Life is always "busy" when you have a kid, but the last week has actually been BUSY. I'm not talking cooking lunch, folding clothes, chasing after my crazy ADHD child busy. I'm talking fun busy. It's been a nice change. Marine World, David Archuleta Concert, Sand Harbor, the bug park, birthdays, dinner with Bry's friend from high school, the new pool got installed... You get the point.
Tami and I took the kids to the Folsom Train for Evan's birthday. Caden loved having the wind blow in his face on the ride.
We spent a full Saturday up at Sand Harbor in Tahoe with Larsen's, Megan, and Katie. The kids had a blast until a storm rolled in and it went from 90 degrees to freezing.
Our little Sand Monster.
So Bry and I have taught Caden lots of tricks: shoulder shrug, put 'em up, do your hair, and one of Caden's newest tricks..."Strike a Pose." 
Marine World:
Bry had to work, BOO, but we got to go with the rest of the Phipps clan.
Caden LOVED the whale and elephant shows. He clapped and pointed the entire time. I realized I can finally relate to my mother. All those years she would go with us to amusement parks and be content to stand by our stuff while we rode the rides--I thought she was nuts. Low and behold, it's a mom thing to find joy in your children's joy. 
Caden went on a bunch of rides and even touched a 7,000 pound elephant. I think the most disturbing part of this day for me was when the trainer had the elephant lay down...bum facing me, of course. A 7,000 pound elephant passed gas on me and it was the NASTIEST thing EVER! 
A little worn out at the end of a long, fun day. 
The next night Jolene took us on a girls night out to the David Archuleta/Demi Lovato Concert. It's always good to feel like a 16 year old again. Hard not to get in that mood when you've got 9 million girls shrieking all around you. Little Archie was definitely fun to watch. 
Caden LOVED the whale and elephant shows. He clapped and pointed the entire time. I realized I can finally relate to my mother. All those years she would go with us to amusement parks and be content to stand by our stuff while we rode the rides--I thought she was nuts. Low and behold, it's a mom thing to find joy in your children's joy. Caden went on a bunch of rides and even touched a 7,000 pound elephant. I think the most disturbing part of this day for me was when the trainer had the elephant lay down...bum facing me, of course. A 7,000 pound elephant passed gas on me and it was the NASTIEST thing EVER! A little worn out at the end of a long, fun day. 
The next night Jolene took us on a girls night out to the David Archuleta/Demi Lovato Concert. It's always good to feel like a 16 year old again. Hard not to get in that mood when you've got 9 million girls shrieking all around you. Little Archie was definitely fun to watch. 
Tahoe was INSANE. So busy. After driving around trying to find parking for hours, we gave up and watched movies on the 4th. The next day we were able to get within 1000 feet of the beach. Worth the wait! Caden LOVED the sand. He was patting it, rubbing it all over his body, throwing it, eating it...yes, eating it. He even got in the freezing lake with Bry. Very fun day.
I took a nap one afternoon and woke up to find my child in this...
Bry had taken Caden on a walk and they ended up at a Street Fair. Apparently Caden is very attracted to the hippie look because Bryan said he grabbed on to this shirt with his death grip and wouldn't let go. Scary.
We decided to have a Zoo Birthday. We took a trip to the Sacramento Zoo for the day. 
Caden was in love with all the animals. 
Bry kept walking him through the misters; He was trying to figure out what was on his head. 
Bry made Caden this adorable monkey cake. 
Then we got daddy back!
So the traditional cake eating came last...
He got very into it. 
He finished every last bite. And I'm pretty sure he enjoyed his first birthday.
...From 10 feet away. 
So happy he was able to escape.
