Being a Homeowner

So far Blake and I have been pretty lucky with our house. Besides the usual cleaning and monthly payment, we really don't do much. I feel like we're basically renters with a mortgage--until this month. What happened? The water heater had to be replaced, the dryer broke, the toilet wouldn't stop running unless you lifted up the top and made it stop, 50% of our light bulbs burned out (and we have weird light bulbs, the ones you can't touch with your hands, not just your typical screw-in), and the kitchen sink started leaking and spraying water. But something good has come of all of this. I've learned that Blake is an amazing handyman. He fixed all of this! Yes--BLAKE. Well, except the water heater. But he did a lot to get that fixed by calling around and getting different quotes. He ended up saving us about $400 from the original quote. He really is amazing. He even thinks so. After fixing the sink he asked me if I ever thought he'd be able to fix that because he definitely didn't think he could. Way to go Blake! I think the secret to his skill is the little apprentice who follows him around and is such a big helper! I love my boys...and my house!

TGIT--Golden Gate Park PARK!

Today for TGIT we went to the new playground at Golden Gate Park. Yes, there is actually a park that Max would describe as a park in those 1,017 acres. And let me tell you, it is A-MA-ZING! It was just remodeled and opened earlier this year. I don't know what makes it better than the other parks we've been to, but it was just so much fun. Max could do almost everything there by himself and they had stuff we've never seen at the other parks. Down one side of a nearby hill was a cement slide that you would ride down on a piece of cardboard. Interesting. Unfortunately, we didn't bring any cardboard so we didn't get to try it out. Plus, most people we saw go down fell off their cardboard and ended up ripping holes in their pants, so we weren't too sad about it. But it's always more fun for Max when Daddy comes to the park with us. Let's face it--Daddy is just much, much, MUCH more fun than Mommy.

Here is the best picture we could get of most of the park. The picture is actually missing quite a lot. We are standing on the toddler playground structure. Over to the right is where the cement slide is, and to the left is a huge spider web and sand box. Plus, this picture is proof Jack and I were there, too.
And what would a day at the park be without some friendly bird chasing? Max is so funny; he chases after the birds and yells "fly away!"

But the biggest hit of the park was the spinning chair. Blake had never seen one before, so since Max is a pro, he showed his dad how they worked. Those two got spinning so fast! The best part of the chair was after Max was done, he tried to run over to the slide but was a little dizzy. He ran into the same lady 3 times while his parents stood there and laughed. TGIT!

Jack is ONE MONTH OLD!

Baby Jack, I can't believe how much you've changed our lives in only one month. It seems like we've had you forever. We love your furrowed brow, your big eyes, your gassy tummy, your bobbing head, your healthy appetite, your warm cuddles, and your cheesy smiles. We love you Jack!
THEN--
NOW--

Dinner Guest

Tonight we had one of our favorite guests over for dinner. April flew all the way up from San Diego to partake of some delicious Chinese sundaes. But why is she one of our favorite guests? Because she brings DESSERT! And not only does she bring one dessert, but TWO desserts. All the way from San Diego! April's harvest loaf and oreo cookies were so tasty. And I'm sure April would agree we showed her a pretty good San Francisco time. After dinner, we pulled out the Phase 10 cards for some very exciting, intense competition! April even won, but Blake and I think it was just your typical beginners' luck and demand a rematch! (Jack's eyes really aren't that scary!)
Having April over, surrounded by all that yummy food reminded me of the good old days when we used to get together and cook. This is a picture of some of our creations. We made these beautiful cakes for a co-worker who was moving to San Diego. I'm holding the U-haul and April's holding the wheel. Even though they didn't quite turn out how we envisioned, I think we definitely get an A for effort! Come again soon, Apes!

TGIT--Tilden Park

Max, Jack and I are SO happy Blake has decided to make Tuesday Family Day! Tuesdays are now our favorite day of the week! We were trying to figure out what we could do with Blake to show him how exciting our lives are while he is at work when Max remembered how much fun we had at Owen's birthday party at the Tilden Park Steam Trains. Max LOVES trains ever since Grandma got him a track and trains to celebrate Jack's arrival. So, Tilden Park it was. After all this excitement and anticipation, you can imagine how upset we all were when we found out not only were the steam trains closed for the winter, but also the carousel and the pony ride. MAN!The only thing we could find was the Brazil Room, which is used for parties and receptions. It had a big grassy area that we thought, if nothing else, Max could run around there. Plus, there was a statue of Mr. Tilden. And if you're going to go to Tilden Park, maybe you should know a little bit about Mr. Tilden.However, while we were there, a nice lady let us know that the Little Farm is still open. Jackpot! We went over to the farm and had so much fun petting and feeding the animals. Max just kept running from animal to animal, while Jack slept soundly in the Bjourn.

But we had promised Max a train, so the only thing we could think of was lunch at Spaghetti Factory. You know, they do have that little train car you can sit in! The perfect solution for everyone! TGIT!

Jack's Blessing

Baby Jack is one lucky boy. He has so much family who loves him, and I'm not only talking about Daddy, Mommy, and Max. He had 17 family members fly in from out of town to meet him and participate in his blessing on Sunday. The fun weekend started when Nanny, Grandpa, Ashley, Blythe, and Gage arrived Friday afternoon. Jack enjoyed resting on the couch with Grandpa and being held by Blythe and Ashley, while Max showed Nanny and Gage his new trick--climbing into the window in his bedroom. He even talked them into the window with him. And let's just say, it wasn't easy for Max to let them get down and not back up again.

Once Blake got home from work we went to the beach to watch the sun set. We were so happy that Nanny and Grandpa got the 12-passenger van so we could all ride together. Max had so much fun playing on the beach with his dad and Uncle Gage. And the rest of us enjoyed sitting on the blanket, watching the crashing waves and beautiful sunset. We ended up eating dinner at Asqew on Chestnut. We ordered so much and ate it ALL! We must have been hungry!

Later that night, Grandpa, Grandma, Andy, Bri, Tony, Grandma Myrtice, Dawna, Geri, and Cindy all arrived. They stopped by to say hi and then continued to their luxurious accommodations to get A LOT of sleep and get ready to play on Saturday.

Saturday morning, all of us hopped in the three rental cars and went down to the Ferry Building to sample the Farmer's Market. Then, we did something that my dad has been wanting to do since we first moved to San Francisco. We rode the Ferry over to Sausalito. The weather was so beautiful and it was perfect for Jack holding. We ate lunch at our favorite ice cream place and then ate our favorite ice cream--banana with chocolate chunks and caramel swirls. YUM. Then we rode the Ferry back. When we got back Brent, Kristen, and Baby Bliss were waiting for us. From there some people went shopping at Union Square and others home for a little nap. There was still more fun to come!
Saturday night we went to Ocean Beach to watch the sunset. Although, some saw more of the set than others. Then, we went to get Philly Cheesesteaks for dinner and then went back to our house to spend some quality time together.

Sunday was Jack's big day. He looked so handsome in his little white outfit. He was the perfect baby and slept through the entire blessing. He even saved all his spit up until we got home and all the pictures had been taken. Blake did an excellent job giving Jack his blessing. Our family really is so blessed to have Blake. Jack also had his two grandpas and four uncles stand in the circle to bless him. It makes me feel so good to know that both Max and Jack are surrounded by such excellent role models who are worthy priesthood holders.

After church we came back to our house to eat and be together. Slowly our family started drizzling away back to their homes. We had the perfect weekend. We love our family so much and feel so blessed they would travel so far to support us. And we love baby Jack. He is such a miracle in our lives. Thank you Jack, for making this weekend possible!