Finally a date night! And lots of family. :)

Our Little Pawn

Exciting News: Keenan and I finally went out to dinner without Samuel! We asked Danielle, a young woman from the ward, to watch over him while we went out for Valentines Day! I didn't know how nervous I would be as we were driving away! Would he cry the whole time? Would he miss me? How would she handle him should he get tired or hungry (which he shouldn't)? So I was nervous.

What's more, we were going to Olive Garden, which turned out to have a two-hour wait, so we put our name on the list and walked around to the other restaurants in the area to see if anyone else was more reasonable. We ended up at Tony Roma's and got in after a somewhat long "30 minutes." But what a find! This was the best eatin' out we've done in a long time. Unfortunately, our waitress told us they're likely to go out of business soon, so if you've never been, GO before it's too late. Be sure to get some babyback ribs and steak. And corn fritter casserole. Mmmmm.

Samuel was just fine when we got back. He was happy the whole time! What!? Didn't he miss me just a little?? The female mind is so funny.

By the way, I think I paid the babysitter too much. How do I know what I should pay??

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In other news, we've seen lots of family lately, who've come to L.A. for other reasons, but managed to see us too! These include my Mom and brother, Richard, who stayed with us for a few days:

My Dad (right after Mom left, funnily enough), who stayed with us one night, and spent a few more days at Newport Beach with his family:

My Grandma and most of my Dad's siblings (left to right: Mary, Dad, Sarah and Samuel, Nathan, G-ma Marshall, Sarah's husband Allen, Martha, and David)

How do I make the quality of this photo better, darn it?!?

Lucky Sammy and I got to spend the day at Newport at David's timeshare. Such a lovely sunset! Thanks, Uncle David!

And on Valentine's morning, we saw Keenan's Grandparents, the Allreds! They went on a cruise that left from Los Angeles... so we had breakfast together. Our good fortune!

So fun to be with family!!

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.