Beach beach sandy beach, feel the sand, on your feet.

Yes the title of this post is from a Wiggles song. I have a toddler, which means I am subjected to horrible catchy songs that get in your head from a variety of children shows. I am subjecting you to my pain.

A week ago we returned from our trip to San Diego, it was AH-MAZ-ING. First off, many of you know that the heat is not my best friend. In fact, I generally despise the heat, especially where we live. It was very nice to visit San Diego with its beach breeze and 65* highs.  Amelia was a trooper on the drive and did super well until about an hour away from our destination, she was a little restless and wanted to be done.  The drive back was pretty much the same.  Amelia loved playing in the sand at the beach and the bay. Our hotel was less than a block from the beach and right on Mission Bay. Needless to say we played in the sand a lot. We also discovered that Amelia and I in a little hotel room is not good, we both tend to need some space when tantrums arise. We ate at some amazing restaurants, specifically Phil's BBQ, it was rated best bbq by Yelp in 2010, and we agree hands down. Seriously the best BBQ we've ever had. We also had the chance to visit the San Diego Zoo (one of my favorite zoo's).  It was fun to share it with Nathan and Amelia.  Nathan was impressed that the San Diego Zoo is a non-profit organization, so any money spent at the zoo, stays at the zoo.  Amelia was impressed that the "woof woof's" (referring to dogs) play with the cheetahs. Zookeepers also walk the dogs around and other animals, like wild porcupines. Amelia was in heaven.  Overall, the trip was a success and next time we are hitting up Sea World.


In other news, we had a great Easter, once again Amelia was sick. We thought she had chicken pox from her vaccinations but turns out she contracted (from some other neighborhood kid) Molluscum Contagiosum (which is a pox virus).  The crappy thing about Molluscum is that it can take up to 2 years for the bumps to go away.  Amelia only had bumps on her arm by her elbow and a few on her leg.  They can go away on their own or take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to go away. Her pediatrician recommended some antibiotics that she takes 3x a day for 2-3 months, it has a 70-80% chance of clearing up the bumps. I'm happy to report that she has been on it for 3 weeks and they are mostly gone. I'm hoping next Easter Amelia won't be sick, right now we are 0-2.  Amelia loved dying Easter eggs and going on Easter egg hunts.  Holidays are becoming so much fun the older she gets.


Things are starting to wrap up for me as the school year is coming to a close.  I'm teaching the final lessons in the art program at an elementary school these next few weeks.  It's on Leonardo Da Vinci, I'm very happy to be ending the year on such a high note.  Volunteering for the school art program has been such a delight, watching the students eyes get big as I talk about techniques or specific artists is energizing.  Amelia comes along with me, she has become very well behaved in the classrooms and the kids get so excited when "the red tornado is here!!!!" However,  there is no way I could do what teachers do five days a week for the whole school year.  God bless teachers, they are amazing.  School tours at the museum are also wrapping up, which is nice.  I am scheduled to be one of the teachers for the summer camp at the museum, this summer is Roman Art.  I will miss dressing up as Poseidon (Greek Art was last summer) I guess I technically still could and just go by Neptune, having a trident is just too much fun.


Nathan is excited because co-ed volleyball is starting up again, he loves playing volleyball. We love watching people get intimated as they see him block spikes at the net.  Nathan and his sidekick Amelia do everything together, they are two peas in a pod.  He is excited to go camping this summer and put Amelia in swim lessons.  Nathan has really become a valued employee at his job.  We are so proud of him and all the hard work he puts in.  Nathan is currently reading The Last Chevalier by Alexander Dumas, he is enjoying it but says its not nearly as good as The Count of Monte Cristo or The Three Musketeers.

 Amelia and I dying easter eggs

 Sorting through her easter basket

 Amelia and her posse. Curious George, Biscuit, and Sheepie. They come everywhere with her.

 Taking the posse for a drive. Curious George is up front with her. 

 Nathan and Amelia waiting to get on the bus at at the San Diego Zoo.

 Too tired to see the panda. 

 Amelia loved the fish and the turtles, she loves any type of aquarium or underwater viewing spots.

 Amelia loves dogs. She made instant friends with this Akbash at the Zoo. This dog hangs out with the cheetah, and is about the size of a Great Dane. 

 Nathan and Amelia planning out which parts of the zoo to see. 

 Orangutang: Rare red apes. We love our little red headed monkey.

  

 Amelia and the Orangutangs.

 I thought this was incredibly fascinating. This orangutang came over to the glass where this older gentleman was and placed his hand on the glass, the gentleman reached out and did the same. Then they just looked into each others eyes for a good 15 minutes. 

 Me frowning over the loss of arctic ice in the polar bear exhibit. 

 Amelia giving the polar bear statue some love. 

