Thanksgiving Leftovers w/ Ben & Jacob

We got together with Ben & Jacob's family to share Thanksgiving leftovers. After stuffing ourselves with Turkey, ham, and lots of fixin's, Saba read Jacob and me a story. Then I got to take a bubble bath with Ben & Jacob. We had lots of fun playing with bubbles and being silly.

Rub-A-Dub, 3 Boys in a Tub.

Charming the Ladies at Christmas in the Park

We went to downtown San Jose to decorate Christmas trees for Arlene's Daycare (my daycare) and Las Madres Working Moms 2006 (Mommy's mommy group) for Christmas in the Park. LMWM06 Tree was decorated in a star theme. Mommy & I couldn't make it to the ornament decorating playdate, so Drake's mommy gave us some supplies. I got to decorate my stars at home before we went up at Sea Ranch. Arlene's Tree was decorated with TONS of ornaments us kids had made since Thanksgiving. Arlene came prepared with yummy Fruit Loop necklaces and chocolate chip cookies for us. The whole daycare gang showed up. We had lots of fun.

Hopping on giant peppermint candies with Marisol.





Stomping on "fake" snow with Ava.

Arlene's Gang

Sea Ranch R&R

We went up to Sea Ranch for a little pre-Thanksgiving R&R. We rented this house on the meadow. It was also just a short hike to One-Eyed-Jack's Playground and Shell Beach. Every morning, we saw deer grazing in the meadow. It was a nice lazy vacation. Daddy baked a big ham the first day, so we feasted on ham every day - ham steaks, ham & eggs, grilled ham & cheese, ham salad, etc. Mommy & Daddy got some reading in while I was introduced to our portable DVD player. I watched the Dora DVD that Khai gave me for Halloween over and over. We took walks every day, rain or shine. If it was raining, we took cover underneath the cypress trees. If it was sunny, I got to slide and swing at One-Eyed-Jack's or play in the sand at Shell Beach. We did a photo shoot for our Holiday photo card beneath the trees at One-Eyed-Jack's, and later took a family photo at The Sea Ranch Chapel. Mommy & Daddy originally wanted to get married at the Chapel, but it could only hold 20 people. So, instead, they exchanged their vows on the bluff top overlooking the ocean at The Sea Ranch Lodge. It was a really nice getaway. Can't wait to come back again.

Playing in the sand at Shell Beach.

Trying out the drinking fountain at One-Eyed-Jack's Playground.

Tumbling w/ Daddy

While we were up at Sea Ranch, Daddy showed me how to do somersaults.

Big Wheel

Mommy & Daddy finally put together the Big Wheel that Uncle Bill & Aunt Terry got me for my birthday. It's awesome.

"It's tangled up" - refers to the kite that been stuck in the power line since the summer.

Alphabet Song

(with a little help from Mommy)

Halloween '08

For this auspicious occasion, I dressed up at the Dread Pirate Zachary. Mommy originally was going to put me in this cute Monkey costume from Old Navy, but I wouldn't have anything to do with that sissy costume. I also didn't care for the oversized frilly shirt that came with my pirate costume, so Mommy had to make me this cool T-shirt. The holiday festivities started off with a party at daycare, and what better way to celebrate than costumes and cupcakes. We had the perfect Fright Night weather that evening - storm clouds rolling in and wind whistling thru the trees. It was so windy that Mommy couldn't put out all her usual spider and web paraphernalia. Luckily, the rain held off until I completed my Trick-or-Treating down the block and back. Also, I ended up with extra loot cuz we had lots of left over candy cuz there weren't as may kids out this year. SCORE!!!

Cambria

After two weeks of Mommy on travel for work, we met up with Evan and his parents for a long weekend getaway to Cambria on the Central Coast. Our vacation house was up on a steep hill (Daddy & Uncle John figured out the slope to be 16 degrees or 28% grade.) two blocks from the ocean. We took a road trip to Morro Bay to buy provisions our first day before we discovered the local supermarket in Cambria. We also visited the neighborhood playground next to the beach. I got to dip my feet (and other parts) in the ocean in both locations. We also went to Jack Creek Farms in nearby Templeton. The pumpkin patch was pretty picked over, but they had yummy apple cider slushies, goats, two water hand pumps, hay bails, and lots of old tractor parts. The highlight of our trip (for the grown ups) was dinner at Madeline's. For me, it was this cool rocketship I got for my birthday from Evan and his parents.

