Day Thirteen :: Last Photos of the Visit

Sniff, sniff, we leave bright and early (well not bright as there is no sunlight at 5am) tomorrow morning, so we tried to get a photo with the boys before we left.


Burke wasn't cooperating so Annemarie got him in the mood for taking photos by being in one herself

This one turned out nicely although Blake was asleep


This one was nice as Blake was awake but a bit too dark

Annemarie and Blake - LOVE

 

The Happy Family of Four

Day Twelve :: Funtimes and a Killer Scrabble Game

Getting in some last snuggling with Blake ~ Annemarie and Burke take self portraits

Annemarie and I always play at least one game of Scrabble. I took an early lead by Bingo-ing with a blank on the first play and soon afterwards got the other blank and Bingo-ed with it as well. Only after the game was finished did Annemarie tell me that on the first play I forgot to tally the double word score. I had scored it as a double letter thus making my 6 one pointers count as 7 points. Duh!

Day Eleven :: Two (parks) in One (day)

Annemarie and Blake went to a meeting, so Burke and I went to the park (again). So much fun to be had there. Today there were a lot of other children also. In the afternoon, we went to Stevens Park, a 10 minute ride from home, and met with lots of other children there. Burke had fun on the playground while Blake had an afternoon 'snack'.

Multitasking Mama with sleeping munchkin

Tongue was out again while he was riding the zebra ~ He enjoyed the scooter and was pooped by the time we got home...straight into bed for a nap
 

At Stevens Park ~ Lots of static built up on the slides

Love the determined expressions on his face



 Burke displays his tongue numerous times whilst here as well. He enjoyed playing with Chloe, or Chlo Chlo as he affectionately calls her.

 

Day Ten :: Zoo and the Biltmore

Today was the scheduled Day at the Zoo with the PEP Ladies and their children. We also enjoyed a picnic lunch. Later in the afternoon, we drove to the Biltmore where Brett had a work conference. He and Burke had a great time on the croquet lawn and putting green.

Burke and Hadley looking for the fish ~ On top of the hill - so solemn ~ Buy hey, this is fun! ~ Uh oh, Blake is working on his tongue photo

Mighty big mallet for a small boy ~ Is this the right way, Daddy? ~ At least, I got this in the hole ~ Fun reward!

Day Nine :: Chilling

Annemarie decided to take Blake and join Brett and Burke at church this morning. While they were gone we scurried around and did a super clean up job...vacuuming, cleaning smeared windows of handprints, laundry, emptying trash..you get the picture. Everything that could be done before they got back home. Annemarie was quite impressed that Sneed had vacummed the stairs.

Just love holding Blake and giving him 100% of my attention

Day Eight :: Morning Beach Visit

 Beautiful morning to spend some time at the beach with Dayna and her girls. It was a bit chilly and windy, but the sky was ever clear and the sun was shining brightly.

Burke enjoys playing in the sand with Chloe and Hadley. Burke and Hadley going opposite ways.

Sandpipers at water's edge ~ their delicate footprints in the sand ~ who are those crazy orange beaked peepers on the hillside? ~ Long may it wave

Precious Blake enjoys a nap on the lovely blankie Grandma Betty made for him

Burke was showing us the owl on his shirt. After the beach visit, Brett and Papa Sneed went to Chick-Fil-A to get some lunch. Burke was surprised at what happened when he squeezed the ketchup packet. It not only got all over him, but the patio and the swing hanging behind him.

Day Seven :: Having Fun

Day Six :: At the park

 

 

I love how Burke's tongue plays an integral part in these photos = )

If it seems like we spend an inordinate amount of time at the park, we do. It's less than 1/2 mile from the house and a nice walk. At times even Burke walked home instead of riding in the stroller. What a champ!

Day Five :: Flowers and Family

We had a bit of free time today so went to our favorite haunt to take photos of flowers, Alice Keck Park.

Amazing square block garden to always find something in bloom.

 

 Before dinner, Blake with smile while sleeping and then alert. Burke in background patiently awaiting his meal.

 

Papa Sneed checks to see how to work the iPad from pro Burke. Once he got the hang of it, they were both immersed in their separate screens.

Day Four :: At the zoo with Kirsti and Copper; Papa Sneed and Burke

Morning outing to the Santa Barbara Zoo. We met Kirsti and her son, Copper, and baby daughter Tillian

 

I think he read through all of Burke's library 

Day Three :: Enjoying Blake

No time for photos, just loving on Blake

Day Two :: An Outing

 Blake looks sooooo tiny in the carseat ~ Burke enjoying Toy Story cups at K-Mart

 

Never tire of holding this sweet Blake ~ Emily drops by to meet Blake 

Countdown of our Santa Barbara Visit:: Day One

 Mama and her boys

 

 We have fun at the park with Burke

 Sweet Blake doing what he does all day ~ Burke watching "Wninie the Pooh" with rapt attention

First Photo with Blake

We left Katy Wednesday afternoon, 13 February, and pulled in to Santa Barbara early Friday afternoon, 15 February (1600 miles). We were on a mission to see our newest grandson, Blake Adams, Burke's younger brother born a week ago 6 February.

Here's what kept me busy while we were on the road.

Ahhhh, such joy at holding the little fella

Annemarie trying to get a photo of Brett's parents "Ma" and "Pa" with the boys before they left. They stayed until we got here so as to not leave them all without any help for any period of time.