Amelia and Nathan. My two favorite people. 

 A dog (not the Akbash) and a cheetah playing. Amelia thought this was pretty neat. 

 Last time I was in San Diego a seagull stole my churro at Sea World. This time I was able to eat a churro without it being stolen. It was awesome. I did share with Amelia.

Amelia thought it was pretty tasty. I'd rather share with her than a yucky seagull any day.

Miss Amelia is 2

Our little Avie turned 2 on March 29th. Nathan took two days off for Amelia's birthday and Amelia loved having him home for a four day weekend. We had a little birthday party for Amelia complete with a few of her friends and a Curious George cake.

I can't believe my little girl is 2. Its gone by fast, however, days that are full of tantrums are probably the longest days of my life. Amelia is getting used to the fact that she goes into time-outs for misbehaving. I have found her putting her stuffed animals in time out a few times, its quite funny. Amelia is such a spunky girl, she is very picky about what Nathan wears and picks out his clothes often. She could care less what I wear but Nathan is a whole other story. She has a tantrum every day when he changes his work clothes. She is starting to be picky about wearing shoes and lately clothes. Our little nudist sure does make our days interesting.

My best friend and her family came down to visit during spring break, which was beyond awesome. I have missed her terribly since we have moved from Logan. We went to Snow Canyon and played in the sand dunes, I've never been there and it is such a fun place. It will definitely be a place we go often. Amelia loved playing in the sand and there were a lot of fun little hikes and places to explore. I kept asking Amelia if she liked hiking and she replied "UH HUH!". I think the petrified sand dunes were her favorite.

April is going to be a fun month for us. Nathan has to go back to San Diego so Amelia and I are tagging along. I am not looking forward to the drive, but Sea World and the San Diego Zoo will make up for it. Nathan has never been to either and I'm excited to go back and see how its changed. I know Amelia will love it. Hopefully she has more fun at the beach this time, last time she didn't really like the sand.

Amelia just had her 2 year old check up, she was such a trooper during her shots. I think the sucker helped. I know 2 year olds can be kinda finicky with food but Amelia eats like a bird. She has dropped from the 32% for weight to 9%. Not good. So we are now trying our best to increase her caloric intake. She could have Nathan's metabolism which means she could eat 12 cupcakes in a week and she won't gain an ounce. Her doctor is hoping supplementing her diet will help. Parenting is never easy and Amelia sure does keep things interesting. Can't wait for potty training...

Amelia enjoying her birthday cake and homemade ice cream.

Amelia's birthday cake.

Amelia playing with Playdoh.

Amelia LOVED her birthday balloons.

Amelia really enjoys painting. Its one of her new favorite activities.

Joanna and I climbing in Snow Canyon.

Amelia loved the petrified sand dunes.

Amelia and Nathan climbing in Snow Canyon.

Yay for sand dunes.

Nathan in San Diego on a business trip hanging out on Coronado Beach.

Woosh, that was January.

January just flew by us, Nathan and I both had birthdays which means January ROCKED! Nathan celebrated his 28th birthday with Amelia and I. He requested that his birthday be a "mello" celebration with just us. Very Nathan like. Amelia and I made him a cake, made him some cards, and gave him a present. He had a wonderful time. He can't believe he is 28, I've had to remind him a few times. Amelia and I sang "Happy Birthday" to him at any available opportunity.

January has been an extremely busy month for us. Nathan has been busy playing volleyball, Amelia has been a red tornado and I have been busy with art stuff. The Museum installed a new exhibit which meant meetings and training for docents. Plus I've had to teach Art Masters at a local elementary. Which by the way, was on Alexander Calder an engineer and an artist. Could that be any more fitting for me? If you haven't seen his work, google him, its worth it.

We also celebrated my "golden" birthday. I turned 26 on the 26th. I wanted to do something special, and Nathan made it special. He made me a red velvet cake (from scratch, no less!) and he didn't mess it up! My grandparents were passing through and brought me a cake, and took us out to dinner. Two cakes? yes please. My cousin also stopped by on friday adding to the family fun. Just as she was leaving people started showing up. I thought it was just to say hi, nope, Nathan planned a surprise party with my friends and totally got me for the second time. He is sneaky!! My friend made an amazingly chocolate choco-holic cake. 3 CAKES!!! thats right, I am that cool. I also chopped off my hair and added some blue and purple to it to commemorate being 26.

For those of you that are wondering, we had a great Christmas. I did leave my purse at home which had my phone charger, camera and of course wallet in it. So Nathan had to do all of the driving. What a good sport. We went to Logan and spent time with my best friend Joanna and her family. I wish we had more time so we could have visited all of our Logan friends, but it just wasn't in the cards. We spent Christmas with my family, which was amazing. Christmas Eve we had everyone together, first time EVER for Christmas, and the first time since my mom's funeral. We even tried to visit some of Nathan's sisters but two of the three weren't home. At least we were able to see Suzanne and the kids. We also went over to my dad's and spent Christmas with him. Overall a very fun trip.

