Texas

We recently went to Corpus Christi Texas for a Wyeth family reunion and then spent a few days in San Antonio with Matt's brother Scott. It was great to see family. Once again I did a horrible job at taking pictures.

We arrived in San Antonio Thursday afternoon. There we met the rest of the family coming in from Phoenix. We all loaded up into 3 mini vans and drove two hours to Corpus Christi. When we arrived we stopped at my Grandparents for a quick hello and then went to our hotel to put the kids to bed. Once the kids were down we all met in my parents room and had a fun time talking and spending time together.

(Wishing we were in Corpus Christi)

Friday was spent mostly at the beach. After another late night of talking in my parents room, my mom, Ben, Nellie, Naomi, and I went to Wal Mart to buy the book Breaking Dawn (which I loved).

(Blake loved the beach and the ocean)

Saturday we went to the aquarium. The best part was the Dolphin Show and the worst part was when Blake got his arm caught in the automatic doors (he was okay, but I felt like a horrible mother)! Later that day we had a little b-day celebration for Blake's up coming birthday. Afterwards we went back to my grandparents and had dinner. My grandad then met with each individual family back in his bedroom to give the a grandfathers blessing. Blake even got one. It was really special. I love my grandad so much.

(Waiting for the dolphin show to begin)

(Blake & Aunt Nicole)

(Blake & Grammie)

(Opening presents)

(Matt also had some presents to open for his B-day)

(Yummy cake)

Sunday we loaded up in the vans again and headed back to San Antonio. While everyone else had a plane to catch. Scott came and picked Matt, Blake, and me up. We went to church with him (it was nice change to go to Relief Society). Scott's friend Jenelle came over and we enjoyed a delicious dinner that Matt and Scott made. Scott left for choir practice and Jenelle, Matt and I played Rook.

The next day we went to the river to go swimming. It was very pretty and the water felt great.

Tuesday Matt and Scott went biking and bowling while I stayed at the house enjoying the AC and reading Breaking Dawn. It was nice to relax. Then we had to say goodbye and it was back to the airport. Our flight in Dallas was delayed an hour so we didn't get home until late. Blake did surprisingly well.

Wednesday I spent doing laundry and catching up on primary needs.

Thursday we packed up our car and drove 5 hrs. back to Texas. Our friends the Calls invited us to go with them to Dallas to attend the Temple. The drive wasn't so bad except Blake making himself so upset that he threw up everywhere. We had a really good time and it was nice to attend a Temple session with Matt. (Since there isn't a temple close by we usually take turns watching Blake while the other does a session).

Friday Shawn and Kelli went to the temple while we watched their kids and then we went to the Fort Worth Texas Zoo. Then back in the car for the 5 hr trip to AR. Thanks Calls for a great time!

(Blake in front of the Dallas Temple)

(Blake with his buddy Zander)

(Blake was worn out that night)

(Kimmy looking at a very grumpy gorilla)

(Wow, what a smile)

My darling Child!

My sister-in-law Jen took pictures of Blake when we went to AZ this summer. I was impressed at how many good pictures she got of him because Blake was being a stinker and did not want his picture taken.

Blake with his cousins Addiyln and Carter

Blake loved swimming at Grammie's. Here he is being tossed by Matt and Noelle

YUMMY

Blake trying to get food from Addi.

Grandma & Grandpa

This weekend Matt's parents came to visit us. We were so happy to see them and we had a great time together. It was fun to be able to celebrate Matt's Birthday with them, and since Blake's birthday is just around the corner we had a combined birthday celebration. To start of the day we went to the Museum of Discovery. The museum must have known it was Matt's birthday because they had a special football exhibit. Matt was in heaven! They had all types of hands on experiments. There was also on an electric show, and a place that was only for kids 6 and under that allowed Blake to crawl around and play. I really want to take Blake back there sometime. That evening Matt and Blake opened presents and then we went to dinner at Las Palmas. Afterwards we finished the night with brownies and ice cream!

