Jumping

I was sitting at the computer doing some work while Jaydon was supposed to be napping. I heard through the monitor that he wasn't asleep yet so I started watching the video (we have a pretty cool video monitor - at first I didn't think we would really need it and I sure don't use it to hear if he is awake but more to watch and see if he actually goes to sleep, he has tried tricking us in the past being very quiet for 30 minutes or so and then crying to see if we will let him up without a nap). What follows is a video of a video (so really poor quality). This is a common way for me to find Jaydon when I go into his room - holding onto the crib rails and jumping for all his might!

He didn't get going in this video as much as he can but it still gives you the idea.

Kelsey and Tyler's wedding reception #2

Since Kelsey grew up in this area but now lives in AZ and had her wedding in AZ they decided to have another party up here for all the WA friends and family to attend. The rain stayed away during the actual party but it was a bit blustery of a day. Still quite beautiful on the waterfront. It was great to see so many family members we just wish there was more time to visit with everyone.

Karen and Doug with Lake Washington behind them.

Grandma showed up and it was the first time you could really see Jaydon reach out and get excited about seeing someone he knew besides just his mom and dad. They decided to walk to the fountain and get a bit wet.

Cheyenne (and baby), Jenny, Marya and Sarah. The cousins on my dads side of the family, Kelsey was doing her hostess duties and missed this photo.

The whole gang! Jenny's fiance Laurent was the only one missing from the photo. Cheyenne, Adam, Jenny, Marya, Steve, Jaydon, Sarah, Jeremy, Kelsey and Tyler.

Being a bit silly. It would be really nice to have some time together to really chat and hang out as a whole group but that will have to wait for next time, at least we got a good photo.

Walking!

Jaydon had been taking steps and moving around quite a bit on his feet but he wasn't quite ready to let go and venture off on his own until about 5 days after he turned one.

Here is an early walking video from Sept 3rd, I love his 'fall' at the end.

Here is a bit more recent of an attempt ~Sept 19th, with a little dancing thrown in.

Kamila's 18th Birthday!

Our 'extended' family is hosting an exchange student from Slovakia for the school year and it was her 18th birthday so we went over to celebrate!

Jaydon enjoyed the watermelon, of course, and we decided to just let him go for it shirtless. Such a flattering picture - his neck was quite disgusting by bathtime that evening. Sticky and fuzzy - such a combo. But he had a great time eating the H2O-melon.

Practicing taking bites off of big piece.


Kamila blowing out her candles, she had a lovely light up 18 princess tiara on.

This cake was fabulous (have I mentioned recently that I like cake...) Kamila made it from a recipe her mother sent over from Slovakia. It was the sponge cake finger base and sides with a vanilla pudding/custard with mandarin oranges and dark cholcoate shavings topped with fresh blueberries!

Opening some presents.

Visit with the Great-Greats!

We were so fortunate that Jaydon's Great-Great Uncle Bill and Aunt Carol could come up to our house for a quick visit and tour of our town. I grew up visiting with them every summer and they are still a couple of my favorite people so I love to spend as much time with them as I can whenever I can.

Visiting one of our fabulous parks.

Getting ready to say 'goodbye.' It was great to spend some time together and I have promised we will take a trip to the East Coast sometime in the not so distant future to visit them.

Crosby Family Reunion

It is funny to me that the most fitting name for this family reunion was Crosby though no one there actually has that as their last name; and in fact only one person at the event was ever a Crosby. We got together with my maternal side of the family, and while my grandmother is no longer with us her sister and family came to join in the festivities from the east coast.

Jaydon meeting Great-Great Uncle Bill for the first time!

Grandpa Bob, watching the grill!

Great Uncle Bill and Cousin Jim

Cousins Susan and Rich

Jaydon with Cousin Joe

Keelah (or Kee-loch as Ed and Mary call her) had a great time getting the ball thrown for her from numerous people and her automated machine. It is a pretty cool machine: she puts a ball in a hole, then the ball gets shot out, and she chases it retrieves it and does it all over again. Hours of entertainment.

Cousin Sam and Great Aunt Carol hamming it up. Great Aunt Carol is my grandma's sister and it was great to see her though many of us commented that it was also a touch nostalgic because she reminds us so much of our grandma, whom we all still miss.

Four of the original 10 cousins from the Crosby side. Bill, Sally, Susan and Mary.

Sorry about the sun in our faces, not the best set up for a group photo but oh well.

Standing from left to right: Nancy, Sam, Susan, Bill, Jeremy, Sally, Rich, Jim, Mary, Carol, Joe, Bill. Sitting from left to right: Sarah, Jaydon, Jenny, Ed.

It was great to get together with everyone and have a nice afternoon at the lake!

Peter turns ONE!

Our good friends Dave, Amy, Cashel and Peter live in Oregon but decided to come celebrate Peter's first birthday right next to my mom's house! Being part Chinese and part Hawaiian first birthdays are a big deal and they know how to celebrate! We had a wonderful Chinese dinner and then my favorite Hawaiian cake! It is also pretty fun because Peter is just five days younger than Jaydon so they are growing up together (kind of - minus the 350 mile difference).

Amy and Peter when we first arrived, he was quite intrigued by the fringe on the lamp.

Chopsticks!

Noodles are an important part of the tradition for their first birthday and here Peter is going to town on his plate of noodles - he had a lot of fun and made quite the mess.

Jaydon got to try some too! Along with a ton of other food which he loved.

Cashel and Jaydon

Blowing out the birthday candle. This cake is amazing, it is made at a Hawaiian bakery and has quava, papaya, lime flavors and maybe some others I am leaving out. Delicious!

Akana family - want to have one more so we can have the birthday cake again???

Peter enjoyed it and cleanly ate it with a spoon!

Nevermind - lets just dig right in.

Jaydon also started with his spoon and then moved onto hands as well.

Both one year olds chilling with their spoons.

Jaydon helping. :-)

We had a blast and can't wait to get a chance to spend more time with our friends. Hopefully sometime soon and if not - we will see you in Hawaii in 2011.

Bicycle Fun

Grandma and Gram splurged and bought a Chariot bike trailer (it is a double and can convert into all sorts of things - pretty awesome). They also bought a helmet for Jaydon and he was ready to go on his first bike ride.

Grandma getting Jaydon's helmet adjusted, he has a big head.

Before pose - and yes Grandma will buckle her helmet when she is at her bike. Safety first!

Jaydon trying it out! His helmet kept slipping forward so it wasn't the most comfy first ride but we have worked out some solutions.

At the end of his first ride. For part of it his helmet was so far down that he was looking through the holes on the top but he never cried, as we say "constant motion boy."

Thanks Grandma and Gram for getting such a cool set up for Jaydon and all your future grandkids to enjoy.