Happy Easter!

I was a pretty stinky mom this Easter. I bought dye, boiled eggs, but then we never got around to decorating them. I ordered the traditional book about Jesus, the one thing we put in the kids' Easter basket, but they didn't come in time. And since Easter was on Conference Sunday, no Easter clothes. My mom did send us a new movie for Easter, but I need something for at least two baskets. So, here's how our Easter morning went...

Max woke up and came in our room without even seeing the baskets on the futon. Blake asked him if he noticed anything and went back to see the baskets. He knew exactly which basket was his--the one with the new movie, "Meet the Robinsons." Oh, and I did take a few pointers from Rachel from the Easter she filled baskets with things from her cupboard and added a box of raisins to the baskets to make them a little more special.
And actually, before we let Max do any more looking around, Blake kept him in his room so Jack could come check out his "loot." Lately Jack has been begging me to watch the "Jungle Book" so in his basket (which it's a good thing Dawna sent me flowers in a basket or someone would have been without one...) was his "Mowgli movie" and that special box of raisins. He was so, so excited. And yes, Jack's favorite gift this past Christmas was also a movie that we already had. His dad is so proud.

I was able to gather up some plastic eggs and hide them around the house. Max had a limit on the number he could find and after that he was very nice to point to Jack exactly where he should look.

And it wasn't until they were done finding all the eggs that Max realized there was a treat inside. A marshmallow. And not just any marshmallow, a special springy one.

And just so Baby Gus didn't feel left out, in his basket was a Little Einstein movie from our TV drawer and a brand new paci. He is a lucky boy. But he did wear this super cute outfit from Geri and Cindy to help celebrate his first Easter.
We spent the day in our jammies listening to our prophets, eating yummy food with friends (Blake made his homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream. SO GOOD!), and remembering our Savior's sacrifice and love for us. HAPPY EASTER!

Gilroy Garlic Festival

I think it's about time for another flashback. Let me take you back to the summer of 2004 when Blake and I decided to see what all the hype was about the Gilory Garlic Festival. I'd heard fun things about it at work and we were interested to see if the garlic ice cream rumors were true. Really--could someone actually make garlic ice cream and could it really be good? So, we started the drive down. We had no idea the festival was so popular--we waited on the freeway near the Gilroy off ramp for a good hour, not moving an inch. When we finally got there, we parked in a big open field and hiked in the scorching sun over the festival. Then we were all business--first, get a drink so we wouldn't get dehydrated; second, get a picture by the gigantic garlic.
Next we headed over to the Great Garlic Cook-Off. It looked like they were making some really tasty things, but really, I only wanted the shade. It really was so, so hot.
Another highlight was the skateboard tournament. Blake loved it--but there was no shade, so I whined and complained until Blake decided to move on. We wandered around until we finally found what we were looking for--the ice cream. And when we found it we couldn't believe they were handing it out for free. FREE! And the line was so long. We thought, "This stuff must be good!" So, Blake waited in line and got us our kiddie cones. After one lick, it wasn't that bad. It mostly just tasted like vanilla. But then, the actual taste set in. So, so yucky! We found a nearby trash can filled to the brim with garlic ice cream to add our cones.
We had to cut our time at the Garlic Festival short since, apparently, Blake is allergic to dry grass. He had rashes all over his legs. Goodbye Gilroy!

Two Months

At two months old Baby Gus
--weighs 11 pounds, 2 ounces and is 21 inches long (a little below 15% for both)
--carries on the cooiest conversations
--sleeps best if he's swaddled in his bed
--can hold his head up pretty high during tummy time
--loves when his big brothers sing to him, but not when they put their hands all over his face
--has been known to sleep 6 hours straight at night (knock on wood!)
--still has a very, very gassy belly
--enjoys our animal finger puppet "Old McGus" shows
--keeps his back straight all the time
--only has traces of his baby acne but is developing some serious cradle cap
--does not like to be cuddled and would rather be facing out to see what's going on
--always has spit bubbles
--has the biggest, cheesiest grin imaginable
Thanks for staying a little peanut Gus! I love you!

An Early Mother's Day

Today I stayed at church a little late, and when I came home, this is what I saw...
Jack got an early Mother's Day buzz and I have no before and during pictures to show for it. So, before I come home another day and find Max's head buzzed, I just had to do this--

For the record, Max was not happy about having a pretty in his hair. I had to bribe him to pull out his beautiful fake smile and let me take a picture.

And just for fun...
Oh, I love my boys! :)

Honduras!

Today Max had a school program all about HONDURAS! The program was informative, entertaining, and went so much smoother than the last program. It was so comforting to see Max walk out with a big smile to go along with his little mustache rather than a quivering lip trying to hold back nervous tears.

