Lovely Los Angeles... who'da thought!?

Back from my Blogging Break (I posted this the evening of 2 February... don't know why the date is wrong)! We just enjoyed a fantastic week with Andrew, Ariel, and Abraham! They helped us have fun at home and get out and enjoy the lovely Los Angeles area. Here are some highlights:

Live Oak Park (Temple City, CA)

Hammie

Arcadia Park (Arcadia, CA)

Don't look too closely...

He could go down forwards AND backwards!

Picnic at USC (Los Angeles, CA)

Griffith Observatory (Los Angeles, CA)



Waiting for the pendulum to hit down another peg...

L.A. from the Observatory

Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach, CA)

Sunset Beach (Sunset Beach, CA)

The Arboretum of Los Angeles (Arcadia, CA)

Arcadia Library (Arcadia...)

Favorite COUSIN snapshots:

Come back soon, you three! We miss you already!

MOVIE TIME!!!

Some people worry about saying too much about their kids on their blogs. I don't. I think Samuel's the greatest thing since Keenan! Here are a few recent clips:

Last week's favorite sound.

This week's favorite sound.

Speaks for itself.
(Laughs rather...)

Zrbtts!!

First bite of non-milk.

An amusing clip of Samuel and cousin Abraham
from our Thanksgiving trip.

Holiday Beginnings and Samuel's Blessing

Sammy got this cute onesie from his cousin for his 3-month birthday!
It has a picture of 6-week Abe holding newborn Sam, and says,
"Hammy -- I've got your back. Sammy."

Virtuoso.

Unbeknownst to Keenan, he soothed his boy right to sleep.

We got to spend a terrific week in Utah for Thanksgiving.
Sammy and Hammy got some great bonding time.

Samuel became Abraham's new, most favorite toy.

Grandfather Marshall and Samuel practicing "the trick."

While in town, we took the long-awaited opportunity to bless little Samuel. Keenan gave him a beautiful blessing. Some highlights from the blessing include:

• Robust health
• The ability to learn from trials
• Discover in his image the countenance of Jesus Christ
• Motivate, support, and sustain those around him in life
• Feel, understand, and know the truth of gospel principles he'll be taught
  
• Testimony will be strengthened as he lives the principles of the gospel
• Mind will develop sharply; ability to retain information
• Meek and mild manner a balm to those who surround him

It was a privilege to be surrounded by family for this noteworthy event.

(We inadvertently left Keenan's white shirt at my parents',
so Andrew was kind enough to trade him.
That's why their shirts look strangely sized.)

We're really excited for our first Christmas together!

Samuel's first toy from Santa.

Sweet Pea

I owe Many Thanks to the many who contributed to my query from my last post, both by blog and by Email. Your valuable insights fell on welcome ears. I still haven't been able to let Samuel cry it out, but I am happy to report that he's been falling asleep easier and is now consistently sleeping a six-hour stretch at night! Here's to 10!

------------
I have failed to report on the exciting trip I got to take to Utah last month. My Dad called me one night, asking if he could fly me and Samuel to Utah for my Mom's birthday present. So I happily agreed and we flew out the next day (her birthday)! We really surprised her. Dad took her out to dinner as I was arriving. When they got home, everyone was waiting in the living room, and Mom was especially happy to see that Andrew and Ariel were there from Provo for her party. Mom immediately approached Ariel so she could hold little Abraham. What she didn't know is -- we had made a Baby Switch. She looked at sweet Abraham and smiled, saying, "Hello... baby... (still smiling)... wait a second... something's not right here..." At this point I emerged from the kitchen holding the real Abraham, and she realized that Ariel was holding California Samuel! She was so surprised and so happy! What a great idea, Dad!

I'm so glad Samuel got to spend time with his long-lost cousin, who is 6 weeks his senior.

Hammy left, Sammy right


Tummy Time! Sammy left, Hammy right

I got to go on an outing to Logan for a few hours while my sister Julia had a cello lesson there. I tried to call some old friends to visit but couldn't reach anyone on such short notice. So Samuel, Thomas, and I hung out at beautiful First Dam. Thomas is getting SO TALL!

Being with Thomas is always a highlight. Here's what he does when he wants a peanut butter sandwich. What a symmetrical fellow!

Utah's October Sky was breathtaking. Much different from our view in Los Angeles.

It was a great trip. Very short. But we'll be back for Thanksgiving this year.

------------
Samuel is now three months old. Time is flying and to my horror, I realize that I am taking less and less pictures! But we caught a few good ones around Halloween...

My sweat pea and my lovely new glider.

Can he get his fist and the pea in his mouth?
Don't put it past him.

Getting tired...

Tuckered out.