Fun Day Out

Mike’s sister Alison and her husband, Micah, came to visit a few days this week. On Wednesday we braved the traffic and drove to San Francisco and then Sausalito for the day.

Mike, NIcholas, and I in front of the famous sea lion population at Pier 39. Unfortunately, most of them left for the season so we only saw a few of them.

All of us at Pier 39 in the city. Two pregnant ladies, a toddler, and two good sports. Nicholas has a new best friend in Micah – notice he’s looking for him in this picture.

NIcholas checking out seagulls and the skyline in Sausalito where we went for ice cream after driving over the Golden Gate bridge. Notice the sharks sitting next to Nicholas – we went to the aquarium at Pier 39 and he couldn’t forget about getting more sharks to add to his collection.

The seagulls in Sausalito were hungry….for ice cream. They didn’t even mind eating off a spoon. They preferred Nicholas’ flavor (strawberry), which was pretty good. One seagull even gulped down a big piece of waffle cone. We cringed as we watched it go down his throat—he’ll have a sore one later on.

Miscellaneous

We enjoyed touring the Jelly Belly factory one Saturday. Nicholas kept asking for cherry jelly beans, which turns out to be their best-selling flavor. So we got lots of cherry jelly beans and even tried some of the new flavors like peppermint and apple pie. Pure sugar but lots of fun.

Our neighbors loaned NIcholas a Buzz LIghtyear sleeping bag and he’s been sleeping in it every night lately. Of course, whenever I go in to check on him, he’s managed to unzip it and crawl out. Too hot : )

I had my hair done last weekend for Stake Conference since I was accompanying a musical number. I thought the stylist did a great job, and it was fun to feel like a princess for a weekend.

Day Out With Thomas

We took Nicholas to see the real Thomas the Train a few weeks ago. 

 

 

Mike and Nicholas in front of a blow-up Percy.  Nicholas was a trooper since it was a little chilly that day.

 

Nicholas has his own train table at home, but that never stops him from playing on any other ones.

 

Mama and Nicholas getting ready to board Thomas.

 

Mike and Nicholas in a front row seat behind Thomas’ engine.  We rode the train through a beautiful redwood forest and Nicholas loved meeting Thomas’ conductor.

Happy Anniversary!!

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful sweetheart!! Mike sent me a sweet email today that compared our life in 2003 (I asked him why he picked that year and he said he wanted a year that we were living in Oklahoma City) to now. I was touched by how much we've accomplished and grown since then. And while we were happy in 2003, after reading his comparison, I can see how much we've been blessed and how our happiness together continues to increase. I'm so grateful to Mike for his patience, support, and love. When we first got married 11 years ago, I had to pinch myself all the time, I considered myself that lucky. And I still do. I couldn't imagine a better life, a better family, and a better husband. We're so blessed and I'm beyond thrilled to be able to spend not only this lifetime but eternity with my best friend and companion. Thanks for the best 11 years of my life sweetheart!! I LOVE YOU!!

A good lesson

Tonight as we were sitting around for family night (something we do every Monday night), we were talking about Jesus and how one of his names is the Good Shepherd. So to relate it to Nicholas, I said that we were all sheep (he loved saying baa) and that Jesus was our shepherd. He was so cute when he piped up and said "Cheerio's a sheep too." Of course, we can't forget Cheerio. I was just impressed that he thought to include Cheerio in the conversation. He's going to be a great older brother since he already tries to be a brother to Cheerio. Anyway, we worked with him on learning the other names Jesus goes by like Messiah and Holy One, and later on after his bath and books Mike was asking him about what we'd talked about earlier. While he didn't quite remember the Messiah and Holy One, he got the Good Shepherd with no help. So goes to show they pay attention more than we think (which can be kind of scary too). We're so glad to have such a sweet boy who reminds us to be more like Jesus every day.

Aquarium Fun

Last weekend, Mike and I took Nicholas down to Monterey to the aquarium there.  He loved seeing the sharks and sea otters, but he especially loved the kid zone.

 

Here’s my “noodler” (anybody from OK would know what that is) grabbing eels out of their hiding places.

 

Nicholas LOVES water so we tried to protect him from getting totally soaked at the fish pond.  But I had to run for the change of clothes anyway. 

Pure glee!!  I’m going to miss the times when he’s this little and easily entertained.  We love our boy!!!

Can We Build It?

 

My neighbor, Grace, and I took our boys down to Gilroy Gardens so they could ride the kiddie rides and burn off some energy.  We went to see the Bob the Builder show, but when it came time to actually meet Bob, Nicholas ran off and I was left alone to greet the star : )

First Bike Ride

Nicholas had his first bike ride at Grammie's house this summer. He was pretty proud of himself...and we were too!

Day of Fun

Well, it’s been awhile, but I found some pictures I took of Nicholas last month when we were in Oklahoma for my grandma’s funeral.  One day my mom and I took Nicholas and his friend, Jasper, down to Seminole to the Children’s museum.  He had a blast being an archeologist, mechanic, and bubble maker. 

 

 

 

I couldn’t keep him away from this car exhibit.  I think he changed that tire about 20 times. 

Wow, what a huge bubble.  I’m glad I didn’t have to blow that one out.