yum, yum...the holidays are here!

I wanted to share a special holiday gift I recently enjoyed - partly because it was so fun and partly because we got some funny pictures (oh yea...and partly because I wanted to show-off my new artistic outlet!!). Anyhow, Shannon and I were invited to our friend Pat's house to learn how to decorate her very famous sugar cookies.

Here you can see Shannon expressing her enthusiasm for the plates of cookies Pat has already made that we get to decorate (think: lots of little empty canvases - this is an art!).

And here you can see Pat demonstrating the toothpick technique (not that I want to give away all the secrets!):
My first cookie (can you see the joy on my face??):

Shannon last cookie (an ambitious attempt at an argyle sock - and, unfortunately, not her best work. You can see the disappointment on her face and Pat trying to advise her as to how she might salvage it...):

One of my finished boxes of cookies! (Which, I might mention, if you happen to be fortunate enough to receive one of these cookies...I hope you'll appreciate how special it is. At least if you ever hope to receive another one. ha ha!)
The happy student and the maestro at the end of a very fun (but intense!) night of cookie decorating:

Thanks Pat - you're the best!!

On a related yummy note...I wanted to share this cute little video of Silas reeeeeeally enjoying a chocolate spoon:

We went camping on along the Verde River last night with long-time friends. We were only about 15 miles SE of Cave Creek (i.e. about an hour away from our house) but it felt like we'd embarked on a big adventure. The weather was perfect! Some people were even swimming in the river despite the fact it is November. We actually could've been those people if Silas' had his way. I guess I wasn't in the right frame of mind. I'm normally all for that kind of thing. But it's supposed to be nearing winter...right? Anyhow, you'll notice Silas' normally very long shorts (due to his, relatively, very short legs and still chunky body) are rolled up into daisy dukes in my attempt to keep him dry. An attempt, I might add, that was at least slightly more successful than James' attempt.James and Nate:
Lisa and baby Jacob:

Smiley Jacob:
We had a sweet little hike right near our campsite. Silas really enjoyed hiking. And if it weren't for the cholla cactus pieces lodged along the main drainage/trail, he probably could've made it the whole way without being carried.

Lovely view of the Verde River. Maybe you can even see our not-so-little tent on the middle-right part of the photo. We were pretty high up...because our family camping tent is like a dome-shaped palace (at least when compared to a backpacking tent). We've got room for a queen-sized inflatable mattress, a pack'n play and six more kids (just in case...ha ha!).

You may see this family photo again soon...
We love making pancake breakfasts on car camping trips. I think James liked it too.
Here is Silas before and after the blueberry pancake explosion:
and here is Silas after a great time camping!!

just juggling

We got to go to a birthday party last weekend - with a real juggler! It was great fun and Silas was enthralled with the performance. He actually sat on the blanket for a full five minutes after the show was over. Long after all of the other (mostly older) kids had moved on!

In fact, he was so impressed, he's been working on his own juggling skills! Check out the video of Silas juggling.

Adios Summer

In honor of the fact that I whole-heartedly think (I mean hope!) that Summer 2009 in Phoenix is officially on the way out the door - I'm dedicating this blog as a tribute to summer. I guess you could also look at it as a catch-up on our happenings since Costa Rica :).

So, basically, we've been sticking closer to home these last 2 months and enjoying lots of little, local adventures. Silas is talking up a storm - and I have a few little video clips to give you peek into his ever expanding vocabulary. Unfortunately, I have not captured any of his most recent (and favorite!) phrases which include: "I need that!" "Go that way!" and the classic "Noooooooo!". The driving directions ("go that way") are the most hilarious and seemingly random . We had a pretty funny discussion in the car this morning where I was trying to explain why I had to keep driving straight (instead of turning everywhere he told me to). Maybe I should follow his directions sometime and see where it takes us. Hmmmmmm.

We went on our "2nd Annual" Bear Jaw/San Francisco Peaks camping trip with the Conways in early August. The scenery and solitude were fabulous. And, of course, the company was wonderful. Really, the only thing that was unexpected was the very cold night-time temps. I guess because we'd gone to the same place at the same time the year before, I assume the weather would be similar. And while there was no rain, it happened to be a particularly cool weekend. Which meant I slept even less because I was extra worried about Silas being cold. (I know...it is really dumb to worry about thing that haven't really happened yet.) Still, I was cold in my down sleeping bag so I figured he was cold too - in his pack'n play and tossing off his blankets. Anyhow, when he finally woke up, I decided to layer him in every extra piece of clothing I could. So he ended up wearing 3 pairs of his pants, 2 of his long-sleeve shirts, and 3 of my shirts (which were like little dresses. It was quite a sight! Too bad I didn't take photos.) The days were a lovely escape from the Phoenix heat, though...check it out:

Over Labor Day weekend, Karen & I took Silas for a day-hike up to Horton Creek (Payson-area). It was really fun and it was Silas' first "big hike".

