America the beautiful, self accompanied :)

2009 Indy 500: a sport I still don't understand, but have far greater respect for after watching the race firsthand.

"Yeah, a straw. You got a problem with that, pal?"























We took a hike around Solitude w/ Jayne, Eli, Gav, Peyton and Tyler

Life was good at Chuck E. Cheese. Then, at this museum, we saw a shark...some in this picture are faking their feelings, while others are genuinely afraid for their lives.

The first annual Blake Girls' Trip took theses hotties to St. George.

Our camera recorded some summer activities/travel. For the first time in years, we hit good Old Fort Boise Days. We went on a few rides while my nephews were all smiles as they posed for a picture with the Parma High Cheerleaders!! Yeow baby!

Eli, Kai, and Gavin jumped in the mini-jeep -- a triple threat to any toy.

Bailey shared some love with Grandpa, while Gracie got more than she bargained for.

(...wouldn't you love this in your rearview mirror?)






















































We also dropped by Shoshone Falls ("smile dangit!") and BIG Judd's in Archer, ID for a famous Big Judd Burger.

...more catch-up pics from fall through spring.














































SO big with Grandma...

Bailey at the park.
























Boys' school is IN SESSION...
























Brinley and Kai work on their gingerbread house over the holidays.

Daddy and Bailey get some holiday cuddling in



































JR took a trip to Boston for a few concerts out East. We also hit some sights, like the Salem Witch Museum and hiking to the top of the Beacon Hill Monument...shwew.

IRON BOWL 2008 -- compliments of Double 'D', the ORIGINAL Bama Bruiser...David Drake. Straight outta Cullman. "Dave, you always said: 'Justin, if there's one game you've just gotta see, it's 'Bama vs. Auburn.' And, as with most things involving ribs and football -- you were right." We took David up on his offer this past fall and caught one helluva SEC game; 95,000+ strong; "bammer, jammer, yellow hammer..." Dreamland-sponsored tailgate; lunch with Nick Saban; Roll Tide! Thanks Dave -- you are the man. See you again!















































Here is a pic of Dave, Alane (D's sister), Kaylee & CariAnn (sp?), and us...

WOAH -- we had no internet for a while, so I've got to catch up on this blog. Here are some pics from NOVEMBER.

Kai and some of his buddies (pictured below) get together once a week at different homes in our neighborhood for "school." They have a good time and the mommies really excel at teaching them skills (nunchucks, games, booger-flicking...all the essentials).


LOOK at this face...























Kristie and Bailey in a cute winter dress, wardrobe by Janice Bowers.

Kai sings a little Carrie Underwood...

This is all of us at Bailey's blessing.



























































Both sets of Grandparents.



















Grandpa Smith with the girl of the hour.

Ok one more---love the smile! I wondered if Kai and Bailey would have anything that looks alike and I found it---their smiles! They were both lucky to get their dad's smile---love it!

Had to add this one---it is my very favorite pic so far of bailey. You can't look at it without saying "ahhhhh."

Here we all are in front of Cougar Stadium at the last home game. The Cougs have given us a great year. With 2 games left (AF, U), things are looking good and the U is looking RIPE for an upset! :)


Benny-boy and his fiance Sarah (Nov 27) joined the winners circle with my dad by beating the quarterback challenge -- throwing a football threw a far-off circle.



















HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Kristie was Dorothy with her sparkly red shoes and Kai was a Roman Soldier who got lots of candy. Here we are with some friends Heidi, Jeremy, Elise, Aiden (bug) at Justin's work party.

Here are my girls just after church today. The picture just speaks for itself, huh.

























Kai isn't sure what he wants to be for Halloween so he's trying out lots of options. His real concern should be keeping a close eye on mommy who is out to snake his candy...again.
























Bailey's first smiles...

Bailey is one month old today, and Kristie and I (Kristie mostly) both look like we've lost more than a month on our lives :) Our little girl is such a cutie, although she seems to have a case of perma-scowl (Kristie's side, naturally).












































Blame mommy for this...pulled it straight from her drawer.



































Utah State Fair -- the best food (funnel cakes and pronto pups), slides, pony rides and enormous pigs.







































THAT'S RIGHT...season tickets, baby. I'll be cheering our Cougars all the way to the BCS!