Oh San Diego, I love you and miss you already

We spent last week in San Diego and seriously, I am still a little bit depressed about being home. We stayed at the beautiful Sheraton Hotel & Marina and sweet Spencer had a view of boats AND airplanes from our balcony...which was probably excitement enough for him, but we got to do all sorts of other fun things too. Zoo! Beach! Sea World! He loved it all.
I've said it before and I will say it again - visit Southern California in October or February. There are no crowds! Look how close our little guy got to get top all the animals. He never would have had this experience in June.



Best of all, we got to spend time with family...our first night we had a family dinner with Autnies Lisa and Heather and Unlce Jonathan and it made me realize just how much I miss having them around. We'll just have to go back soon to visit.

Pumpkins!

I have never been a big fan of this time of year (Fall) but having Spencer has changed all that. Now we get to celebrate with lots and lots of pumpkins! Last weekend was full of them. We had our first field trip with daycare to the Idaho Botanical Gardens. Since he has recently learned how to say "flower," he was VERY excited at all the pretty ones to see and touch.

And then he got to pick out a pumpkin!

The next day we went to Linder Farms for more pumpkin action. The boys searched long and hard for the perfect one.
Cheesy photo op? Yes, please!

Tomorrow we are getting up bright and early and heading to San Diego. It will be so nice to see Uncle Jonathan and my step-sister Lisa and her wife Heather and we are really looking forward to getting out of town. Send positive vibes our way for a calm toddler on the plane!

Back to the Zoo

Going to the zoo is our go-to activity now. Has been all summer and now in to the fall. Boy those $49 annual passes sure have paid for themselves! I gave up on taking pictures of the animals, but I still like to take them of my cute little monkey who likes to LOOK at the animals when we are there. I think this was looking at the zebras.
Facebook friends know that my sunglasses made an appearance in the Cavy exhibit during this visit. I wish I knew what possessed my son to smack them off of my face and toss them down there. Luckily, he is the sweetest, cutest boy in town and it is impossible to stay mad for long (especially when the very nice zoo staff retrieved them for me anyway).

Last Camping Trip of the Year

I doubt we'll make it up to hunting camp this fall, so last weekend was the last camping trip of the season. So sad we only made it up to the mountains twice this year...next summer we will do better. There was a huge difference in Spencer's enjoyment of the trip from July to know. I mean, he liked it in July, but he LOVED it this trip! We went to my favorite spot in Idaho (heck, probably in the country): Stanley. The best part of camping after Labor Day is that there is no one around.
I took a so many pictures of our little nature boy and none of poor little Fergie, who was equally excited to be in the mountains again. Here are a couple of my favorite ones...the rest are on Facebook.

Spirit of Boise

Well, another Spirit of Boise Balloon Rally is in the record books for the Spencer Family. For those who don't know, my family has been producing this event for TWENTY YEARS THIS YEAR! WOW. We've had a lot of fun and I have grown up not knowing any different and I hope Spencer won't either. It might seem unusual for a post about hot air balloons, but I didn't actually take a picture of any. Who wants to look at balloons when you have this cute kid in front of you? Even Grampa Scott can't look away!
Drinking Coke like the good grandson he is. (Grampa flies the Coke balloon, of course). And no, I do not really let my baby drink Coke.

Okay, this could be considered a picture of a balloon...Rocco & Spencer with Gramma Laurie inside the Mickey Mouse Balloon. I remember thinking this was very cool to go inside when I was a kid. These two? Not so much. But Gramma looks happy!

Lots more picures of our cute boys on Facebook. And be sure to friend Spiritof Boise to stay in the loop for next year!

Hot August Nights - II

Once again, the Hamilton's hosted a fabulous party at their cabin in McCall...a.k.a. Hot August Nights. This kid and pet free weekend is a much needed break for everyone in attendance and I can't thank them enough for including us! We were introduced to the "shotski" and the most amazing tamales I have ever consumed in my life while we were there. I didn't take a single picture during our stay, but I stole this one from Molly of the entire motley crew .

Spencer had lots of fun too while we were gone on the boat with Grampa Scott and Gramma Laurie. I can't get over how grown up he looks here.

Deceptively Delicious

I know toddlers go through picky eating phases...but I can't take the mommy guilt associated with Spencer eating grilled cheese and chicken nuggets every day. So I bought this:
And frankly, I'm hanging a lot of hopes and dreams on it. This book has recipes to hide veggies in things kids eat every day and for someone that barely boils water, it's going to be an adventure. But I'm giving it a whirl...stay tuned!