California Trip

The day before we flew out to California, BJ's dad had a layover in Cincinnati and was able to stay with us one night.  It was so much fun to go out to dinner with him and talk with him for the evening.  Before Drake went to bed we turned off all the lights and played "hide and go seek" with grandpa!  It was so much fun!  The three boys are relaxing in this picture while they are watching "Thomas the Train."  The next morning (2/24/10) we all got up really early and drove to the airport.  We had to fly out to CA at 8:00 and grandpa had to fly out at 9:30.  It was fun to be able to spend time with grandpa!  Drake was so excited b/c we bought him a "Diego" back pack to take on the airplane.  He loved to pull it behind him...it was pretty cute!

It has been so fun being in California with my family.  I wish we didn't live so far away!  Drake, BJ, and I got here last Wed.  BJ left today (Sunday) to go back to Cincinnati and Drake and I are staying until Wed.  It is such a long flight that we usually don't come unless we can stay for at least one week.  I am sad that BJ had to leave but it will be fun to stay a few more days.  We had Cole come and play with Drake on Thurs, Fri and Sat.  On Saturday Keri came with Kaleb to come hang out for the night.  I always enjoy talking with Keri.  Drake had a lot of fun playing with Cole.  It is crazy watching two 2 yr olds!  They both run opposite directions.  They enjoyed chasing each other and stealing each other's toys.  Cute boys!

It was so wonderful to see both mom and dad give lessons on Sunday.  Keri and I went to dad's lesson in the morning while mom watched the boys...thanks mom!  The lesson was on recognizing/feeling the spirit.  It was wonderful.  I always feel energized when I listen to my parents teach/speak b/c they are so inspiring.  After dad's lesson we went home and rescued mom from the boys and then went to listen to mom give her gospel doctrine lesson.  She is a great teacher and her lesson was awesome about Lot and Abraham.  On Monday we went to Keri's house to visit for the day.  It was fun to see all her new decorations and projects that she is involved in.  She is so talented and has such a cute family!  Drake acts like he is at Disneyland when he visits Keri's house.  There are fun boys to be with and a huge playroom that he loves.  He talks about Keri's house even when he leaves.  He enjoys Hunter (their huge lab) and calls him "Clifford the big Red dog!"  Drake had so much fun with his cousins!

The Girls!  We had fun hanging out together.  I sure wish we lived closer!

King's Island

King's Island is an amusement park that is about 10-15 minutes away from our house. Today was a free day for all Procter and Gamble employees and families. It was really fun! Drake is still a little bit young for the rides and I think that he was blessed with my sensitive stomach. We first tried the carousel. Drake was really excited to ride the horse until the carousel turned on and the horse went up and down. He grabbed on to me and wrapped his legs around my waist. I ended up holding him for the whole ride. Drake liked riding the train and driving the yellow jeep. We put him on a little kiddie (for very small kids!) ride (pictured above). It just went around in circles and sped up when it went around one side. Drake was with a little boy that was younger than him who started crying as soon as the ride started. This made Drake start to cry and soon both boys were screaming and crying. Each time Drake past us he would scream "mommy, daddy!" It broke my heart and I was a little mad that they didn't stop the ride. As soon as the ride stopped Drake jumped up out of his seat belt and tried to get out of the car. BJ had to jump the fence to grab Drake before he fell out. Ummmm.....not trying that again! We felt so bad!

Drake liked the really slow rides where he could drive the jeep! Maybe next season we'll try him again on the kiddie rides. Drake has a really serious face in this picture. We call this face his "tricycle face" because he first made it when he was riding a tricycle at Grandma and Grandpa Stanley's house. We were pushing him on the tricycle and we knew he was having a lot of fun but he didn't even smile. He just had a very serious look on his face...like "don't bother me I am working hard at having fun!" When he is having a lot of fun he will make this face. Funny boy!

BJ's Airforce half marathon

BJ competed in a half marathon at the Air force base in Dayton. It was a really neat race b/c it was right on the air force base. Drake loved to see all the planes! I was going to run in the 10k but it was too hard with Drake to have us both run in it. BJ ran the race with our friend Scott Lee. Scott and BJ left really early to get to the race on time. There were so many people running it that it took them 2 hours to finally get there and park. The gun had already gone off for the start of the race so they just ran straight from their car! Aimee (Scott's wife) and her three kids and I came up a little later to meet the guys. We got to ride in school buses to the entrance of the race. Drake loved riding in the bus.

BJ did a really good job! He did the race in about an hour and a half. Pretty good pace! Watching BJ come in made me want to race! It was fun being a spectator though!

Cincinnati Children's Museum

The children's museum is awesome! Drake and I have a year pass and try to go a couple times a month. Drake has so much fun there. There are so many things to play with and do that help Drake learn and grow. We have been to dinosaur, egyptian, and train exhibits that they have had there. We even got to see small bats that were brought out to show the children. Drake really likes the underground cave exhibits.
Drake loved to splash and play in the water...I am glad they had special waterproof robes for the kids.

Drake is working hard to gather the rocks and put them in the back of the truck.

When we go to the museum I fix Drake a lunch to eat in the car on the way home (it is the only way to keep him awake). He loves to eat his sandwich while we are driving home.

Our Garden

We worked really hard to plant our garden. We planted tomatoes, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, watermelon, cantaloupe, carrots and cabbage. This was our first garden so we knew we would learn a lot from this experience. We ended up with a lot of potatoes, tomatoes and carrots. I think next time we will start a little sooner (we started late b/c we moved in at the end of March). One of the best parts about the garden was the family time it created for us. Drake loved to help us in the garden in the evenings. The weather was nice in the evenings so when BJ got home from work we would be outside working in the garden/yard until it was time to put Drake down to bed. We got to know our neighbors better because they were out in their yards also.

Drake loved to eat the carrots straight from the garden. We would pick them and then wash them off with the garden hose.

Home in California

Drake loves Grandpa and Grandma!

Grandpa and Grandma Parkinson at their home in Folsom. We were watching a movie together.

We went to Keri's house in Pittsburg while we were visiting in California. It is nice to have her close to mom and dad so we can see her family when we visit them. Drake loved playing at their house. Keri has 5 kids - 4 boys. Drake was in heaven with all the toys and kids to play with.

Grandpa with Cole and Drake. Cole is only 4 months older than Drake. They are good buddies.

Drake and Dallin

Big Smile! Drake loved to play with Dallin while we were in California for Tanner's wedding reception. I hope that Drake can grow up just like Tanner and Dallin.