Maple Canyon

Matt had a few days off in a row the first week of November, so we decided to get out of town for a quick road trip. We couldn't go very far, Ethan doesn't last that long in a car, besides we only had two days, so our options were limited.

We decided to head to the big ole town of Ephraim and to check out Maple Canyon. I've heard about Maple Canyon and how gorgeous it is, but neither Matt or I have ever been there. We left one night after Matt got home from work and at Ethan's bedtime. It's much easier to travel when he's asleep. Ephraim is only about two hours away so it wasn't a bad drive.

The next morning we woke up and headed to Maple Canyon about 30 minutes away by Moroni. It was a bit chilly since we were exploring in November, but is indeed a beautiful cobblestone canyon. They have quite a bit of climbing and bouldering routes, which of course no one was on since it was so cold.

We found a slot canyon not far up and decided to explore a bit. The ground was mostly rock and there were birds flying everywhere overhead. We started to hear a noise, which at first I just assumed was another bird. However, it was so consistent and then I realized it was more of a growl, from a very large animal!! We decided to quickly end our exploring there and get out of the slot canyon and back to the car. We never did decide if it was a bear or a mountain lion. Either way, we didn't want to keep going to find out. Ethan kept saying "bear" the rest of the time we were in the canyon.

Ethan and I starting up the slot canyon. Before the unidentifiable sound scare.

Once back at the car safe and sound, we headed further up the canyon to find a hike we had seen on a map. It was about a 1.5 mile hike up to a lookout point, passing some more climbing routes. We thought it shouldn't be too bad, only 1.5 miles. What we didn't know it was about 1.5 miles of straight incline, with hundreds of steep steps at the end to get to the lookout point. We were thoroughly exhausted by the top. Ethan was such a trooper though, we sat great in his pack for the whole 2+ hour hike.

Matt and Ethan on the way up.


Me and Ethan taking a break and having water and snacks once we finally reached to top.

Matt and Ethan at the look out. You could see the whole valley.

After Ethan's nap, we headed over to Manti that evening and checked out the Temple at night. It is a beautiful temple. We ate at a cute local pizzeria then back to Ephraim. Since the night was still young and there is not much to do in a hotel room, we hit the local bowling alley/arcade/grill/tanning salon for a round of bowling. The arcade, grill and tanning salon were hopping, but luckily for us, no one else was bowling. Ethan did great for the first few rounds then lost interest. He found the racing game over in the arcade more appealing. Can't compete with a steering wheel.

Bowling at the local Ephraim hangout.

Afterwards, we went back to the hotel and made a makeshift bath for Ethan in the shower. He had a great time splashing and crawling around.

The next morning we bummed around trying to find more sites to see; not very successful, grabbed some lunch and a malt and headed for home around nap time. Ethan couldn't get enough of the malt. He had to eat it all by himself. The kid was covered with malt. At least he enjoyed it.

Ethan enjoying his malt.

Hopefully we'll be able to get out of town for a quick trip again sometime. We'll definitely have to try Maple Canyon again when its warmer... and there are more people in the slot canyon to scare away any large, lurking animals.

Pumpkin Carving

Matt and Ethan carving pumpkins for the first time. Ethan was so excited.

August 16, 2009: Shinner

Ethan and I decided to go and see Matt at his new store while they were training. It was a great time to go since they have been cooking all this food and had no one there to eat it. I felt like I should help out and volunteer to sample. No only that but they hadn't opened yet and there were no customers so Ethan could run around and be okay. And run around he did, but as for being okay... well see picture below.

Ethan's first black eye.

He was running back to the booth were I was at and actually stopped in time, he just took one more step forward and smashed into the edge of the table, which of course was exactly the right height to hit him below the eye. At least it was below the eye instead of in his eye. We weren't too happy after that. Ethan got a special shake and lots of attention for the female employees. He's a tough kid though and wore his new accessory well for a few days.

July 2009

--While Matt has been away in Denver, Ethan and I have spent lots of time up in Logan. Ethan just loves Grandpa Bird's horses, 4 wheelers and tractors. Every time we went up we had to go out and see the horses. Thank you so much mom and dad for letting Ethan and I come up and spend so much time while Matt was away. It would have been an extra long three weeks without all of your help.

