Yes, we feed Ethan!

One day, I guess Ethan was hungry and I had the fridge door open and he climbed in. We thought that these pictures were just so funny. Just to set the record straight, we do feed our child!!

Breakfast with Santa!

Today we went and had breakfast with Santa. On base they had this great event at the bowling alley. We got there and they had a great breakfast to eat. After breakfast, Ethan went and sat on Santa's lap. We were surprised at how well he did, he didn't cry at all. He was fascinated with Santa's beard and kept trying to pull it off and eat it. After Santa, we bowled a little bit, colored pictures and decorated a gingerbread man. Ethan loved decorating the gingerbread man. He started out putting one finger in the frosting and then would lick his finger. After a couple of times of that, he realized how good the frosting was and started sticking his whole hand in the frosting and licking it. What a smart little boy!!

Lieutenant Nelson!

I am a little slow in posting this, but Eric is now a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He got promoted the beginning of the month. We went into the office and had a little ceremony where I got to pin on his new rank. It was very nice, because Eric's grandparents ended up being here for the ceremony, so it was nice that they could take part. Way to go Lieutenant Nelson!!

Inca Trek to Machu Picchu!

This was probably the most amazing part of our trip. We decided to backpack into Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail. It was a four day hike very strenuous hike, but completely worth it. It was by far the hardest hike I had ever done and there were times that I thought we were crazy for hiking it, but I would go back in a heartbeat and do the whole thing again. The whole trail was just up and down, with a lot more up than down. Also, in our group of 15, we and one other guy were the only ones that carried our backpacks, weighing 20 lbs. Everyone else hired someone to carry their stuff. Like I said, we had a group of 15, 2 guides that were natives, and then about 20 porters. The porters carried our tents, the food, and other equipment for our campsite. We would stop for lunch and the porters would have our dining tent and table and chairs set up, bowls of hot water for us to wash up with, and then have a gourmet meal ready. We were amazed at the food that we were served. Lunch and dinner we always started off with soup and then after the soup they would bring out 5-6 plates piled high of authentic peruvian food that was SOOOOO good. After we would eat lunch, we would start hiking and the porters would break down camp and while we were hiking, they would run pass us to beat us to the next site so they could have it all ready. They were amazing, because most of them were running in sandals!

The day we entered Machu Picchu, we started hiking at 5:30 so we could watch the sun rise at Machu Picchu, however it was foggy that day. We arrived in Machu Picchu about 7:30 and the pictures that you see don't do it justice. I can see why it is one of the 7 wonders of the world. It is spectacular and it is amazing to me that they could build it so high up in the mountains. Apparently, the Inca's left before it was finished, because there are places you can see where they didn't finish building. If you ever have the opportunity to go to Peru, you have to. We had such a memorable time. I still have a hard time believing that we got to see all that we did!

Peru Vacation!!

The end of September, Eric and I left for a vacation in Peru. Eric's mom came and stayed with Ethan and they had a great time. Eric and I flew into Lima and then took another flight to Cusco, Peru where we spent most of our time. Cusco is considered "the Archaeological Capital of America"; it constitutes the biggest tourist attractiveness in Peru, and the most visited one. Cusco, was the biggest city and capital of the Inca Empire and then taken by the Spanish conquerors; today it has an architecture that fuses the Inca with the Spanish style. It was such an interesting place to explore and walk around. The following slide show are pictures from our time in Cusco and soon there will be another slide show of our trek to Machu Picchu.

Halloween Parade.

On Halloween, some of us from the neighborhood, dressed our kids up in their costumes and then we went to the nursing home (ironically called the Odd Fellows Home) so the kids could parade around for the residents. Most of the residents loved seeing the kids, there were a couple slumped over in their wheelchairs and I wondered if they were still alive, but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and it was great to see the old people get so excited to see the kids. We had such a fun time and Ethan of course looked so cute, as usual!

Where is Ethan?

This is Ethan's new favorite hiding place. Also, he is in his camo pajamas, so he may be difficult to find.

Happy Halloween!!

We hope everyone has a happy halloween! (Also, I am sorry that I am behind on posting on our blog--don't worry, Peru pictures will be coming in the next week!)

My First Vacation With Grandma Nelson

Mommy and Daddy are away vacationing, so I get to write the blog. This is my first - of many, I hope - vacations with Grandma Nelson. She's awesome, and she thinks I'm even awesomer! We make a great team.

The vacation started out as a real snoozer. I slept most of the way to and from the Boston airport (to drop Mommy and Daddy off), but once Grandma and I got home, the fun began.

We go to the park every day. Sometimes we got twice - once in the morning and once in the afternoon when we walk with my friend Matthew and his mom Saskia. My favorite part of the walk is when I get to swing at the park.

Grandma says that we can't play all the time. She's afraid she's going to spoil me. So, she had me help her plant flowers. She says it's supposed to be work. Don't tell her, but I think it was fun. I especially liked it when I got to eat the wood chips. I thought the yellow flowers looked like they'd have a better flavor, but Grandma kept her eyes on me and wouldn't let me taste them. I had to be really sneaky to try out the wood chips.

Matthew and his mom invited us to go out to dinner with them at the Groton Townhouse. I loved the water fountain in the lobby. I was such a good baby. Mommy and Daddy have taught me some really good manners. I was served Gerber Chicken and Apples, but it looked like and tasted just like the Gerber food I get at home. Grandma says I must be my Mommy's, because I love anything that has applesauce in it.

I have a new hobby. I've decided I'm going to take up family history. Who says it's boring? Grandma taught me that cemeteries are special places, and I can see why. Where else can you go in your stroller and feel like you're riding a horse when you're pushed across the grass? If I move really fast, I can also grab the long grass while Grandma is pushing me. I'm getting pretty good at it. Grandma took this picture at the "Ancient Burial Ground" in New London. C.M. stands for Clement Miner. He was my 427th great grandfather (or something like that). He was born in 1638 in Plymouth and died in New London in 1700. I'm not sure, but I think he and Grandma Nelson are about the same age.

Mommy and Daddy have been writing me letters while they've been away. Grandma reads them to me and then gives me a copy. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with them, so I've been eating them. I think they taste better than the wood chips, but not as good as the Gerber food.

I hope my Mommy and Daddy are have as much fun as I'm having. I hope they have a good hike and that when they get there, mommy can have some applesauce with her rice and beans.
I love you, Mommy and Daddy! See you next week!