We're moving...

Because we can't post full resolution photos here and managing two sites is too much work when we're busy with a new born, we began spending more time on smugmug.  To see the most recent photos of Alexander go to www.mackensplace.smumug.com  

At the smugmug site you can download digital copies of the pictures for free, or you can purchase pictures right off the site for delivery to your door.  I will also be able to post videos once I purchase a camcorder. 

We can't promise the posts will occur with greater frequency, but you can attach an RSS feed or check back once a week for updates.

If you find you like SmugMug as much as I do sign up and tell them I referred you and we'll both save money.

...ken

January 1-3

Instead of traveling home to Fallbrook, Mommy's family was all together (Except Nate, Shoreh, Megan, and Caitlin because Caitlin was sick) in the desert so we went to visit them. I got to meet many of my cousins and we went to the "Living Desert", a small walking zoo in Palm Springs.

Here is Daddy carrying the camera equipment and Mommy carrying me.

We walked with my cousins:

We ate in the forest:

We saw a giselle that was younger than me (1 hour old):

We saw birds of prey:
And big cats (sorry no photos).

We also saw cows with the biggest horns I've ever seen (of course I haven't seen any cows with horns, but it makes it sound more impressive doesn't it?):

We also saw giraffes:

We took a group photo so you could see the aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins that joined us (I'm 5th from the right):

We also took a picture with just the boy cousins:

Blake, Aidan and me!

By the end of the day I was exhausted:I sure had fun with my cousins, I can't wait to meet more!

...alexander

Dec 31st

At about noon on December 31st we were told we could travel across state lines and go home whenever we were ready. So we logged into Southwest's website and booked the 7pm flight to San Diego. Then called our family to see if we could get a ride from the airport.

We called Ralph and set up a time for him to come by and spend some time with Alexander.

We cleaned the house the best we could (I think I forgot to start the dishwasher), frantically packed and took off for the airport. We returned the rental car and felt so relieved when we got to the check-in counter in time for departure. We went through the formalities of checking in and felt like the next chapter in our lives was really going to begin. The ticket agent had us repack our suitcases because one was overweight by 2 pounds and then she took the first two bags and put them on the conveyor belt. As she was preparing the stickers for the next two bags she looked down at her screen to notice that our flight had been cancelled and were stuck in TN until January.

We stayed the night at the Music City Sheraton which was very nice, but on New Years Eve was quite busy for a couple with a 15 day old baby.

Dec 30th - Chattanooga

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and since they have such a great breakfast that we didn't want to miss, we went downstairs to enjoy breakfast before showering. Half way through breakfast, the power to the whole block went out and we ate in the dark and wondered what to do about showering.

The staff was terrific and told us they had a room for us at another hotel so we could get ready if we needed. I took a shower in the dark hoping the power would come back on and we could avoid packing and unpacking again to get started on our day. The power was still out so we went to the Hilton down the road and Mahana showered and blow dried her hair while I fed Alexander. Both of these hotels had beautiful rooms and friendly staff so if you need a place to stay in Chattanooga I recommend you give them a try.

From there we mostly drove around. We went to Rock City and then decided Alexander was too small and the conditions were not great for him to be out so we went to a park that was the site of one of the turning points in the Civil War.

Starbucks with an outdoor fireplace.

We stopped for dinner at "Sticky Fingers" and had a great meal. This is another recommendation for for your next trip to Chattanooga.

We spent sometime in downtown and the artist area. There were several museums...

A glass walking bridge...

A regular walking bridge... On our way back to Nashville we couldn't miss the largest fireworks stands we have ever seen.
We went to Mindy's to see her off for her trip back to California. She loves Alexander so much and we can't wait till he's old enough to understand how much.

Dec 29th - Chattanooga

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Chattanooga while the house we were staying in was painted. Here I am acting cute while daddy holds me. For dinner, mommy & daddy had dry rub ribs and I had formula.

Daddy isn't nearly as cute as I am, but here he is trying to imitate me.

Here we are with food next to us, daddy says if I can eat in bed so can he.

In case your not sure if I'm cute or not, take a look at these different faces I can make.

...alexander

December 28th what a day!

The many faces of Alexander Isais:



Today I spent more time with Mommy and Daddy. Here are a few pictures of Mommy and me, aren't we beautiful?

I smile a lot when Mommy holds me. I'll smile for Daddy too, but you'll never catch that on film...I have a reputation to uphold.

I call this my "Thinking Man" pose.

Mommy interupted my pose so I stuck my tongue out at her. She thought that was quite cute although I'm guessing she won't like that when I get older.

Since it's Daddy's birthday I had to wear my lion shirt to show him who rules the kingdom. I don't want him thinking he can be special everyday of the year.

We didn't really do anything all day (besides take pictures) but Daddy says this is his best birthday ever. He told me of a time when he was just a boy when Nana had a half birthday party for him in the middle of summer (kind of a half birthday) so he could invite friends who usually can't make it between Christmas and New Year's. That has now been moved to a second favorite status. Thanks Nana for giving Daddy such a wonderful birthday memory!

...alexander