A big thanks to all of the Grandparents!!

Chad and I have had a really great week! Last Saturday Chad's parents took Blake with them to Portland for some one on one time before we headed down on Tuesday for Thanksgiving. Blake had the time of his life! He got to go to school with his cousins for Grandparent's day, where he got to see a school play, eat cookies and hang out with the kids. He got to see Santa (an unplanned visit, but my kid loves Santa) go to the park and feed the ducks and on and on. By the time we got there on Tuesday I was really ready to see my little guy. He gave me a big hug when we walked in the door and then told me "I love ice cream" and showed right where the ice cream was kept :) I don't think Blake remembered I was gone until I showed up again. I am so happy that he had a great time and Chad and I got to spend some time together. We went out to dinner every night, we got some Christmas shopping done and I got to spend some time with my new niece. After a great Thanksgiving in Portland we headed back to Seattle on Friday so we could go to the Apple Cup on Saturday...way to go Cougs. Seriously, not one point! My Dad and Leslie watched Blake all day and into the night so Chad and I could take his company boat to Montlake, do a little tailgating and go to the game.Blake trying out a grade school desk. Can you tell how much he loves his cousin Gage!


Blake and Jake at Grandparent's day.


We celebrated Gage's 10th birthday while we were in Portland. This is Blake helping arrange the birthday candles.

The great thing about having older cousins is after they blow out their candles, they re-light them for the little guy to blow out again :) Thanks Gage!

Gage, Blake, Jake and Brooklyn Blake loves the ladies. Brooklyn is Gage and Jake's cousin, she came along for the evening to help celebrate Gage's birthday. Here is Blake making his move while watching Frosty the Snowman.

Getting cozy....

Seriously, what am I going to do when this kid gets to high school?!?

Blake at the Thanksgiving dinner table.

Back at home with my Aunt Suzanne.

Chad and I had a deal that who ever won the Apple Cup the previous year got to have Blake wear their colors. Well, I knew this was my last year before the game started. I have the only little Coug that says "Go Huskies" and "Go Washington". And although Blake comes from a LONG line of Cougs...my Grandparents, Great Uncles, my Mom, Aunt and Uncle as well as my sister and I are all Cougars, Blake still thinks Daddy and the Huskies are the best. Chad likes to remind me that if Blake ends up at UW someday he'll be much closer to home...so I guess I am okay with that :)

He still makes a pretty cute little Cougar though!

A few more pictures of my niece!

Georgia and her favorite Aunt :)

Auntie Kristy, Georgia and Alison

Georgia Claudia Handsaker has Arrived!!

Alison went into the hospital yesterday at 41+ weeks pregnant. After being on bedrest for some time, Alison was so happy to have made it to her due date, but past her due date was a different story! They were ready to have this baby! She was induced yesterday morning, the doctor broke her water a few hours later and everything progressed perfectly, they even turned off the pitocin as she was in labor all on her own. After a bit she was ready for her epidural - after seeing it in person, I think they are magic! Things moved along quickly and soon she was ready to push. Then my poor sister pushed for 3.5 hours - ouch! Her doctor said she could push through three more contractions and then it was off for a c-section. But she did it! Georgia Claudia Handsaker was born at 10:08 p.m. weighing 8lbs. 8oz. and 19.5 inches long. She is a BEAUTY! I am off to go see her again shortly :) Before the big event
Georgia

Mom & baby

Someone has been coaching my son...

Tonight after Blake's bath he kept telling me where he wanted to go to college. I think Daddy's been working on him! That's alright, he'll be in Coug colors come this Apple Cup :)

Some sad news

We got some really sad news this past week, we found out Louis' dog trainer had been murdered. I know this is a really strange thing to post on Blake's blog, but Mark made it possible for Lou to stay with our family after Blake was born. Louis had been more aggressive when Blake started to crawl, and we knew we needed to keep Blake safe and let Lou know where he ranked in our family (no longer the king of our hill). Stover and Opdyke's Dog Island came highly recommended so we sent Louis for a two week boot camp. Mark called after two weeks and said they would need two weeks more, which came as no surprise to me! Chad and I were required to go up to Anacortes to train with Mark as a part of the boot camp where we got to know him a little. The man knew everyone in the Seattle area, he talked politics and civil war with us and had an extremely quick wit. We have continued to use Mark's services to board and train Lou which has made a really big difference in our lives. So thank you Mark, and rest in peace.

http://www.king5.com/news/local/MurderMystery-68998887.html

Big Lou being a good dog.

Blake and Louis the day he returned from a month at boot camp, can you feel the love??

Some exciting news!

We are so excited to share our big news....Blake is going to be a BIG BROTHER!! So far Blake says he wants a "sista". I think we'll have another boy, so we'll see in May! So far, this pregnancy has been much easier than my pregnancy with Blake. I've had a little morning sickness and been a little more tired than usual, but nothing like I experienced with Blake. When I was pregnant with Blake I prayed we would have a healthy, happy baby. This time I am praying for a healthy, happy baby that SLEEPS! :) One can hope, right?

Happy Halloween

We had a really fun Halloween this year. We had friends and family over for trick or treating, chili and lots of treats! It was so fun to have the kids together. Laurel is the leader of this pack, she would run from house to house with all of us in tow. Blake was not shy about trick or treating either - no need to wait for mom and dad :) Blaine and Lilah had a great time too. Some of our neighbors were pretty decked out for Halloween and I think they enjoyed seeing some of the youngest trick or treaters around. Blake and Laurel getting ready to trick or treat.

Here's one kid who is really glad Halloween is over! Blaine didn't mind his costume so much once he started getting some candy :)

Blake, Lilah and Laurel - this is my best attempt at a group shot...

Heidi - best Mom award!

Sunny and Lilah

Chaos at the door


They had their little faces glued to the door until someone answered :)

Our pumpkins