swim class

So Eli started swim class last week. It's 4 days a week for two weeks and it's just to get these little guys used to the water, not to swim, obviously. We keep hearing all over the place that when you live near water it is super important to have your child comfortable with water. Plus, it's a fun thing for us to do together and Eli loves the bath and the pool! I usually go by myself with him but since Scott has Fridays off he joined us and we were able to snap some pictures and capture this quick video here at the end of Eli being dunked. He had been dunked before and doesn't seem to mind and in this particular shot the teacher is showing Scott how to do it by yourself with your baby vs. passing him to another person under water, which we had already done. Enjoy!

Eli's 1st Birthday, Part Three: His actual 'birth day' and trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium!

So Eli's actual birthday was Sunday July 17th the day after the party. When we heard him wake up in the morning Scott and I walked into his room singing 'Happy Birthday' to him (again) and Eli smiled and then got shy and crawled into the corner of his crib and put his face into his bunny that he sleeps with. We then opened presents, which he loved and which I think the pictures show, and then I made blueberry pancakes for breakfast and Eli had a few bites of mine with peanut butter (because I put pb on all morning pancakes, etc...) and he LOVED it. In fact, today he had a peanut butter sandwich for lunch! Then after his morning nap we got in the car and headed down to beautiful Monterey to go to the aquarium. We had a great time and once again, Eli LOVED it, he giggled at the fishes and touching star-fish, and seeing penguins, sharks, seals, turtles, sea-horses and flamingos! Oh my!

oh yeah a new train!

cool some snacks and a new bright sippy cup!

hey check me out-I'm wearing real vintage folks, Gammy Cherry sent me these shoes and these were my dads when he was my age! how cool is that?

some super awesome trucks from the deters clan

hey Olive, you're recycling this right?

whoa, what's this aunt kelly?

as you can see by my face, I LOVE it!

Tudy sent me these silly shirts...this one says 'my daddy hates tudy,' which is a joke because he doesn't! hahaha

Eli's 1st Birthday, Part Two: The Party!

The set-up...

the letter writing station

Olive making sure all the letters get in the box properly.

that's right folks, boot cookies!

The party...

a little boot action

somehow the neighbors broom ended up in our yard? yeah, it was that kind of party...

the adorable Madelyn!

us with the stunning miss Jamie, and Eli reaching for her boobs!

the beautiful Crissy and the woman responsible for taking all these great photos! thank you Crissy!!!

the fantastic Fahrions, sans Jennifer. The girls are all grown up!

the happy birthday boy!

grandma jojo and miss Chloe, 4mo. grandma put her to sleep.

cutie in her boots!

uncle Mike and cousin Brett

eli loves his Damara!

uncle Chris with 'uncle' Dent

the adorable sassafras miss Violet!

Eli and his buddy Nolan, aka 'tan baby'

Peter and Nick, looking sharp!

a close up of Nicks fashion forward boot-wearing

distracted by the balloons, unaware of what is about to happen...

loving everyone singing to him and all the attention!

the first taste

whoa! all mine?

aww man!

this is crazy stuff!!!

another one bites the dust...