Aquarium of the Pacific

We ventured out Saturday morning after Christmas to go check out the Aquarium in Long Beach. We spent about an hour and half there looking at all the fish, seals, penguins, and sharks. The penguin exhibit seemed to be Blake's favorite.

Blake & Dad under the big whale

Checking out the fish

Those are some big teeth!

Sharks are funny:)

Blake at 7 Months!

Well, just a few days after Christmas, the little man turned seven months old. And Blake continues to be the light of our lives.

Eric and I find ourselves racing home from work so we can get as much "Blake Time" in as possible. His smile and laugh are absolutely contagious! And I often find myself thinking, "How did we get so lucky?"

Lately Blake is:

• Really enjoying his Jump-a-roo. He could spend hours in that thing!
• Standing while holding onto something.
• So ticklish! He screams with delight when Daddy tickles him.

Check out this huge foot!

Our happy boy

Standing with Daddy

Some random shots from the last month...

In the Jump-a-roo! Pulling down the hanging toys!

Sitting up in the bath like a big boy

All dressed up to go to his first Brunch

Just playin'

Merry Christmas

This Christmas, like years past, we were able to celebrate with family on three different occasions.
Our first stop was San Diego on the 22nd. We had a beautiful Christmas dinner at Chuck and Carolyn's, and we were joined by Kristen, Enrique, Alec, and Liam. The food and wine was wonderful as always, and the company even better!
Then we headed up to Lake Arrowhead to enjoy Christmas with Linda and Mike. Again, the Moreletts joined us for some more holiday fun. Linda put on a very special holiday, where we ate and drank way too much;)
Next stop was home to our house. We enjoyed a peaceful Christmas eve and morning just the three of us. Even though Blake is too young to realize anything that is going on, Christmas seemed so much more fun and magical with a little one in the house. We are really looking forward to next year when he is excited to open gifts (instead of just eating the bows).
Last stop was the Van Sambeek house for Christmas dinner with Mark, Sheila, Uncle Russ, Aunt Kathie, and David. Unfortunately, Aiden and Ryan were sick, so Theresa stayed home with the boys. The amount of gifts under the tree was truly a sight to see. These kiddos are spoiled rotten!

At Grandpa Chuck & Grandma Carolyn's...

Bundled up for the cold weather

Alec & Liam

Dying to start opening presents!

Blake & Mama

First Christmas as a family of three!

Not sure how to open this...

Blake figured out how to eat his way to the present!

Alec & Grandpa

Liam enjoying his presents too

Dada & Blake

Blake, Chuck, and Carolyn

 Then up to Lake Arrowhead, to see Grandma and Grandpa Mike...

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Very excited about his stocking! Made with love by Grandma.

Moose, loving the attention.

His first set of wheels!

Christmas morning at Home...

There were lots of presents under the beautiful tree

Just a few presents for Blake

Dada had to help out with opening

A cozy hat, in case we visit some snow this winter

Also very excited about his snail

Make that... Really, Really excited about the snail!

Just out for another cruise on his hog!

 And then we made it to Grandpa & Nanny's house Christmas afternoon...

Finally, getting then hang of opening all these presents

Happy playing with new presents

But, the bows were definitely the best part:)