Surprise Party

On April 19, our family set up a surprise party for my Uncle Robert and Aunt Kathy's 50th B-day at my grandparent's house in Phoenix. My grandfather had tolds us about the party a couple weeks earlier and said "we're gonna have hamburgers and hotdogs and some of the family is coming town from Vegas and Utah." You can imagine our "surprise" when we showed up at the house and found racks of baby back ribs, scones, fruit salad, french fries, hamburgers, hotdogs, steamed veggies and a cake that looked like it came right out of "Ace of Cakes." Apparently the little family get together my grandfather had eluded to was actually a well thought out social get together of over 200 people. My Uncle Bruce had brought down a cook trailer from Las Vegas that was just awesome. It had a 6 foot grill on one side, two deep fat fryers and a 3 foot griddle across the back, another 4 foot griddle on the other side, and was finished off with a couple of stock pot burners. All of this was connected to about a 250 gallon propane tank that sat at the fron of the trailer. In true King Family fashion everyone took on one of the cooking responsibilities and dinner was a snap. Me and my cousin's husband Trent took on the fryers for french fries and scones. We had more food than we knew what do with and everyone went home stuffed.

Me and Trent (in a "Pleather" apron we found)

Supervising all the action

My Aunt Kristin and her family made the cakes (and when I say made, I mean made!) There wer more than four different cakes (lemon, strawberry, chocolate-peanut butter, and carrot that I remember) she made and decorated. Oh yeah, she told me that the fondit that she bought didn't work too well so she made her own!

Me, Aunt Terry (you look amazing) and mom

The Fam

Dog Bowl Fun

Jake absolutely loves being outside. So much so he learned how to get
out the doggie door this weekend. Sunday we put him in his swimming
trunks and let him play with the hose and the dog's water bowl (safer
than a bucket, not quite a swimming pool). He had a blast. We slathered him in sunblock, but it didn't seem to matter much, he started turning pink after only a few minutes. If he hopes to be a "river rat" he'll need SPF 200.

Relay For Life

On April 12, 2008, we participated in the Relay for Life sponsored by American Cancer Society. The turnout was awesome and Jake was people watchin' like crazy. We got there just in time to participate in the "Survivor Walk" and join the many others who have battled cancer and won. There were many faces we didn't know and a few that we did (unusual for this "small" town we call Yuma). Team Jaydie was well represented as Johnna, Jake, mom and I sported our T-shirts and bracelets. Her inspiration lives on in all of us!

Applesauce - It's what's for dinner

Last night we ate dinner a little late and didn't bother to put a bib on Jake because we knew bath time was coming soon. We have been giving him a spoon during meal time to try and get him used to holding it even if he doesn't quite know what it is for. Well, last night's meal included applesauce and Jake made a great effort to learn how to use the spoon (as long as daddy helped him). As soon as we sat down to eat, Jake decided he could do better with his fingers!!! He had a blast getting it all over (except in his mouth) and believes he has found the next celebrity hair product.

Mike's Birthday at Margaritaville

On April 2, Johnna, Jake, my mom and I made a trip to Phoenix to visit with my grandparents and take care of some vehicle maintenance. While we were there we made a pitstop at Margaritaville-Glendale and listened to a little Jimmy Buffett as we ate. Jake was really impressed with all there was to look at and was eyeing our margaritas intently. It was a great end to a special day.

Easter 2008

What a wonderful Easter Sunday this turned out to be. We started the day at Grandma's house with Easter baskets full of goodies and Easter eggs aplenty. Jake's cool camo basket was stocked full of videos, cups, a new toy, and a new book. Although, for the first few minutes none of it seemed near as interesting as Grandma's camera . As we made our way outside Jake wasted no time searching out all ot the Easter eggs and filling his cool camo basket to the brim. Mom helped him "crack" into his new found treasure and shared with him the rewards of his hard work. His first Easter seemed to be a smashing success with the bar set high for next year.

I'm over a year old

I realize that it has been over two months since we have updated our blog and for that I'm sorry, but rest assured more pictures are to come. Jake has now flown past his one year mark and seems to be well on his way to two. His walking has improved tremendously and he seems to be able to reach further onto the countertops each day. He has four teeth on top and four on the bottom and eats like a horse. His favorite foods at this point are fruits (especially strawberrys)with vegetables coming in a close second. Although I don't believe there has been anything put in front of him that he hasn't eaten. I sure hope his height continues because the belly is already there. Thanks to everyone for all of your support this last year. We've never been on such an incredible emotional rollercoaster with the highest highs and the lowest lows as we have been on this year. Jake has been our shining star brightening each day no matter how dark it became. We love him so much and don't know how we would have made it through such a difficult time in our lives without him.