Wild, Wild West

What a week! The trip started with a not-so-bad four-plus hour flight westbound. Luckily we were on a newer plane with individual television screens so Eli had something to help distract him. Lucky again, the seat between Lehr and I was empty so we had three between us to spread out. We decided to stick around the house the following day to get Eli acclimated to the new surroundings before abandoning him to pursue our own activities. Grandma Cathie knew how much he enjoys his walker/rider at home so she bought him one for his time out west. Eli is going to be very disappointed when he wakes up to play with his original here because it is far inferior. The vehicle in Tahoe lights up, talks and has a large compartment under the seat to store toys. My favorite audio: "Mah name is 'Mater. It's like tuh-mater, but without the 'tuh'!". (I guess he is one of the characters from the movie "Cars".) Eli absolutely LOVES 'Mater and spent many hours pushing him around the house, walking with him on the deck, running him into walls, and riding him down the driveway. Even though Eli stuck pretty close to my side that first day, he was happier than a clam the next day when we left before he woke up to go for a hike. I guess it helps that he has Grandma Cathie wrapped around his finger. The next day when Grandpa Jim arrived Eli acted like he'd become reacquainted with an old friend. "Grandpa Who" no longer! Eli was quick to show Grandpa that banging the keys on his laptop was really the best thing for it, and that soy Chick'n Nuggets aren't really that bad. Eli had such a good time that Lehr and I were able to steal away twice to hike, once to bike, and once to take a computer class. (This was great for us as we were able to complete three portions of the Tahoe Rim Trail: just over 24 miles hiking and about 14 miles mountain biking, including the well-known Flume Trail.)

There is a creek and an irrigation 'creek' running behind my parents house, so Eli spent much time throwing leaves into the water and watching them meander down the stream. He loved to add a little fake laugh after he tossed the foliage. On the way back up to the house one day we encountered a mother deer and her baby. The two were very aware of our presence (especially the mom), but they never ran, even when Eli let out a huge giggle. The trip ended with a less-than-preferable flight home, but we made it. And Eli recognized his car, his house, his crib immediately. He was very well behaved on the hour-long ride home after the flight, and he stayed up until his regular bedtime 'running' all over the house and inspecting all of his toys.

Here is the link to more pictures, if you're interested.