RIP Holiday Season

Merry Christmas everyone! Happy New Year as well! Hope everyone had some great holidays and got all the presents they were looking for. Raquel got me just what I wanted.

We've been getting quite a bit of snow lately here in Utah. I'm sure everyone is jealous. Apparently you don't have to go to Vermont to have a White Christmas (as discussed in "White Christmas").

We spent Christmas this year in Utah with Raquel's family. On Christmas Eve, we drove over to her grandma's house. Paxton was passed around the family. Everyone wanted a piece of that cutie.



I guess there was some Cougar pride in the house too.

We spent late night Christmas Eve getting hammered at Halo by her brother, Seth, and his wife, Mandy.

We went for a walk on Christmas Day. It was freezing out there.
A few days later we decided to go check out the lights on Temple Square.

Happy New Year! Feel free to set a goal to come visit.

Older and wiser too

Happy Belated Birthday Honey!

Yesterday we celebrated Matty's birthday. It was a day full of church meetings, cake and games. I hope it was relaxing for him. I showed my love by baking a cake (from a box) and only using 10 candles so he wouldn't get winded. Matt was able to be home on Saturday, which was a first in a couple months because of overtime. I really enjoyed the time I got to spend with him and I think Paxton enjoyed his time with Daddy as well. Our little guy really loves his dad.

Thanks honey for all your hard work and support! Paxton and I love you!

Happenings

A quick shout out to Holly and Landon for figuring out that our bug was a Jerusalem Cricket, thanks!

Paxton was a skunk for Halloween. I think he enjoyed his costume because he had no problem falling asleep while wearing it.

We carved one of our pumpkins. The other one I painted white stripes on it but forgot to take a picture of it.

I also made a centerpiece from some small apples I was given.

On Nov. 1st, Matt blessed Paxton at church. Matt's parents flew in for the weekend, and my family was able to come up as well. My mom got a suit for Pax. I loved it, the jacket turned out to be too big but the vest, shirt, and tie fit perfectly. I altered the pants (raised the crotch, narrowed the legs, and hemmed) and THEN they were perfect as well. Hope you enjoy the pictures!






This is how Paxton looked for church today. I love the bow tie. I am having a lot of fun dressing him. We went to the dermatologist this week and they think he has a hemangioma on his cheek. Not life threatening but ugly. We are suppose to watch it and see what happens.

Here is a cool picture Matt took at a park nearby. "Time-lapsetastic," says Matt.

Pumpkin Patch and Ensign Peak

We've been trying to get out of the apartment a little bit more considering winter is right around the corner. This past weekend we went to a pumpkin patch and hiked Ensign Peak. More on that in a minute. First we have to show off the growth of Paxton. He tried on some hats (or we tried them on for him). Thanks Grandma Davis for the red one, it's wonderful.



I think he's got the Uncle Jeff look coming along very nicely.

We also dressed him up like an out of work actor.


Look at these two. Like peas and carrots.

Me and Paxton had some quality talk time too. Apparently he'd like to be a doctor.

On Friday, we drove up to Farmington and went hunting for the perfect pumpkin. Those pumpkin people have quite the racket going. I wish I could sell some of my rotting vegetables for cash. Maybe someday...

We found a couple of keepers. No jack-o-lanterns yet.


Then on Saturday, Raquel pulled me away from the Florida game to enjoy nature. Nature doesn't score any touchdowns. Ken Burns should do a documentary called "Football: Saturday's Best Idea".

The trip up to the top of Ensign Peak was a little grueling carrying Paxton on my belly. You women just don't understand how difficult it is for a guy to carry the baby in the Snugli. Back pains. Cramping. It never ends.

We made it though. Salt Lake begins to grow on you after a while. It's a pretty nice place. Of course, its lack of a football team makes it impossible for raising children.


Oh, and I finally started a Facebook account. Only 5 years late on that one. Feel free to "poke" me. I may "poke" you back...but you won't like it.

We would like your help in determining what this insect is. Our vote is a combination of an ant and a bee. We called it an "anee" (the Ward family is endlessly creative). I was waiting for it to spring on us. I had my Argentine knife ready to go just in case.

Have a great week everyone!

Visitors

Pretty busy week for us. Here are some pictures to tell the story.

Last Sunday, we went down to Springville for my dad's birthday. It was the first time all the cousins on my side were able to get together. So here's Rylie, Paxton, and Allie.

On Friday, Ryan (Matt's older brother) came to visit on his way to run the St. George Marathon. We went over to the state capitol and took a tour.

Here's the Ward fam at the capitol.


Staci (Matt's little sister) came over to watch conference with us this weekend. We also got to celebrate her birthday on Saturday. The big 2-0.


Paxton's still growing fast.

Sorry for the blur. I wanted to add it anyways.

And here's a bottle drinking contest at a baby shower from a little while back. My brother, Seth, took the gold. Matt had very sore cheeks afterwards (and only drank half of the bottle).

Sleep Deprived Life

Now that Raquel and I have mastered the art of changing diapers in our sleep (except for last night when Pax went through 4 different outfits), life is getting back to "normal". He weighed in on Friday at 9 lbs. He's already grown to 23 inches. Raquel's happy that the high frequency of feedings is paying off.

Here are some pictures of our growing boy:




Here he is with Papito Cruz...


And with abuelita...


And his Aunt B


We had his cousins roll through town Saturday morning on their way to the airport. Looks like they go together like peas and carrots.


Paxton in Dreamland...




Don't bring that into my house.