Sea World

We went to Seaworld twice this week because there was so much to see and it was so much fun. Blake wasn't too interested in the exhibits but was riveted by the shows and since Seaworld is a whole bunch of shows, this worked out very well. We saw all the shows they offered and Blake loved everyone. He especially loved watching the dolphins and Shamu. I think Joe and I felt like little kids when we were there because everything was so exciting. Here are a very few pictures of our adventures at Seaworld. Blake being enthralled in one of the shows we went to. He sat so well during all the shows that we attended. He loved watching the animals jumping in and out of the water. They were all quite entertaining. We all especially loved the dolphin and Shamu shows.  We bought popcorn both days and man was it good popcorn, Blake especially loved it. We were waiting for the dolphin show to let us in and this is how we got Blake to sit still. How lovely it is to bribe your child with food.  Another treat that Blake was able to try this week: cotton candy. Joe and I actually bought this more for ourselves than anything. Blake of course loved this stuff but Joe and I loved it more. We bought some both days we were there and boy did it taste great.  Poor tuckered out Blake. He NEVER falls asleep in this stroller so the fact that he did was a miracle. We were just getting ready to leave anyway and he slept all the way back to the hotel. Seaworld can be very tiring. 

Blake and the stingrays

Here is a video of Blake talking to the sting rays. This was such a cool exhibit. You can put your hands in and pet the sting rays. They are so soft and rubbery. If we were really brave we could have fed them, but that was just too intense. Blake by the way loved to have his hands in the water, he just didn't like the sting rays touching him. 

La Jolla Shores

On Thursday we went to the beach. Blake has always been a water baby and loved Lake Tahoe so we knew that the beach would be a success. He loved the water so much. He would run into the waves and then run away repeatedly. Joe and I became a little worried when he was shivering but Blake didn't seem to notice. Towards the end of our stay at the beach, Blake found that throwing wet sand into the waves is mercilessly funny so that's what he did until we left. Needless to say, he needed to be hosed off. Here are some pictures of our beach adventure. 

Blake is testing out how the sand feels on his feet. He loved it of course (who wouldn't?) Blake's first experience with the ocean. He loved every minute of it. That is a smile on his face if you can't tell. I think that if we let him, he would have stayed there all day and week. By the way, his swim trunks pretty much went down to his ankles. The kid needs to grow this summer.  Blake and daddy. He wouldn't look at the camera because he was too absorbed in the waves.  Blake and mommy. Again, would not look at the camera and would only smile because of the waves. 

I don't know when we will get back to the beach because Joe actually has a career now (growing up sometimes doesn't have perks) but I know we will try to do this as often as is possible. 

Blake and the beach

Here is a slightly blurry picture of Blake's love of the ocean. He was laughing hysterically every time a wave came. It was great. He would not leave the water ever. Love it!

San Diego Temple

After we left the beach, we really wanted to find the San Diego temple and take the pictures. We felt like total goobers walking onto temple grounds in our beach apparel, but we weren't the only ones. They have lots of tourists stopping by to see the big white building. The senior missionary told us that they often have to stop people from just walking in to take pictures. Here are some pictures. By the way, this was my first choice of temples to get married it, you can see why. 

We made it

We made it to Arizona in one piece. We left Reno on Monday morning at about 11. A special thanks to the missionaries, Kevin, Travis, Jessica and Serena. We couldn't have done it without your help! After a lengthy drive, Joe and I arrived in Vegas half an hour apart (those UHauls kick butt!). Tuesday morning we had a quick breakfast with my family and headed to Phoenix. Because I wasn't comfortable driving to Phoenix alone, I followed Joe and we made pretty good time. At about 2:30 we had our keys to our new place and were unloading quickly. Joe's brother Eric came and helped Joe unload and we are extremely grateful. Of course when we arrived it was 108* which made unloading that much harder. I thought at times Joe was going to die of heat stroke. Over the next two days the weather was typical Arizona summer weather, meaning VERY hot. Luckily for us on Thursday it cooled down a ton and rained all day long. The high on Thursday was about 74* but cooled off that afternoon and evening to something very chilly. It is pretty much the same story today without the rain. What a great relief for us. 

We just thought we would let you all know what is going on. The apartment is great, it's very big compared to what we had and we have a lot of room to stretch our legs out. Blake is starting to understand that we are staying here and seems to be getting more comfortable. To our Reno friends: we miss you terribly and think of you often. There have been moments we just want to go back to you guys because we love you so much. So if you are thinking of moving to the surface of the sun, we would love to have you!

Alas, as of Monday we will be on vacation in San Diego which will be some fun posts when we come home. 

Joe did it!!!!

On Saturday May 17, 2008 Joe graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a bachelors in civil engineering. I couldn't be more proud of Joe's many accomplishments. Although the road we traveled to get there was long and weary at times, it was completely worth it. We both felt that this day would never come, but it did. Here are some pictures to commemorate the day. 