Amelia is doing great, we are loving the terrible 2's and the tantrums, NOT. She is very independent and stubborn, she got that from both Nathan and I. She LOVES to help out in the kitchen, play outside and watch Curious George. She has a Curious George stuffed monkey that tags along with her most of the time. She loves to wear our shoes and clothes, today she wore one of Nathan's shirts around most of the day. She thinks its hilarious to pretend to sleep, she even tries to snore but it just sounds like heavy breathing. Her favorite songs right now are: Popcorn Popping, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and Head Shoulders Knees and Toes. She continues to bring laughter and delight into our lives, plus a little frustration (to be honest).

ONE MORE TIDBIT- Nathan wanted to trim Amelia's hair because it was in her eyes, so snip snip went the scissors and drive drive we went to a local salon to fix the hair cut. We had quite the laugh over it. For fun here are some photos, and for your pleasure they are out of order, thats right, we like to keep things interesting here.

Amelia in Nathan's T-shirt

Amelia's hair cut.

My haircut, there is blue and purple on both sides and in the back.

Super chocolate cake made by my friend. Recipe is on pintrest. SO YUMMY.

Super delicious red velvet cake made by Nathan, YUM.

Nathan's birthday cake. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATHAN.

Amelia's car car. Best christmas present ever, thanks grandpa Dave.

Christmas #2 at Grandpa Dave's.

Frosting sugar cookies. Amelia is the best cookie helper.

Wheeler Christmas Card

We were too slow to get out Christmas cards so we decided to blog a Christmas message this year. We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday, soaking in every minute with friends and family. Happy new year to everyone, and may the new year bring joy and happiness to everyone.

Amelia waiting to see Santa.

Merry Christmas from Nathan, Stephanie and Amelia Wheeler

Skip November

Yes you read that correctly, my blog skipped November. That was on purpose. November (although Thanksgiving is fun) is a hard month for me. I just run on survival mode during that month, especially the last half of the month. Now that December is upon us I will share what we have been up too since my last post. Nathan went on a business trip to Cincinnati, OH and was gone for Halloween (my favorite holiday). Amelia and I still had a blast, we went to the library Halloween carnival, out to lunch, to the mall for trick or treating AND more trick or treating around the neighborhood. Phew! What a fun and busy day. We may or may not still have Halloween candy left over. I also taught Nathan how to paint a pumpkin for his work's pumpkin contest, I think he did a great job. We continued the theme of altering famous paintings, this year was of American Gothic by Grant Wood.

Some of my Evan's family came down to celebrate my cousins birthday and we had a blast at a local corn maze at Staheli farm. Of course my aunt and I were on a team (the two most directionally impaired individuals). Lets just say our whole group was out of the corn maze and Nathan had to come rescue us after the group waited 40 minutes for us to show up. Thank goodness he found us and we followed him out. I hope everyone believes me when I say I get lost easily.

Amelia loved playing in the corn slide at Staheli Farm.

Amelia riding a horse swing.

She loved these tiny tractors.

Amelia dressed up as a monkey for Halloween, in honor of Curious George, her favorite.

Amelia's loot....I mean our loot.

Nathan painting his pumpkin, like a pro!

The finished product, I think he did a great job. Yes he did 95% of the painting, and designed the concept. I just did a tiny bit. I guess being married to an artist is rubbing off.

Thanksgiving was fun because Nathan's sister Suzanne and her hubby Stuart and the kids came down. With a little help Nathan and I made our first Thanksgiving meal and it was a SUCCESS. I know a few of you are completely shocked, but its true! I didn't burn anything and the turkey was incredibly delicious. Amelia loved having cousins to follow around and play with. The end to a perfect turkey day was jumping in with the craziness of Black Friday. I went with a friend and we hit up Target and midnight, it was insane. I loved every minute of it. Well, standing in the checkout line for an 1 hour and 45 minutes wasn't the greatest but when your with a friend you try to make the most of it. I could not believe how many people were at Mc Donald's and Del Taco at 3 am. Thats just gross.

Amelia playing with chalk on Thanksgiving.

Final prep for Thanksgiving meal.

Ps- This year my tree was up before December 1st, I broke my own rule BUT it was after Thanksgiving.

For those that are interested, Amelia is really into climbing and running around. She loves to eat the crust off her wheat bread first, she would rather snack all day and not eat dinner but we don't like that idea. She loves Elmo and Curious George and playing with chalk, and just being outside. She loves giving kisses and "shhhing" people. I can't believe she'll be 2 in a few months.