--On July 3rd we had our annual Brown family get together/reunion. It was such a great turn out this year. All of my mom's brother's and sisters and their spouses were in attendance. It was so fun to see aunts, uncles and cousins from out of state that we don't get to see that often.

--After a long three weeks, Matt finally came home, yay. Two days after Matt got back from Denver, we left to go rafting in Jackson with the singles ward my dad was recently release as bishop from. I had never been rafting before and was so nervous. Luckily, Matt has ridden the river several times and was the guide for our raft. Rafting was so much fun. I don't know if everyone that was in our boat would share my enthusiasm since half of them got thrown out on our second run down lunch counter, but I definitely would love to go again.

Later that evening after the river runs, Matt, Ethan and I had dinner at a little restaurant in downtown Jackson. We decided not to go to the Bar-J with the rest of the group since Ethan would not be able to sit through the program. Ethan charmed everyone sitting around us at the restaurant and afterwards when we went to the park. At the city center park, there were several gophers that have burrowed holes under the boardwalks. Ethan would giggle and laugh and chase the gophers into their holes, then hold his hands up as to say, "Where did they go?" People got a kick out of watching Ethan chase the gophers.

My sister Krista and her husband Taylor also came on the rafting trip and were nice enough to do some family photos for us up in Star Valley. They turned out so good. Krista is getting to be such a great photographer. Thanks again Krista and Taylor.

Below are some photos Krista took:







--We celebrated Pioneer Day up in Newton at their annual festivities. I decided to run in the Newton dam run after all these years. The dam run is a 5k race from Newton dam down to the center of town. My brother Justin and his wife Shelly also ran. I was surprised at the turn out apparently a lot of people who grew up in Newton come back to run, who knew? There were about 90 or so people that participated in either the 5k or 1 mile run/walk. Justin was beat out in the last few yards and came in second. I didn't do too bad, I came in 24th overall with a time of 26:22.

After the race, we watched the parade from my parents front lawn. Thanks to Ethan and Ava, we were pelted with tons of candy. Ava even got a whole case of strawberry milk from Benson Trucking. Score!

We just hung out the rest of the day and had delicious BBQ chicken and dutch oven potatoes on the patio for dinner. Great end to a great day.

Easter 2009

I was so excited for Ethan to go to an egg hunt this year. We decided to go up to the egg hunt in Newton since there would be less of a crowd and also Ethan would get to play with his cousins, CRC and Ava. It was such a fun egg hunt. There weren't that many kids in Ethan's age group so he had plenty of candy and eggs to choose from. He was so cute to watch walking around picking up his candy and putting it in his ducky basket.

Later in the day I had Ethan hunt for his Easter eggs at my parents. He was kind of done egg hunting by then, until he found out his eggs were filled with his favorite treat, yogurt covered puffs.

Stay-cation

Matt recently had a vacation from work. Yay, seven whole days without work. I'm sure it was even nicer for Matt. Anyway, we were going to go to southern Utah, but decided just to stay put and do some fun things around home.

His first day off we just bummed around and didn't do much. The next day we decided to take advantage of the warming weather and went to the zoo. It was so much fun. Usually I dislike the zoo since I've usually been in the summer when it is hot, crowded, and the animals are all inside. The past couple of times we've gone, we've been in the morning and its been great since there aren't as many people, its cooler, and the animals are usually out and about. The last time I took Ethan to the zoo he was still pretty young. This time he loved to watch the animals. The giraffes were his favorite. It was fun to watch him get so excited. Later that day we had his 12 mos. Dr. appointment and shots. He did really well. He was even better when he got his sucker after the shots.

Our third day of vacation was the St. Patrick's Day parade downtown. We had never been to it before and thought it might be fun to check it out. It's not really a parade that would keep the attention of little kids for long, so we left after about an hour. Later that day we had our little party for Ethan.

Ethan blowing out the candle on his Birthday cake.

Our fifth day of vacation we went to Park City and walked around, saw some galleries and had some lunch. Later that day we took Ethan swimming for his second time. The first time I took him swimming a few weeks ago the poor kid was motionless. He didn't know what to do. This time, he loved the water. He was splashing around and crawling everywhere it the pool. The best part about swimming, it makes him tired.

Matt and Ethan hanging out next to the bear in Park City.

Ethan splashing around at the pool.

