Merry Christmas!

For Mom, Dad, & Lindy

Tradition! Oh how you were missed!

Quickie Trip

The night before Doug left for his interview for The University of Utah, we decided that Cal and I would join him since it would most likely be a while before we made it back. At six months old, Callin had his sixth airplane ride! We had a wonderful time seeing Great Grandparents, Cherry Creek friends, Springville friends, roomies, mission comps and cute pregnant wifes, an aunt, bothers, and a great sister who picked us up and dropped us off at the airport! (Thank you Dee dee!) Unfortantly I forgot to use my camera the whole time! Here are the three pictures I took. At our favorite Art City Trolley.
Callin loves eating/clawing anyone his size (and anything in general). Here is cute Jessica Tilley.
This plant was my Grandma Packards. It is over 45 years old! She gave it to us when we lived by them in Sprinville. I took care of it for 2 years. We didn't have a way to get it down to Arizona, so I gave it to my beautiful roommate Alison Dyer! I took this picture to show my Grandma that it is still alive and kicking!

BFF

You couldn't ask for better friends!

It was so fun having Erin and Auden in town for Thanksgiving!

WE LOVE FOOD!

Although it may look like he is afraid- Callin LOVES eating big people food (like you can't tell by the size of his cheeks and double chin!) . He kicks his legs and moves his arms the whole time and after every bite says, "Mmm."

He Sits, Falls, and Crawls

...well scooting is saying it a little more accurately. Callin has been sitting up for almost 2 weeks. He gets a little tired and looses his balance after about 5 minutes. The past 2 days he has been scooting up to about 4 feet with his right elbow.

The sit.

The fall.

The crawl.

(It is just a 1 scoot sample.)

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful day with both families. We started the day off with a Packard Family Turkey Trot! (Hopefully that can be a new tradition.) Then we spent the morning doing brunch, badmitten games and horse riding. We then headed over to the Lewis' for Thanksgiving yummy lunch and dinner feasts! We hiked off all the food today at the traditional Squaw Peak hike.

We LOVED Texas!

Thank you Lauren and Stephen for a WONDERFUL trip! Doug had an interview in Dallas and Callin, Jennie and I tagged along. It turned out to be a weekend full of interviewing, sight seeing, shopping, movies, girls and boys night out, rest, pedicures, cousin time, and music and a little homework.

The 3 Lewis cousins
Doug's sisters Jennie, Lauren, her husband Stephen,

and their 2 darling girls Ella and Kayla

Fun at the park

Makeup for Men

Here is a glimpse into Callin's secret morning routine- he does his makeup while mom gets ready. He can easily pass 20 minutes discovering the treasures inside my makeup box. As a result, he often ends up with a little sparkly residue as his reward.

He usually is quite proud of his work.

Bedding

At five months old (today actually), Cal finally has some crib bedding! Thanks to a $2.00 bumper pad from Goodwill, a good wash, 50% off coupon for Joann's, and Grandma Lewis the seamstress- we are in business! Here is the photo shoot of Callin trying out his new bedding:

My camera lens needs to be cleaned-

sorry you can't see the cute blue elephants or the monkeys!

I'll Give Ya Something to Yell About

1. 50 days until Christmas

2. It is still a high of 88 in sunny Arizona

3. Callin is rolling like crazy

The Rest of Halloween

I love our dinner group with the Huish's. Definitely the highlight of the week.

Grandma Lewis at the neighborhood BBQ.

Our $13 pumpkins. When did the price in pumpkins inflate so much?

Happy Halloween

The scariest pair of dice

We proudly announce that we won "most creative costume" at Emily and Brent's amazing annual Halloween party. Hats off to Doug who spend many hours spray painting, tracking down wigs, tights, fingernail polish, face paint, etc. He really went all out!

Not that creative- but Callin is a base ball player.
This is about 5 seconds after putting him in his car seat awake at the ward party. He held that water bottle all night.

Grandmas Are Great!

Last week we welcomed my Grandma Packard to our house. She will be staying with us through the winter until around April. We are excited to get to spend time with her. Cal loves that she talks and plays with him all day! Here is a shot of their daily walk up and down the street.

