the easter train.

On Easter morning last week, we set out Franz's Easter basket filled with a few toys and snacks, and set up a little train set with it, because we just knew he'd go crazy over it, and we were oh so right! We had tried to video record his reaction to seeing the train, but the camera wasn't working, so I made him wait to play with it, and he kept saying "Train! Train!" and trying to get out of my arms. He was ecstatic! And he would've played with that thing all through breakfast if we would've let him. Franz and his Easter train. Easter was fantastic just because of that morning.

The day before, we took Franz to his very first Easter egg hunt at the park across the street from our house. I didn't know if he'd catch onto the idea of picking up eggs and putting them into the basket, and then getting more eggs, but he caught on quick, and collected 10 eggs like it was his job! It was so much fun to watch him, I can't even explain the excitement you feel for otherwise boring things when you become a parent. Your kids doing pretty much anything is absolutely the best thing in the world. And so it was with Franz's first Easter egg hunt.

to the falls.

About a month ago we took Franz up the canyon for the first time since last summer to show him the falls. We got dinner at Aubergine (our new favorite healthy restaurant) and took it up with us, then bundled Franz up and walked the short distance to the waterfall, where I caught the few seconds where the lighting was perfect for optimal picture taking. I love that.

I don't think Franz cared a whole lot about the waterfall. He was tired and was more interested in his binky, but this waterfall is where Zac and I came to eat our Subway sandwiches in the dark on our first date before we went up to Sundance to ride the ski lift, so we were excited. It's always a good time when we go to Bridal Veil Falls.

a walk along the lake.

When we were getting ready to move a few months ago, one thing we were really excited about was that our house would be less than a mile from a walking trail that runs along the side of the lake. So a few weeks after we had moved (I'll post pictures of our house soon), we went on a walk up the trail.

Franz is at the stage right now where he loves to run everywhere. He needs to get his wiggles out every hour of every day. Walking up this trail was a dream for him. He was so excited. He kept pointing out leaves left over from last fall and his mittens kept falling off. I couldn't keep track on how many times he fell. Running everywhere you go comes with a cost.

These pictures don't do it justice, but the view was incredible, even on this overcast and cold day. I'm already dying to go back there.

new years eve 2014.

The introvert in me thinks it's so nice to have kids, because you can go to bed before midnight on New Years Eve, and it's totally okay, and no one thinks you're crazy, because kids! So that's what we did on New Years Eve last year.

We were in the middle of packing up our apartment. We had just put an offer on a house, and were planning on moving in just a couple of weeks, with half of our stuff in boxes stacked in each open corner of our living room.

So for New Years, before Franz went to bed, we hung out in the living room taking pictures and videos of us just being us. Most pictures were blurry, and lots have stupid faces, but oh my gosh, it was so fun, and had us laughing like a bunch of crazies. It's one of my favorite last memories in our little apartment. Franz tried on my boots and was determined to get my camera and made the most hilarious faces.

After Franz went to bed, Zac and I poured ourselves some sparkling grape juice in a couple of wine glasses, changed into our pajamas, and played Mario Bros. It was the perfect night, because we were sick and just wanted to be lazy. Oh, and you bet your bottom we went to bed before midnight. Because kids!

christmas eve & christmas 2014.

Welp, since it's April, I guess I'll post about Christmas last year, since that's where I left off.

Christmas Eve was spent with Zac's family. We had a Christmas Eve feast as well as a live nativity scene that all the grandkids performed. Franz was much too interested in the toys they had to be bothered by being a wise man. Later in the night, Franz and his cousins sat on the floor with Grandpa Lyle and watched the train go around the Christmas tree. Franz was in awe--and this was before his obsession with trains! 

We spent Christmas morning opening presents (which I have no pictures of, only video). Franz got a little red piano that's just his size, and it was a hit! Santa also got him a few necessities, like plates and utensils and a pair of moccasins that match his mama's that he wore that day. After we got ready for the day, we headed up to my parents' house and spent the day with family, eating food, opening more presents, and skyping Sara who's on her mission in Kansas. It's crazy to think that she's never met Franz!

Christmas was laid back this year, but so much fun!