Two Tough Football Players

And a wise referee!

One of Blake's favorite parts- the trains.

Scientist hard at work

Present Time

Bedtime story with Grandpa

Blake is always trying to be a big help.

On Saturday everyone except me went to the Arboretum and to the Pinnacle Mountain visitor center. (I stayed home and had a nice nap. THANKS Mom, Dad and Matt)

We also had fun playing games and being with each other. Mom taught me how to crochet and I am working on a baby blanket. The visit seemed way too short, but we are grateful for the time we got to see them.

The ZOO!

We went to the zoo today with our friends the Calls. It was really hot and I don't think I'll go again this summer, but we still had a good time and saw some fun animals. I would like to go back when Blake is a little older and can appreciate it a little better.

Blake was fascinated with a Blake Swan

I look like I'm not very happy. Not sure why I was making that face.

Darn that maintenance man!

The maintenance man and I are not on good terms. But first of all let me say this, it is great that when there is a problem with our apartment that all we have to do is report it and they will come and fix it. Now having said this I will tell you why I am having issues with him. When you report that something needs to be fixed the maintenance man comes to your door, knocks, yells "Maintenance", knocks again, and if you don't answer he comes inside. This is fine with me. However, his timing is incredible. Whenever he comes he catches me when I am not at my best. For example, still in my pj's at 3:00 in the afternoon (Hey when your baby has acid reflux and you've been dealing with a crying baby all night and day, sometimes getting dressed is the last thing on your mind). Or when my helpful husband does laundry and hangs my bras out to dry on the kitchen door knob. This week he came over right when I stepped out of the shower! Luckily, I had chained the door so he couldn't get in all the way. Now I realize this isn't his fault and I usually laugh at his timing. However yesterday he did something that is hard for a mother (at least me to forgive). For whatever reason Blake was having a hard time taking his nap. I could tell he was really tired but he just wouldn't go to sleep. After and 1 1/2 hours of struggling and crying Blake FINALLY went to sleep. Well, who showed up 10min after that? You guessed it. The maintenance man. He was there to fix the light in Blake's room. He came in and was heading toward the room. I said, "Oh I'm sorry, but my son is sleeping in there." He looked at me and said, "That's okay I'm just going in there to see if the light works." And before I could say anything else he walked into the room!!!!!!! Of course Blake woke up, and of course he wouldn't go back to sleep. The guy just looked at Blake in his crib and said, "Hey there cute little guy" Then looks at me and says, "Yep, the lights not working" A couple of mean things went through my head that I wanted to say to him, but didn't. Oh well, the light is fixed. Thanks maintenance man.

Rash

In my last post I talked about the 4th of July and how Blake got sick and that I thought it was just teething.(On a side note Blake now has seven teeth). Well, a day after his fever finally went away he broke out in a terrible rash. His face got it the worst (you can't really tell in the picture, but it was pretty bad) but it was also on his all over his torso. I took him to the Dr. that afternoon and they told me it was fever exanthum (spelling?). They said that sometimes when babies have fevers their body will brake out a couple days later. The good thing was that it didn't seem to bother Blake and it was pretty much gone the next day.

4th of July

We had our first 4th of July in Arkansas. It started off with a ward flag raising ceremony and a pancake breakfast. It was really fun and yummy. Afterward we went home and Blake and I took a much needed nap. When we woke up we decided to get some lunch at subway. I was feeling too pregnant to do anything adventurous so we went home and watched "We are Marshall". That evening we went to our good friends the Elliots to have hot dogs and ice cream and to shoot some fireworks. The food was very good and we had fun watching some of the kids and dads light some fire crackers. Unfortunately, Blake threw up in my hand (yuck). So we took him home to go to bed. I thought maybe he had some kind of virus, but I think it might have just been related to teething. Once Blake went to bed Matt and I ate some ice cream and had a nice talk. Besides the throwing up part. We had a great 4th and I am grateful for the Country we live in!

Blake modeling his new shirt.

Having fun watching bubbles and fire crackers.