New Mom Brain

Here is the first cake I made since having Blake. I was so proud of myself until I realized the mistake I had made. Instead of measuring out the butter, I thoughtlessly put all four sticks of butter into the mixing bowl because they were on the counter coming to room temperature. All four!!! The recipe called for two sticks of butter so let's just say it came out a bit dense.

The cake was made for Andrew's co-worker's going away BBQ because he is transferring over to the Zurich office for a while. Inside, the cake was checkerboard (I was too upset about the butter mishap to care about taking a photo when it was sliced). Everyone ate it and said it was good, but I suggested eating broccoli for a week to counteract the high fat content. The cake says, "Zurich awaits."

I had originally wanted to make small Swiss flags and stick them sideways in chocolate icing on top, but with a baby at home priorities shift.

Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad

When my mom came to visit we went to Los Gatos for Blake's second ride on the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad. Blake was happy to show Grammie how to ride on a train.

Here I am navigating the thin sidewalk with the stroller. Andrew had to come help us out.


I know this shirt is nautical, but I tried to find the most conductor like outfit. Someday he will get a conductor's hat.


Grammie showing Blake the carousel.


The steam engine.


Blake calmly waiting his turn.


Here comes the group before us.


Yeah, we finally got on.


Daddies are great train companions.


Grammie loved watching Blake, but every so often I would peel her eyes away to check out the geese.


We had a great time and Blake loves his Grammie.

Another Play Date

Here is Blake enjoying another play date with his friends George and Turtle.

Back In The Day

I found this picture on my desktop and I thought I would share it with everyone. Blake was having a play date with his friend Max. Max was the second baby born after Blake from our birthing class.

Another Jalama Vacation Under Our Belts!

We are back from our great Jalama summer camping trip. This was Blake's first trip, my second trip, and Andrew's umpteenth time to the grand beach just south of San Luis Obispo. The Eurovan did not get fixed in time so we drove down in the Prius. There were so many VW buses and vans we heavily mourned our white beast. Next year! We had a great time with family (Ellen, Walter, Sandy, Paul, Nick, Mia, Glen, Karen, Allen, Angie, Shirley, with guest appearances from Gloria and Michael) and ate great food. The T-Bone steaks almost did me in, but I chased it with a Jalama burger the next day to help my body out of red meat shock. It was windy as usual and it took some scrubbing to get the sand and tar off our bodies.

View from the road leading into Jalama. We had a beach front site.


Our camp. Ellen & David's RV on the left with Glen & Karen's on the right. Sandy and Paul slept in the tent on the left and Ellen slept in our yellow/gray tent on the right so we could sleep in the RV to shield Blake from the wind (much appreciated).


Here is Blake enjoying his first playground swing.


The campfires were chock full of singing, story telling, and jokes every night.


Blake suffered through daily foot dunks in the ocean which always resulted in alligator tears and loud screams, but a surfer has to start somewhere. Andrew surfed so much this vacation I thought his arms were going to turn into fins. I didn't get into my swimsuit once so hopefully I will get a chance next time once Blake is walking.


Thanks family for a great time at the beach. We look forward to years to come.

Blake's Swim Lesson Videos

Here are two videos from Blake's first pool experience. Sorry we didn't edit out all our jibber jabber.

Blake's First Swimming Lesson

Here are pictures from Blake's first swim lesson in Grandma and Grandpa Hurst's pool. He enjoyed the water and is quite the swim fishy. We are still in Oakhurst because the Eurovan broke down and Andrew has to replace a water pump (parts stores are closed on Sundays) tomorrow so we can drive home. Everyone pray for the Eurovan and hope we get back to San Jose sometime soon.









Here is crazy Uncle John.