Celebration of a Family

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted. I knew I was behind, but holy smokes...! We'll here's a few quick (really quick) posts to tide you over while we catch up here. 

From 2008 Celebration of the Family

We were able to repeat our Family Celebration - where we bring the adoptive and birth families together to spend some time with Cole.

From 2008 Celebration of the Family

The weather was perfect and the park was really a great setting.

From 2008 Celebration of the Family

We had a huge bash and tons of food - thanks to everyone who brought so much yummy snacks. We also got a chance to catch up with some folks we haven't seen since last year and meet some new friends. In fact, I realized upon looking at the photos we'd taken - I spent so much time visiting and meeting everyone, I was a slacker on my photo and subsequently blogging responsibilities (so if you have any other photos, we'd love to post them on this blog - and you can send then to Tami or the email address listed). 

Near the end of the event, we opened birthday presents for Cole. Everyone was just too generous and sweet to bring so many fun and lovely presents for Cole. We can't thank everyone enough for their concern and love for Cole.

From 2008 Celebration of the Family

As Shawn expressed, it means a lot to maintain this large and extended family in Cole's life and we know it will mean a lot for Cole. Looking forward to the next time we get to see you - whether that's around town or next year. 

Thanks!

From 2008 Celebration of the Family

An Oldie But A Goodie

A few months ago Shawn, Cole, and I skipped out on the State Democratic Convention. We had been running late that morning and even though intended to go - didn't feel it once we made it all the way to SLC. We decided to go to the Zoo. But once we got up there found they were holding some 'special day' like "Bring Your Whole Neighborhood to the Zoo Day" and the place was packed - ridiculously so. PASS. So fearing we'd have to go back to the Salt Palace and the convention quickly came up with the idea to go to the Living Planet Aquarium. Not having planned very well, we left our camera at home so we picked up a disposable at the aquarium. The quality of the final prints is really, really grainy. I'm thinking it's a combination of the disposable camera and forgetting about developing the prints after all.

Cole is about eight-ish months old in these pictures. But we had a great time and the democrats carried on very well without us!

I don't think he was so sure about the whole idea at first. It's a little dark inside this building (the aquarium is trying to raise some money and build a really great home, but in the mean tine are in an old store front in Sandy) and I think it was really, REALLY relaxing. 

This new move of Cole's started about this time (March / April). We'll have to try to get it on video since this picture really doesn't do it justice. But in a nutshell, when he's really excited or after being started, he'll raise his hand or fist to his mouth and bounce it rhythmically in place as if he's contemplating some significant discovery. We think here is was attributed to the splashing water from the Manta Ray tank he's parked next to and the laughing kids. 

We can't tell here if he's really enjoying the fish swimming past him or admiring his own reflection. Either way, he kept it up for some time and as usual is cracking us up. And as you can see in the following picture, to the point of wearing himself out for his dad's turn at the tank.

No, he's not studying the sea-horses or the crabs scurrying around the bottom of the tank - he's completely asleep. (Of sure, when we're running around he can nod off without any problem, but just try to get a repeat of this act at night when he's SUPPOSED to go to sleep.)

So back to the Manta Ray tank for us. It was a really fun time even though the aquarium is pretty small and pales in comparison to Marine World (which by the way has really changed - including it's location) or Sea World in California (duh). But for me, it brought back some fun memories when my Dad was working at Marine World and we used to go - what seems like all the time. I still recall him making me stand on the edge of what seemed like a narrow tank surround to feed the dolphins. I thought I was going to fall in for sure and die. Now I regret these facilities don't offer those same opportunities. I guess we'll have to sneak in the herring in our pockets ... well Shawn's pocket. 

Another Milestone ... Cole's First Birthday

Hard to believe - but it's true. Cole turned the big 1. Yeah!!


We decided to keep it pretty low key this year and build up in later years. I mean if we rented all the jump houses, ponies, and clowns on the Wasatch Front this year, what do we do next year ... hmmm?

And it was really hot - so an indoor activity seemed like a great idea. So after contemplating and asking Cole what he wanted, we settled on a movie and pie - although not at the same time - that could be messy.
Since it was a mixed group (those under and over eighty) we opted for a family flick and choose Journey to the Center of the Earth ... in 3D... wooo hooo!!
We took up nearly two full rows between us. I decided to go easy on any party favors and kept it to theater candy (milk duds, mike & ikes, good 'n plenty ... you get the idea), a few toys for the younger folks, and of course the 3D specs courtesy of the movie theater.


It was a really fun summer movie, emphasis on summer movie, with some enhanced 3D effects. I guess they're improving that technology because some of the shots were really amazing and one shot made at least all of the adults leap out of the chair - - wish I'd gotten a picture of that.

Then we headed over for pie at Marie Calendars but we brought in a decorated cupcake with candle for the birthday boy.

~Looks like Cole agrees with Grandpa Steve ... cookies and cake are MUCH better than sweet potatoes and green beans ~

Oh, I had reserved the curvy straws for the restaurant ... didn't want to worry about losing those in the theater. So we pulled them all out for everyone - kids and adults alike

I don't know if it was just me or the kids have some amazing sucking power - but they were nearly impossible to get a decent drink out of ... so they quickly became decoration for the adults.

~I'd like to say this is not normal restaurant behavior, but I think you all no different ~

But as you can see, the kids found a new use and contest for them.


Cole was in a really good mood all day.

Although I think between the cupcake, the laughing, the whole event, we really wore him out and he was ready for his nap.

He was out before we opened up any of his presents. Luckily Dad had it covered for him.

Thanks again to everyone for making it such a special day.

~Some strange phenomenon with the birthday hats ~

~ We think Cole's birthday shirt says it all ~