dylan has been fairly timid, O.K. downright terrified of carnival rides. But, we thought that since he has made some recent progress, like riding the coin operated rides, he might actually have fun on some more traditional carnival rides. Well, I think we still have some time before he really loves these rides. Our first mistake was allowing him to pick the first ride, without actually seeing it operate first. It was the fastest ride! It is referred to as a rollercoaster, but it really just goes in a circle forward and backward. I also made the mistake of riding it with him and I was quite nauseated afterwards! Next time, Mike will be the co-rider!

After that ride, it took a long time before he would even consider another ride and it was the bumper cars. I had to ride with him at first and then he did it by himself briefly. However, he was frustrated when he got stuck and kept trying to get out! He also managed to get up on the carousel for a minute, but jumped off before they could start the ride. The only other ride he would try was a fairly tame jeep ride.

Unfortunately, there wasn't much there for Austin and I refused to allow him near the floors. It wasn't the cleanest place! I think we will wait for the summer and try again at the real amusement park outdoors. Hopefully, Dylan will be ready and won't remember his bad experience on this "rollercoaster" ride.


Dylan was very excited at first.




This is Dylan at the end of the ride! Although he was scared, he never cried.




Luckily I took this picture fast. The next minute he was off the ride and left before it could start.




O.K., back to the comfortable coin operated rides!




Austin loved watching all the action while being held. He also slept in the stroller for the first part of our day.






I was barely able to squeeze in with him! Dylan did a great job pushing the pedal while I helped with the steering.




It was hilarious watching Mike squeeze in! Looks comfy!





I am really not sure how Dylan pushed the pedal! I guess Mike did it.




Dylan enjoying some solo time!







Mike barely fit in this one too! It is nice that parents are allowed to accompany kids on every ride for free.




I squeezed in too!




Aren't they cute! This was the only ride Austin would get in. He was scared too, but it helped that Dylan could sit next to him. He is much more comfortable with these rides than Dylan was at this age.

Check out this short video!

Austin Stands!

Austin recently started standing on his own without using furniture. He seems to prefer to stand only when he is playing with his busy gears. By the way, he LOVES this game and it keeps him entertained for up to 20 minutes at a time! I highly recommend it. Interestingly, this game did not have the same level of interest for Dylan. He never wanted to sit still anywhere for long! Enjoy the short video. Any guesses as to when he will start walking?

A Day at the Children's Museum

Indoor activities are a favorite here in Utah in the dead of winter. The downtown Gateway shopping center has a great children's museum with convenient underground parking below the building. The kids had a great time. There are so many activities that Dylan was in "stimulus overload" and had to try everything! Austin loved the baby area and enjoyed playing with other babies for the first time! He is so used to fending off a big brother that it was a nice change for him!




These tubes were pretty cool! There is a burst of air when the door is opened and then stops once the ball is placed and the door closes. It was so fun watching Dylan cringe when the air hits him in the face!







Austin climbed up both sides of this slide, the smooth part and this side with the wooden slats. He was so proud of himself when he got to the top!







Both kids loved the water play area. Austin was so upset when Mike finally had to stop holding him up so he could play. Our knees aren't meant to stay in that position too long!




There are several outfits or uniforms for the kids to wear. Dylan loves the fireman coat and hat. Although this was a jeep, he pretended it was a firetruck.


The little store is so cute. Here is Dylan picking up a few items.

Off to the Movies!

Dylan watched his first full length feature film in the movie theater! For those of you with young children, you know this accomplishment. Dylan in particular has struggled with a fear of theaters among other things, like the coin operated rides in the malls. The first movie he watched was an IMAX film at Yellowstone Park in August 2007. He was scared at first, but we were able to distract him with popcorn and soda, which was a novelty for him. He managed to make it though the 45 minute experience, but it was challenging. We knew that it would be a long time before attempting it again.

Well, we attempted it again this past summer at the planetarium. There was a short 30 or 45 minute show in the main dome and he didn't last 5 minutes before he was in the back of the theater crying and begging to leave. This time we didn't have popcorn since it wasn't allowed. Once the theater darkened and he heard the loud bang of the universe, that was enough for him!

I thought it was time to give it another try with a nice Disney movie. He was so cute using "positive self-talk" to help him fight his fears. He kept saying things like, "It will not be dark. I will not be scared. I will not cry." We got our popcorn and entered the theater minutes before the promos. He really couldn't sit in the seats very well and his seat kept collapsing on him. He learned to scoot to the front for better stability. Once the promos started, he jumped in my lap and started to whine, saying that he wanted to leave. I comforted him and then covered his ears with my fingers to help lesson the noise. He calmed down and then turned to face the screen and covered his own ears. We made it through the 20 minutes of previews and he was OK. I breathed a sigh of relief and thought we might actually make it. He seemed to be in awe of the big screen and enjoyed the experience as long as he covered his ears. It really is pretty loud for young children. During quiet scenes he even uncovered his ears long enough to munch on popcorn and drink a soda. A couple of scenes were a little scary for him and he asked to leave at one point to go the the bathroom and started to walk up the stairs toward the back of the theater. I caught him before he got too far and took him to the bathroom. Public restrooms are also challenging since he has a fear of automated flushing toilets. Despite some anxiety and a little crying, we made it through the bathroom break and I thought for sure that he wouldn't want to go back to the theater. But, he surprised me and said that he wanted to see the movie. Of course, he convinced himself that "it would not be dark." Luckily, it was a quiet scene when we returned and it was fairly uneventful until the end of the movie. He was worried about Bolt's safety and said he wanted to leave. I decided to cover his eyes while he covered his ears and he relaxed. He just told me to cover his face when he was worried. Once the movie ended and the credits appeared he wanted to stay a little longer. Overall, he really loved this experience and the movie was pretty cute. He keeps asking about going back to the movies. It is so nice to have another outing option. Next time, I think we will bring ear muffs!

Austin's First Birthday!!!

We celebrated Austin's first birthday this weekend. We decided to have a quaint family birthday party at home. Austin loved his presents and especially smashing his first birthday cake! Dylan let Austin open some of his presents and of course needed to try out all his new toys first. Enjoy the pictures and video. I am also working on Austin's first year slide show, which I plan to post later this month.