He first danced in a traditional Honduran number complete with a boy's only section of a dance at home we like to call "Ants in the Pants."

Then the teacher announced that there was going to be a dance to honor the African culture in Honduras and all these little boys started to walk out. And there was this one, who kept waving at us--
I couldn't believe it was Max. He didn't look like himself at all. But then, when I saw his moves, shaking his hips and turning in circles, I knew it was Max.

And it was an extra special treat for Max to have Grandma there to watch the entire thing. Thank you Dawna for watching the other two boys so we could watch in peace! It's been fun having Grandma and Dawna stay a little longer. We're sad to see them go, but happy Martin is well enough to go home tomorrow.The best part about the whole program was when Max ran up and gave each of us a hug after both of his numbers. He is so handsome and we are so, so proud of him!

Gus's Blessing Weekend Extravaganza: Day 7

I'm calling today the official last day of the Blessing Weekend Extravaganza! We celebrated our last visit with Andy, Bri, and Tony as residents of San Francisco by having breakfast at Mama's. Definitely the yummiest end of an era that I can think of. While Blake took those three to the airport, Geri and Cindy came over and played until it was their turn to take the Blake shuttle to the airport as well.

WOW--What a week! We really do feel so blessed to have all of our families' constant love and support. We are so, so lucky. But as Blake said on Sunday, the real test of who loves us will be who comes to our next baby's blessing in a less-desirable vacation spot. :)

Gus's Blessing Weekend Extravaganza: Day 6

Yes, yes, we're still going. But we've definitely slowed down...a lot. Today our house guests slept in while Max went to school and Jack went to gymnastics. By the time everyone was together we were ready for a sushi lunch. Or for most of us, teriyaki and tempura.
After lunch, Blake was a nice husband and watched Max and Jack while the rest of us hit Union Square for some shopping. I never go down to Union Square with my entourage and it was so nice to actually do some browsing without worrying that someone might knock all the mannequins over. After Union Square we went up to Marin to do some more shopping and eat at yummy Pacific Catch. Oh, so good!
When we got home we Nertzed the night away...well, until my eyes just couldn't stay awake anymore and I had to break up the party. We love our visitors.

Gus's Blessing Weekend Extravaganza: Day 5

Oh don't think the weekend is over! We're still going strong! This morning we said goodbye to the BTKs and Beth and Matt, but the rest of us are still going strong! We woke up bright and early for a tour of San Francisco. And not a tour from Blake, but a Go-Car tour. So much fun!
Getting Instructions
The riders:
Blake and Max--Leading the way and making sure everyone gets their picture taken. Max was in heaven.
Grandpa and Nanny--Always at the front of the pack!
Addi and Ashley--You did not want us behind you. (It took me a while to figure out the brakes!)
Andy and Bri--Photographers extrodinaire
Tony and Dawna--Claimed the reason they went so slow was because something was wrong with their car.
Grandpa and Grandma--Bringing up the rear, coming to a complete stop at every stop sign.
On the go
When the cars wouldn't quite make it up the San Francisco hills!
Group shots:
Did I already say so much fun? SO, SO MUCH FUN! And a big thanks to Geri and Cindy for watching Jack and Gus.

After the go-cars we said goodbye to Grandpa, Nanny, Grandpa, and Ashley. Grandma and Dawna spent the rest of the day at the hospital with Great Myrtice and Martin. Everyone else just bid their time until we were ready for the Dancing With the Stars party at the Union Square Hilton! PARTAY!
Others opted out of the party and chose to swim instead.

On to day 6...

Gus's Blessing Weekend Extravaganza: The Big Day!

It's finally here. Gus's big day. It seems like forever ago that Blake emailed, inviting everyone to our soon-to-be-born baby's blessing, and now it's over. Today Gus was given a name and a sweet blessing by his father. I love the blessing day. My feelings as a mother and wife are indescribable. I am so blessed.
{I have a feeling we will not have a family picture where everyone is looking at the camera for a very long time...}

And it only made the day that much sweeter that Gus was surrounded by all these people who love him so, so much. We're sad Great Myrtice and Martin couldn't be with us. (Early in the morning, Martin was having a hard time breathing and was admitted to the hospital--we hope he gets feeling better soon!)
After church we came back to our house for the traditional SF Sour Dough Bread Bowl Blessing Lunch. I did nothing--my mom, Dawna, and Blake did everything...

Later tonight, everyone who wanted went up to Muir Woods and then enjoyed the most amazing sunset from Mt. Tam.

Happy Blessing Day Gus! I love you a million times over!