Our sixth day we did one of our favorite activities. We went to temple square and walked around (Ethan loves the fountains) then had lunch at the Lion House Pantry. It was still a little cool and the spring flowers hadn't fully bloomed yet, so it will just give us and excuse to go back soon.

Ethan hanging out at temple square.

Ethan shows his true identity in the tub (note the little devil horns).

Our last day of we just hung out and then took Ethan swimming again a little later in the afternoon. Later that night I gave Ethan his first haircut. His curls were just getting so unruly. I'm sure people think that I never groom my child since his hair was always looking crazy. Its taken me a few days to get used to his new do. Luckily he still has a few curls in the back.

Before, the crazy kid.

Before, crazy kid back view.

After. My, what a sweet little boy we have.

Birthdays!!

My little boy turned ONE. I can't believe it. This last year has gone by so fast. Ethan and I celebrated our Birthday's a few days late so we could have both Grandma and Grandpa Bird and Stephens come and celebrate with us. The party was mainly for Ethan anyway, of course. We decided to have our St. Patrick's day dinner the same day as well. Justin, Shelly and Ava were in SLC as well so they came to join the party.

Matt was the main chef, I just assist when it comes to things like this. He made corned beef, cabbage, potatoe cheese soup and rosemary potatoes. Yum. And for dessert we had birthday cake. I actually made safari cupcakes since my cake decorating skills aren't all that great.

Ethan didn't really know what was going on. He just liked smashing his cupcake and he had a great time playing with Ava.

Ethan helping me make frosting for his cupcakes.

Ethan not cooperating while I try and take a picture of him with his cake.

Cupcake before.

Cupcake after.

Ethan's Feats

Ethan loves to work out with his dad. His favorite exercises are pull-ups and bench presses. He can actually hang on the pull-up bar and do about 4 to 6 pull-ups, when he's not distracted. For bench presses, he'll usually just make Matt lay him on the bench and then he reaches for the bar. So cute.

Ethan has been walking for about a month now. He is walking everywhere and is just becoming more curious.

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Valentine's Weekend

Ethan and I decided to go up and visit Grandma and Grandpa Bird over Valentine's Day weekend while Matt was working. It was a fun sleepover party with Curt Ryan and Ava as well. Ethan had such a great time playing with his cousins. He just thought that he was so big. Grandma had some fun balloons and Valentine's cupcakes for the kids. Thanks for the great V-Day.

Ethan playing with the big kids. He crawled in the middle of the play
mat and just plopped down.

Ethan playing at the big table. I couldn't believe he sat on that chair
and played for about 10 min.

The kids with their Valentine's cupcakes, which of course had to have candles.

Ethan with Grandma and Grandpa.

Crawling!!

Ethan practicing his crawling skills.

Christmas Fun

Christmas morning, checking out the presents underneath grandma's tree.

I can't believe that Christmas has come and gone already and now it is 2009. We had such a great Christmas. Matt had to work the night Christmas Eve of course, but did have Christmas Day off. Ethan and I went to Matt's grandma and grandpa Nelson's annual Christmas Eve party with Matt's parents, Alan and Pat. It was so much fun. Ethan had lots of fun watching his second cousins. Yet again this year, the Stephens' were talentless at the party. Hopefully Ethan will be able to represent and bring some talent in the future.

Ethan developing his musical prowess on the kazoo.

Ethan and I rode up to Logan with Alan and Pat. Matt was able to make it up to Logan by midnight. Christmas morning was pretty low key. Ethan didn't know what was going on. He was really only interested in his new hair ball toy and watching Hannah, Matt's sister's dog. Ethan surprised us all that morning by walking 7 to 10 steps by himself.

Later on Christmas Day Matt, Ethan and I trekked on out to Newton in the snow to have a late lunch with my parents and siblings (missed you Krista and Taylor). Ethan, again, had fun watching and trying to play with his cousins. I cannot believe how much it snowed. I don't remember a Christmas where it snowed as much as this one. Matt had to head home that night to be back to work the next day. It took him four hours to get home, travelling about 35-40 mph the whole way. I'm so thankful that he made it without any problems. Ethan and I stayed in Newton since we would have to be back up in two days for the B&B Sales party anyway.

Ethan and his hair ball. (Sorry, turn head -> to view)

Ethan opening his present.

