Santa 2009

If you can't recall what our Santa 2008 picture turned out like, here it is.

This year we talked to Logan about going and seeing Santa. She was walking through the mall talking about seeing Santa and she seemed so excited. We didn't dare let her get a glimpse of him before we got in line and we kept her occupied so that she would not see the unhappy child in front of us in line taking their picture with Santa. However, none of that worked. Logan had a moment there. She did not want to get on Santa's lap. Adam says she is much stronger this year as she would NOT let go of him.

Santa was VERY nice and decided that mommy and Logan could take a picture with him, but who would want to leave Daddy out. NOT SANTA. Santa was insisiting that Adam sit on his lap. If I wasn't so concerned with making sure that Logan just sits there while we take the picture I probably would have jumped right on the "sled" with Santa and insisted that Adam get in the holiday spirit and make that Jolly guy happy and sit on his lap.
Adam ended up behind the three of us and this is what our 2009 Santa photo looks like. The best "smile" we could get out of Logan.

It's a BOY

We just found out yesterday that we are having a BOY. We were both completely shocked and were dead set that it was a girl. We had to take a second look at the monitor and we had to ask the sonographer if he was kidding. But he wasn't...we for sure have a little boy arriving in March.

Here is one of his first pics.

Fall has arrived

It seems so sudden that summer has left us and fall has arrived. Our lives have been busy. Volleyball season is officially over for me, so I now have time in the afternoons again. Adam is busy working on the growth of his business.

Logan is doing so well. I can't believe all of the wonderful things she is learning in pre-school. Shapes, colors, songs, numbers. It just blows my mind when she comes home and tells me something new; like how a slice of pizza is a triangle. Yes, she said that to me. I was such a proud mommy.

Halloween just sort of snuck up on us this year. I can't believe how each Halloween Logan looks more and more different. This year she was Minnie Mouse for Halloween. She seemed to enjoy it. I think she really liked the trick-or-treat part. Once she figured out that you go up to doors and you knock on them, then people come out with bowls of candy....WOW she was set. It was especially funny when she didn't even say anything to them and just went right for the candy bowl. We let her have a few pieces last night, but most of it we recycled by handing it back out to the trick-or-treaters that came to our home. Somehow this morning, Logan found a Butterfinger and came up to me asking if she could have it....before breakfast. Luckily she was not too heart broken when I told her no.

We are still continuing to work on the potty training thing. If anyone has any suggestions please share. I'd really like to have her potty trained before baby #2 arrives in March. I've heard 2 1/2 years is a great time to start and we will be approaching that in December.

Here are a few pictures of Logan's past Halloweens and a picture of her this Halloween.

Logan's First Halloween...our little pumpkin

Her second Halloween....a Lady Bug
...and this year we were Minnie Mouse

Here is her little outfit she wore to school for their party

So grown up...I can't believe it!!!

Happy 40th Anniversary Steve and Adele

Today my in-laws celeebrated their 40th Anniversary. Actually I should say that they initially started off celebrating their 40th Anniversary about 2 weeks ago when they took a cruise to Alaska. We (Adam, Logan, myself and Michaela) celebrated their Anniversary with them yesterday evening. We had everyone over to our house last night for dinner. I had "planned" on making a 4 layer cake. Each layer was going to be a different color; representing each decade that they have been married. I started making the cake Saturday morning. Well needless to say, "I'm definitely NOT a cake decorator." It was actually quite shocking how wrong I got this because I actually tend to put desserts together quite well. However, this picture describes it all.

I think it was a little too heavy and fell over and apart. Adam had to get a picture of it. Not to worry though, we saved the cake to show them. I did make them another cake that turned out great. I sent them home with this colorful cake and an extra container of frosting. The cake was quite good, it's was just not so great to look at.
After dinner we gave them the gift we had been working on. We created a slideshow of the past 40 years. They loved it. We hope their 40th Anniversary was spectaclar. Happy Anniversary. We love you guys.

Here they are 40 years ago

And here they are today....looking fabulous

It only took like 10 shots to get this photo to come out right.

Colorado Vacation

We just arrived home yesterday from our family vacation in Colorado. We drove 2800 miles and had a wonderful time. Although the driving began to be a bit much towards the end, it wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be.

We started out our trip on Friday and headed to Kerrville, Texas. It's about 3 1/2 hours from Corpus Christi. We didn't get to leave until later that day because Adam had to finish up a few last things at work, but we wanted to knock some miles out of the way. Kerrville is a lovely little town. It was our first night in the hotel and I got the chance to see what Logan was going to be like sleeping....her foot was going to be permanently stuck in my ribs every night. YEAH for me.

Saturday morning we got up and started our drive. Our plan was to head to Carlsbad, New Mexico and stay the night there. The day was mostly uneventful besides some of the dirty towns we drove through and the fact that I through my car keys away in this disgusting trash can on accident and had to go get them. No it wasn't a dumpster, but it was still disgusting. Once we got to Carlsbad we realized that we could go much further and decided to head to Albuquerque. Thank you to our friend Brian for getting online for us and finding us a GREAT hotel to stay at. The entire drive that day was terribly boring, but we survived it.

