Just Gotta Laugh!

What a fun age! Despite the occasional temper tantrum and a strong sense of opinion, I am really enjoying this age of discovery and cognitive explosion, and watching Isaac's personality emerge.

He is mimicking everything: Words, songs/hand motions and even facial expressions, as demonstrated here:

(a self portrait)

Did I mention a strong opinion? Lately it's been around clothes (and in this case, lack of clothes):

But when he does put together an outfit, he kind of kills it.  Isaac would love to tell you that here he's a "duck" in "dadda's shoes".  He walked around like this for a good 10 minutes-- which is a long time in toddler-land!

And last but certainly not least, we have snow in Park City! It's probably here to stay for the winter. Eventually (we hope), Isaac will learn that gloves are a good thing, but at least he kept his coat and hat on for some fun in the snow at the dog park:

Grandma & Grandpa J Visit (& Happy Birthday to Me!)

Since moving to Park City only a couple of months ago, we've been so lucky to have so many visitors already! Last weekend my parents came for a quick weekend visit to see their grandson, and to help us celebrate my birthday.  We had fun showing them around the town again, and they got to see the first real dusting of snow, which seems to be around to stay for the winter! My parents took most of these photos, but they were way better than the few I took while they were here, so I'm respectfully stealing them for our blog (thanks!).

Happy 31st Birthday to me!

Happy Dude with Gamma and Gampa here!

Out for a walk to the dog park, library and main street (isaac stayed in his carrier for about 4 blocks. oh well. we tried!)

Gampa J!

On the bus with Mom & Gamma

Birthday Dinner at Squatters

Halloween

Halloween 2011 in a snapshot:

Park City Main Street: Trick or Treating & the famous Doggy Halloween Parade.
Such fun people & dog watching!
We were zombies and Lodi wore wings.
I was going to make a more involved costume for Isaac, but then we found out the Sounders were playing in Salt Lake City for the MLS playoffs on Saturday, so we ditched our other Halloween weekend plans and cheered the Sounders on instead!

Here we are cheering them on in Salt Lake City with a crew of other Seattle Sounders fans on Saturday, and  Isaac and Eric cheering them on from home on Wednesday, when they returned to Seattle for leg 2 of the series.  We're still mourning their series loss.

"Happy Halloween!"

Isaac's Who's Who

Visit with Grandma & Grandpa M

Last week, we had a wonderful visit from Eric's parents, Debi & Don, who were visiting from Eastern Washington.  Isaac's still talking about "Amma" and "Appa" one week later.

Lots of hugs, and meals out.

"Let me down to go play at the PARK!"

the BUS!

mmm.... bison bone at High West

 

Weighing In: 18 months

Isaac's 18 Months (one and a half years!)

check out those molars.

We finally got him in to a new doctor in Utah, for his 18 month well-visit.
He only gained a pound, if that, from his 15-month visit, but he grew 2 inches and continues to be our tall guy:

At dinner with G&G Merhar in Park City

Isaac's first daycare art project (OMG, I've turned into THAT parent!)

I wonder how many hours we've spent at this park? It's a lot.  He loves it.

The Valley

A couple of weekends ago we went to an Oktoberfest at party at Scott & Erin's in Ogden, UT (just north of Salt Lake City, in "the valley").  Ogden sits at the foothills of the mountains, lending to some dramatic views.  Perhaps I watched a few too many episodes of The Secret World of Alex Mac (set in the AZ desert)... or maybe that it's just such a different landscape than the Pacific Northwest... but i find it spectacular!

Potty, please

While Isaac was in the bath tonight, he signed for a diaper change, then he climbed out of the tub to do this:

He peed!

We are definitely not pushing potty training. But we've introduced it and it's fun(ny) to see him interested in it. (I realize that if my 22 year-old self read this I would be laughing hysterically).

Oh the adventures in parenting!

Winter already!? :: Shenanigans :: Potpourri

It was 70 degrees on Monday.  Then it snowed Tuesday.  WTF!? Oh well, that means snowboarding is right around the corner! Here's some photos of Park City with snow, a few of Isaac's latest shenanigans and just a little bit of this and that.

SNOW

A sprinkling of snow on Thursday (took this photo on my walk to work)

SHENANIGANS

Isaac's climbing on everything.  Awesome at the park; troublesome at home.

Look what he can climb up all on his own!

At least the dog is tolerant:

The "Rody" is tolerant too! (and a more parent-approved climbing device)

POTPOURRI 
And lastly, just a little of this and that:

I found him quietly reading to himself.  So sweet -- even if the book is upside down.

Exploring a new park with Dad

Mountain Biking: Views from the Top

In the summer months in Park City, mountain biking replaces snow sports as the number one recreational activity.  The ski hills turn into a mountain biking oasis, and there are hundreds of trails to explore ranging from beginner to expert.

Eric used to mountain bike regularly in Bellingham. So it was easy for him to pop back on a bike and enjoy a long, steep climb with his friends last week.  I on the other hand, am skilled on a road bike, but I had never been on a mountain bike ride. Until Saturday, that is.  Our friend Michelle took me on the Deer Valley Mid-Mountain trail, an intermediate climb.  I only had a few falls (mostly due to my clumsiness with the clip-in shoes/petals) but other than that, I had a blast!

And the views from the top are gorgeous:

Near the top of our ride.  Overlooking Deer Valley Ski Resort

Riding through the aspen trees

Another view from the top