The Christmas Tree

Drake and Santa at the Christmas Tree Lot
(Drake was a little scared of Santa.)

Playing with the trees and trying to decide which one to pick!


Dad loading up the tree!


Decorating the tree with mom!


Mom's masterpiece! Viola!

Uncle Ben's Bike

In November, we went into the city to visit Uncle Ben. We ate some down home cooking, chicken and waffles at Little Skillet, Yum! Drake loved riding Uncle Ben's bike and riding on his skateboard. Uncle Ben Rocks! (He also watched Drake while he napped so Sam and I could do some shopping in the city, Nice!)

The Lillians

Our friends we knew when we lived in Michigan, The Lillians, came to visit us in November. It was so fun to see them. They have two cute little girls, Lucy and Brynn, and Drake was in heaven!

The passing of great man

On November 14th, as I was getting ready to walk out the door to work, I got a phone call from my mom. She was sobbing and saying, "He's gone, he's gone". At first I didn't realize what she was talking about. Then it hit me. My grandpa, the only one I had really known my whole life (my other grandpa passed away when I was two) was gone. I dropped to floor, hugged my little guy and cried. It was a sad day and I rushed off to work (the show does not go on with out me) and mourned for my mom who had lost her dad that day.


The consolation to this kind of thing was that I got to see my family when I otherwise wouldn't have. We stayed in a huge vacation rental home in Lehi, UT (of all places!) that had a hot tub. Sam and I had not brought swim suits so underwear (or in Sam's case a shirt wrapped around himself) made do to enjoy snowy evenings in the nice warm tub with family. I enjoyed cuddling with my new nephew and watching Drake and his cousin play so cute together. It was great to see my family, immediate and extended.


We had some really great services (viewing, funeral, grave dedication) for my Grandpa. He was so well loved and respected. He had been a volunteer fire fighter for many years and it had been a true love of his. My cousins and I sang "Daddy's hands" (not very well, might I add-but who gets a lot of practice in these situations?) and my mom sobbed through the whole thing. My grandpa's casket was transported to the cemetary on an old fashioned fire engine that my grandpa had helped the fire dept procure. It was so neat to see. They also gave him one "Last call" at the grave where the fire dept went out over the radio on a speaker honoring his memory. It was really neat to see so many people honor such a great man.


The next day, my sister had to get up early to head home before the snow storm hit in the mountains and that was really disappointing. It was just too little time! Most of the family though headed to the Fireman's museum so we could leave his medals there next to his Father's. Drake had a blast playing on the Fire Trucks as you will see. He was truly a light during a somewhat sad time.


I am thankful that families are forever.

Grampy and Drake

Dad and Drake

Technically he wasn't supposed to be playing on all these trucks, but who's going to say no to this cute little guy? We got Drake a Fireman piggy bank to always remember his Great Grandpa by.

Catching Up

I really want to be a better blogger. Sometimes I ask myself, Why? Is it really that big of a deal? I was thinking about my son's significant moments in life ie crawling, teething, walking, first words, etc and realized I only had a vague idea as to when these things happened. I felt sad that I had not written it down that day (or shortly thereafter- in some cases I have here). I really want to document his important life's moments so our whole family can view his and our life's history. This is why I say it is a big deal and why I should make it more of a priority. So, please bear with me for the next week (that is my goal) while as I try to make up for the past few months of absence.

Happy, Happy! (Happy Halloween in Drake talk)

The Halloween Festivities began when we headed to the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival. Drake was intrigued by the parade and the fact that they "throw candy" of which some hit Drake in the head as he was on his dad's shoulders. He has talked about it several times since. We ate all things pumpkin and headed to this pumpkin patch. Again, Drake can't stopping talking about "pumpkin patch".

The night before Halloween we went to the ward party. Sam dressed up as something that resembled Charles Manson, I dressed up as a scarecrow and Drake made his debut in his dragon costume. We trick or treated around the church and Drake got his first "taste" of what Halloween is all about! Unfortunately we forgot our camera so no pics.

Halloween day we had Sam's family over for dinner which consisted of brains, fingers, and worms. We then made the trek around the neighborhood. Drake loved getting candy! He would take his dragon hood off after every house but I easily coaxed him into putting it back on in order to get candy. We had a blast. He didn't say "trick or treat" but when asked what the dragon said he let out a big roar!

The only post halloween problem is his incessant request for candy. When he wanted candy for dinner we pretty much had to nip that in the bud. He is now getting over that somewhat but sure has a sweet tooth like his mama.

It's Potty Time!

At Drake's 18 month appt with the pediatrician she suggested I buy a potty for Drake as some kids become interested in potty training around his age. I bought it and for the most part it has just sat in our bathroom collecting dust except for when Drake puts it on his head and wears it as a hat. Recently though, we have been putting him on the potty before bath time every night and sometimes randomly through out the day if he shows interest. He has never actually done more than just sit there and point out his body parts using the anatomically correct terms (except the belly button is called beebo) and wipe his back with toilet paper. Tonight was a different story. He actually peed in his potty! We were so excited! I am not sure if he is ready for the full out potty training (or if we are ready either) but I think we had a good start today. Yay!

On another note, due to Drake's monkey ways and climbing out of his crib while we are trying to put him to bed we installed a toddler rail on his convertible crib. Tonight was his first night sleeping in it. We have also had to take the nob off his door handle to prevent him from getting out of his room. (I know it sounds cruel locking him in his room but he has just been so difficult to get to bed lately and I worry about him getting up and wandering around the house, ok?) Tonight he cried when I left him in his room to go to sleep and cried at the door. I went back into his room after 5 minutes, stayed there for a little while and left again. Again he cried at the door for 10 minutes. I again went back in and put him in bed stayed for a few minutes and left. He again got up and cried at the door. This time I was going to leave him for 15 minutes but heard no crying after a few minutes. A little while later I went to check on him and sure enough he had fallen asleep on the floor by the door. What a crazy kid! I put him in bed and hopes he will stay there and sleep well. After it taking almost a year to get him to sleep completely through the night we have been so spoiled to have a great sleeper for the past nine months or so. This has rocked our world but as all the parents out there know that every time you get into a routine with your child you know that it is sure to change!

My baby is growing up way too fast. Slow down, love!