The Blake Family

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-13T08:55:00.000-08:00

Rather than send a Christmas letter this year we thought it would be fun to post it here on our blog (not to mention easier). Here's a brief update on everyone:

Cooper (1) is super fun. He toddles around the house making messes and playing with trains. I can't remember the last time his nose wasn't running though. He'll be 2 at the end of March.

Lincoln (3) started preschool this year. He loves it and (I think) is loved by his teachers and classmates. He was a spectator at nearly all of the 8th and 9th grade football games this year.

Noah (9) got glasses this year. He is the only Blake child in elementary school this year and walks or rides his bike almost everyday (1 mile). He's fantastic with Lego building and is getting better and cleaning them up, for which I am very thankful.

Anna (11) is loving middle school. She is the keeper of this blog and is a fantastic babysitter. She logged MANY hours with Cooper while Lincoln and I watched football games this fall. She'll be rewarded with a new cell phone as soon as I get around to taking her to pick one out.

Brigham (13) is in 8th grade and had a fantastic time playing football for his school. He played full back (even got to score a few touchdowns) and inside linebacker. We are happy that he has a great group of friends whom he is willing to bring home on a regular basis. He has a knack for finding money on the ground.

Isaac (15) is managing high school just fine. He has his sights on BYU and is working hard to earn good grades. He thoroughly enjoyed playing Freshman Football - played almost every play of every game at offensive guard and inside linebacker. He is also on the Freshman Basketball team. He was forced to take piano lessons again this year.

I, Julia (middle aged), have been crying for the last year since my last baby grew so quickly. Finally, I found a great shrink and am hoping to launch a new venture soon that will fulfill my need to create something fine. You can read about my adventures at http://muchmorethaneggs.blogspot.com/

Jonathan (older than Julia) is still the worlds greatest husband and father. He manages to listen to cool podcasts on his long commute. He started a different job within the company in April and is on the Stake High Counsel at church. He runs, does yoga, and has push-up contests with his football-playing sons.

Our family continues to be very blessed and we are most thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ which allows repentance and forgiveness for our mistakes and ultimately, eternal life.

2009-12-13T08:44:00.000-08:00

More Family Pics.

2009-12-13T08:41:00.000-08:00

We had a really fun time! It did get a little hard in the end though.

Family Pictures

2009-12-13T08:35:00.001-08:00

Family Pictures!

2009-08-06T13:01:00.000-07:00

2009-08-06T12:54:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the Hand Van or finger van we could travel anywhere with aunts, uncles, and cousins using just 1 car! And thanks to this van we didn't have to spend tons of money for two rental cars like we had to last year. We wouln't have been able to travel to and from the airport, dads brothers house, and moms cousins house! (This van holds 15 people!)
~Anna

2009-08-06T12:50:00.000-07:00

A fun game Isaac and Lincoln played wasn't just fun for them, the sound of Lincolns laughter was the best part!

2009-08-06T12:46:00.000-07:00

Cooper again!

2009-08-06T12:42:00.000-07:00

he's so cute, and grown up!!

2009-08-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

Coopers enjoying the river as well! He's one tough baby!
~Anna

2009-08-05T18:10:00.000-07:00

Everybody but me was tough enough to get in that water except for me :( but seriously the water was colder than ice! brr!

2009-08-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

Fun car ride to the ice cold river in the finger van A.K.A the hand van!

2009-08-05T18:01:00.000-07:00

It was a fun day 4-wheeling but i think its about time to go home!
~Anna

2009-08-05T17:54:00.000-07:00

Isaac, Cooper, Lincoln, Jamison, and Ezra have fun in the pool under Grandma and Grandpa's fruit trees! Can't say much because i wasn't there to share the fun with them but that's OK, it would have gotten to crowded!
~Anna

2009-08-04T18:17:00.000-07:00

Glad to be home!

2009-08-04T16:54:00.000-07:00

2009-08-04T16:51:00.000-07:00

2009-08-03T19:15:00.000-07:00

Were going back to Boston tonight on 2 red eyes UGH! But it will be great when we get back hope to have a safe and relaxing plane ride home! Wish us luck :)

2009-08-03T19:12:00.000-07:00

2009-08-03T19:04:00.000-07:00

2009-08-03T15:29:00.000-07:00

Tiffany and Anna fixing Tiffany's yellow wig for girls camp!
Grandpa, Ezra, and Noah getting ready to ride the 4 wheelers!
Poor linc had to give that up when our cousins left :(
Anna, Taylor, and Kierra are ready to get dirty!!
that little cutie!

2009-08-03T15:26:00.000-07:00

2009-08-03T15:24:00.000-07:00

2009-08-03T15:13:00.000-07:00

2009-07-02T12:24:00.000-07:00

Know this doesn't look like much, but, trust me, the Vegetable Lasagne from Sweet Basil in Needham, MA is incredible. It was so good that I snapped a picture to remind myself of it. I was able to recreate it with pretty good success. Homemade pasta, beets, artichokes, lots of garlic and not too much tomato. All topped with fresh mozarella. YUM! Jonathan is so nice - he got take out on Saturday night before Mother's Day and baked it for my Sunday dinner.

