Keenan's Big Concert

Last year, Keenan won the USC Concerto Competition, and his big performance is coming up this Thursday! Here's for all those who didn't get a postcard announcement:

**Thanks to our good friend "Piano Man" for designing these beautiful announcements!

Samuel's First Birthday

People say the time flies. I say yes and no. Yes, because -- wow -- I have a one-year old. No, because I've enjoyed every minute so far.

Though the memories are fresh, it definitely doesn't feel like yesterday that I labored to deliver Samuel to Life. For me, that experience was a little like running through a large field of roses. While running, you are bewildered by the pain of the thorns, the obstacles, and the sheer exhaustion. You hardly notice the blossoms, and the end is never in sight. As you eventually emerge victorious and continue on your journey, the wounds and bruises begin to heal. The breeze washes you with the sweet fragrance of the field, and looking back, the exquisite colors and scents are overwhelming. You might even do it again. (At some point, I plan to.) Most assuredly, God heard our prayers as Keenan and I ran together that day.

I consider Samuel my greatest blessing. This is hard to explain, but with most of the other blessings of my life, I have had much more control on the receiving end. While it's true that I opened the door for Samuel to come, he was granted and safeguarded to me by Heavenly Father, a bestowal for which I cannot give enough thanks or praise, and by which I remain humbled.

It's amazing what you learn about love when you have a child. As Keenan put it, it's "automatic love." I now realize that up until that point, love is a choice that we make. But for the first time, once a child arrives, love simply exists.

We are so happy to have this little friend by our side. The first thing we noticed about Samuel after he was born was how observant he was. That has remained one of his striking characteristics. He is meek and mild. He is curious and fun. Above all, he is pure, and we see there is much to be learned from him. I should learn from his innocence, his need for people, his helpful nature, his teachability, his eagerness for life's experiences, his love of learning, his determination to keep trying, and how free he is with himself. The list could go on...

I have much more to share about our first year together, but that will have to wait until a later post. For now, some pictures and a couple videos of today's fun. Keenan has long awaited his boy's first birthday, and begged me to make a chocolate cake that Samuel could smear all over his body. I declined, but agreed to make a banana cake with some cocoa in the frosting. (Recipe to follow.)

Favorite breakfast: cottage cheese pancakes
(Recipe to follow.)

First taste of whole (cow's) milk! Mmmmm...

Live Oak Park


Taken at 12:28, the minute Samuel was born.
One year later.


A puzzle present from friends!


A drum present from other friends!
Come on, Sam... it's exciting!!


Making faces at Daddy.




Unwrapping Mama and Daddy's present!
And noticeably winding down.


Keenan's much-anticipated moment.
Do you think he's afraid of fire? Not Mama's boy...




Beautiful eyes.




End of a great first birthday.

G.F.

For a time when I was a teenager, I shared a room with #9, Amanda (I'm #3). My Mom called her my "little shadow." I called her "G.F." (for Girlfriend). This is how I remember her from those days (note bird on shoulder):

But for her maturing years, I've been mainly out of the house, so it was a pleasure to have her out for a 9-day visit so we could get to know her better. She was great to have around and definitely knows how to have a good time!!

I try to do a new activity with each of our visitors (that way they feel special and we're always seeing something new). With Amanda we were going to go lawn bowling with the old people at Arcadia Park, but we were a little bit late and our teacher went home. :( Next time, Amanda! But we did have a couple other firsts, including a journey into the third-world-esque fashion district in L.A. to buy some cute fabric for a skirt, but no pictures of that, unfortunately...

The L.A. Arboretum, where I take everybody:

The one-handed walking

Amanda's always had a way with animals

I've never seen this there before






A first: Mini Golfing at "Golfland" (click there and make sure your sound's on... The voice is probably our lawn bowling teacher's).
Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures inside.
But I won a free game at the end for the first time in my life!


Arcadia Park
Whoever can balance on this thing is awesome!


Perhaps best of all: Newport Beach, also a first (and not a last)

Aunt Amanda showed Sammy how to take the waves

Keenan lost his head taking a rather large wave.

But he found another.

Come again soon, sister!!

Stay tuned for a recap of our Third Anniversary bash...

His mother called him Wild Thing!

The night Sammy wore his birthday suit and made mischief of one kind...

and another...



and made him king of all Wild Things...



(Bigger bathtub coming soon... more on that later.)

Haircut and Cheesy Smiles

Here's the last pre-haircut picture I have of Keenan. See how it was curling behind his ears and boofing out front?

It took Keenan quite a while to consent to let me cut his hair. I've done it a few times now. The first time was excruciating because it took FOREVER. Now that I've adapted better to how he likes it, and since receiving some great tips from a beautician in our ward, I'm feeling more confident (even though I'm still pretty slow). I started with the clippers with the 1/2 inch attachment (#4), and trimmed the back and sides. Then I cut an inch or so off the top with the scissors and blended. Lastly, I trimmed the front, not too short (my taste), and cleaned up the back and around the ears with the bare clippers. What do you think?

As for Samuel, he's taken to pulling a big cheesy smile when he sees the red light that precedes the flash on our camera. The smile then promptly disappears. Very cute.

He sure is starting to get around!! No independent steps yet, but lots of balancing and climbing.

Ten Days in Paradise

We've heard a lot of talk about Hawaii, but always thought it must be just a little overrated. After spending ten days on Maui and Oahu snorkeling, swimming wish tropical fish and sea turtles, seeing whales, basking in the sun (to our detriment), going to luaus, visiting volcanoes and waterfalls, and talking and laughing with family, we've learned we were wrong. For a couple years now, my Mom's been planning this trip (and saving skymiles) to take their kids who've graduated from college to Hawaii -- thank you so much, Mom and Dad!!  It was the most incredible vacation with some of the finest people, and we were devastated to come home.

Since there is no way I could choose just a few pictures to share, I put together a little slideshow for your pleasure.  Some of the pictures go by quickly, so hit pause if you want to study.  Comes in five parts: 

1) Keenan and myself -- 0:00

2) Samwise (as we sometimes call him) -- 1:05

3) Cousins Samuel and Abraham -- 2:20

4) Underwater photos -- 3:17

5) Family Favorites and Miscellaneous -- 4:07

ENJOY!!  We sure did.