Nana and Barka's Visit

We had a most wonderful time during Nana and Barka's visit these past couple of weeks.

Here Kingsley and Barka get reacquainted with one another.

It didn't take long for the boys to cozy up to Nana again.

We fit in lots of park time...

and some nice strolls.

We visited the MY Museum (Children's Museum in Monterey).

Here Charlie is giving the hospital the ETA from the ambulance. Very important work.

A few more pictures from the museum.

Kingsley still loves anything with wheels, gears, or cranks.

He loves to figure out how things work.

In the Tree House.

Working the construction site.

Playing dress-up in the green room with Papa.

Charlie treating Nana and Barka to some delicious plastic food meals in the play restaurant.

We celebrated Kingsley's birthday.

This is his first cupcake of the day.

He looks so old to me in this picture--no longer any signs of the baby I once knew.

More cupcakes.

Kingsley "let" the rest of us have some vanilla ones.

The boys enjoyed lots of story time with Nana.

Jeremy and I enjoyed a couple of days away.

We stayed at The Inn at Del Monte Beach in Monterey. Cool place.

We spent a day wandering around Carmel. Beautiful.

Thank you Nana and Barka---for everything!

(Barka is how Kingsley pronounced Grandpa way-back-when, and it stuck).

My Baby is TWO!

Baby Charlie turned two today. I am wondering if I should no longer call him "Baby" Charlie. Furthermore, I wonder if I am supposed to correct him now when he pats his little belly and blurts out, "I'm a baby!" No longer a baby, but always my baby. The past two years have flown by.

3 months old

9 months old

18 months old

23 months old

We had a wonderful day today celebrating with friends. The sun was shining, the temperature was in the 60's, a perfect day for cupcakes in the backyard. Today was also a day of good-byes as we prepare to leave our current home, say good-bye to friends, and bid adieu to "Baby" Charlie.

I hope to post pictures from today very soon, but will end for now. Happy Birthday my sweet, sweet BOY!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Goofball and Butterball's Papa!

A man who thoroughly enjoys sharing his birthday with the likes of Elvis Presley and David Bowie. Not bad company at all. We love you and wish you many, many more happy birthdays and happy days.

Bringing in the New Year 2009

The end of December 2008, and into the new year of 2009, brought Nana and Barka (Jeremy's parents) to our home to help celebrate the holidays. We had not spent Christmas together (the 4 adults) since way before Kingsley was born, so this was extra, extra special.

The visit was especially sweet since this was Charlie's first Christmas and Nana and Barka got to witness his first real steps.

With Papa.

How fun it was to have Nana and Barka there on Christmas morning to watch the boys open gifts.

Charlie checking out some decorations.

Barka and Charlie

What a wonderful way to spend Christmas and ring in the new year!

Happy New Year!

Kicking off a new year.

Happy New Year!

I am not one for new year's resolutions, but I am hoping for:

More peace.

More love.

More smiles.

More hugs.

More family time.

More Wisconsin time.

A San Diego visit.

A few date nights would be nice.

More adventures.

Healthy eating.

Lots more exercise.

A place to settle.

Focusing on the positive.

Being thankful and showing thanks.

I have been a hit-or-miss blogger this year,

and it is falling short.

I have missed documenting some big moments this past year.

I hope to be a better historian this year, but I will start with a review of

2009.

Buckle your seats and get some popcorn...

Here's to 2010!

(picture is from April 2009)

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!

Wishing you peace and love.

2009

2008

Doing the holiday jig.

May your days be merry and bright!

Fireworks, But No Santa

Charlie's reaction to the fireworks.

Continuing the holiday festivities, and to furthur immerse ourselves in holiday spirit, we joined in on our community's tree lighting event this past weekend. Fun for all, including cookies, hot cocoa, horse-drawn wagon rides, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and fireworks! Hidden Valley Lake opts to put on their fireworks show at this December event instead of the 4th of July due to extreme fire hazard (very hot, very dry that time of year here).

Last year we did not stay for the fireworks---too late for a very young Charlie. But we saw Santa and the Mrs. As you can see from the above picture, Kingsley's quite dramatic 2 1/2 year old tantrum was easily and quickly extinguished once Santa handed him a cheap stuffed snowman.

This year we were able to stay for a really grand fireworks show, but for some odd reason Santa and Mrs. Claus up and left at 7pm with 5 children still (quite obviously) waiting in line for a visit. Thank goodness Kingsley took it all in stride. I was expecting the worst (who me?) as we had been pumping this evening up and rehearsing what he was going to say to Santa. Phew. I think the fireworks helped and getting to run amok with his buddy (and our neighbor) Nathan.

Kingsley saying "cheese". Quite the ham these days.

Another decent family photo---not too bad.

A chilly, but fun and festive evening.

One bad thing...

...about Christmas parades is that they do not repeat on demand.

Sorry boys.

But really, tractors, old cars, horses, race cars, snow men, motorcycles, monster trucks, Santa, candy, and fire engines (complete with sirens)---what more could a boy want?

Well, besides the french fries and chocolate shakes after the parade.

Happy Holidays!