UPDATE #1!!!

After all the Holiday rush and then 3 weeks in Costa Rica, It is sad to admit I have neglected the blog. Here is the first of MANY updates...I still have to download a ton of pics! Enjoy and more to come soon!


THANKSGIVING:

For Thanksgiving, we were able to go to West Lafayette, Indiana (Spencer's hometown and also home to our beloved Purdue University!) The weather was chilly..it even flurried a little on Thanksgiving day!



Matthew got to spend some time with Grandpa Couts

PASADENA CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL:

After we came back from our trip we decided to attend this little free festival in Pas. It was nice!


We got to see the snow in L.A.

They had real reindeer

With the cheezy snowman

We got to take a picture with Santa (Matthew was NOT impressed)

There's No Place Like Home

This Halloween, we decided to all dress up. It was a lot of fun for me, but I doubt we will put that much work into it again. I was afraid Matthew wouldn't feel comfortable with his costume (with his head and hands covered and with "paw socks") , but he didn't seem to mind it at all! Strauss was quite a bit nervous though with all the people at the Trunk-or-Treat.

Thanks to Jessica Pulsipher and Laurie Astle for the help with the costumes!

(Scarecrow and Dorothy were all home-made and took a lot of their time!)

~Scarecrow, Dorothy, Lion, and Toto

At Home

These girls had great costumes!

Another (might I add, cuter) Dorothy, Samantha Snow

Our entire family (can you spot Strauss?)

With our good friends, and Prom King and Queen of 1984, The Cullimores (Elizabeth, Brady, and LadyBug Sophie) ~Hillarious!

NoCal Adventure

Last weekend Matthew and Mom tagged along on Dad's business trip to Modesto, CA. We had fun hanging out at the hotel and adventuring around the city...and were able to travel to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium on Saturday and check out the awesome sea life. On the way home we were lucky to spot a nice pumpkin patch where we bought 3 nice sized pumpkins and 3 "Thanksgiving Gourds" all for $10! What a STEAL!!!

Matthew loved using the furniture to stand up at the hotel

At Cannery Row and at the Aquarium

(Matthew loved looking at the fish...you can't really see it well in the pictures)

All bundled up

Dad wheeled Matthew around at the Pumpkin Patch

Picking Pumpkins is fun!

Abuelita's Visit

Abuelita Sylvia was nice enough to visit and stay with us for a month. We love having the "Michilinda" here with us! Thanks abuelita! We miss you already!

Dad's 30th Birthday!

Last Month, Spencer (a.k.a. Dad) turned 30. To celebrate, Mom, Dad, Abuelita and I stayed at a resort in Dana Point.

We arrived at the hotel and were greeted by a delicious arrangement of chocolate covered fruit and Martinelli's Sparkling Cider (thanks to the very kind Bergren Family)

Matthew slept so well in his pack-n-play

The next morning, we had an AWESOME breakfast buffet...Matthew enjoyed the Banana. Here he is keeping toasty by the fire pit.

Matthew enjoying the soft grass and the gorgeous weather

If you look closely you can see his 4 teeth (two on top, two on bottom)

Trying to walk with Dad

Opening Presents (Matthew gave Dad this one)

At the Marina, Matthew waves to a passing boat. Mom and Dad actually got to go jetskiing here later!

Mom and Dad, heading out for a Romantic dinner

We love Birthdays!

My Cousin's Trip Out

A few weeks ago, Matthew's 2 cousins (Lilu and Andrea) came to visit us in L.A. We had such a great time with them! Then, we traveled back to North Carolina (their home) with the
m, and had a great time there too! Here are some pics from their L.A. trip and our trip out, more to come soon!

At Jamba Juice with Lilu and Andrea

In Chinatown

Sipping out of Mom's water bottle as we wait for the train

The girls got to visit Hollywood and Matthew tried to hide from the Paparazzi

At the Getty Center; Matthew loved the grass!

Enjoying yummy Wahoo's fish tacos

So much fun at the Dodger's Game (not to mention excellent seats!)

The Girls' first taste of a California favorite In-N-Out

Enjoying and relaxing on Santa Monica Beach

Relaxing at Home and enjoying family time!

and finally, Matthew's FIRST FLIGHT!! He was SOOO good! Didn't cry once!