James turns 5

James decided to have his birthday party
with his cousins at Chuck E Cheese.









He loves that place.









We used to go all the time so
that he could play basketball,
before we had a hoop.
Since then he has discovered
other games.











This was his cake (no I didn't do
it I'm not good with frosting).









He got to do the ticket blaster,
but he didn't really get the
concept that you had to hold on
to the tickets once you caught them.
Luckily, they gave you some even
if you didn't catch any.












And here's a picture of Aubrie
just because she's cute.

Thomas Day

Thomas the Tank Engine made his way to
the Heber Valley Railroad for Memorial
Day Weekend. So we took James on
Thursday.













For some reason James
wouldn't smile normal
for any of the pictures.
This is the best of him with
Thomas.












And this is the best of these
too.












They had all sorts of activities.
Train tables to play with, which is
always a favorite (even though we
have one at home).












(Don't buy the innocent look).



Miniature golf, which for some reason
James plays just like bowling, only into
a hole instead of at pins.










Then, finally the train ride.
I thought it was a little slow
and uneventful. James LOVED
it!










We even went over the road so he
got to see a railroad crossing sign and
a signal, which sometimes I think
he likes better than the trains themselves.

All Hallow's Eve

So, I had every intention of getting the pics up fast. I even had them in the computer on the 1st. Then Daylight Savings Time Ending caught up to us. Then James and I got sick... So here I am now.

It took us all month to convince James that the way you got candy was to dress up. He was not interested in it AT ALL. He even watched Halloween episodes of all of his favorite cartoons, but he did not want to dress up. I finally decided he might be convinced if he dressed as what he is all the time any way...
A BASKETBALL PLAYER:











I know, I know, it is a football jersey.
Jersey's are really expensive for a two-year-old
that won't fit in it next year.
So we found a slightly cheaper BYU jersey
and that is what we went with.










The first candy bar he got,
he had to eat. After that, he
did not care much about
Trick or Treating one way
or the other.










He did think that the lighted pumpkins
were REALLY cool, even if he was
not interested when we carved them.











How does that thing work?


Now isn't everybody glad I don't have more time?
If I did I would have to do some ranting about Stephanie Meyer and New Moon since it is coming out soon and because Tiffany has me thinking about the series since she posted about them on her blog.

Various fun part two- Lagoon

For those not in Utah, it has rained and rained and rained,
despite that, we ventured to Lagoon.
We weren't stupid enough to pay full price.
I can't believe the price now- $41.95!!!
When I worked there it was $21.95.
I know that was like ten years ago,
but I still think that is more than inflation.










Gotta ride Baby Boats!










We had two good hours before
it started to pour...
Unfortunately, James had just discovered
the helicopters. He rode them two more times
before we could get him off of them to get out
of the rain.

Various fun part one- zoo

I am not going to lie.
I think most children have no idea that there are animals at the zoo.










James does enjoy the giant water ball, however.










My attempt at artsy photography.












He also enjoys the train.












I took a lot of pictures of him climbing on the lions.
He really enjoyed that. I think this is the best photo.

James's new hobby

I admit I have been slacking in the blogging department. I finally got the pictures downloaded to the computer, so now I have to play catch up. I thought I would start with some photos of James. He has decided it is fun to stand on his head...

It can be difficult to actually get pictures of
because sometimes it doesn't last very long.












Funny story, he actually got stuck upside down
at my mother's in her recliner.
He had managed to recline the chair just enough that he
couldn't push himself back with his legs.













Sometimes he can do it for a while.
We need to get him in gymnastics.

Easter

I am slow but here are some photos from Easter...











Hey! There's an egg on my hoop!












There's candy in there.
Open it!











Love the soccer balls!












Play-Dough











The church outfit.

Some Festive James Photos

There just isn't much room in our apartment for decorations.
Here is our attempt at a tree.













James saying "Cheese,"
for the photo.











Sporting some antlers we made at
the Festival of the Trees.










My aunt has a party where Santa comes.










It is what spurred the Santa debate.









Checking out his loot.

Farm Country

Jake had some time off since he had been traveling so much. So, on August 19th, we took James to Thanksgiving Point to Farm Country for $2 Tuesday. We actually ran into Jenni Carmen from the BYU 148th Ward too. We really miss the old ward.


Here is Dad and son in front of the big plastic cow.










Here is James in front of a real cow.













It was sunny and
I actually got him to wear his hat!













Posing with Dad again.












On the wagon ride.













I had to include the picture of the goat
because it was the only animal
James cared about at all.
When he touched the goats nose,
it made him do a cute little dance.
He wouldn't even get close to anything else.









After Thanksgiving Point,
James was dropped off at my mom's
so that Jake and I could go see the X-files
I want to believe.

Here is James watering my mom's
tomatoes on her deck.
I think he waters his toes more
than he does the plants.

More Summer Fun

Here's Lagoon then:

Here he is ready for the sun.
This outfit lasted five seconds,
just long enough for the photo.










On Baby Boats:










He liked the Merry-Go-Round.
We went on it several times.










Driving with Ryan.
Do you love his scowl?
He started doing that, not necessarily when he is mad,
he'll just scowl at random.









Ah, more water fountains.
He really loves these things.










And here he is wetter than
I wanted him to get.