Lincoln's 3rd Birthday

2009-07-02T12:08:00.000-07:00

Lincoln got a Star Wars Clone Trooper (pronounced troopa) costume for his birthday. For days that is all he wore. When he wore the mask he wouldn't make a sound. We think that he really considered himself a Clone Trooper. He's so fun!

Halloween II

2008-11-18T11:46:00.001-08:00

Lincoln's new teeth, Anna Banana & our pumpkin carving efforts.

Halloween

2008-11-18T11:15:00.000-08:00

Thomas the cutest-ever Tank Engine, Storm Trooper, Mullet Man, and BONES.
Joe (the plumber)

This photo by Lindsey T. Larsen

Noah's Big Day

2008-09-23T07:03:00.000-07:00

Noah turned 8 and was baptized on August 31. Noah chose 'Scripture Power' and 'I Love to See the Temple' for the songs. Brigham and Anna said the prayers. Isaac, Grandma Blake, Mom and Noah's teacher (Bro. Elliott) bore testimonies. Dad baptized and confirmed. It was a memorable baptism because of some technical difficulties with the font. There were only about TWO feet of water. It's a good thing Dad was not a novice!!!

We have noticed a change in Noah after this great day. He really understands the covenants he has made and the principle of choice and accountabililty.

Climbing the wall

2008-07-27T18:16:00.000-07:00

Wow - we tackled the climbing wall at Aspen Grove. I was not at all surprised that everyone else made it up, but ME making it up was a miracle (that, and a strong guy pulling on me at times).

4-Wheelin'

2008-07-27T18:05:00.000-07:00

"That's Lincoln and Noah - riding on pour-wheela. Me do (rhymes with go) on pour-wheela right now! Me do on pour-wheela NOW Mommy!" says Lincoln as he's painfully looking at this picture.

Gettting Through

2008-06-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

Ask any mother, the last few weeks of school are crazy! There are always increased obligations in the classroom, the last sports games, lessons, recitals, teacher and coaches gifts etc. It's enough to make us actually want school to end!!! :)

I'm just about the first to say I love having my kids around - it's just that having 6 kids with varied ages, interests and abilities is much more of a challenge when school is out. Have you ever noticed how much screen time a kid will sit through if you aren't paying attention?

But I am still so happy to have the calendar cleared of all the extra STUFF happening right now that like most of the other mothers I am saying - BRING ON SUMMER!!! School can't end soon enough!

Spring Analogy

2008-05-14T07:06:00.000-07:00

Spring is so beautiful in New England. Every year I am amazed when the forsythia bushes sprout their bright yellow buds - before anything else. When they turn green the trees start to blossom, the azaleas bloom, and the bulbs pop up. Then you get the lilacs - the smell reminds me of spring in my back yard growing up. I could go on. This all happens so fast and before you know it, school is out and you are trying to entertain kids all summer while their friends have evacuated. As Spring passes I comfort myself with the assurance that it will happen again next year.

I have decided that Spring is like a new born baby. The experience is sublime and sacred. It takes your breath away and is intoxicating. It is a most wonderful time but it is very short-lived. Babies change almost before your eyes. As I have enjoyed each of my babies I have been comforted to know that it won't be my last - that I can enjoy this all again.

I don't have forsythia or lilacs in my own garden and only 3 tulips came up. I have learned to enjoy the flowers in other people's gardens - and there is no work involved. Hopefully I can learn to enjoy other's newborns too.

After Pictures Kitchen & Nursery

2008-05-07T06:27:00.000-07:00

Here are the 'after' pictures. We'll show the rest of the house later. We've done a lot to it this year and are so glad to live here!

Anna's room then Cooper's Nursery

2008-04-29T14:24:00.000-07:00

Home 'Before' Photos

2008-04-29T14:10:00.000-07:00

We have been in our house a year now - and we've done A LOT. Here are some 'before' photos. Stay tuned for some 'afters'.
Lead-paint laced kitchen - you should have seen it with the old appliances!
I liked the hinges and pulls - too bad the paint was peeling off!
Here's the dining room with cute corner built-in.
This is the wall we knocked down.

2008-04-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

2008-04-27T08:20:00.000-07:00

Trip to a Children's Museum.
Brigham and Lincoln - sweet moment!
Champion Egg Hunter!
Lincoln checking out his loot.

Isaac checking out his loot.

2008-04-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

Who do YOU think he looks like??

Meet Cooper

2008-04-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

Here is Cooper - one day old.

Easter Egg Hunt

2008-04-27T07:46:00.000-07:00

The kids had a rockin' Easter Egg Hunt in our yard - better because the snow was gone :)

Check us out - we have a blog!

2008-04-27T07:43:00.000-07:00

I was told this only takes a few minutes - wow! It's true. And now we have a blog to communicate with our family and friends who we don't see often enough! We hope you'll enjoy!