Oh the weather outside is frightful

Well the inevitable happened, yes it snowed. Living in Utah is was bound to happen. Preston was not so sure to start off with, but in the end he took to the snow and made his Alaskan dad proud. He spent quite a bit of time just tootling around outside (props to Cass for taking him out!). He had a fabulous time wandering around making tracks in the virgin snow. He would reach down touch it, fall in it, and eat it. So all in all he had a pretty well rounded experience when it comes to snow.

Can never have too many leafs

The colors are gone from the leafs and they are falling from the trees. That means giant leaf piles. This is a first for Preston and he loved it. His favorite thing to do is run in the leafs and scatter them to the wind. He had so much fun with it we had to take a lot of pictures, but we refrained from posting them all. We had a warm fall and it was really fun to be outside and play. He is such an outdoor kid. He loves to be in the backyard and play, he just wanders around. When he gets bored in the back he heads to the front and plays in the next door neighbor's rock driveway. He loves it.

Halloween - Let the good times roll

Well, the wonderful season of death and dead people has come and gone. The season when we dress up as crazy people or items, for laughs and candy. Jacob was the ever simple and clever skinny pumpkin, Cass was a gorgeous Waldo, and in honor of Uncle Tory, Preston went as Superman. Grandma Wright gave out regular sized candy bars so Preston trick-or-treated her numberous times for Dad. Preston also went out and got quite a bit of loot which he is still working through. He also spent quite a lot of time with Weston one of his cousins (not to be confused with Easton another cousin) who dressed as a Fuzzy Monkey.

Preston's first camping trip

We spent Labor Day weekend up Big Cottonwood Canyon camping with my family. I was a little nervous as I wasn't so sure that Preston would like sleeping in a tent. I REALLY like to get my sleep. Luckily, Preston slept great - I can't say as much for my other nephews. I really wish tents had better sound barriers...

Preston and I went to Swiss Days in Midway on Friday morning with my sisters and parents. We have gone for years but I haven't been since my move back East. It was really fun.

When we got to the camp site Friday afternoon it was time for Preston to run around the campsite a bit. He walks really well but is still trying to figure out hills and bumps. My brother and I sat by the fire pit talking and watching Preston and Weston. Preston was just walking around playing. While we were sitting there he made a slow lean and ended up in the fire pit. Thankfully there was no fire going. Needless to say he was covered in ash. He wasn't too happy when I hosed him down afterwards. In retrospect it was funny, but, I didn't really enjoy it much at the time.

Later that day Preston was walking around and tripped. He ended up scratching and bruising his cheek. I think that they are going to try and get us for abuse before too long.

We did a lot of hiking including up the Donut Falls trail and up to Twin Lakes. We sure are glad we bought our Kelty. It got a lot of use this weekend. It was a lot of fun to hang out with family.

Preston's Birthday

Our little boy turned one on July 30th. We can't believe it. We celebrated with family that night as well as at a pool party on Saturday. It was fun to watch Preston figure out what his new toys do. He obviously was pretty excited about the cake also.

Preston has recently started walking in earnest. In fact this video was taken almost two weeks ago and I swear he is already thinking about running. He is a fast little walker. He is pretty impressed with himself. He has also been cracking us up with his little laugh. I call it the velociraptor laugh. We all try to imitate it but no one comes close.

Moving

Okay, I realize that we moved three weeks ago, but, due to a computer crashing we haven't been able to upload photos.

Jacob and Dantzel drove the Penske truck across country. They did pretty well other than a flat tire somewhere in the middle of nowhere. I was just happy they made it without any injury/speeding tickets.

Preston and I flew without too many problems. Flying with a one year old is always interesting in that they can't sit still for two seconds. We walked up and down the plane aisle over and over. Some passangers commented that they were making bets on who would wear out first, me and him. My bet was on me. Finally I just let him crawl up and down the aisle and followed. When we finally made it to Salt Lake I was exhausted and looked it. I was surprised though when I found my entire family waiting at the gate with welcome home signs. It was a great surprise.

Weston, Preston, & Easton

We have pretty much settled into my parents house and are anxious to find a house to buy.