Octoberfest

It's October, one of my favorite months (possibly my number one favorite month) and I am eagerly awaiting for it to cool down. I know some people might love it being in the 80's but it doesn't quite seem like fall without sweater weather.

We had a special treat a few weeks ago, my grandparents came for a visit from out of state, and met Amelia for the first time. They really enjoyed watching Amelia be a spirited toddler. They gave Amelia a really cute dinosaur sippy cup and she still prefers it to any of her other sippy cups. I hope they had a good time visiting us because we sure enjoyed having them.

Amelia has a new talent. Apparently she found out about the "planking" craze and wanted to add her own spin to it. For those of you that don't know what planking is- its lying face down in challenging spots and having your photo taken. There are photos all over the internet. I hope that sums it up enough for any planking enthusiasts who may be reading this. Amelia has been randomly laying down where ever she can, its hilarious. She is "reverse planking" and she's a pro. She thinks its pretty funny too. She also loves wearing Nathan's ties. I think she gets that from me.

We have been having some car troubles with one of our vehicles, so Nathan has been working on it and so have the mechanics. Amelia loves to help out in the garage, but mostly she just likes to play in the cars. She used to get really excited when Nathan got home now she just runs past him because she wants to play in the car. Not sure letting her do it was a good idea because now she's obsessed with the car.

General Conference weekend was interesting, no one tells you how impossible it is to watch it with a toddler. Good thing its online and in the Ensign. My cousin stayed with us over General Conference weekend. I drove her back sunday evening only to get to her dorm and realize she left her keys at our house, so we had to drive all the way back. Thank goodness for Wendy's Frosty's to make the trip a little less frustrating and a lot more fun.

Nathan and I also had the pleasure of seeing The Little Mermaid at Tuacahn with the Majors! We were really excited to have them come down and stay with us. We always have a blast when they come down. The show was amazing- no wonder every night has been sold out. It was our first time going to Tuacahn and we were not let down. We recommend it to anyone and everyone! Now we just need to find a time to go up to Logan- someday Logan friends, hopefully sooner rather than later.

I hope everyone has a fun Halloween. I can't wait to carve pumpkins and eat handfuls of candy corn. I just wish palm tree's leaves changed colors. A girl can dream right?

Amelia's teepee, best spot to read or hide

Amelia sitting in the front seat of the car, just relaxing

Reverse planking-aka Amelia laying down, her new favorite thing

Amelia and Grandma and Grandpa Felgar

Four generations!

Summer Lovin'

Yes, I've been at it again. Procrastinating with this blog. When will I learn? Who knows...

Well August was a pretty good month for us. We took Amelia camping for the first time with my grandparents. She liked playing in the tent but the first night was terrible, we could not get her to go to sleep. Finally at 4:00 am we drove down Payson Canyon to my grandparents house and spent the night there. The following night she slept in the trailer without any issues. I guess tents are for playing but not for sleeping in her mind. She loved running around and didn't want to stop even to eat, she even tried her first roasted marshmallow. AND for those that are wondering she did eat some dirt, and she is still alive, although I did try my hardest to keep her from doing it.

Eating her first roasted marshmallow

We even found a mini Bryce Canyon!

Amelia loved exploring.

This is my favorite photo of Nathan and Amelia at the lake.

Amelia and I also helped my cousin move into SUU (Southern Utah University). Amelia loved helping unpack and running up and down the dorm hall. I couldn't believe how nostalgic I was that day. Remembering all the fun times I had in college and how that time is now past. I had someone give me directions thinking I was a student, which was better than the freshman I met in my cousins dorm who thought I was moving my daughter in. Yeah that aged me about 20 years or so.

Labor Day was fun because we just stayed home and played. I did go pick up my cousin (from SUU) and she spent Sunday and Monday with us. She gave Amelia a Ho Ho and they were instant friends. For the record, I took most of the Ho Ho away. I didn't want you thinking I was a bad parent, giving my child a whole Ho Ho... Our neighbor gave us a box that was the same height as Nathan so of course he went down the stairs in it. Amelia went down with him twice. The box proved to be quite fun. Amelia also had a blast playing with water in the sink with my cousin, Amelia loves playing in water.

Nathan hiding under the box and wiggling his finger through a hole.

Amelia playing outside.

Found daddy!

Amelia playing with my cousin- loving the bubbles.

Amelia playing with Nathan-ignore the messy house por favor.

We've had a pretty good summer and we can't wait for fall. For those of you that are enjoying fall weather we are jealous, and you can be jealous that its still pretty much summer here.

Can't wait for October, Halloween is my favorite holiday and I want to break out the halloween stuff...must wait...until October 1st! I can do it- I can do it- I can do it!!! maybe :)