For the Labor Day holiday Otto and I took the train down to San Diego to visit Sarah, Morgan and Troy. Sam and Maybe met us by car. We had a fun time on the train. It was a little hectic getting on at first but once we were settled it was smooth sailing. And seeing the boys play together made our journey totally worth it! Morgan is sweet and adorable and Troy is a big bundle of love who is also giving Otto his hand me downs!!! We had a wonderful time and can't wait to do it again.
Well, Poppa is away for two weeks. We are sad and miss him but we've been trying to do some fun things while he is away. Gram and I took Otto to the LA Zoo for the first time. It was pretty hot and sunny but we found a little shade in the petting zoo and indoors while looking at the small animals. Otto LOVES meerkats...and they love him! I stood him up to the glass and he ran right up to him and he giggled "heh heh heh!" We watched them for about 10 minutes with out Otto getting board at all. It was sooooo much fun. Gram took a photo of us petting a sheep. Otto wasn't too interested-he prefers the little guys. CC came over today with her kitty and again Otto laughed and laughed. We have got to get this baby a pet. He still loves to drive so when we went to go get burritos for dinner I ran in and Otto and Gram got in the front seat and played with the wheel and mirrors. The first photo was taken when I came out of the restaurant-Otto was hanging out the window having a ball. When Trevor left I took Otto into his room to play with the globe and to point out where his Dad was going to be for the next couple of weeks. He really enjoys spinning it around. And the final picture was taken in the park when Otto was just about to go down the slide. He was contemplative because it is a pretty big drop and I usually go with him. He was never that excited about the slide until this week. Now he loves it and gets sad when I take him away. What a brave little guy! 
Ok, I can't seem to choose anymore. Here are 4 pictures from our photo shoot. In the first he is happy...then he is getting a bit board...then sleepy...and back to happy. He's such a cute, fun guy. He still loves playing with the door handles and the washer and drier. He laughs a lot..."heh heh heh". He is big into opening and shutting anything. And he has begun to mimic with little sounds and fake coughs. Now when he sits in the annex (the excersaucer in our side) by our kitchen table he pulls the table cloth over his head when I say "where's the baby" and then uncovers his face and I respond "there he is!" We've been doing that every morning lately while I eat breakfast. I love it and he does too! Another little fun thing-he holds his arms out and holds his hands in fists and sort of grunt/growls in a triumphant manner. HE CAN DO IT! 
Otto got a new tricycle and after a few tries he got it! He struggled getting on but he was determined and after a bit he was sitting on it like a champ. He's not peddling yet but I know it won't be long. It has been a billion degrees and sooo sunny in LA lately so I took Otto to an indoor playground where they had little cars for the kids to drive around in. Otto was in heaven. That baby loves to drive. And the final photo is of Otto and Kathie outside Gilina, the restaurant that Ali works for. Ali, Kathie, Gram, Otto and I had a lovely lunch and strolled along Abbott Kinney one afternoon last week. Toward the end of lunch Otto was getting a little squirmy and Kathie offered to walk him a bit outside. He spotted us at the table inside and started smiling and patting the window. Adorable! 
Otto, Trevor, Stacy, Ryan and I went to Utah for the weekend and had such a terrific time. We spent our first evening over at Cori and James' house. It was wonderful-we played and hung out and ate pizza. The next day was the Judge and Tooele football game. After the game Otto and I took photos on the field and Stacy and Ryan raced in the 40 yard dash. We had a blast then went home and ate Grandma Deidra's homemade clam chowder. Yum! The next day Stacy Ryan Otto and I hung out in Park City and then headed up to Sundance to stay at Trevor and Cooper's house. The four of us road the chair lift up to the top of the mountain and hiked down. We were a bit nervous with Otto on the lift and we did get lost but both only added to the adventure. Then we had a delicious dinner at the resort. Ryan and Stacy left in the morning and Trevor, Otto, and I spent the afternoon with the Cordova and Groth gang. It was a PERFECT weekend! 
Otto is 9 months already. Where has the time gone? He's sooooo cute and sooooo sweet. I love that little boy. 