AAA

After our road trip to St. George/Vegas, all I can say is...thank goodness for AAA (a.k.a. triple A). Here is Doug and Callin hanging out after our FIRST tire blow out. Of course the spare was flat and we didn't think of filling it after we finally got towed into the nearest town.

It was dark outside by the time out SECOND blow out happened (10 minutes out side of our destination!) and we were all way too grumpy and hungry for pictures. Thank you to the many strangers that stopped and offered assistance, water, phones, and beer! And thank you to Tyler and Maryann who rescued us and brought us dinner! Long story short: the 6 hour road trip took 12!

We had a great time in St. George with the Briggs. Doug patiently tried to improve my tennis game...but to no avail!

Those who enjoyed the game...
and those who did not....

Darn those late night games! Cal and I were able to walk all around the outside of the stadium and enjoy the lights of Vegas from the distance. (He did more sleeping and I did more enjoying!)

Taste Testing

Delicious Pumpkins!

Disgusting Cereal!

Oh, and here is my new favorite toy!

Next Generation Pals

Tara and I have been neighbors and best friends since the day I was born. (She is 2 months older.) Our dream come true- we are neighbors again! We are both back living in our parents homes. She has two little boys, Gene and Braden. Callin is just 6 weeks older than Braden (and twice his size!) Here is the next generation of Best Friends!

Sunday Mornings

I love sitting around and having family laughing time!

Our Update

Life is way too quiet around the Packard Ranch! We miss "the house full of boys" and Ali of course! Doug is still finishing up his last few secondaries, but has started receiving some interviews. He had his first interview on Tuesday at U of A- Tuscon. His comments were that is was very relaxed and informal. Since some people have inquired about his application status, I will keep the list to the left up to date (much to Doug's disapproval).

Here is a shot of Callin's first lawn mower ride with dad. He thought is was a little loud- but I think the thrill of the ride made him forget all about the noise.

Celebrating Aimee's birthday: (Heidi- see how much fun AZ is?? You are missed!)

The girls & the boys

Parents of 5

We had a great time watching the Kellers! Some of Isaac's happenings were (most occurring while I was nursing): spilling pop in the key board, writing with pen on the computer, playing with knifes, spilling out multiple cereal boxes, and constantly escaping (on two occasions neighbors bringing him home or alerting me to his whereabouts-one of those times he was supposedly in the neighbors care though...) How any mother has a 1 1/2 year old and a baby is beyond me! We had a great time with Ian, Josh, Eliza and Isaac! Here are some pictures:

The Other Side of the Hill

For the past two years I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of walking my little kindergarteners outside to meet their parents. The moments leading up to this occation are undescribable! 25 students: "Where is my backpack?" "Can you help me zip up my jacket?" "Sebastian hit me!" "Corbin stole my picture." "Do we have school tomorrow?" "Are you sure my mom will be outside?"

There were always the same 2 or 3 late parents...and then the joy of having another day finished - one day closer to summer break- would hit.

This week we are babysitting my sisters 4 kids while they are cruising Alaska. I had the opportunity yesterday to be the parent in the car picking up their kindergartener. I have to say I didn't quite know that I missed that little goodbye routine until there it was before my eyes. All the little kids filing out the door in the boys and girls line behind the teacher.

Not to worry- I played my new role well. I dropped all 7 kids off at school on time (my 3 plus the neighbor's 4- not to mention 2 babies plus myself- yes we had a little double belting), came home and gave the babies a nap, did a quick round at the treadmill (I mean quick!), cleaned up the breakfast mess, feed the babies, and returned to school 3 hours later to pick up the 2 kindergarteners. I was the mom I had seen so many times - not showered, no makeup... "What have they been doing all morning?" I have wondered many times!

Anyway, I know this is a random post...but I just want to say that it is great to get a look at both sides of the hill, and my conclusion is that Callin is the Greenest!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDY

Happy 8th Birthday to my cutest sister!

We wish we could be with you in Mozambique celebrating!

(This is Kelvin - our soon to be brother that Doug's parents are adopting from Mozambique!)

We love you!

And miss you soo much!

Squeaky Clean!

BEFORE

DURING
AFTER
Callin loves to get naked and loves to splash in the water. However, he hates getting out and being cold. I love slathering him in lotion and kissing his squeaky clean chunky body!