ATVs

Yesterday we went to Grandma Emery's shop for a few hours. Austin set up a bunch of stuff for Christmas (yes, Christmas Eve is on Monday) and I helped clean a bit. Luke got bored so I followed him next door to the motorcycle and 4-wheeler place. He wandered right over to the little kid 4-wheeler on display outside. He kept touching it so finally Austin came over and put him on it. They both had so much fun! I wish someone we knew was getting one for Christmas.....

Christmas at the Kramers

Many of you know that Austin's latest project was to make this fireplace for our apartment. He made it out of a cardboard tv box! It's really cool and fun, we just need a log to complete it. Austin's Grammy sent Luke a beautifully made stocking - she did it all herself. Austin's is on the way. They are so big I don't know how we'll ever fill them, but it should be fun to try. We went out and cut down our own Christmas tree this year out in the national forest for $10. It was so cool and fun. Who knows where we'll get our tree next year.

Luke visiting some dogs

On Friday, we took Luke to see some dogs for sale at the mall. He clung tightly to his daddy every time a dog got close...

Luke's First Birthday!

This is a little overdue, but there were so many great pictures I just couldn't decide which ones to put up. Luke was very tired when we had his party late one night so he's not too happy in some of the pictures. Good thing he had lots of birthday cake (wonderfully decorated by his dad with oreos, caramel, etc.) and cookie cake. It was so fun with lots of his cousins and aunts and uncles and not to mention his grandma and grandpa Flake. Thanks to everyone for the wonderful gifts and parties! The next day Luke came home to lots of presents from his Grammy Kramer so that's what the first pictures are. He had so many presents, he could not stop smiling.

The First Grandchild Musician

Despite his mother's attempts to teach him to play the piano, Luke has truly mastered the recorder. He and Austin do duets: Luke plays his 88 cent recorder and Austin whistles. Austin will whistle and Luke will respond on the recorder. He's almost good enough to do a number with Justin. If only Luke could play the recorder with his nose like his Uncle Justin...

Stick 'em up!

From his other great-grandma Luke got some guns from the Dollar Store. He is always asking me to put the belt on for him even though he doesn't really like to wear the guns.

Luke's new hat and gloves

Great-Grammy Williamson got Luke some nice gloves and a warm hat for his birthday. He loves the hat and it's so cute on him. He doesn't even try to rip it off like he does all his other hats. Anyway, he's pretty cute.

Real close ups

Ash was here yesterday morning and took some close ups of Luke. They're pretty cute so here they are. Thanks Ash!

Fun in Lego Land

Austin had a little too much fun with Derek and Cassidy on Sunday...playing legos. And if you didn't know, BYU's football team is ranked 23rd!

New Haircut and a Butterfinger

Luke's hair was getting very long and out of control so Austin cut it while I was shopping. Luke wouldn't stop crying and fussing so to calm him down Austin gave him a Butterfinger at 9 in the morning. I guess it was pretty messy but it did work.

First Snow

This morning we woke up to snow! As most of you know, Austin really loves snow and was so excited. He jumped out of bed and immediately got Luke into his snowsuit. The only problem is that Luke's snowsuit is from last year and is way too small for him now. He couldn't walk or move at all (kind of like The Christmas Story). Anyway, Austin put Luke in the sled and pulled him around on the small amount of snow on the ground.

Our latest hiking adventure!

Luke sleeping in the backpack on the way down

A view from the top: mom and dad's house

Here we on the top of the mountain. There were spray-painted words of "Go Home" "Go Away" "No hunters" etc. so we left

A view from the top: Harris Creek Road - but where is Joel and Melanie's house?

Luke resting while we had some snacks. He was glad to be out of the backpack and crawl and walk around.

The spot on the top of the mountain where we took a break.

Another good view from the top.

Me, hiking back up after retrieving the fallen backpack

A good view of HSB

Before Austin started working for R.C. Willey we figured we better take another long hike. We were up at mom and dad's so we decided to hike a mountain near their place. It lasted about 4 hours and was beautiful and so fun. The hike was similar to hiking to the Y at BYU - straight up a mountain with no breaks. But it was fun. I don't know how Austin does it with Luke on his back, straight up.
We had to cross a lot of fences too. At one point, I was attempting to cross a fence so I threw my backpack over to make it easier to cross, but as I threw it over, the mountain was so steep that the backpack went flying down the hill for a long ways. It finally got stuck on some sage brush. I had to hike down and get it - so lame.
At the top of the mountain there as a flat space where we had a little lunch.
Luke had a great time too although he got a little tired near the end. He even fell asleep on Austin's back as we tried to make our way down the mountain.
The views were breathtaking and it was fun to call mom and dad's family so they could find us with the binoculars. We are excited for our next one, anyone who wants to come is invited!