Tobin X 3

We have had some glorious weeks of weather. It is finally starting to feel like summer up here, although we have had a beautiful spring. Travis is finished teaching for the summer, he enjoyed getting out the middle of May this year rather than the middle of June like in Oregon. He will leave for fishing in a couple of weeks so in the meantime he is doing house and yard projects. My job will continue through the summer as it is a year round position (I still work a standard teacher year- 188 days- but have to take my time off during the course of the year). Summer is one of the busier times for enrollment and such so I will miss Trav greatly in the coming months. Bristol continues to be the biggest joy in our lives. He has a great personality- easy going, funny, a little stubborn, and super happy. All but the stubborn part probably is thanks to Trav.
Speaking of B, he got his first ear infection last week so we dealt with a pretty sick baby for a few days. Unfortunately Travis had to go up to Fairbanks to the state track meet so thankfully my mom came up and drove us down to Homer so she could help. I came down with an incredibly bad head cold and fever so I was really grateful for the help. Plus it was nice to not be so lonely without Trav for 5 days.
We have moved on from the ear infection and are now onto diarrhea and puking. Thankfully, my head is still plugged up enough that the smells don't bother me. Travis also has officially been inducted into the "puked on" club. Am not sure he was excited about it, but at least now it is not just me.
In other, better happenings, Bristol has taken on being a pretty independent eater. He still eats just about anything, it is just a little messier some days. He is not walking independently yet, just cruises around the furniture, but mainly just wants to be outside.
A few pictures from the past week or so. There were not very many taken as we are all still sort of recovering. I am hoping that Bristol has a better day tomorrow. We'll see.
Some pictures... Berries...

I like this one because you can see all of his teeth. He has one more that is barely poking through on top.

His favorite red hat.

In Grandpa's skiff- talking on the radio.

He already loves to drive.

We have a park really near our new house. He loves the swing and the slide. Every time we have to leave there are lots of tears.

He was pushing the watermelon around in the yard.

These are for Grandma (and Grandpa)... Ellen sent him a Mariners sweatshirt which is so cute.

"I want to go to a game..."

Hanging out in the yard. We can't wait until you guys are up here. Only 10 more days.

I can't believe that it is already the middle of May. My blogging has taken a very large backseat to the many other things that have been happening in our lives. The largest couple of events have been buying a house and Bristol turned 1 year old May 11th. What a difference a year makes. It has been marked by some very large changes and transitions.
So here is a little rundown of updates for the last couple months.

After not being able to go to Cabo, Bristol and I went to Arizona for a week in February. Travis had to stay home and work :( but we enjoyed the sunshine tremendously.
He loved the plane ride. I loved having the help of my mom rather than trying to manage him myself. He enjoyed the flight attendants. Mom and I flew down a couple days early and Dad came down for the weekend. My grandparents (Mom's parents) were staying in the casita for a couple of months. It was really fun to see them. We saw a lot of family and friends, went hiking a lot, and enjoyed the sunshine.

Still likes to drink out of the faucet for bathtime.

Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Jerry go him a log truck complete with logs. He loves it.

Reading with cousin Riley.

My cousin Luke got married to Ingrid. It was a beautiful wedding in Fountain Hills.

Bristol took it all in with a little bottle of milk on the green grass. He didn't really like the grass- a lot different than snow.

I love milk- now if I could just keep it in my mouth.

Grandma put some water in a tub. Clearly it was a hit.

Sleepy boy- fell asleep on a hike.

Grandpa loves to feed me meat.

Evening fire and sunset.

Back to Alaska

We went to see the ceremonial start of the Iditarod this year. I have never gone to see it even though I grew up here. It was fun, clear, and very chilly.

Trying to keep the cheeks from freezing.

I couldn't keep enough layers on him.

B loved watching the dogs take off. If it was only warmer.

We still love reading.

Milk Comatose

In the rocking chair

Auntie Jenn sent him a cute martian shirt. Thanks Jenn!

Our Remodel Project

I have figured out a lot of things about myself this year. Among them is that I am not really cut out to live in a "in progress of remodeling" house. We have been working really hard both inside and out. I like to say that we bought Travis another project. It keeps us both extremely busy. I feel like I am on an HGTV show, but the results are much slower. The house had a lot of different colors- peach, seafoam green, pink, mauve, and an equal amount of really ugly wallpaper.

This was my favorite room in the house. Four shades of pink/peach and bad wallpaper. It is now Bristol's room. He went from always sleeping in the closet (we had walk-in closets in the last two apartments) to his own room. It continues to be a work in progress, but the pink is gone.

Yet more peach, red, and grey.

Helping me pack- Since leaving home after high school, the longest that I have lived in one place has been 8 months. It will be a little strange to stay put for a couple years.

B is interested in helping with everything.

Cousin Kendall send us a "Flat Kendall" based on the story of Flat Stanley. We had to show him around so that Kendall could learn about Alaska. Of course, since he was in Alaska he needed a pair of mudboots and the only kind to have up here are Xtra Tuffs.

Trying out our mudboots with Grandpa.

Mark came up for Easter weekend. This is our attempt at a family picture, that Mark had to make a run for because of the timer. It was really fun to see him for a couple days even though we missed Kelly.

Eagles up at the house.

It is definitely beginning to look like spring.

We have on our hands a kid that loves to be outside. He now sits at the door and cries when he has to come in. It has been so nice and sunny that we have been able to be outside a lot. Plus, the yard needs a lot of work so Bristol can be outside "helping."

No green grass yet...

We went to a family picnic and one of the little boys had a motorized bike. He loved to drive.

Mothers Day

Bristol was born on Mother's Day last year. He is such a joy to me. He loves his red hat!

We went down to celebrate Mothers Day in Homer. It was a combined work trip as we had to get our boat groceries and nets loaded onto the tenders that are headed over to the fishing grounds. It was absolutely gorgeous and we enjoyed taking a break.

Helping Grandpa grill on the deck. I sort of joke that we need one of those little doggie doors that is Bristol's size and then he can just go outside.

Bristol is 1

Aunt Becky and Uncle Jim sent Bristol a present. Grandpa and Grandma Tobin sent some really nice clothes- still a little big to wear but they won't be for long.