This Time Last Year...

I was in the Emergency Room with Meredith because she was ill. Fortunately she was okay, but we were concerned because it was the same virus that put Stephen in the hospital on Christmas. Little did I know that a few hours later I would be heading to the hospital to bring little Aiden Matthew into the world. I can't believe it has been a year already.

Now he walks, and "talks". He plays with his big brother and sister. He eats with a spoon and drinks from a sippy cup. My baby is turning into a toddler...where has the time gone!?!

My Present for Myself...

When we lived on Tybee Island, running was my thing. I lost 20 pounds, and then a move and pregnancy kinda put a stop to it. That and the oppressive heat and humidity of a Georgia summer.

We got a treadmill this summer, so I don't have any excuse to not exercise, but I came up with plenty. However, I found my motivation and a fun little tool. It is the Nike+. It is a sensor that hooks up with my ipod to set my workout and record my workout stats. I then go to a website and can keep track of my workouts!

Stephen and I have a challenge going for 2008. To run a 5K. Here is the kicker. Stephen is a 49er's fan, and I am a Cowboys' fan. We will get jerseys for each team, and if one of us fails to do a 5K by the end of the year we have to wear the other team's jersey. For example. If I fail to run the 5K I have to wear the 49er's jersey. Now, if I do run the 5K. Stephen has to wear the Cowboys' jersey. I think the jersey will look good on him!

Little Aiden is keeping me on my toes! I need to be in shape so I can keep up with him!

A little catching up...

It has been a while since I have done a blog entry. The holiday break is upon us, and I have a little more time. I successfully completed my first term at UNM and have a few weeks before I start the next one. Meredith and Devin finished school for 2007 on Friday. Stephen is off of school for the next several days, and Aiden...well, he just goes with the flow!

In October we bought a new car and traveled to Arizona to visit with Stephen's grandparents and aunt and uncle. It was quite a trip.

Here is a picture of our car:
We had just picked him up from the dealership the day before our trip to Arizona.

On the way to Arizona we stopped at the Very Large Array and Pie Town for lunch and (of course) pie! YUMMY!!!


Here is a picture of Meredith and Aiden with their great grandmother in the background:
We paid a visit to Fort Huachuca and stopped in the museums:

At the end of October, Meredith had her first Orchestra Concert. She plays the viola.

In November we moved from a townhome to a house. I like having a front and back yard! I also like having space between us and our neighbors!


Here is cute picture of Aiden pouting:

A week ago we went to the Egypt exhibit at the Albuquerque Museum. We weren't able to take pictures of the exhibit, but here are some pictures of Meredith and Aiden dressed up as Ancient Egyptians.

Finally, Meredith had her Winter Concert for Orchestra.

Well, I think you are about caught up now! Of course we will be taking pictures on Christmas morning. Morgan will be here on Aiden's birthday. We can't wait! We will take pictures then, too!

In the meantime...

Merry Christmas!!!!

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

There is so much to show I am going to have to post in phases! Here are pictures of the early morning balloon glow.

We got there at 5:15 in the morning, had breakfast burritos and coffee waiting for things to get started and trying to stay warm. It was very cold. Eventually the kids and I (Stephen was working in one of the tents giving chair massages) went out towards the grassy area, and this is what welcomed us:
These balloons are from the Dawn Patrol. They get their balloon going just as the sun is coming up before all of the other balloons get going. It is an incredible sight to see! Here are some more pictures!

As the morning went on, hundreds of balloons took to the sky:



I have a lot more pictures to share with you but I wanted to show you what I had so far! If you are interested in the Albuquerque Balloon Feista here is the link:
www.balloonfiesta.org

It was an incredible experience, and I plan on spending as much time there as possible. If you get the chance, the trip is well worth it!

I will have more later!

Meredith's Birthday Party

Meredith is 11 years old! Where did the time go?!

We rolled out the red carpet!

This was a Hollywood party! So there were stars everywhere!

Here is Meredith's cake:

Meredith is blowing out her candles. Actually, I think she is enjoying everyone singing to her!

We put a log in the firepit and they sat around and talked...one of them is boy crazy and so the big topic of conversation was boys! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!


Poor kitties...they wanted to come out and play...but they had to stay inside.
Meredith and her friends had a good time. After they were done with the fire pit they went inside to play video games and eventually they went to sleep.

Stephen and I survived Meredith's first slumber party.

First Days of School...

Meredith started school Tuesday...here are some pictures of her on her first day. I can't believe she is in Middle School!!! They have a strict dress code. Pants and a collard shirt.
Here is one with her and Devin...Devin still had another day before he started school.
Here is a fun picture of the kids' shadows...

Devin started school the next day. He is in the second grade. Here he is on his first day:

They both seem to like their teachers. Devin's teacher has a lot of energy, and that is important when dealing with Devin. He can exhaust you he has so much energy!!!

The Children's Museum...

...is one of the coolest places EVER!!! The weather was stormy outside...so we decided to play inside. Here is a picture of the clouds coming in:

Here are Meredith and Devin making sand dunes by taking wind and moving it in different directions:

Here are some more pictures of the kids having fun:


Here is a map of the Rio Grande River. It runs right through Albuquerque.
Aiden hung out in the stroller and enjoyed watching all the people...


But he got tuckered out and fell asleep...

Meredith defied gravity and went for a ride on a bicycle in the air...



This is so cool...this is the elevator! Please forgive the blur...

We had fun with colors...in the following pictures are shadows of the stroller and Meredith:


Devin was having great fun playing with shapes and patterns on the computer:
There was so much to do, and so much to see...we had so much fun. I think this might be a regular place for us to play!