Quail Gardens and Chili

We had a our 2nd Annual - Shaw/Peerson/Mauser/Bainbridge/Estrada visit to Quail Botanical Gardens and Chili dinner at our house. The boys had fun - especially on the wagon ride and were busy back at the house - playing fire fighter and wearing their dinosaur pjs -- It was such a nice evening. I love having people at the house and family around - hopefully this is a tradition for years to come.

Nana Janet's 74th Birthday

We took Nana to Augies Crab House on Friday night to enjoy a yummy seafood dinner. They pour all the food out on the table and give you hammers and tools and you go at it. Lucas loved it! -- Though he would only eat his bread and butter - he helped his mom crack the crab legs and made sure no one got pinched by the pinchers.

Aunt Pamme brought a yummy tart for Mom and a green cupcake for Lucas - he got green all over him and said he was the Grinch!

Wrapping Presents
So, have I mentioned that Lucas loves Christmas? -- Even wrapping presents. If it doesn't move, it could be wrapped. Lucas cuts the paper, tapes and helps tie the ribbon. It has his special touch and I have resisted interfering with his style!

Owen is 5 months today!

Growing so fast! He is very active and almost crawling. If he wants something he'll find a way to scooch himself over to it. He is also very vocal - he'll babble for 15 minutes talking to his Lizzy. He also babbles himself to sleep a night too! Poor guy has some sore gums, but besides putting everything in his mouth - he has kept a good attitude. He is eating solid foods - peas, green beans, squash and carrots...Loves the greens, tolerates the others! He still wakes up once a night - normally around 2am - but he is all business - drinks his bottle and is asleep within seconds!

Lucas reading to his brother

I walked in to this yesterday morning...so cute to see Lucas pointing out all the trucks in his book to Owen. :)

Train Expo and Park

Yaz and I took the boys to the Train Expo on Sunday. Rich and I took Lucas last year and it was big with lots of kids activities - I guess the economy has taken a toll on the train Expo too, as it was smaller than last year and less kid activities and no crowds. We thought the boys would be bummed - but forgot that 2.75 year olds can watch a train go around the same track for hours and not be bored. Lucas was still talking about it this morning.
We stopped at the park on the way home to run off a little bit of energy.

Making Cookies for Santa

The pictures tell it all!

Lucas is a very skilled roller...He loved the whole process and picked out the cookies to leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve.

In the decorating department, Lucas subscribes to the more is better theory and put as many sprinkles on the cookies as possible, but was very precise with the sprinkle placement.

Our Christmas Tree

We went Friday night to pick out a tree. The trip started off well, but a note for next year - don't take a 2 year old to a tree lot on a Friday when he hasn't napped - his fuse was short and when we wouldn't buy the 10 foot tree - he was sure his life was over. So we Rich and I picked the first tree we thought looked good and got out of there as fast as we could. Lucas calmed down a bit when we got home and helped Rich get the tree in the stand. We decided to wait until Saturday morning to decorate. From the pictures you'll see we had a great time. Lucas loves the ornaments and thinks they look best when there are six or more on one branch. :) - We just loved how excited he was about the whole process. Owen got in on the act too! Enjoy the pictures!




A pre trimming snack of Teddy Grahams...

Lucas loves his Santa hat...

Owen picked his ornament

My 3 Elves -- Couldn't get them looking the same way at the same time




Lucas putting the angel on the tree - this angel has been in the family for a long time





Lucas and Rich with their 3D glasses on. When you wear them it changes the lights in to little snowmen and santas

Happy Birthday to my Bubba!

It is Rich's birthday today. Per his request, we celebrated at home with the kids, a good bottle of wine, pasta and a cake!

I love you! - You are such a great dad, husband and my best friend! Even though now you are a year older than me :)