Sea World

Blake and I went to Sea World with Grandma, Grandpa, Seth and Kaleb (Blake's cousins). I wasn't sure how Blake was going to do, but he LOVES animals, so this was the perfect place to take him.


He loved it so much that he didn't take a nap until 3pm, but it was the perfect time for the older, taller boys to ride some rides.

When Blake woke up, he was able to run around with the other midgets.


This is how it was a lot of the day...the 3 boys all hanging out together, looking at the animals.

Blake loved it when Grandpa would hold him up close because Blake sure wanted to touch everything and see everything. He even touched the rays (and then immediately tried to drink the nasty water the rays are in)


This is before the Shamu show, but this shows how Blake was before every show. He just couldn't wait to see the show. He would bounce up and down. Then when the show is going on, he would clap and then he would do his fake laugh when others were laughing (such a follower). In true Blake form, he would have to wave at people periodically during the show.

It was a really fun day and I loved seeing Blake with his grandparents and cousins. Thanks for the fun time Grandma and Grandpa!

Tuckered Out

After the fun, long trip to San Diego, Blake spent the next day playing with his cousins, Seth and Kaleb and was having too much fun for a nap. Dinner time rolls around and his lack of sleep caught up with him. Apparently he was too tired to even put his fork down. And by down, I mean down on the ground where he likes to "put" things when he is all done.

San Diego Trip Day 2

We start off the next day with a swim. The pool was on the roof of the hotel, overlooking downtown.

We then headed to Coronado, where we found another park for rugrat to run around.

There were even more birds at this park for Blake to run after.

I think this picture is really cute of Blake looking up at his dad.

The next day we went to Seaport Village, but didn't get any pictures. Later that day, we dropped Aaron off at the hotel and Blake and I headed home. It was a fun trip. We walked a lot downtown where there are a lot of people to meet and a lot of people for Blake to wave at, but his waving sure made a lot of people happy and made for some conversations with some folks. Oh yes, and the first night that we got there, we had dinner with one of Blake's fans, Leah, so thanks for having dinner with us (and sorry we didn't get a picture).

San Diego Trip Day 1

Aaron is working in San Diego this week, so Blake and I went down for the weekend to join him. We stayed downtown, which made Blake super happy because he could sit and watch all the trucks go by on the street below. Earlier in the morning we went running and it was a lot more exciting than our usual run at home. We got to see a lot of trains and then we ran along the harbor and saw a lot of boats and Blake's favorite...birds.

Once we finally found Balboa Park, we were able to have some fun. We are in front of one of the several museums, which being the cultured people that we are, didn't go in any of them.

Instead, we did more fun stuff, like ride some rides. Blake seriously waves at everyone. I was able to catch him waving at the guy who was in charge of the ride.

The first time on a carousel and loved it.


We went on a train ride, which was super fun for him because there were a lot of people to wave at.


Next we went to the park so that Blake could run around.

The park was in the path of the airplanes, which were constantly flying above us. Blake was pointing out the plane to me.

16 Months

Blake is our little bookworm. He would much rather read books than play with any of his toys. But by reading his books, he has learned many new words. He now says Kitty. For a long time animals were either a dog or a bird, so it is good that he is learning more animals.

The other word that I love that he says is "nigh nigh". He tells me that when he is ready for a nap or to go to bed for the night, will then walk up the stairs and try to climb into his crib. I put him in his crib and he waves bye to me.

He has been saying all done for awhile, but has just recently started saying that after a prayer. We get a couple of chuckles at church when he does this. At least he isn't saying all done in the middle of someone's talk.

Blake still loves to go to the park. Last week when we were there, his friend, Grace arrived shortly after we did. Once she got out of her stroller and Blake saw her, he waved to her and they ran toward each other and then Blake gave her a hug. She is 4 months older than Blake (and a couple inches shorter and several pounds lighter). It was pretty cute.


Apparently he wasn't too happy with dad trying to interupt his reading for a picture.

I do like how Blake can help me get things now. Here he is getting the luggage to help me start packing for our trip in a couple days. He grabbed the handle and pulled it around the house. Of course he had to put some of his books in there.

Red Necks

My parents and brother, James, recently took a trip out to Illinois, where James served his mission. They brought Blake back a shirt from the John Deere factory.

Lunch with Jen

Before Jen moved to DC a couple weeks ago, we had lunch with Jen and the gang. Blake sure misses you Jen! When he sees a picture of you, he waves.

Cool kid

He hates hats, but will wear sunglasses (even if they are big).