Tree Time

I begin this blog with a confession. This year, we broke Becker family tradition. Previously at Christmas time, we have always gone to our special place to get a tree: Home Depot. We even took Blake there last year (see: http://tinyurl.com/7ocn49y)

This year, we decided to do something a little different. Something non-traditional, if you will. We drove up to the foothills, grabbed a saw, and cut one down.


We hiked all over the lot, until we found the right one. Blake helped pick it out!

Blake even got to meet a snow man.

Once we got the tree home, we realized it was a little too big. Little did we know, we brought home a 10-footer. Our ceilings are 8 feet. Oops. Oh well. We, ahem, "adjusted" the tree, and Ryan and Blake worked their magic, getting the lights on just so. Here's the tree all lit up.


Then Blake and I got started on the ornaments. You can imagine how Blake liked to help.


Then, finally, the final product. Ta-da! May I present the
2011 Becker Family Tree

11/11/11 & 1 Special Lady

Blake has two of lots of things: arms, legs, parents, grandmas, grandpas, doggies and elbows. But he only has one Great Grandmother, better known to him as GG. Today, Blake got to celebrate GG's birthday, and how special on Veterans Day.

November 11, 2011

And while they honored the men and women who have served our country at a fun celebration, I want to honor my Grandma Sonya. Thank you for being such a great grandmother to my little boy! Love you.

March 10, 2010............Thanksgiving 2010

Blake On The Ball

I think Blake really misses his (and America's) favorite pastime. If you've spent anytime with him, you know what I am talking about. He immediately walks into any room with a television and, while pointing at the screen, demands "Ball!" He also points to any Giants logo (on our shirts, hats, cups, etc) and does the same thing.


Here are some photos I snapped during the World Series, as I tried to explain to Blake that this would be some of the last ball he watched for a while.



This was actually game 6, which looked to be the last one. Until it wasn't. Those of you who watched must remember what I mean.





In the end (of Game 7), we would say goodbye to baseball... at least for 150 days. Really, as of today -- that's how many days away we are from Giants' opening day, but who's counting (except Blake, of course)?

So for now, we'll resort to our Sunday morning ritual: Football. Go Niners.

Happy Halloween 2011

Aaaah, memories from Halloween past. Memorable for many reasons.

Blake's Halloween 2010

It was hard to top last year: a baby dressed up as a world champion closing pitcher with one crazy beard. Needless to say, we couldn't top it. I blame the Giants for less inspiration this year. Instead, we got our inspiration from another kind of ball, and Blake's babysitters, who both go to UC Davis. Here he is as an Aggie, practicing his touchdown pass (okay, maybe he's just trying to grab the camera).

Blake's Halloween 2011

More so than dressing up, Blake really got into the scary visitors, better known as neighborhood trick-or-treaters. He's just about tall enough to peer out the window, which he did in anticipation of each round of kids.


And me, I am already peering into the future... in anticipation of when Blake is old enough to hit the streets himself.

Pumpkin Patch Kid

We had a fun family day at Fog Willow Pumpkin Patch in Wilton (outside of Elk Grove). The place features plenty of pumpkins, hay rides, caramel apples, and even a petting zoo. We knew that would be Blake's favorite part. No ghosts and goblins for the Beckers; these pics prove you don't need spiders and witches to have a spooktacular good time.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Adventures of Blake

Weekends have become so much more fun now that Blake is old enough to walk and play. Yeah, we still go to the playground sometimes, but we also try to find things to do that are also a little more... well, adventurous. Today, for example, we went to an event called Touch a Truck. And that we did.

We even got inside some of them.

We appreciated some of the bigger things in life... like tires.

We got up close and personal with the Sac Sheriff SWAT vehicle.

And the SWAT robot.


We pretended we were firefighters.


Blake especially loved the big claw!


Then there was last weekend, when we signed up to feed the giraffe at the zoo.
Here's Blake and his Dad waiting in line.

Once we were in, Blake looked a little nervous...

But he did it! He got up close and personal with Chifu, the youngest Giraffe.
Hey.. what's everyone looking at?

More adventures to come....

The Pool Is Cool

Blake experienced his first swimming lesson this past weekend. Ryan and I want to make sure Blake is comfortable in the water at an early age so he'll turn out to be an amazing SCUBA diver (like his Daddy) and awesome water skier (like his Mommy).

Blake really loved his first day of class. He loved the water, he loved looking at the other little swimmers (there are 8 total), and he certainly loved the attention.

Here are the pictures of our little water baby... er water boy... er little swimmer.

Starting Class with a Smile

Hey.. What's Over There?


Having a Ball


I Want To Play!


Class Photo


Kick, Kick, Kick

Water Baby

Blake Likes To Swim on His Tummy


On the Flip Side -- A Bit of a Swimming Struggle

Dad, Let Me Flip Back Over!

All Done: A Swimming Sucess!