Sunday morning we were back on the road for our first Colorado destination; Durango. It was absolutely gorgeous. The weather was perfect; warm but no humidity. We were told it was the hottest day of the year and of course we thought it felt amazing. We went to visit our friends, The Dupont's. On Sunday they took us downtown to check out the stores. It was so green and so beautiful. Here is Logan and the Dupont kiddos playing on these horses by the train station.

That evening we had a fabulous dinner at there house and sat on their back deck. I wish I would have gotten pictures of it. The view was pretty awesome.

Monday morning Adam, Logan and I headed out to do a few things on our own. We drove around the town a bit and went up to the College they have in Durango, Ft. Lewis College. The campus is awesome. It's on top of this mountain and it overlooks the city. Incredible. Here is a few pictures of us by the University.

After checking out the college, we went back downtown and walked around a bit more. The day was a bit cooler and Logan seemed to be enjoying her nap in the stroller.

That evening they took us on a drive to this restaurant by a lake. We had dinner on the deck and after dinner we drove around the entire lake. It was a pretty awesome view. Here are a few pics from the lake.

We had a great time with the Dupont's. Thank you guys.

Tuesday morning we headed off to our second destination, Castle Rock Colorado. It's a small town outside of Denver. My brother and his family lives there and my Dad was flying in from South Carolina to hang out with us.

Adam and I decided to take the "scenic" drive from Durango to Castle Rock. We went through San Juan National Forest. I can't count how many times we said, "Beautiful, Awesome, Unbelievable." The views were absolutely breath taking. Although the drive took us a few hours longer than the original drive was to take, we couldn't pass up on the experience of seeing these views. Adam did majority of the driving through the mountains. There were a few parts where it was a bit scary...huge drops to the side of us. Here are a few pics from our drive.

Yes, that is a cyclist in front of us...we were going pretty slow for us, but if I were on a bike it would have been too fast for me. Pretty impressive

I was so happy to arrive in Castle Rock to see my family. I knew my brother had something big in store for greeting us at his house. The last time we saw them was for our wedding and when Adam came over to the house they were staying at, my brother walks out in a speedo and gives Adam a hug..."welcome to the family." I of course am quite use to this display from my brother and take huge enjoyment in it. He cracks me up. Well here is the outfit that he greeted Adam in this time.

After the hilarious greeting we had dinner with my brother, my sister-in-law, dad and nephews. Logan and my nephew Ev had a BLAST together. They were all over the place playing with toys. It was so great to see them get a long so well. And it was so wonderful to get to be with my family.

Wednesday my Dad treated us all to a trip to the Denver Zoo. Although we only made it a few hours it was a lot of fun. Again, Ev and Logan had a lot of fun together. Logan loves Monkeys and she kept making monkey noises. It was very cute. The most "interesting" part at the zoo was when we went to see the Gorillas. There was this lady nestled on one of the ledges next to the gorilla...of course the glass was keeping the two from touching each other, but these two were having some sort of conversation together...if the glass weren't there I don't know what would have happened. It was very interesting to see the Gorilla interact with her like this. Here is a picture of what that looked like.

Here is a picture that we took of the cousins together at the zoo.

Aren't they adorable.

After the zoo we had lunch and then Adam, Logan and I went shopping at the outlet mall. Later that evening my Dad treated us again to a FABULOUS dinner at Pappadeauxs. It was so good. We took a bunch of family pictures while we were there. Here are a couple those pictures.

Thursday morning we said goodbye to my family and started our journey back to Corpus Christi. We spent the night in Amarillo and go a chance to meet up with our friends, Andrew and Adrienne Chaddick. We were so happy to see them before they get ready to have their first little baby in a few weeks. Logan had one of best meals while we had dinner with them. I didn't want her to scare them too badly. :) She also tried breaking in all the baby's new toys. We didn't get a picture with them, which we were upset about, but we wish them the best of luck in this new chapter of their lives. They are going to be awesome parents and we can't wait to meet their new little one.

Friday morning was back on the road. We left Amarillo at 8am and got back to Corpus at 7:30pm. After driving 2800 miles, listening to 2 different Dora DVD's, 1 Yo Gabba Gabba DVD and CD and many diaper changes in the car because many restaurants don't have changing tables, we were glad to be home. The trip was definitely an adventure and it was full of fun. We had a blast, but it was definitely time to sleep in our own bed...however poor Logan thought she was still going to get to sleep with Mommy.

Here is one final picture of what Logan looked like in the back seat as we pulled in to Corpus Christi. I think a week of vacation wore her out.

Logan's Birthday party

Her official birthday isn't until tomorrow the 15th of June, but we had a birthday party for her this weekend. It was a "Dora" party and she loved it. Besides getting tons of Dora presents from friends and family, she had a Dora cake, Dora decorations, she wore a Dora dress and we served mexican food for dinner. It was a lot of fun!!! Here are a few pics of her birthday fiesta.

Here she is opening up her Dora Vanity set from her Auntie Michaela...we put it together she loves it.

