Sea World

Sea World was definitely the highlight of our trip! (Thanks Rhett!!) Andy loved watching the big fish swim around and jump out of the water. All of their shows were fun to watch; at the pet show they had trained cats - unbelievable.

Traveling to San Diego...

Andy's first time on an airplane was non-stop action. He didn't seem to notice the change in elevation, or even the take-off and landing. That child was all over the place, diving from me to Lance, to the floor, anywhere he could get! About halfway through is when he began eating the Sky Mall magazine. But his favorite activity was standing on our laps to see (and yell at) the other passengers. Mostly they would just smile back at him, obviously being much too kind.

Lance and I got a short break when Andyman figured out how to unlatch the tray in front of him. He kept looking at us like, 'Are you seeing this guys?? It's awesome!' Then he learned he could control it using just his feet, while lounging back against Dad. That kept him busy for probably a whole two minutes.
I had really been hoping for no dirty diapers on the flight...no such luck. Too bad Lance had the aisle seat and could get out easier than me:) He says he changed Andy in the airplane bathroom. Still not sure how that could be done, but there's some things you just don't question.

Lance and I both asked for Coke when the flight attendants came by. As they handed us our glasses Andy instantly began his freak-out reach as loud as possible, with Lance having to restrain him, ("eeeee! ooooohh! AAAAHHH!") I finally relented and let him take a drink from the straw hoping that would quiet him down, knowing of course he wouldn't like it. Big mistake... He only screamed louder, wanting more and more! What one year old loves Coca Cola?! Consequently, I was forced to chug both glasses so he couldn't spill them off the tray or knock them out of our hands. He was happy when I gave him the ice to play with, and kept licking it as it melted in his chubby hands.

Andy fell asleep on Dad's shoulder just as we were landing:)

He woke up for a few minutes while we got our luggage and the rental car, then conked again on the drive to our hotel.

Yay! Finally made it!

Our hotel was really nice! And thank goodness for a comfortable bed; we were exhausted.

A Monumental Weekend

On Friday night we had Anna-Kate and Alyse for a slumber party, (to help Dana so she could run the Pocatello Marathon on Saturday morning.) We took them to Arctic Circle because that's Anna's favorite 'restaurant,' and while we were there Andy drank his water from a straw for the first time! Usually we have to put a finger over the top of the straw then take it out of the cup and let the water drain into his mouth, but not anymore! He thinks it's so fun, too; congratulations, Andyman! Then on Saturday while Lance and I were doing yardwork, (yes, this was when I cut through the extension cord with the hedge trimmer while trimming the raspberry bushes..) Andy learned how to climb back on his little scooter car all by himself! He was so proud of his new talent that he kept dismounting just so he could get back on, over and over again!

Static hair:)

The free mini ice cream cones are a big treat for these girls, and most-likely the reason Anna likes going there so much!

Dana giving Leah a hi-five at mile 23; she finished in 3 hours and 57 minutes - amazing!! I'm so proud of her!

Lance had Labor Day off, so we took the opportunity to go visit Grandma Margene in Rexburg. She was asleep the whole time we were there, but we brought her some pictures of the little guy and hung them on her bulletin board. Joyce was there and we had a nice visit with her, and we got to see Kendra and Morgan.
Afterward, we saw this nice piece of machinery for sale: a '95 Ford Aspire with 175k miles, asking $1000. We had been casually looking for a cheap commuter car for Lance, and this seemed to fit the bill. After a short test drive Lance offered the college kid $800, and he took it! He said it gets 40+ mpg; a little better than the F-150's 16 mpg... Best of all, the tank was 3/4 full! Plus, he gave us an extra set of tires! Never heard of an Aspire?? We hadn't either. Think clown car with no options...unless of course you count the aftermarket keyless entry/alarm - ha!

My Happy Day!

Andrea took me to lunch at Subway!

This was just before Andy broke Andrea's necklace in Old Navy...pink beads, anyone??

Lance took me to dinner at Texas Roadhouse! And, as always, Andy was a big hit with the other diners, bouncing up and down to the music!

Lance took me to West Yellowstone a couple days after my birthday to see Beauty and the Beast! Usually an annual tradition, but we missed last year because Andy was so new; it was great to be back!

As usual, they call everyone up on stage who's there celebrating their birthday

...then they sing to us

Hannah played Belle

Lance got me ice cream, but ONLY because it was my birthday:)

I took Dana's family pictures for them a couple weeks ago. This turned out to be my very favorite; a pose the three oldest girls came up with on their own! Aren't they just gorgeous?!

Enjoying the weather

Playing at the Rexburg Splash Park with his cousin, Leah

Try as he might, Andy just couldn't get a hold of that water

It was all fun and games until Andyman realized he had his own personal drinking fountain right at his feet!

Leah couldn't decide whether she wanted to ride with us or Lance; then Lance headed for the water and she made up her mind real quick!

Swinging was Andy's favorite pasttime before his wagon came along

Kael and Andyman playing with the tractor; Kael is always so good with Andy:)

We had a nest of five baby birds! They were so pretty...until Magen caught and ate them for lunch