going back to 2012...road trip to san jose

the kids and i drove up to sj with j, mita and the kids to celebrate my dad's 78th birthday. (matt had just gotten promoted a few weeks before so he had to stay back and work.) we stopped by to see faye and bassett and i also got to see my sj girls.  dad celebrated another year of health and strength with his annual 13-mile walk from his house in fremont to his barber shop in menlo park.  i wanted to walk with the kids but it was too cold so we stayed behind and met them at the end.  i almost didn't make the trip because matt couldn't go and i knew it would be so much work with just me but i'm so glad i did.  spending time with my dad is the most amazing gift i have as an adult and i'm so thankful he's still here with us.  seeing faye and bassett and spending time with them is also such a blessing.  they mean so much to jason and i and are such an important part of who we are today.  it was the first time my sister belinda met sophie and she hadn't seen jake in 2 1/2 years.  j's kids were so much help with the kids and the trip was a success.  

 visiting with bassett

grandpa's girl 

 jake and toreka

 sophie and faye

 jake chillin in the corner at dad's house watching leap frog

 sophie and lalani

 marks kids and sophie before the walk

 the walkers

 belinda and sophie

jake in grandpa's barber shop in the spot where grandpa used to cut hair before he retired.

sophie at 10 months

 sophie, sophie, sophie.  i can't believe she's almost one.  the time has flew by.  she has 2 teeth at the bottom and one coming through on the top.  she loves yogurt and fruit and most baby foods but is definitely ready for regular food.  papa iamaleava always feeds her rice and gravy and she loves it.  she's pretty much over the bottle/formula so i'm hoping the transition to sippy cup/milk in 2 months will be easy.  she's a great sleeper but is very cranky when she's tired.  crawling everywhere is the favorite thing to do.  she is also pulling herself up on everything and likes to let go and stand up for a few seconds without holding on.  she LOVES attention and is not much of a self-entertainer. feisty is an understatement.  she will always let you know when she wants something or doesn't want something and if your attention is elsewhere she will scream and clench fists until it's on her.  you are still a mama's girl and want no one else when i'm home.  sometimes i get frustrated with you because i'm trying to get things done but then i remember how special it is that you want mommy the most.  i can't wait for you to get a bit less demanding older so i can take you everywhere and we can hang tight doing all kinds of girl stuff.  i love you so much mophie (your funny nickname grandma jeanene started).