We got her a tricycle for her birthday...I give her 2 weeks and she'll be riding down the street...need to get her a bell. :)

Blowing out her candles...or maybe Mommy and Daddy were blowing them out and she was watching.


The three of us....

Yummy cake...or cup cakes!!!

Mother Daughter Vacation

Logan and I just got back from a week long mother and daughter vacation to California. It was lots of fun. Logan was exceptional on the plane rides. We got to stop and hang out with lots of my friends along the way on our visit.

On Thursday we flew into San Jose and stayed with Lynette for a couple of days. Thursday I was so exhausted and so was Logan that the both of us went to bed super early that day. Friday we got up and went to the Oakland Zoo. I was very impressed with the Zoo. It was a smaller zoo, but it was very clean and there weren't many people there, so Logan got to run around for quite a bit. Here are a few pics of our Zoo trip.

The three of us on a train ride around part of the zoo....."choo-choo."

Logan actually posing for a picture. Thank goodness she's into watching other kids and doing what they do. They were all turning for their mommies up against the fence and smiling for the camera.

After the Zoo on Friday we headed back and got our daily nap and then that afternoon went shopping at a few different stores.

Saturday morning we got up and headed in the Valley where I stayed with my friend Monica and her hubby and kiddos for the night. Logan got some great playing time in with Monica and her daughter, Dakota, who just happens to be like 6 months older than Logan. They had LOTS of fun and I had lots of fun getting to catch up with Monica. Here are a few photos of Logan and Dakota playing.

Here is Logan sticking her head out of a minitaure doll house they had in the backyard.

Logan and Dakota running around.

The "real" playhouse that they are making. WOW!!!

Sunday morning we got up and headed into my hometown to go to the the church that I went to as a kid. My brand new niece, Kambria, was being dedicated. I think I surprised a lot of people at church who hadn't seen me in a VERY long time...like 12 years. During the baby dedication they had the family of both sides come up to the front and be witnesses to the dedication. As the preacher was saying a wonderful prayer, Logan decided that she needed to meow like a kitty. Not just meow one time, but repeatedly meow. How that man finished his prayer without a laugh is beyond me, but I know that when the prayer was over with I was thanking God for ending the prayer. :)

During our time in Tulare I stayed with the parents of one of my greatest childhood friends. They had a little grandson who was about 4 months younger than Logan. He was adorable and the two of them on Sunday had a blast playing in the back yard. Here are a few pics of her playing in the backyard.

The Sumi's were so wonderful letting Logan and I stay in their house. It was so comfortable being there. Much better than staying in a hotel room.

I also got a chance to visit with my cousin...who I unfortunately did not get any pictures with. I also hung out with one of my high school friends, Jill and her kiddos. WOW!!! That was great. We got to catch up with each other and talk about the past. Grandma Lou (Jill's grandma) has turtles in her back yard and so here are a few pics of Logan checking out the turtles. She loved them.

And here is a final picture of my sister Kirsten, niece Kambria, and Logan and I

Logan and I had a blast on our trip. I really miss all my friends from California. I wish that I could see them more. We have such wonderful memories together. Thank you to all the wonderful friends that let Logan and I stay at your house. It made our vactation that much more enjoyable. Looking forward to another California Vacation.

Hoppity Easter

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. I sure did. It was another wonderful time celebrating the holiday. I had Friday off of work, so that was really great. Adam's parents hung out with Logan during the day and Adam and I got to spend some time together. It actually seemed like it had been a LOOONNNNGGG time since we had done that. I'm glad we did something fun with our time together. We went and ate lunch together and then went out to the beach. I got a little burnt at lunch, so we only stayed at the beach for about an hour or so, but it still was great to be hanging out there.

Saturday, Adam's sister came into town and they wanted to keep Logan over night. YEAH!!! That meant we were going to get to sleep in past 7am and Logan was staying with Honey, Grandpa, and Aunt Michaela.

Easter morning we headed over to get Logan dressed for church and we all headed out to mass. Logan lasted longer than she did at Christmas, but she still did not make it through the entire service. It probably didn't help that she had Aunt Michaela, Honey and Grandpa up at 4:30am.

After church we had lunch with everyone, Logan did a bit of Easter egg hunting. Although Logan was in the cutest dress for Easter...Thank you Aunt Peg...Logan didn't keep it on for long. You'll notice that this year Logan spent Easter mostly in just her diaper. She was feeling very relaxed and she was having so much fun, I didn't want to stop her.

Overall, the 3 day weekend that I had was fabulous. Can't wait for another break like that. I think my next long weekend will be Memorial weekend.

Here are some pics of Easter weekend.

Although the picture is blurry, here we all are dressed up for church...don't you love Logan's glasses?!!

Logan hunting for Easter eggs




Dad, Mom and Logan checking out the egg.

What just busted on my head??

Oh, this is fun...I like busting these eggs open!!

Adam and I....I'm feeling the "Easter bunny" spirit and Adam he's trying to film Logan at the same time.

The three of us...

Beautiful baby girl...

Happy Easter Everyone!!!