A Merry Christmas - 2010

We had a very special winter holiday season this year. With friends, we kicked off the season at the Folsom Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in old-town Folsom. We hunted for our Christmas tree in Apple Hill, walking through the trees on a blanket of white snow. After we found our tree, we drank hot apple cider and took a train ride around a pretty pond. Some of Owen & Tucker's pals (and their fun parents) came over to decorate Christmas cookies and play way past bed time. Kris and I had a date night out for his second annual Winter Party and danced the night away at the Sacramento Convention Center. Okay, we only danced a little, but we closed the night out with a terrible attempt at a swing dance - it was VERY fun until Kris almost dropped me for the dip!

Our baby learned to walk and our nephew came for a visit. Santa's helper and his friends made a stop on our street to pick up canned food for charity and gave candy to the kids in the neighborhood. One night, we had an impromptu pot pie dinner with friends while my sister was visiting. I spent a long lunch with a good friend decorating a Christmas tree at the Folsom Zoo for the first annual Zoo Lights celebration (unfortunately we missed the night time festivities due to bad colds and chilly weather). As a family, we baked yummy coffee cakes and made a new batch of homemade hot chocolate mix. Owen had a holiday extravaganza gymnastics show with two of his pals and Tucker was able to play on the gym floor and loved it! We went to four very fun birthday parties!! We watched a dance movie and watched Owen do incredible dance moves!

We had two very special Christmas parties on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - where we spent time with our families and watched the kids open way too many presents thanks to our families' generosity. We took lots of pictures and ate yummy food and relaxed as we visited. Luckily, for us, our Elf (Elf on the Shelf) magically came with us to Grandma & Grandpas and we're pretty sure he told Santa that the boys were very good, since Santa brought the boys a bunch of great gifts there!

Later tonight, we are set to close out the holiday season and the year at a New Year's Eve Party, where we will give thanks for an incredible year and make wishes for this upcoming year. What a season!! Happy Holidays!!

Many of the memories from these fun outings and special days were captured by others on their cameras, but we still have a hodgepodge of photos to share:

cookie decorating party

Owen & Morgan at Tricks Winter Extravaganza 2010

Tucker going down the gym slide at Trick 2010

in front of our tree

our two boys in their new matching sweat suits

2nd annual Winter party

Folsom Sanctuary tree decorated in front of the bear exhibit

Mommy & Tucker Christmas morning

checking out the stocking stuffers

Tuckered out after the big morning

Happy New Year 2011

Happy New Year! Today is New Year's Eve. 2010 has been such a special year. Our family has grown in the most spectacular way with the addition of Tucker. Owen continued to blossom and has relished his new big brother role. We have watched our babies grow into little boys and we couldn't feel more blessed or happy. We have had so many memories and great moments with family and friends. Thanks to all who helped to make this year extraordinary.

Here is the main photo I wanted to send out as part of our annual holiday card. It didn't happen. Instead I sent an email. I figured it was better than nothing. I know I missed at least a few friends and family, so here it is... our two boys - laughing. We took this picture during our family vacation to visit Kris' family in Roanoke. The boys were playing in the middle of the photo shoot, and the photographers captured this special moment.

We hope this next year brings many more laughs and smiles to all. As great as this year has been, we are looking forward to this next year and all that it may bring!!

Happy New Year! Cheers!!

An unexpected question

Today, as I was driving the boys back from school, Owen asked me how the earth was made. Lately, he's been asking a lot of questions like this, such as "where does corn bread come from?" or "where do flowers come from?". I have to admit, this one threw me for a second. I paused and started to tell him that there are a couple of theories that exist. Luckily, before I had to explain in detail, he continued to tell me that that the earth goes in circles around the sun and at the same time he started to make circles with his fingers in the air. Then he explained that earth moves around the sun and makes morning and night. A second later, as we were pulling into our neighborhood, he happily switched topics to start telling me about what house and neighborhood he thinks his friend lives in. I just shook my head and marveled. Just weeks (okay days) ago we were immersed in poop talk. Now, we are on evolution? God, help me.

Happy 11 Month Birthday Tucker!

Happy 11 Month Birthday Tucker!

Tucker,

In the past month, you have really started to transform from a baby to a little toddler. Two weeks ago, you took your first steps and last night you really started to get the hang of walking!! You can now stand up from a sitting position and walk all on your own! Your record to date is about eighteen steps! You love to climb onto chairs, so much so that we have to watch you closely as you enjoy climbing from the chair to the table top! You haven’t had any more teeth come in but you are eating more and more finger foods. So far, you have taken to peas, carrots, corn, green beans, and cheerios and you appear to like chili and corn bread and spaghetti or macaroni n cheese most of the time. You absolutely LOVE to dance to music. Since you were a teeny tiny baby, music has soothed you, and now as you change into a little boy, music continues to hold your attention and make you smile.

We have to keep a close eye on you when we’re downstairs because if we accidentally leave a door open, you dart for it immediately. You also are sneaky and will quietly crawl your way into the bathroom or find your way up the stairs. Such an explorer! It’s hard for us to decide what your favorite activity is, but we have it narrowed down to the following: riding on the tricycle with big bro, playing on the cardboard slide, playing in the toy kitchen, or crawling up the stairs and onto chairs.

Tucker, you bring us so much joy. Your big brother loves you and regularly says, “ohhhh, him’s so cute” or “ohhhh, Tucker I love you” or “Tucker, come here” and you go! We love to watch you play with Owen. You are always happier when he’s in the room with you, well, that is as long as he’s not trying to play on top of you!

We are looking forward to our first Christmas with you, Tucker, and we can’t wait to take you up into the snow. We’ll be sledding with you in no time.

We love you baby boy!