"I love to see the temple. . ."

Raleigh, North Carolina Temple. June 12, 2010

In the stake center nearby (as we wait for Sam), Ked shows off his tongue contortion skills. He is always sticking his tongue out and twisting it around. It was a VERY hot and humid day, and we were really grateful the stake center was open.

Crutches

Since mid-May, Ked has stood without support for several seconds on rare occasions. A week ago we were playing croquet with some friends for FHE and decided to see what Ked could do with the sticks as a little support. We were surprised and impressed! He stayed up for probably a minute, and was lifting the sticks up and down, sometimes at the same time.

June 7, 2010 Ked 9 months

Ked's Extra Aunt

Kristel, one of my good friends from college, came and stayed with us for a few days. It was great having her and catching up. Using a phrase Kristel uses with some of her close family friends, I've started to call her Ked's "extra aunt." As if he didn't already have enough. . . :)

At the duck pond on Virginia Tech campus.

Hungry

Ked eating his lunch. . . tray.

5/24/2010

Little Hikes

June 5, 2010

Sam and I took Ked in his backpack (when he'd stay in it--he's starting to not like it as much) to a couple of small hikes. The forests and scenery were beautiful, and it was fun being out together.

Ked and Amber at the Wind Rock overlook. Ked gives a cheer at our (ten minute hike) accomplishment.

We'd thought about inviting our friends, Jason and Laura and kids, to come with us. But since it was last minute and we were kind of playing it by ear (Ked's schedule) and we got side tracked, we didn't. To our surprise, there was their car at the trail head of War Spur (and they had been thinking of inviting us as well)! We caught up to them just as they were leaving the overlook. They came back and hung out and hiked back with us.

We ate lunch and explored the cool rock ledges at the overlook and let Ked climb around. We just didn't let Ked go near the big, fat rattle-snake that shared the ledges with us!

All the kiddos fell asleep on the 1.7 mile hike back (until I woke one when I had them stop to take the picture). I did try to prop Ked's head up, but he really did want it just as it was.

It's in the name. . .

While I was shopping with my mom, Ked got bored in the shoe section and wriggled out of my arms and crawled away. I followed him, and as I went to pick him up, I realized why he had crawled over to and climbed up on the boxes of shoes he did. Maybe he can read his own name!

It's times like these that I love a camera phone!

Ked 8 1/2 months

Few more of the family reunion

Gram and Gramp Z visited on Mother's Day. Ked liked sitting with Great Gramma and playing with Great Gramp's keychain (especially the pocket knife--good thing he couldn't open it).

Why did I not think to get Dad in the picture for a four generation shot?

Ked loved all his cousins and aunts and uncles (except when he was grumpy). I love this shot of him with his Aunt Kate.

I was really lucky that Devonae's baby blessing coincided with my stay.

Rod and Monica's number seven!

Boogie Boarding

I have always loved being in the waves of the ocean. When my family went to the beach, I was always the first one in the water and would stay in as long as my blue-lipped, almost hypothermic body could take it. It was always disappointing to me, though, that right when I couldn't take the cold any longer, my siblings would finally decide to get in (either for the first time, or for a second short dip). So I often ended up being a loner on my boogie board.

This time, however, having Ked severely limited my time in the water, and when all the girls decided to go in together, I was with them! We had a blast together. I still ended up being a loner in the end, but the company was fun while it lasted!

Wendy, Nat, Kate, Amber

The waves right in front of the beach house are never fantastic, but they were way better this year than they have been in years. The weather was perfect too! Sunny and warm, with the only real cold and windy weather on Sunday when we don't go in the water anyway. Nice!

A seal was swimming around when we were out together, and I got within twenty feet or so (?) of it. Pretty cool. We saw plenty of dolphins as usual, but none up close this time.

Yea, Heidi and I were the lucky ones to get stuck with the bright, neon green "safety vest" wet suits. So none of our sisters hit us. The waves didn't seem to take notice, though, and pounded us all pretty good at one time or another.

Jen, Wendy, Nat, Kate, Amber, Heidi, Brandi

Speaking of limited time in the ocean. . . I knew this day would come. I remember when I was 19 or so realizing that when I was pregnant some day in the future, I wouldn't be able to boogie board. Well, I still boogie boarded when I was five months pregnant (though not at my best). But then I realized that once I had a baby (or more), I wouldn't be able to just go into the water anytime I wanted to. I've had many selfish moments in my nine months of motherhood, but this was definitely one of the most. (Well, maybe second to being woken up multiple times in the middle of the night on a regular basis. . . but both sacrifices are, of course, totally worth it!) It was kind of hard not going in when the waves and weather were so good! At the same time, a lot of the joy I have experienced in the past through different activities is now being transferred into sharing/showing/teaching Ked in those similar pursuits. It totally thrilled me to get to take him to the ocean the first time, in the water, on the rocks, in the sand, in the little pool. I was still more excited about it than he was this time, but I'm looking forward to our continued adventures together.

Beach House

Ked didn't seem to think much of the ocean (he showed no reaction when I put his feet in the frigid, moving water), but he loved the sand. It apparently tastes pretty good!

As Mom tried to shush the crowds before the dinner prayer, Holly was ready before anyone else, using Dad (her Grampa) as an arm rest to fold her arms on.

Carson, Ethan, and Gabe, trying to look as professional on the skim board as their cousins/brothers Jacob and Roddy.

At the tide pools.

Say "Freeze!" Jason's family getting sprayed by a wave against the seawall, just as they were posing for a photo. Love this shot. Click on it for the full effect.