Silas and I also went to Flagstaff a couple weeks ago for Pickin' in the Pines (bluegrass fest). It was a wonderful weekend - we enjoyed staying with two different sets of friends (Fri/Sat nights). And we had a bunch of our Phx friends that went to the Festival. Unfortunately, I had my hands full (literally!) that day so I didn't bring the camera. (Actually - I also didn't capture a day-trip to Slide Rock and an all-girls backpacking trip - both in August!) I did capture a couple photos at Heritage Square where one of the bands was playing Friday afternoon. Silas sure likes "workin' the crowd" and making new friends!

Silas had so much fun - he had to take a nap! (Ha ha - I think he was just enjoying the nice, flat rock.)
And, of course, we've had some fun at home too. Story-time with Daddy (and all the fury friends) is always a big hit.And he's also had fun with our make-shift fort. That kid really likes to play "poof". Some would say he's practicing for a great wrestling career.

So now it's official. We're ready for Fall. yahooooooooo!!!

Pura Vida

Time often helps with perspective. We've been home from Costa Rica for almost 2 weeks and I realize the adjectives I use to describe our trip have evolved in that time. At first, whenever someone asked me how our trip was, I'd promptly answer "it was hard!". And it was. Traveling with a spirited and very busy little 20-month old was not easy. But now, I can better reflect on what a fabulous country Costa Rica is - the people are so kind and generous. Costa Rican adults and children adored our curly, blond "gordito" (chubby little boy). The scenery is, of course, gorgeous. And my parent's little house and windsurfing community is very cool. Plus, getting out of the country helps remind Matt & I how much we love exploring new places and cultures. And, as always, I like to tell myself how these adventures help teach Silas the very important skill of being flexible in new situations. That being said, I still can't categorize this trip as "relaxing" (despite the fact that we had 4 adults to manage one toddler and my folks have comfy hammocks lining their very scenic deck where you can gaze into the lush rainforest valley and watch parrots, toucans, monkeys and butterflies passing by.)

SO - here are the trip highlights (from Silas' perspective):

1. Seeing a cow poo. Nothing particularly special about this cow, except that we were very, very close and he made a big poo. This was definitely the number one highlight. He's still talking about it!


2. Swimming in the gigantic, gradually deepening wading pool at our resort at Playa Panama.
3. Seeing a capuchin monkey in the tree on our float trip down the Rio Tinorio. He kept asking for "more, more, more!"
4. Having so much quality time with his Ma-mo and Papa. (Sorry Papa - guess the photographer didn't make it into any photos!)


5. Watching his "Elmo movie" a lot! We've been having respiratory issues every time he gets sick (could be asthma...but they don't officially diagnose until after 2 years old). Anyhow, we had to lug his breathing machine along and give him breathing treatments twice a day. So that plus 4 total airplane rides equals (relatively) lots of Elmo!

Now...not that I enjoy dwelling on the negative, but I thought it might be interesting to mention some of the things that did not make it onto the Silas Top Five list:

• The beach at Playa Panama. Kinda like the San Diego experience this summer. Though, in his defense, there were ferocious little bugs nipping at you if you stood still on the sand.
• Sleeping on a mattress on the floor. This was the first time he tried to sleep without a crib or pack-n-play. It bombed. BIG TIME. For days and days. Luckily, Matt & my dad eventually rigged up an ingenious mock-crib by sliding the mattress underneath the bed and stuffing the extra space under the headboard with pillow and blankets to make a small sleeping area. Then we propped a suitcase against the open end with a very heavy Adirondack chair pressed against it. Can you pictures this crazy contraption? Happily for all of us...it worked and we all enjoyed sleeping again.


• Playing in the rain. It rained nearly all day for our last 3 days. We did play in the "Arizona rain"earlier in the trip. But real Costa Rica rain is a whole different story!
• Watching Matt get his first windsurfing lesson on Lago Arenal. (We both missed it due to a much needed nap-time.)


• Seeing the Arenal volcano in all its un-obscured grandeur. (No small feat - especially in the rainy season and because it started spewing more rocks and lava right after we left so they stopped allowing visitors into the National Park!)
• Observing mama and baby "cocodrillos" in their natural habitat on our river trip. Though, again, in his defense, he probably didn't see them very well.