I made Joe pose for this picture as we were walking to the ceremony. Say what you will about UNR but I think they have a gorgeous campus. Joe is standing in front of Manzanita Lake.  It turned out that I sat in the aisle seat of where the procession took place. This was the banner to signify all of the graduating engineering students. How prestigious.  Joe is in the processional at this point. They backed up a few times so Joe was able to smile for me to take his picture. Look how distinguished he looks. Some of the graduates looked like they had just rolled out of bed, although I am sure that was the look they were going for.  A picture of Joe right after he received his fake diploma. I was running all over like a mad woman trying to get this picture of him and video of them calling his name. I was not the only one though, all the loved ones were running around just like me.  Can you tell how happy we are in this picture? I think the relief of this day was so great for both of us. This is right after the ceremony which wasn't as long nor as boring as both of us had expected. 

So now that school is over for now, we are starting our new chapter in Phoenix, AZ. A career in traffic engineering. We are so grownup. 

How did we celebrate this momentous occasion? We went home and packed. Fun filled!

The End....

For the past year and a half Blake and I have been having play group with two other boys. When Blake was born there were 5 other babies born within 2 months of each other in our ward. Two of those babies we have stayed very close with. We started play group when none of them are mobile and now they are all turning 2 this summer. It has been fun watching them grow up together. Now that we are leaving Reno I am really sad to leave my Wednesday morning play group. It wasn't just for the kids either, the other moms had fun too just chatting. I'll miss you guys!

This is Blake and Tracen in January 2008. How cute are they? They are the two that are most alike in their preference of toys: balls. They often fight over one ball.  This is also Tracen but he was much younger. He was born 2 months before Blake and was a cute chunky baby. They have been friends since the beginning.  This is the other boy that we play with each week. His name is Tiago and he is such an easy going little guy. He sets great examples for Tracen and Blake. He was born about a month before Blake but weighed 2 or more pounds more than Blake at birth. 

I am going to miss my Wednesday play group. I only hope I will find women as great as Sara and Angie. I will miss you guys. Don't forget about me in the hottest place on earth =)

We also have some exciting new news that we will post at a later date, but if you can't wait give us a call and we'll tell you! =)

Picture Tag

I saw this on someone else's blog and I thought it was so cute. You put up your five favorite pictures and then tag others. I love looking at other's pictures so this is perfect for me. You will notice that most of the pictures are of Blake but I figured Joe and I barely get in front of the camera anymore. Plus I just think he is pretty cute. So here goes:

When Blake was born he always kept his legs up, ALL THE TIME. I'm pretty sure he was so used to having his legs up and out in me so this just felt natural to him. It took him a long time to figure out that he had room and could stretch out.  All time favorite picture of Blake. He was obviously loving his carrots. I just love his facial expression in this picture. Blake never stops cracking us up and this picture is no exception.  Ok I could have put a picture of me at Lake Tahoe for this one but I don't think you should be subjected to that torture. Lake Tahoe is probably our favorite place in the summer. We are completely bummed that we won't be able to go there this summer. We were talking the other night and Joe and I almost wish that we were leaving later for Phoenix so that we could go to Tahoe a couple more times. It is just so gorgeous there.  This picture was taken last year at the Norby family reunion. It was such a fun week to spend with the family. We got to meet nieces and nephews that we hadn't met yet and we were able to catch up with everybody. I came from a very small family and married into quite a large family and I love it. There are always (fun) people around. What a fun week.  I think this is my favorite pregnancy photo. This is as we are going to the hospital. My water had broken about an hour and a half prior to this picture but I had to make sure that I took a shower, did my hair and that Joe took a shower and shaved. I was so excited to go to the hospital and meet my new little baby. Plus I think I don't look too big in this picture which is what every pregnant woman wants. 

So now you've taken a walk through our lives, let me take a walk through yours. I tag: Jamie, Jenny, Paula, Amy, Summer, Kerstin and Jessica (although you didn't do my last one!), or anyone seeing this that would like to do it. Enjoy!

Meet Our New Obsession

This is the new addition to our home and it couldn't be more loved by us. I was going to buy this for Joe for father's day but we instead couldn't wait and bought it for Joe's graduation. We have literally been playing for hours and hours at a time. Blake even enjoys watching us play with the cars. He sits down and eats his snacks and cheers us on. We have successfully opened up all the tracks are now having a ton of fun battling each other. Isn't our new addition beautiful? =)

Ice cream cravings

Joe has decided that he has more cravings than me with this pregnancy. Last night he decided that milk shakes sounded great and I agreed. So Blake and him went out and picked up milk shakes and I told Joe that Blake had been a really good boy lately so he should get a treat too. Joe got me a delicious strawberry milkshake, a butterfinger blizzard for himself and Blake got a whole ice cream cone to himself. 

When they got home Blake was so proud of his ice cream cone 

and took great care with it. He LOVED eating it and even gave us some licks. It was delicious.

Here are pictures of Blake's first ice cream cone.