Ballentine's Fourth

The fourth of July weekend was a blow out for the Ballentine clan. Grandpa, Dantzel, Jaron, Sara, Peter, Lucy, and Andrew were all in town. Cass' parents and brother also joined in the festivities. We went to the dress rehearsal of the "Capitol Fourth" PBS presentation. This year Barry Manilow, Arethra Franklin, Jersey Boys, Natasha Beddingfield and Sesame Street were the entertainers. We had a great time running around the capitol lawn. We even got Grandpa dancing before too long.

Around here everyone gets into the patriotic spirit. The local neighborhood has their own parade. Gary was the ring leader and decorated the lawn mower and motorcycle for the kids to ride on. Peter, Lucy, and Andrew were thrilled to be in a parade. Cass' mom got sucked in because of her abhorent 4th of July shirt (its a 25 year tradition). The rest of us got out our lawn chairs and cheered them on.

Weekend with the Ballentines

We went down to North Carolina for Memorial Day weekend to spend time with Jaron, Sara, Peter, Lucy and Andrew. Those Ballentines are an active group. We started the day with hiking. It didn't take long to wear Preston out. The new baby backpack was a success! Lucy caught a frog. No one got eaten by a copperhead. (There was some concern).

Next we headed to the pool. Preston wasn't too excited at first. The water was cold. He would dip his toes in and then hurry and pull them out. Little, by little, he got used to the idea of getting in. Eventually we couldn't get him out. He thought it was the best thing ever.

Later that evening we went to a ward picnic. We got there late but tere was still food - amazing considering their ward is more like a stake (it is due to be split in July).

Apparently Jaron and Sara have taught Andrew that when you kiss people you love on the lips. All weekend he would come up to Preston, put a hand on each side of his head and then go in for the kill. When we tried to record it he was too busy performing and looking at the camera to go for the lips. At least his first girlfriend will have warning when he goes in for the first kiss...

Day with the Crowleys

We played with the Crowleys all day yesterday. In the end we laughed because we realized that we had just basically been on a cheesy theme date. We played a game about trains, rode a train, and then went out for ice cream. I really think that we were just using our kids for reasons to go ride the kiddy rides that we have always wanted to go on.

Melanie and Preston have been mortal enemies for a long time. We don't really know why. Yesterday the finally became friends.

These are the pictures you always take so you can black-mail your kid later on. I am impressed that we were able to somehow hide all their "private" parts.

Andrew got bored and decided to take a nap. Let's face it, we really aren't that exciting.

I really can't figure out how Preston can get food EVERYWHERE!

On the move

So, Preston has been showing signs of crawling for a week or so but never went more than two feet. On Wednesday morning I got him out of his crib and put him on the floor. I walked across the room to get something and when I turned back Preston was half way across the room crawling to me. I walked to the other side of the room and he followed. For the rest of the morning he just followed me. I guess he finally just figured it out in his sleep. He was so pleased with himself. He babbled and babbled. When he would have usually cried (when I left the room) he just got on his knees started talking and came on the hunt. He does get a little frustrated with the hard floors. His knees slip when he is wearing pants. He'll figure it out eventually.

All Preston really wants to do is walk. Whenever he is near us he grabs for our hands and just expects us to walk him around. We finally broke down and got out his walker. We were sceptical that he was ready for it but he has taken to it instantly. Thanks goodness. I don't think my back to take much more bending over.

It seems like this is a week of firsts. Preston figured out clapping this morning. He is just thrilled with himself. When we least expect it he gets a huge grin on his face and starts clapping. He is darling.

Beall's Wedding

Our good friends Erik Beall and Kristina Granger got married last weekend in Lewe's, Deleware. They got married in a darling little church in a cemetary and had their reception at a yacht club on the beach.

Preson looked very dapper in his searsucker suit. He was quite the life of the party. He kept everyone at our table entertained.

Before the wedding we went for a walk on the beach. It was a little windy and a tiny bit chilly but it was nice to just sit and watch the waves.

In true Ballentine fashion we opted to save the money and not get a hotel. We changed clothes in our car parked at the beach. Preston had a great time playing between changes.

Spaghetti

So after swim time we decided to strip Preston down and let him feed himself Spaghetti. He was hilarious to watch. He would slurp the noodles into his mouth. By the time he was done we had to put him in the tub, undo the high chair and throw the seat cover in the washer, as well as vacuum and sweep the foor.