• Enjoying the overall awesomeness of all the incredible plants & wildlife that reside in Costa Rica.

Oh yea...now back to that perspective thing. Today I can say, without a doubt, that we are so lucky to get to go on such a special trip as a family. It was really neat to experience the world my parents live in everytime they escape to Costa Rica. It is truly a beautiful, magical place and we've got memories (and stories) to last a lifetime! Pura Vida, as they say in Costa Rica. The Good Life!

PS - For all you Facebookies out there who don't check-in all the time...I posted a few more photos from our trip on my Facebook profile too :)

Back to the Beach

We (Silas and I...see previous post) just got back from our annual Blake Family Trek/Reunion in Solana Beach, Cali. As always, the weather and beach bum lifestyle was glorious. I even got to go surfing a few times. But I wish I could say the photo above was typical of Silas' love of the beach. It wasn't. In fact...I'd have to say he hated it at first. But he was sick for the first few days we were there. And his attitude did improve as he began to feel better. But still - it was far from my expectations based on previous beach adventures and my hopes as a momma who deeply wants her child to love the natural world as much as she does. Guess I'll have to work on that one. But I'll keep hoping too :)
We also had a fun day at the San Diego Zoo. Highlights for Silas included admiring the fish in the hippo's pond (note: not the hippo)...

...and the buses! He really enjoyed riding the bus and watching all the buses drive around the zoo. It was a crack-up. Where does that come from? He's also developed a hilarous habit of saying "cheeeeese" every time someone pulls out a camera. A couple guys sitting near us on the bus couldn't stop laughing at all his "cheeses" while we were taking photos.

I don't think this was a highlight for Silas - but I like it!

And, finally, I thought I should pay tribute to cousin Lexi. Silas is lucky to have lots of sweet little cousins who love him and play with him - but Lexi regularly went out of her way to come find him. We actually ran into her family at our favorite pizza joint (Pizza Port) and she appeared right at that crticial moment when he's getting really squirmy but we're still eating...it was a vacation dinner lifesaver. Thanks Lexi!!!

Oh yea - and in case you're wondering what 50+ Blakes look like getting ready to caravan to San Dieog in this year's matching "Blake Family Circus" shirts...here you go:

Hodge Podge Catch Up

I know I've said "it's been a while" before...but it's really been a while! This post is a little scattered, so I thought I'd call it a hodge podge and catch you up on the Gidley Gossip.

I actually don't have as many photos to choose from this time around. Partly because I've been taking more short videos to humor Mr. Silas who has become quite a fan of watching videos on the computer. To be more specific, he mostly likes watching videos of Silas on the computer. So I've been trying to build up our inventory. This video I just took today when we brought back the popular "splash & play in a plastic box" from last summer (note the new box!). Since our best afternoon shade is in the front yard, we end up putting on a show for the neighbors this time of year.

click here to see the plastic box video

Silas is a very social little guy. He loves his friends and so I thought I'd highlight some of his most recent adventures with them. (Sometimes he loves his friends a little too much. For example: Today he enthusiastically hugged Brady on the sidewalk...but then they lost their balance and both toppled into the street. Ouch - especially for Silas who hadn't yet put any clothes on after playing in the plastic box!)

Silas & Liam at the Tempe Splash Pad:

Jackie, Jake & Silas. (I love how Jackie posed so cute for our photos while Jake & Silas were all wiggles and hugs.)

Jake & Silas hugging (I swear...it is mutual. But it always looks like Silas is smooshing little Jake!)

Silas & Liam at the Arizona Museum for Youth.

Silas & Brady enjoying the sprinklers and frontyard beach tent:

Click here to view the live action version

And now - believe it or not - I have a couple pictures that do not include Silas! Matt & I got to go backpacking over Labor Day weekend with a couple friends. We went to Airvaipa Creek...it was amazing! The weather was great and the scenary was fabulous. Here is the scenic picture.

And here is the silly picture. We took these inflatable tubes and spent one day exploring the creek (without our big packs) and finding places to float down. We had a blast (though my shins were bruised for weeks because of all the times we bottomed out in shallow areas!). It was worth it, though!
Finally, I want to wish a very HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the Daddys out there. We are celebrating early because Silas & I will actually be in San Diego over Father's Day. Matt has to stay home and save his vacation time for our Costa Rica trip in July. Kind of a bummer...but maybe he'll enjoy a little bachelorhood? Still, we'll both miss him - he is such an awesome Dad!