What!?!?! An Update!

I know, I know it's been awhile since we've updated, but I've finally gotten Ethan to bed early so I have a few minutes to type without the little one trying to help. Its amazing how mobile Bitsy is without being able to crawl. Well I should revise that statement, he can kind of crawl. He is finally moving his knees more then two times, so I'm counting it. He has also learned how to pull himself up to a standing position, which is all he wants to do now.

Ethan trying to crawl in his cute new pajama pants.

Since my last post was way back in November, I'll have to back track a little.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13th

Matt, Ethan and I went to the Gingerbread House Festival at Thanksgiving Point. Most of the gingerbread houses were from school groups, but there were some that were very well done. It's amazing the details that some people are able to put into those gingerbread houses.

Ethan splashing in the tub.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15th

James Christensen, one of Matt's and my favorite artists, held signings at some galleries in Salt Lake. We were able to go to the Twigg's and Moore gallery at Gardner Village to see him and have him sign his new book Men and Angels which shows all of his most recent works. We waited in line for over two hours, but is was great to get to meet an artist whose work Matt and I love. I have to say though, he was shorter then I had imagined.

THANKSGIVING

Matt had to work on Thanksgiving of course, so Ethan and I went up to my Mom and Dad's in Newton and had a great Thanksgiving dinner with the fam. I unfortunately did not get to participate in the traditional Thanksgiving day skeet shoot this year, but I did hear Krista got whooped. Don't worry Krista, you're still better then me, though that's not saying much.

While up in Newton for Thanksgiving my Mom helped me sew hand towels, a Christmas table cloth and a cute pair of Christmas pajama pants for Ethan. Who knew sewing could be so fun.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving Matt and I put up the tree and decorated for Christmas. Ethan loves the tree and our advent stocking. He laughs every time we come downstairs in the morning and he sees it. Later that night we met up with my Mom, Dad, Krista, Taylor and Grandma Bird to see the lights on Temple Square. I should amend that we attempted to see the lights on Temple Square. I have never seen that many people there to see the lights, ever! Matt ended up dropping Ethan and I off while he tried to find a parking spot. I have to apologize to everyone since Ethan cried the whole time, it made a short trip of seeing the lights. Matt never did find a parking spot, he ended up just picking us up a few blocks away. Matt, Ethan and I we up to the Captial and played peekaboo behind the pillars on the front steps. Ethan got a kick out of that. I'm sure it helped that we were the only ones there, in sharp contrast to Temple Square that night.

LAURA'S VISIT

The Saturday after that (December 6th), Matt's sister Laura and her two girls Bailee and Eli visited from Roswell, NM. Laura her girls and Matt's Mom, Pat, stayed with us for a few nights during their visit.

Sunday, Matt's Dad, Alan, also came down and we all went to go see the lights on Temple Square again. It was pretty busy on Temple Square again since it was the night of the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional, but Ethan did much better this time.

Monday, we all went to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point. I was pretty impressed by the museum. The girls seemed to have a fun time and Ethan loved the sand pit where you uncover dinosaur bones. It was so funny to watch him pick up a hand full of sand and let it run through his fingers. We took off his socks and he loved to squish his toes in the sand. He loved it so much, he was pretty upset when we had to leave. Monday night Matt's Grandparents, Arlen, Marie and Iva Lou, came for dinner and then we all listened to Arlen tell ghost stories around our indoor campfire that my Dad had made for me for scouts.

Laura and the girls and Pat also stayed with us the last night of their trip before flying out on Saturday, December 13th. It was so great to see them and have them stay with us. Ethan had a great time playing with his cousins.

Ethan's First Snow!!

We had our first good snow of the season on Nov. 5th which ended up being about six inches at our house. I am so glad I no longer have to drive to work on snowy mornings. I was so excited to show Ethan the snow. I got him dressed up in the snowsuit which Audrey had given us, which was an experience in itself. Poor Ethan could barely move. I tried to sit him in the snow but since the snowsuit was so puffy he could sit up, so he would be leaning back with his feet stuck in the air. He didn't quite know what to make of the snow. Matt made a snowball for him, but he definitely did not like that.

The snow is all gone now, but it will be fun to see Ethan's reactions throughout his first winter season.

Ethan ready for his first romp in the snow.