Christmas and the Domincan Republic

I figured this is my last chance to get a post in in January so it doesn't show up with a big fat "0" next to it. We had a fun trip from December 20th-January 15th to Phoenix -> Tucson -> Dominican Republic -> Tucson -> Phoenix.

Ella had fun on Christmas day opening presents.


She got a horse from Brad's parent's that she LOVES



On New Year's Eve we headed to the Dominican Republic to visit my brother and his family. It was such a fun trip! Every day was warm (although a little more humid than Arizona) and Scott and Ann had just moved in to their new mansion.

Ella had a great ride on the plane


My adorable niece and nephew playing in an old courtyard in the Colonial Zone


Ella had fun sightseeing on her dad's shoulders


We went out one night to a restraunt famous for it's women who dance on rum bottles.


We also spent one day at the beach in Santo Domingo


Where we had our own personal mall walking by all day. We ate coconuts, sugar cane, some sort of seafood and salsa, fried pork, Presidente, pina colada's (it 45 minutes to get, but it was worth the wait!) and cubra libra's (rum and coke). Needless to say, we didn't feel too well the rest of the day.

My handsome brother, Scott (eww, did I just say that?)




My dad bargaining for some Cuban cigars


My brother, Ethan about to enjoy his first cigar (the drink was just for looks)


Brad enjoying himself


Adeline showing off her new do


The next day we drove through the countryside to the north coast


We finally got all the cousins together and happy at the same time!



I tried to take some senior portraits of my brother, Ethan and learned some valuable photography lessons. First, I forgot to reset my ISO down from 1600 (so everything is grainy), second it is hard to get the focus just right when the AV is down to 1.8. Third, I need some sort of flash to help in lower light situations. Ohh well, next time...

Lemons

"Uncle Hal" brought us a bagful of lemons from California and Ella spent a good portion of the day playing with them yesterday.

Texas Whirlwind

Ella and I took a 9 day trip to Dallas to hang out with my family. My brother Scott and his family were visiting from the Dominican Republic so it was the first time Ella got to meet her cousins and aunt and uncle. It was a really busy trip but a lot of fun.

Ella and I caught a cold on the way home and have been lazing around together. We missed out on Thanksgiving with friends but Brad was nice enough to cook us some ham and Debbie sent us a whole Thanksgiving spread via Chad and Nicki.

Here's a random pictures of Ella after her bath.


All the Geer grandkids together


My beautiful niece Adeline


And my adorable nephew Darton


My grandma knitted Ella a beautiful dress


My brother, his kids and our grandparents


Ella had a nice nap with grandpa before church


Ella and I were bored in the Denver airport and I snapped a couple pictures


Ella with my aunts Shareen and Nessy

A Christmas Halloween

According to Brad, Saturday was better than Christmas. He went to bed early Friday night so Saturday morning would come quicker. We started the day out by going to Spokane for an errand and then went to the Whetsel's to try out Brad's new chainsaw. Brad, Jess and Hal had a lot of fun sawing trees and chopping wood. Marsha, Ella and I stayed inside and baked desserts for our little party today. Some people came over to help celebrate the birth of Kiera Kral:



Here's the oldest Kral, Selah


Marsha with baby Kiera


Taryn with Kiera


Ayden with Kiera


The beautiful Sarah Klynstra


Selah and Ben


Sarah and Kiera


Sarah and Ella

Trucks, Family and Potatoes

When Brad's family came up last month they brought with them his Grandpa's 1987 Custom Deluxe long bed pickup. I feel more American just saying the name. It's 4x4 so it should be nice to have around this winter. The first time I drove it I felt like the queen of the road with windows big enough to need curtains. Who knows, maybe it will be Ella's first car in twenty years :)



Two weeks ago Brad's sister Elizabeth came for a week to help watch Ella and hang out. She crocheted Ella a nice hat while she was here. I love her expression in this picture.




We took a nice trip to see Char Falls on Saturday


I decided to dig up my garden and see if there were any potatoes there. I was pleasantly surprised since the deer ate all the leaves off the plants. Brad made a delicious dish out of all the potatoes.


Finally, Ella got her first tooth last week. I was wondering why she was so cranky and kept waking up at night. I think another is coming because she's doing it again.

The Screamer

Last month Ella learned how to scream with all her might. At first it was cute because she tried so hard and put her whole body into it. Now it's annoying because it's her only way to communicate that she wants something. As a solution we're working on sign language, but I'm pretty sure her first word is going to be "No". I took this video of the scream back when it was cute (Brad still laughs uncontrollably everytime he watches it).


Life has returned to normal again although we had quite an adventure this week. If you'd like to hear about it just shoot me an email.

Family Time

Brad's family made the long drive up from Tucson and hung out with us for about two weeks. His brother, Steve also flew up from Dallas for about a week. Ella enjoyed having plenty of people around to grant her every wish. It was nice having all the help!

We rented a boat one day and explored the lake (we're down to owning only one non-working boat now).


We also spent a nice Sunday afternoon at Springy Point and Ella got her first taste of sand (literally).




Brad's distant relative, Dave and his wife Kathy had us over for dinner in Coeur D' Alene. They had a door stop that kept Ella entertained for almost an hour. Every time she'd try and peel herself away, she'd turn back around and start hitting it again.


I've been busy this weekend making apple sauce and freezing apple slices. I didn't realize how easy apple sauce is to make. All I did was slice the apples in half and put them in the crock pot with a little water, cinnamon and nutmeg. I left it over night on low and the next morning worked everything through a strainer and out came applesauce.

I also ordered some baby sign language DVDs and we're working on teaching her "eat". It will be exciting if she ever does it. Right now she pulls herself up on everything. That's the only reason she crawls, is to get somewhere and pull herself up. The problem is once she's up she can't get back down and gets really frustrated until you come rescue her. I'm sure figure it out eventually.