Spokane Trip

Little Mateo got to take his first airplane ride at 5 months... Sheila flew us up for her wedding on January 17. Since I'm a stay-at-home-mom now and don't have to worry about vacation time - we decided to stay for a week and a half and get lots of family time. It was such a nice trip... I was so glad that all my siblings and nieces and nephews got to meet Mateo.

Most of our trip was spent at Grandma's house (Mateo's Grandma, that is) - it was so cold that the only time we'd go outside was to pick up her mail. Mateo loved the snow... when we first got off the plane Sheila asked "why does he keep squinting?" I said "because he's never seen how bright snow is!!"

Here he is on our quick walk to get the mail... his Abue made him the cute hat.

Braden, Lucy and Kohen came down from Alaska and stayed at a hotel with an indoor pool. Mateo's first time swimming! Scroll down to the end to see his first underwater experience. We're not sure if he'll ever forgive Uncle Braden...

Here is his cousin Kohen - they are almost exactly a year apart. Kohen's birthday is July 31 and Mateo's is July 28. It's fun to see what Mateo will be doing a year from now. Kohen was good at telling us what all the animals say and we loved his pet name for his Daddy that he made up himself... "Dadoo!"

When Mateo became such an expert breastfeeder I decided to buy him a "Boob Man" onesie... we found out there was a Hooters in Spokane and he just had to wear his Boob Man shirt and get a picture! Here's our little boob man.. he held onto her shirt and wouldn't let go when she went to hand him back to me. She said "He really is a boob man!"

with cousins Brittany and Kiara... love that smile!!!

with Uncle Braden...

and Uncle Devan...

Here are the girls on the wedding day. Sheila's colors were navy and silver. I love the color of the dresses! Is navy the new black?!

Sheila and Issiaka -

The boys weren't sure what to think of their new uncle Siaka! Mateo would be fussy and I'd just hand him over and he'd just stare at him. He must've been thinking "wow - you're even darker than my daddy!"

We spent some time with Grandpa and Grandma-Sandy. We love to visit them. Sandy is such a good cook - we tell Dad he is spoiled! I picked up some of her recipes.... lucky me!!

Kohen and Mateo in the car on the way to Dad and Sandy's... Kohen was holding Mateo's hand for most of the car ride. Kohen knew how much i loved him saying "Dadoo". I'd say "Ko-hen" and he'd say "Dadoo!" I'd say "Mom-my" and he'd say "Dadoo!" Too cute...

I was amazed at how snuggly Mateo was... every night he would snuggle with Grandma or Grandpa or Brittany while playing with toys or reading a book. I guess I get so caught up in things at home I forget to just snuggle like this... it was so sweet I had to take a pic. Mateo and I are getting in much more snuggle time since we've been home.

I love my Auntie Sheila!

Practicing sitting up at Grandma's...

visiting my cousins! Kaedon, Felina, Brendon and Teona... and ME! I love love love this pic. They are moving to Texas this year, so we aren't sure how often we will get to see them.

My cousins Mason and Mackenzie...

Snuggling with my buddy Brittany. We love to suck our fingers - is Brittany teething too?!

Here is the famous dunking video... Dad says I look like a tough guy!

We are glad to be back in warm California... I just wish we were closer to family. It was so nice to see everyone. I think Mateo loved it :) He was so good on the airplane... the flight attendant said maybe he will be a pilot?! Maybe!