Family Circle

Our first day in California was spent in El Dorado Hills with Nate's immediate family. We had a fun time introducing Beckett to the family, eating, chatting, and hanging out.

The big family reunion began the next day. Nate and I stayed in a hotel (where several other family members also slept) close to the campsite and made day trips to the camp.

We spent a lot of time hanging out in the beautiful weather and chatting.*

Beckett, JoLee, Nate, and Lila

Jen and Will

Charlotte and Grandma Jensen

Grandpa Jensen and Dan

Jane
Daisha and Brooke

Grandma Jensen

Beckett, JoLee, and Nate

Isaac (who shared the story of the pit bull and his arm - yikes.)

Miriam and Brooke
Jim, Daisha, Val, Lila, and Allyn Joy

Dorothy and Lila

Jamie and Max

And while the adults talked the kids played on this air mattress. Endless hours of entertainment there.

Rebecca, Will, Savannah, Daisha, and Keontay

*Jensen family members: these pictures will all look very familiar. Thanks Julie! You awesome photographer!

Beckett in California

Beckett survived his first big trip. We went to California for the big Jensen Family Reunion. This involved 3 plane rides, some car rides, 4 nights in a hotel, and 2 days at a campground.

The plane rides went great. Beckett loved the plane. He loved the whirring noise. He liked looking at the lights. He loved the bathroom's changing table. Beckett is the only member of the family who actually likes planes.

Here he is on the airport shuttle. He's all bundled up for the cold plane, and I made him wear a bib so that he couldn't spit up on his cozy outfit.

Beckett also loved the hotel room. He played on the bed with his parents. He watched the Zebra Stripes in his cradle. He slept awesome every night we were there.

Hanging out on the bed.

Spending some quality time with Grandma.

Complaining about leaving the hotel.

And why would Beckett complain about leaving the hotel? Well, because he did not like the campground, and he merely tolerated the car ride there. Something about the sun, or the wind, or the people, or the wide open spaces was not appealing to our little baby, nor did he appreciate the climbing altitude on the way to the campsite.

In this picture with his Papa, Beckett expresses his feelings about the campsite.

Only being unconscious helped Beckett deal with the camping craziness.

Mixers Rule

My friend Brant suggested invest in a cheap hand mixer with the intent of burning out its motor over the next few months. It turned out to be one of the best suggestions I've heard. Beckett loves the noise of the motor, and when even when he continues to fuss, I just crank up the speed another notch. It hasn't failed yet.

Beckett Smiles

In just the last few days Beckett has finally become interested in our faces. And today Beckett responded to my fascinating facial features with a genuine smile. So I whipped out my camera to see if he would perform on cue.

Here he's working on it.

And there it is. Check out that dimple.


He may be smiling at me, but it is still the Zebra Stripes that get the most love. He smiles and talks to them.


Here's another funny expression. And, by the way, this picture was not posed.

Beckett is a growing boy. When I took him to the doctor this week he weighed in at 10 lbs 4 oz.

Letters from Savannah

When Jen came to visit us she brought Beckett some presents from Savannah, Will, and Lila. Jen's kids picked out some of their favorite old toys to give to their new cousin. And they are fun toys too!

Savannah also made Beckett this lovely work of art.



On the back Jen recorded 4-year-old Savannah's message to Beckett:

Dear Baby Beckett,
I hope you are having good days with your mommy and daddy. I hope that you can be like Keontay. I hope that you will have some of the same toys as me. I am so excited to play with you. I love you. I miss you.
Love, Savannah
P.S. You are so lucky that you get Zephyr.

New Shirt

Beckett is getting an early start on insulting his dad.

Black and White

While my mom was here she found a bunch of black and white pictures like this one on the internet:

We printed them and posted them around the house, and they have become Beckett's primary form of entertainment. He thinks they are fascinating.

Here are many pictures of the boy studying these lovely designs ...

While sitting in his bouncy seat:

From the comfort of his swing:

Flash cards with Dad:

Chilling in the crib:
And his absolute favorite, the zebra stripes by the changing station:

We think that the zebra will be Beckett's favorite animal. The zebra stripes often quell his crying and make changing Beckett a breeze.

This final picture is unrelated, but this is what Nate came home to the other day:

Everyone loves me a little too much.

Beckett Woke Up

After two weeks of sleeping, Rip Van Winkle woke up to find a new and exciting world. He's been been very curious and contemplative. He's also discovered a nice set of lungs that he likes to exercise often.

Jenny and Lila came for a visit last weekend. After all the pictures we took of the children, we realized that we had forgotten to take a picture of us. (Sorry, Jen.) It was wonderful to have the extra help. How many people can say their sister flew in from three states away to help them clean out the basement? She also left us well supplied with several meals, freshly baked bread, and dozens of home made cookies. Wow, writing this post is making me miss her more than I realized; please come back!

Looking around.

Trying not to be a wimpy little girly-man.

Cousin Lila.

Loves those squiggles.

Posing.

This is the life.

4th of July

We had a rather calm 4th -- a healthy BBQ followed by local fireworks. Here Beckett is in his patriotic outfit.

JoLee's Birthday

It's been a fun filled first week for Beckett. JoLee's parents were in town, which was fantastic. Although JoLee will probably disagree, the week has flown by.

Gillespie and Stephens family

Grandma and Grandpa

Cousin Grace

Cousin Sarah

Beckett and dinos

JoLee on her new chair

Not interested in waking up

Nice shorts!