August Adventures

Our baby turned 11 months old today! We can't believe that the summer is almost over, let alone that Nicholas is almost a year old. Christy and David both got new bosses at work. On Sunday we hosted a big Fish Fry to welcome the new families to post. David got up at 5:30 a.m. and went to the local market to get fresh fish right off the boat. His fish fry recipe was a huge hit. We found a new sushi restaurant--the Laughing Buddha. Christy finally went to the gym and took a kick boxing class--something she'll try to do regularly now along with walking/running group with the Ambassador. We'll wrap up the month with a wine and cheese party and the marine house back to school party this weekend. Hopefully with some out of town adventures as well, but that is tbd....





Nicholas and Daddy at the Laughing Buddha

steel pan playing suma wrestler..... only in Trinidad....

11 months old! And rocking his guitar.

Nicholas has decided he prefers sleeping on daddy to sleeping in his crib in the early morning. I'm not sure daddy is too thrilled with this development.

Nicholas discovered the tupperware cupboard. See? The overzealous purchasing of tupperware before our pack out from DC came in handy afterall!

Yay tupperware!

In addition to fresh fish David got live crabs at the market. Yes. Crabs. Alive. In our kitchen. Christy had mixed feelings about that.

Nicholas thought they were pretty cool.

The Trinis wrap the claws up with vines that then fall off in the boiling water.

bathtime mohawk!

We finally installed the new carseat. Nicholas seems to like it. It is still rear facing--it allows you to keep it rear facing up to 40 pounds which is safer.

One little monkey jumping on the bed!

10 months and 22 pounds

Things have been busy as usual since our return to Colorado. We've been doing a lot of social things at friends' homes, but haven't been very good about bringing our camera with us. We also sponsored another new officer and her fiance who arrived at post last week. We attempted to take them to the beach for the three day weekend celebrating Trinidad's Emancipation Day, but unfortunately we are at the height of rainy season and it poured all day on Monday. Christy was Duty Officer (on call for American citizen emergencies) over the weekend as well, so we couldn't travel far.



Nicholas is growing up so quickly. We took his official 10 month pictures with the sign even though he actually turned 10 months in Colorado. We also took him in for a well-visit and learned that he is healthy and 22 pounds-- meaning he is at the maximum weight for his convertible stroller carseat and now we need to install the new car seat and he gets to sit up in the stroller like a big boy. It also means no lifting sleeping baby in the carseat out of the car and straight into the house anymore, either. We also got a cover for the grocery store cart and Nicholas got to ride in the cart for the first time. He enjoyed the new perspective but mommy had to keep a hand on him the whole time as he kept wanting to lean over and reach for things. Nicholas has also learned to clap in the last week or so and is pretty close to figuring out "bye-bye". We have a very active and very adorable baby boy!



The year is flying by at record speed--our CLO is already sending out notes about ordering our Halloween costumes, since it takes 4 weeks to get anything to Trinidad. Which means it's also time to start thinking about birthday celebrations for the entire family. And Oktoberfest....





Nicholas enjoyed playing with his new farm set, but the border of his alphabet mat is even cooler.

Nicholas is in size 4 shoes now, and we have trouble even getting his feet in those--size 5 coming soon!

10 months old! The sign is getting more difficult as Nicholas wants to grab it and crumple up the paper.



Moe's not letting us leave again any time soon.

Congratulations Katie and Jeff!!!

Last weekend was a big weekend-- we traveled to Denver, CO to attend Christy's sister Katie's wedding. Christy was the matron of honor, and it was so fun to see our family. We flew through Houston and thankfully had no problems with delayed flights or missing baggage. Nicholas was wonderful on the plane. He was full of curiousity, making friends with the other passengers (hopefully they didn't mind too much) and took a nap on each flight. He even slept relatively well in the hotel's pack and play.

The wedding took place on Sunday at Evergreen Lake House outside of Denver.


The rehearsal was Saturday night:

Nicholas loves to play with water bottles.

We had a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

Nicholas got to spend time with his GG, Grumpa and Great-Grandad.

too cute--we don't have the sign, but Saturday was actually Nicholas's 10 month birthday, too.

The morning of the wedding we got together for a nice family breakfast--- Uncle Tom and Aunt Sam and cousins Ted and David were there as well as Uncle Gene and Aunt Joyc, Grandad, Christy's parents, and Katie, of course.

While Christy was hanging out with Katie and the bridesmaids and getting her hair done, David and Nicholas went with Uncle Tom, Aunt Sam, Ted, and David to see Buffalo Bill's grave. There were some beautiful views of Denver and the surrounding area.

our little cowboy!


Back at the hotel, the girls were getting ready....

the comfy pre and post wedding flip flops

and into the wedding shoes

the groomsmen

the ceremony

bridesmaids!

there were a few drops of rain as the ceremony started and a few of us were really nervous, but then the cloud blew away and instead a beautiful rainbow became the backdrop for the ceremony

time to kiss the bride!

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Matthews-- and now Nicholas has an Uncle Jeff!

waving hi!

love the cupcakes

Katie and Jeff with Christy's parents

sleepy boy

the morning after..... one beer can survived

Now Katie and Jeff are off to enjoy Costa Rica (after registering with the State Department in case of any emergencies, of course) and we are back to Sweet T&T

It was a busy week too. We got home about 9:30 Tuesday night, then had dinner at colleagues' houses both Wednesday and Thursday. We said good bye to our friend and colleague Maren who is headed back to Washington to start A-100.

Friday night we enjoyed the monthly Wine and Cheese and met several new families that have just arrived. This weekend is a quiet one--sleeping, unpacking, laundry, and a bit of golf for David (with new golf shoes!)

Next week will be busy as well as we are welcoming another couple that we are sponsoring who arrive on Wednesday. We can't believe how quickly July is flying by.