It's the Little Things



Winter Fun

Great day for sledding at Mission Beach

Topped the day off with a walk to Balboa Park for December Nights! 

Took a lot of convincing to get him to ride alone for the first time... He was okay until another kid was put next to him - His body language says it all!

Ho, Ho, Ho

Tom's company had a party in their conference room for the little ones last night - They had a tree... Cookie decorating station... Coloring pages... It was adorable.  After everyone ate, Santa appeared.  Each child sat on his lap and got a gift.  When asked what he wanted Cole whispered, "Trucks.  A lot of trucks."  Unfortunately, he tends to drop the 'Tr' and add a 'F' so when Santa said, "What was that?  I can't hear you." I yelled, "Trucks!  He wants a lot of trucks!"  Can you imagine if our child shouted the f-word at his father's work function?  All those impressionable young minds?! Crisis averted! 

California Adventures

We took Cole to California Adventures for his birthday and had a BLAST.  Ten and a half hours of non-stop fun. 

We waited less than 5 minutes for the Little Mermaid and Monsters Inc rides and rode the carousel and Golden Zephr (rockets pictured below) five times in a row.  We met Pluto, McQueen and Mater... And couldn't believe when Mater sang our little guy 'Happy Birthday' thanks to a button he was given earlier in the day. 

We couldn't have asked for a more fabulous day.

Hayden - Five Months

Hayden rolled from her stomach to her back for the first time on September 11th and it took her a bit longer to learn to roll from her back to her stomach (mid-October).  Pretty much all movement surprised her as much as it surprised us.  Well, not anymore!  She is a rolling, puking machine.  So much for cleaning our carpets last weekend! 



 

*This month's photo shoot was a total disaster thanks to her new observation skills, a brother that insisted on being in the frame, tears, spit-up, drool and my inability to learn how to use our portrait lense.  She's balding... She's cute... And apparently a dragon.

Officer McGinn

My Uncle Tim retired from the Buffalo Grove Police Department in October. I flew home this past weekend to surprise him at his retirement party. It was a quick trip but totally worth it to see his face when I walked in the doors!

The number of people at the party... The speeches, gifts and standing ovations... He is clearly loved and respected by many.

26 years - We are so proud of you!!

Just so happened my Aunt Val was having a birthday dinner Saturday evening... Was thrilled I could surprise her as well. Happy 70th Birthday to the kindest, sweetest, most wonderful woman!