Mr. Blake

My neighbor Heather is a photographer and she took some adorable pics of my Blakester yesterday. The light was great, it was beautiful outside and she did a wonderful job! I can't imagine its easy taking pictures of a 2 year old, either. Click HERE to check out her photography blog! Here are a few of my favorite of Blake!

All photos taken by Heather Sellers Photography http://hsellersphoto.blogspot.com

I Heart Valentine's Day

So, maybe this is old news cause Valentine's Day was a whole week ago, but I thought share our fun day with you! First of all, the three of us went to visit Tim, Abby and Dayton in Rigby. Uncle Doug got to see Dayton for the first time and I enjoyed holding him and thanks to Tim, I was allowed the priviledge of changing his diaper too! (Whatever it takes to get favorite aunt status, right?) And his chubby cheeks and beauiful eyes make my heart melt, so i'd do anything for this sweet little guy! He was so alert and it was fun to see a little more personality!Now, it only took us a year and a half in this house to realize that our kitchen table was better off in the kitchen, instead of in the dining/living room. But after moving our table there we realized that it just wasn't working out to well, and a new table was the only solution. We looked at a few and found this table at Oak Express/Furniture Row. It came with 4 barstools/chair and its counter height. We went and picked it up on Valentine's day, and so therefore, this is my gift from my valentine (i'm so spoiled i know).

After putting the new table together (you would think its came from IKEA seriously) and loading up the older one for Shane and Jess, we cooked a yummy dinner of steak, coconut shrimp, and mashed potatoes! We bought the shrimp frozen, all it had to do was bake for a few minutes and it was ready. I found a recipe for the pina colada sauce like they have at red lobster and it was all great! (and much cheaper than red lobster too)

And just in case any of you love coconut shrimp too, the brand was called SeaPak and we got it at Walmart and here's the sauce recipe: 1/3 cup sour cream, 1/3 cup pina colada drink mix, and crushed pineapple with a little bit of pineapple juice. Super easy, try it out!

Dayton Timothy Campbell

Our family is so excited that Dayton finally made his arrival! Blake and I got to meet him today and he is so beautiful and so sweet! Its amazing how perfect little ones can be! We love him so much already. It will be fun for Blake to have a cousin close by! He weighed in at 8 lbs. 11 oz. and is 21 inches long. Dayton has lots of dark hair and his skin is so soft! Congrats to Tim and Abby! We love you baby Dayton!

Man, they're getting old.....

This week my mom, Cindy and Doug's dad, Mike both had birthdays. We were totally kidding about them being old, they are both young, vibrant, and make great grandmas and grandpas.

My dad and I planned a surprise birthday party for mom since she turned 50. Shhhh! Don't tell her I posted her age online. She was totally surprsied (since everyone parked at the neighbors and trudged through the snow to get to our house) and we had lots of her friends and neighbors over to have cake and ice cream! Thanks to Tim and Abby for your help, too! Mom's birthday was actually the day after her party, and she and dad had plans to go watch SR wrestle Blackfoot. We went too and got to see some good matches. We also had our friend Ryan, the announcer wish Mom a Happy 50th Birthday over the mic! It's very hard to embarrass my mom. She just waved to the crowd like a beauty queen when they said it was her birthday! And then last night we got to go to dinner with Mom and Dad and Tim and Abby. (For some reason, turning 50 requires a 3 day celebration.) Here's why my mom rocks:

1. She loves all her extended family very much, especially the grandkids. She always knows whats going on with all her neices and nephews their families as well!

2. She always helps me when I ask! (And I always ask for help when I'm painting)

3. She used to take me and my friends toilet papering before I had my license.

4. She helps me accomplish any sewing project I have at hand. And usually let me make my sewing mess at her house too. :)

5. She's a great babysitter... and for free too!

Love you Mom! Happy Birthday!

Mike turns, well lets just say he's slighty older than my mom, and we get to celebrate his birthday tonight at dinner and then tomorrow for dessert! Blake always loves being around Grandpa VanOrden! Here's why we all love Mike!

1.He always gives good gifts, especially to Blake. He even gives gifts when there is no occasion.

2.He is a good boss and forgives Laura's tardiness on a regular basis.

3.He has a hidden sense of humor that most don't get to see, but we get to enjoy often!

4.He spoils his daughter-in-laws because he never had daughters.

5.He has lots to teach us about life, the gospel, and raising a family.

Happy Birthday Dad! We love you!

Two, Two, Too Funny

Since Blake's birthday in October, his vocabulary has been growing like crazy and he talks in complete sentences. My neighbor says that he probably talks so well because we talk to him a lot and we talk to him like he's a grown up, instead of like a baby. Blake has been cracking me up lately with the things he says. This is what he said the other day when he was in the bath tub and I was doing my makeup.

Blake: "Uh, Laura?"

Me: "Yes?"

Blake: "What's your name?"

Me: "You said it right, its Laura."

Blake : "Oh........... thats a nice name."

And then the other day all three of us are in the car on the way home at night. I think Blake was trying to fall asleep and Doug and I were carrying on a conversation a little too loudly I guess. From the back seat we hear "GUUUUUYYYYS! Sut up!" We both bust up in laughter (we're not the best examples obviously). But we couldn't help it.

Okay, one more. Mom and I were at Porters and she bought some fake flowers for her house. Blake has holding the silk flowers and stand up in the cart, holds the flowers right in front of him and says, "Gramma, I'm married." He must have noticed the wedding picture I just put up.....

Point is, Blake is talking like a mad man and growing up so fast! I totally enjoying carrying on conversations with him, he is hilarious! :)