What We Came Home To

This is what we found when we came back from California! Luckily, we flew out before the big snow storm hit and it was done by the time we got home. Seeing all of this snow did make us wish we were back in sunny California! BUT, some angel had plowed our driveway so we were able to get into our garage at 3 in the morning when we got home. Thank you whoever you are!!!

Christmas with the Hess Family

We spent the last week and Christmas in Merced, California with Nathan's parents. It was great to spend time with Nathan's parents, with Nathan's brother Ryan, and Nathan's sister Shelley and her husband Alan. Tate could not get enough of his grandparents, aunt and uncles! It was a nice break for our backs because he often only wanted one of them to hold him. Tate often went for anyone who would take him outside. The weather was gorgeous and it was nice for him to get to play outside. Nathan's parents also have an outside cat (along with about 5 strays) and Tate loved getting to see and touch a cat for the first time. We ate a lot of great food and had a really nice Christmas. BUT, there was one major down side to the trip. Tate was very sick with some crazy 7 day stomach flu. He started throwing up the day before we left and stopped the day we came home. The whole time in Merced, poor little Tate threw up on everything (including one of Alan's Christmas presents). It felt like we were changing diapers, cleaning up throw up on Tate's clothes, our clothes and the carpet the entire trip. Marlean was busy doing laundry the whole time because of us!! It was hard for Tate to be away from home when he was sick, but it was great to have so much help and be around so many people who love him.

We had a great time in Merced and really love spending time with Nathan's family. We love them very much and are grateful for all they have done for us (you know who you are and what you have done to help!!). We are very blessed to have such wonderful family on both sides!

Here is a video of Tate with his Grandpa Hess:


Here is a video of Tate playing with his Aunt Shelley (or Shea Shea as Tate calls her):

Christmas with our Little Family

On Sunday, Dec 21 we had a little Christmas morning with just the three of us. We were leaving for California later in the day and didn't want to have to bring all of our presents. It was nice to be with our little family and watch Tate open his presents. Christmas presents were leaner this year, but it still ended up being the best one yet. Tate's main present was a little basketball hoop I bought on ebay. He loves throwing balls through the hoop and hearing the cheers. He is a little baller in training. This morning was very low key and special. We are so blessed and I love our little family so much!!!

Christmas with the Howards (Well, my Mom and Sister)

We had a little Christmas get together with my mom, sister and my sister's husband. We had a great time eating ham, playing with Tate and opening presents!

O Christmas Tree

Tate loves our Christmas tree. I anchored it to the wall with a rope thinking that he would try and pull it over on himself. He hasn't tried to do that yet, but he does love to point at the tree and babble. He also discovered the ornaments and has pulled any off that he can reach. I anticipated that and only put cheap ones on the bottom. Tate's new thing is to have someone carry him in to the room where the tree is so that he can touch the tree. He has you pick him up and then points to the tree saying he wants you to go there. And, if the lights aren't on, he points to the plug for you to turn it on. He also learned the word tree and whenever we say it, he points to it. It is fun to see him so excited over simple things.

Tate's First Snow Experience

We had a pretty decent snow storm this weekend, so we took Tate out for his first experience in the snow. It lightly snowed a few weeks agao and we were in the garage and Tate noticed that something was falling from the sky. He freaked out and started pointing at the snow and talking in crazy gibberish. So, when the snow stuck this time, I thought he would like going outside to play in it. I love how it took twice as long to get him ready as we stayed outside. Tate cried when we put his feet down in the snow and then clung to Nathan. Tate was happier on the driveway (which Nath had shoveled) where he could move his feet.

The Albertson's Santa

Nothing but the best for our little boy!! :) Today Tate and I were picking up a few things at the grocery store (bracing for the big winter storm), and they had a Santa that you could take pictures with. Of course, Tate cried and wouldn't let go of me. So, I ended up getting in the picture (as you can see, I was NOT planning on being photographed). Oh, the memories. Afterwards, Tate got a cookie and a candy cane so he was happy and ate his cookie while I shopped.

Fourteen Months Old and a Little Surgery

Tate is now fourteen months old! He is a crazy boy and literally runs around the house all day. He loves to throw balls and tosses his footballs and basketballs all day long. (Nathan is so proud!) He is such a funny, active little guy. He has so many quirks and I love getting to see more of his personality.
Also, we were up at Primary Children's Hospital on Friday for a little surgery for Tate (on his boy parts). It wasn't a big deal (nothing like his head!!), but they put him out and we had to meet with the surgeon, anestegiologist (sp?), and nurses. It felt just like before. The only difference was that it was quick and he was able to go home soon after. When Tate woke up, we were there and he was most happy to get something to eat. He hadn't eaten in about 17 hours and he was not happy about that (I wouldn't be either!) He got a bottle and some Cheezits and he was a happy boy! I am happy to be done with that (and hopefully with surgeries forever!). Here is a picture of Tate running around in the hospital room before the surgery (notice the little hospital bracelet on his ankle).

Christmas Lights

This year we put up Christmas lights!! Well, actually Nathan put up lights and I mostly watched. We haven't put up lights since we have been married and it was great to see them on our house. I love Christmas time!!!

Hess Family Fun

We had a great time with Nathan's family last week. Nathan's parents were here visiting and we had alot of fun playing games, sports and playing with all the kids. Tate loves being around his cousins. We were all sore afterwards, but we had a lot of fun. I especially had fun taking some sports action shots of the family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful and stress-free Thanksgiving. My mom came over and we hung out, cooked and ate. It was a great day! We have so much to be thankful for. I have the most wonderful husband, who I love more and more everday. I have the most wonderful, sweet, cute and funny little boy. We are all healthy, we have a nice house, we have food and we have a lot of great family members who love us. (Note that in the photos of Tate eating his Thanksgiving dinner, he is eating Cheezits. He wouldn't eat anything but that. Oh well....at least we tried!) :) I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving as well!!