San Diego

After a long tax-season I needed some time off of work and some extra time to bond with Audrey.  The two of us planned a week-long trip to San Diego for Audrey's last free flight as a lap-child. Matt stayed in Eugene to enjoy a little relaxation and some time to himself as well.  I wouldn't call our trip to San Diego relaxing, but it was nice to spend some time with friends and family when there wasn't some sort of event going on.  We were able to plan enough events on our own.  We rode the merry-go-round, went to the zoo, went to Sea World, met 2 of Audrey's new cousins and went to 2 padre games.  Here are a few of pictures from our fun-filled week.

Getting ready to ride the merry-go-round.

At the zoo with grandma.

Canoeing with Porter & Lochlan.

Aye-Aye Captain Porter - we'll do what you say.

Audrey's first baseball game - go Padres!

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 How they lost with a fan like this, I don't know, but Audrey was up on the big-screen and saw herself - that was pretty cute!

Taking time to smell the flowers while walking through the mall.

Second baseball game.

Sea World.

Easter

We did Easter a little backwards this year, but it was still fun. Audrey got an Easter basket filled with some new books and a couple of small toys from the Easter bunny that we apparently missed getting pictures of.  She headed out back to go hunting for eggs filled with chocolate covered bananas, yogurt covered raisins, cheddar bunnies and Cheerios.  

Next year the Easter bunny needs to make things a little harder to find from this smart little girl.  It didn't take her too long to accumulate a hefty basket of eggs.

We dyed eggs after the Easter bunny came this year.  Matt & I can't stand eating hard-boiled eggs, but didn't want to deprive Audrey from the experience of dying the eggs and trying them out herself.

This is what I'm supposed to try?

OK - well, she is definitely our child.  No one ate any more eggs.  Hate to waste them, but none of us can stomach them in this form.

Tax Season Catch-Up

Here are few pictures from during tax-season this year.  Matt was such a great dad & husband during these busy few months.  I know Audrey enjoyed all the extra time she got to spend with him and I appreciate how easy he made my life - how can you beat a guy that is always in a good mood, always has an awesome meal ready when you get home and can keep a 20+ month old happy and well-behaved?  You can't beat that...I am so lucky and very grateful!  Thank you sweetie!

Here are a few pictures from February and March.

Audrey trying on her new ski helmet & goggles.

Getting ready to try out skiing for the first time - not really that into it when we showed up to Mt. Bachelor.  We thought we could check out the Carousel lift, but Audrey did not want to try to ski this morning.  We got out a bit later in the area behind the condo we were staying in with much better luck.  We'll try again with a different set-up next time.

Four new chickens appeared one week mid-tax season.  Audrey was having a great time getting to know them.

Canoeing on a sunny March afternoon.

Audrey's First Haircut

As you have probably noticed from previous pictures, Audrey's hair has been a little out of control. For awhile, I've been thinking that if we just let it grow a little bit more it would go behind her ears and I wouldn't have to cut it. No such luck - Audrey will have nothing to do with barrettes, rubber bands or head bands for more than about 20 seconds unless you are really sneaky and are able get a barrette in without her knowing...GOOD LUCK! Most of the time her hair falls right in front of her eyes, or if it doesn't, she will push it forward with her hands and put it there.

It was time for drastic measures! Audrey's first haircut (or snip of the bangs as it were) happened January 15th after more than 1 1/2 years of growing. It was harder on mom than anyone else. Dad had a great plan to keep her contained by using a binder clip to strap her into the towel.

All it took was one snip, a quick evening out and as Matt so lovingly referred to her, our little Yoder girl emerged. Her bangs did however shrink up further than expected, but all that whole milk she has been drinking has helped grow them out quickly again. She was quite pleased with the change - could it possibly be that she was getting a clear picture of what was in front of her again?

December 2011

So we are a little behind in our posts. We have been quite busy the last few months as you can see from all we did in the month of December.

We started out the month by heading out to the Oregon coast for a weekend afternoon. It was beautiful and sunny, but cold. Audrey had fun digging in the sand.

Next, we headed out to Kessler's Christmas tree farm where we have made it a tradition to get our tree from over the last few years. It's not too far of a drive, the prices are reasonable and it's fun trying to find the perfect tree. They stay fresh for so long. Here it is, March 2, 2012 and our Christmas tree still looks great out on our back deck. Last year we had our tree until sometime in July.

Mom & Audrey putting on the ornaments.

Audrey dancing with the Grinch on the Christmas tree stand. It's always a treat watching her show her moves. They are only getting better the more coordinated she is getting.

A fun activity center from grandma.

The big Christmas gift from mom & dad - what could it be?

What's under here?

This is going to be great...

Sweet!!! My own easel complete with a smock, crayons, paint & paintbrushes and chalk.

We have been lucky so far to keep coloring to the easel and not our walls. Audrey's skills are getting better every day. We think she drew some birds earlier this week.

OK, what are we doing here. It looks fun.

Something for me to eat after a long drive from Oregon to San Diego? OK, I'll try it...I'm not too sure it's good raw.

Is it better cooked? Survey says...

YUMMY! Lefse is great! Even though I am a Newman, I am still part Riley. (Sorry for having your head cut off in all of these pictures Becky - I guess we were focusing on Audrey.)

This little rolling pin is so cool. What a great tradition our family has by making this every year.

Can I just eat it? That is the best part!

Christmas Eve at great-grandma Wilde's. This dancing, music playing Santa was quite the entertainment.

Mom with aunt Becky & aunt Erin.

A day at the zoo petting the goats.

What would a day at the zoo be without a ride on the merry-go-round? Audrey's first time, and probably mom's first time in as long as she can remember, not riding on a giraffe vying for the golden ring prize of another free ride. It was totally worth it though getting to see how much fun Audrey was having and hearing her say Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee the whole ride!

In grandma's front yard...mommy's favorite picture of me.

Visiting with great-grandma Wilde.

Eating tangerine's off of grandma's trees. We need a fresh resupply of Vitamin C!

Stuffing my face of citrus & chillin' with grandma.

Saying goodbye to great-grandma & grandpa Riley. We had a fun time staying in their new house. Thanks again!

Stopping by the office to say goodbye to papa before heading back north.

One more picture of the Riley girls.

Fun times!