Happy Thanksgiving!

Cole's first Thanksgiving was spent up at Uncle Mike & Aunt Sarah's house - Always a great time, especially when good food, fun drinks and football are part of the festivities!







Robin's nephew was also at the celebration - Leo is one month younger than Cole. They started a game of peek-a-boo and I think we all could've watched them play it for hours!









Looking back at these pictures, he definitely had a great first Thanksgiving!

Family Fun in Florida - Part Three

After our 'Thanksgiving/Christmas' celebration and Cole's blessing, all that was left on the to-do list was quality time at the beach and pool!











Wednesday - Before our trip to St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg - Watching the water before our trolley ride



Thursday - Tarpon Springs (known for natural sponges)

Anclote Gulf Park





Our first bald eagle sighting! Amazing.

Family Fun in Florida - Part Two

On Tuesday we held a blessing on the beach for Cole. Reverend Georgeann Butler was so sweet and helped us plan a lovely ceremony. Afterwards, we went to a fabulous Spanish restaurant right on the water to celebrate - Cole clearly loved it... He ate half my paella!

As you'll see, it was very windy but we couldn't have asked for a better day.

The only thing missing from this picture... Godparents Mike & Sarah!

Family Fun in Florida - Part One

On the plane once again! This time we were off to Tampa to visit Tom's family for the week. Grandma and Grandpa Lundquist flew in from Chicago so the eight of us could enjoy an early Thanksgiving/Christmas together.

Sunday - Our condo in Redington Beach



Off to Grandpa & Grandma Zanetti's home for 'Thanksgiving/Christmas'

Meeting Millie







Only place he was willing to eat his holiday feast!



Monday - Venice Beach - Lunch with The Bryant's

Monday Evening - BBQ at Grandpa & Grandma Zanetti's

New girlfriends, Annika & Nora



Watching the train with Uncle Justin



In his glory with two favorites: Cars and trains!

The Big 3-0

I was told by my dear husband that we were going away for a weekend of relaxation - My clues/instructions were simple. We had never been there before... I was to pack clothes for warm days/cold nights... And to bring my Kindle because I was going to get a lot of reading time in while he pulled baby duty.

Friday afternoon we pulled out and started heading north. I assumed it was Lake Arrowhead or Palm Springs when I was packing, but nope! Big Bear!! My first thought was "I married a liar. We were here last year!" My second thought was "Holy cr*p, I'm going to FREEZE with my 'Palm Springs' attire!! Who packs sundresses for the mountains?!" Tom told me I could buy whatever I needed at local shops, so up the mountain we went. I pictured a cozy little cabin, wine by the fireplace, and taking Cole on some amazing hikes.

And then we pulled up to this.



3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, huge loft... He went on and on about off-season deals, but I'm no fool. We clearly weren't going to be alone... Just a matter of which friends would be coming and when!

It was getting dark, so I assumed our guests would arrive in the morning, but the doorbell started ringing a few hours later - Sarah, Mike, Traci, Lauren, Willy and Robin! Couldn't believe they made the trip to celebrate with us. 3+ hours! In the dark! And to keep such a secret?!

Had the best birthday weekend a girl, I mean, old lady could ask for - Saturday we hit the village for the Alpine Slide, bowling, shopping and lunch... And that evening we just enjoyed the cabin and had a ton of laughs drinking and playing board games.

I'm very, very thankful that we have friends that didn't mind Cole crawling around or the times he got a tad fussy... Tom really thought of everything and I love that I could celebrate with friends AND have the three of us together.

Some pictures from the b-day weekend:

6:30am Saturday morning - Master bathroom tub - Doing our best to entertain the little guy so he didn't wake everyone up!



Lunch in the village



DCFS will surely nominate us for Parents of the Year Award with this one.





Stars from our back deck



Sunday - Saying goodbye to a fabulous weekend





Monday - After our sushi dinner



To top off the day - Cards, texts, and emails from loved ones and beautiful flowers from Mike and Sarah (AND a gorgeous vase)



Thanks to all of you, turning the big 3-0 wasn't so difficult after all.