Lava Hot Springs
We took a quick trip up to Lava Hot Springs on Friday. We like to go every year, and we usually rent out a home to stay in with lots of family. Last year Zeke stayed at the house with Grandma and Grandpa while we went into the hot pools. We saw a baby younger than him in them, but we didn’t think it would be a good idea to take him. This year, we still weren’t sure if he would like them, but we decided to give it a try. Guess what…he liked them!
We stayed in this pool the whole time, it wasn’t as hot as the others.
Before we got in.
Me, Zeke, and Grandma S
Zeke enjoying his ice cream from Grandma.
My brother Adam, sister Shirley, and youngest brother, Carlin back at the house.
Zeke anxiously waiting for some pizza
I found Zeke doing a little knitting after dinner. (PS Shirley- Don’t show Kaela this picture.)
The unicorns
Check out these pictures from last year. Zeke was only almost 10 months old, and already climbing like a monkey!
Curious as ever back then too! He looks so much the same, but he has changed a lot also. What a guy!
Has anyone else been to Lava Hot Springs? We highly recommend it!
Make a Comment ( 2 so far )Goodness!
Zeke loves to do thrilling stunts. He especially likes to jump off of things. The other day he attempted to jump off his slide, and he cleared it! I was watching, and I was so shocked I said, “Goodness!”. Now when he jumps off his slide he says, “Oh, goodness”. Here’s a video, but please ignore our messy playroom, and naked Zeke. (He gets sweaty when he plays because he plays so hard, so we let him play in just his diaper.)
Make a Comment ( 10 so far )Zeke’s naps
So, the whole first week Zeke did perfect sleeping in his new bed. Then he figured out that he could get out and play during his naps. I think it has been a good thing though because he hasn’t ever played on his own before, and it’s cute to hear him through the monitor playing and imaging his own stories. I also like to peek under his door and watch him while he plays and looks at his books. Yesterday, Jimmy and I did Zeke’s nap routine, and when we went out. We both got down to look under his door, and we got caught…
Zeke was looking at us under the door too. All three of us were laughing as we each realized we had been caught.
Zeke’s hands, Jimmy really enjoyed this picture.
After Zeke plays for an hour or so, he will climb in bed and take his nap. No matter how tired he is, he just likes to have some free time first. I guess I can’t blame him, it is nice to have a little alone time once in a while. So, my conclusion is that Zeke’s naps are still pretty easy, but it will be a whole new adventure when he learns how to open doors 
Christmas 2008
It was a wonderful Christmas! Jimmy and I loved watching Zeke get excited as he learned that fun surprises were under the wrapping paper.
Zeke had the biggest present from Grandma, and all of the cousins were wondering what it could be. They could hardly wait for Zeke to open it.
It was a Little Tikes cozy coupe!
Zeke enjoyed climbing on the box and jumping off. We were worried about the height, but he would get mad if we would try to catch him.
Zeke had fun playing ‘Rockband’ with Daddy and Uncle Carlin while Mike put his car together
Posing for the camera
Zeke was already exhausted by 12:00.
We got in the car to go to Grandma and Grandpa Z’s and he konked out holding his tractor.
He woke up when we got there and didn’t want to keep sleeping. Zeke really liked his present from Grandma and Grandpa, but he was still so tired and pretty edgy, so this is the only good picture I got there.
Zeke with all of his Christmas gifts.
Make a Comment ( 6 so far )Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, we went to Temple Square to see the Nativity, and pretty lights. It was chilly, but we all had a good time.
I love the Salt Lake Temple, it is so beautiful!
Me and my cute mom in our Christmas sweaters
Zeke had a blast with lots of cousins at Grandma and Grandpa S’ house. He was so excited that he started jumping off of gifts, and using Uncle Adam as a play ground.
Zeke has the best smile! We love it!
Playing “Curses”. (It’s not a swearing game, we bought it at Deseret Book 
)
It was a very full house! 19 people slept over, 6 slept by the tree. Adam let Jimmy, Zeke, and I use his room. Jimmy and I shared a twin bed, and Zeke woke up disoriented at 4am and wanted to join us. It was a squishy 3 hours until we woke up.
Make a Comment ( 3 so far )December fun
It has been a wonderful Christmastime! Zeke is at a fun age where he can understand more about holidays. He loves the lights, snowmen, and other Christmas decor.
We drove around some neighborhoods and looked at Christmas lights. Of coarse the pictures don’t do the lights justice, but here are a couple of our favorite houses.
This one is on “Lovers Lane” in Riverton. It is so bright you can see it on Bangerter and just off of I-15.
Zeke drumming to the Christmas music while we were driving around. We keep those “drum sticks” in the car because he loves to drum.
I like it when people outline their house roof with lights. Zeke likes the blow up decorations a lot. We were driving in a different neighborhood one night and he saw a green Santa Grinch blow up and he said, “Look, mean guy!” It made us laugh.
Earlier this month, we visited my cute cousin Sarah, and her family. They are expecting their second boy in May.
Zeke, Jimmy, Me, Robbie, Sarah, and Kyson
Zeke really enjoyed his advent calendar from Grandma Z.
He didn’t quite understand about only eating one chocolate a day. I would open the right door for the day, but everyday he would get so excited and say, “Hold it!, Hold it!” I let him hold it after a few days, and he ripped off as many doors as he could and stuffed the chocolates in his mouth.
My friend Rebecca baked gingerbread houses, and we decorated them at her house. It was so fun!
Rebecca decorating her house
Zeke playing with Rebecca’s son, Nick.
This might look like a head-lock, but it’s really a hug
Zeke and me with our house
Make a Comment ( 5 so far )Link to our adoption online profile
Our profile is now on itsaboutlove.org! Click here if you want to see it. This link will take you to the main page, and you can view our other pages by clicking on the links located right above our pictures.
This is so exciting for us!! It totally made my day to see it on there!
Make a Comment ( 7 so far )Official!
We are approved for adoption! We received a letter in the mail last night. We were officially approved on Monday, December 15th. We are SO excited! Our online profile on itsaboutlove.org will be up soon, probably tomorrow or Tuesday. Woooohoooo!!
Make a Comment ( 6 so far )Christmas tradition
Every year for as long as I can remember, my family has gone to Winder Dairy to get scones at Christmastime. It is one of my favorite Christmas Season traditions.
The whole group, 18 of us in all.
Our family
Zeke and Evan with their pop cycles
A few things I love, all of which happened last night…
I love the snowy winter nights inside a warm home. I love seeing Jimmy as a daddy. I love being a mommy. I love to hear Zeke say a prayer using his sweet prayer voice. I love how it is so bright outside when there is snow on the ground. I love sneaking into Zeke’s room and watching him sleep peacefully. I love drinking apple cider with Jimmy in our cozy robes with only the lights of the Christmas tree on.
Last night was one of those perfectly wonderful nights.
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