Nauvoo

One of the side benefits of marrying Sam is getting to go to Nauvoo somewhat regularly. I still haven't seen many of the sites, but I love the temple and the special history it has. . . and imagining how much Ginger would have loved to have seen it rebuilt, after having spent a semester in Nauvoo when there were only the cornerstones to mark where the original building had been well over a century earlier.

Can you tell that it was hot and humid? Actually a nicer day compared to how bad it can be!

Ked practicing his new walking skills. He loved climbing the steps too.

Beth and Wade, July 10, 2010

We were so happy to be at the sealing ceremony of Beth (Sam's sister) and Wade. They make a great couple, and since we are the only ones that hadn't met Wade until that week, we're looking forward to getting to know him more!

It was great to have Sam's whole family all together, except for Guy who is currently serving as a missionary in Brazil.

Walking!

Ked took his first two steps a few weeks ago, but took his first several steps July 3rd, chasing his cousin Paige when she took a toy stroller away from him. Then during his visit with his other cousin Dane in Kentucky a few days later, he spent the late evening walking back and forth on the porch. The next few days were spent with his Iowa toddler cousins,where he really started walking more and more. I definitely think being around the other toddlers got him going sooner. He loves being with his cousins. And their toys.

Just a short clip.

July 10, 2010

10 months, 1 week

Teeth!

Top two first.

July 1, 2010

10 months

"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.

2010 Family Reunion

I guess there is one downfall of having such a big family. There are too many good memories, too many photos, too many relationships, too many fun times, too many amazing (and hilarious) talents shown at the talent show, too many cute nieces and nephews that are growing so fast, too much fun and joy at the yearly Z family reunion to capture it in a few blog posts. Last year, I didn't even try. While I won't even get close to capturing the essence of the yearly family reunion and indicating how much I love it, I'll at least try to portray a few of the moments from this year.

First, the whole crew who made it. Ked and I left Sam at home to take his finals. :( Summer and Clint's family kept him company, as they couldn't make it either. We were happy Derek was serving as a missionary in New Jersey, but we missed him. And of course, Ginger's absence is always sorely and tenderly felt.

The youngest three grandsons

The youngest three grandsons and their moms.

Tucker and Jen, Brandi and Dane, Ked and Amber

It was fun to get to hang out one morning before all of us had our flights back home.

Tuck, Dane, and their grammie, working in the garden.

More on the Ranch 5/17/10

At the end of the family reunion, Ked and I were back on the ranch a few days before heading back home. He loved the dog's and got really excited to see them, especially when they were play-fighting (should I be worried?). We didn't spend a lot of time with the horses, but here's Ked's first (and only) experience with a horse. Next time I'll sit him on one.

Avocado Pickin'

I arrived home just in time for an avocado harvest. My first two mornings there, I got to help a little--the first time with Ked in the backpack, which got a little heavy, but it was fun.

Dad and Joseph

Unloading

Dear Daddy, while you've been in Haiti. . .

Dear Daddy,

While you've been in Haiti studying post-earthquake liquefaction, Mom and I have been doing okay. I've missed playing with you, and Mom has missed having you around. We've hoped that your water filter has worked well and have been praying that you are safe. Mom's excited that maybe you'll think she's a really good cook after a week of eating MREs.

I am trying to be extra good for Mom. I've been helping her with the laundry, which I think is pretty fun. For some reason, though, it takes longer when I help.

I've also been really good for her when we go out. Even when the strap from my hat fell over my eyes--I didn't complain. (Mom eventually realized it and fixed it.)

I've been trying to play the guitar like you. I pull myself up onto it, and I've actually been strumming the strings. Mom thinks I sound pretty good for using one hand. Can't wait until you can play for us again.

I want to be like you and play the drums too. Your

drums are in the closet, though, so usually I

just try to drum on anything else I can find--tables, chairs,

cereal boxes, the door, your guitar, etc. The toilet is my favorite, but Mom always freaks out when I get to it. And then she makes me wash my hands, and sometimes inside my mouth. I've notice she's been keeping the toilet really clean, though.

Mom says I'm a climbing, crawling, standing, exploring, destroying, eating machine, and I can do even more than before you left.

See you really soon!

Love, your son,

Kedrik

How did that happen?

One day I suddenly realized that Ked had grown up.

(And he was done with the photo shoot. His cry these days most frequently means, "Help, I'm standing and I can't get down!)

4/12/2010; 7 1/2 months old

in a simple smile

I've always loved how you can get a baby or toddler to smile just by smiling at him--even when the kid doesn't know you. And once Ked was just so many weeks old and able to give any type of response to anything besides hunger, it was the smile when I'd smile at him that amazed me. So simple, yet so phenomenally, inexplicably exhilarating. I'm sure it probably can be explained by some scientific, physiological, neurological response, but to me it is clear evidence of the divinity within. I've always believed (known, really) that we are children of a Heavenly Father, but this has confirmed it to me that much more.

This probably doesn't make sense to anyone else (blame it on my lack of eloquence), but it makes sense to me!