Jerome & Angie Got Married

While Mommy & Daddy went up to SF to attend mommy's cousin Jerome's wedding at the Stanford Court Hotel on Nob Hill, I got to spend the whole evening with Arlene. We went to the Las Madres 2006 Annual Fall Event at the San Jose Children's Discovery Museum. I got to run around in my Superman PJ's. I had lots of fun.

My 2nd Birthday Party

I celebrated my birthday with family and friends at Las Palmas Park. We had a late start which gave my friends and me time to enjoy the free church carnival going on at the park at the same time, complete with bounce houses, games, face painting, puppet show, storm trooper, and popcorn (SCORE!), while Daddy slaved away at the BBQ getting the grub ready. We feasted on hotdogs & hamburgers with all the fixin's plus some gourmet toppings like grilled mushrooms & onions, bleu cheese crumbles, fried onions, homemade coleslaw, and sauerkraut. Daddy also made some yummy baked beans, and Mommy made two pasta dishes. We might have started late, but I think everyone had plenty to eat.

Marisol, Sarah, and I admiring my birthday cake.

We couldn't light the candle cuz it was too windy, so I had to suffice with picking at the frosting.

Daddy slaving away.

Me enjoying popcorn while Cousin Tim blows up balloons.

Sarah, Marisol, & I playing with one of the giant beach balls.

Halloween Birthday Care Package

When I got home, I had an awesome Halloween Birthday care package from Auntie Momma Hawk and my best bud Khai waiting for me. I got Superman pajamas like Khai, a Diego rescue radio, an RC car, a cool Halloween lunch box, glow sticks, tons of Halloween stickers & stamps, a Hallowen Mr. Potatohead, some Halloween lollipops, an orange slinky, Halloween straws, a Halloween Dora DVD, a Sesame Street Halloween Coloring Book, a Halloween sweatshirt, and a wicked new pacifier.

THANKS A BUNCH!!!

Birthday Party @ Daycare

Daddy made some cupcakes from scratch for me to share at Daycare. They were yummy.

Birthday Wishes from Mommy

As I lie in bed with you snuggled up close holding my ear, I can't seem to remember my life before you were born. (Course, it could be the sleep deprivation, as it's 4AM and I can't seem to sleep.) But I'd like to believe it's because you've brought so much joy to my life, more than I ever thought possible, that my life before you pales in comparison. I can't believe you're two years old today. Seems like only yesterday, you were this tiny helpless thing that would curl up in the crook of my arm, not much different than a kitty. In the blink of an eye, you've grown into a little boy - full of energy, still crazy about balloons, wanting to do everything yourself, talking a mile a minute, and as polite as can be. I am amazed by you every single day. At every glance, you seem to develop a new skill or learn a new phrase. Just watching you enjoy life or even sleep will wipe away all the troubles from my day. My love for you grows more and more every day. I hope you know how much I love you. My birthday wish for you is a healthy, happy, and fun future which I plan to be right there sharing with you. Lots of Love, Mommy.

Like Father, Like Son

Kickin' back with Daddy.

2-Year Checkup

My mommy's genes have finally caught up with me. My height spurt has slowed down, putting me at a fairly balanced 70-75th percentile with weight actually on the higher end and height at the lower end. I've still got a big head with a circumference of 19.76" (87%). The doc gave be a good bill of health except for prescribing an ointment for the strange rash I seem to have picked up. She also gave me a cool Dinosaur Counting book. Daddy had to fly solo this appointment cuz Mommy got stuck at work. I almost escaped without a flu shot, but Mommy showed up just in time for us to head back inside. It was just a little sting for which I got a Dora & Boots sticker for my trouble. Afterwards, we walked around Downtown Mountain View and ended up grabbing dinner at a Malaysian restaurant. I really enjoyed the Roti and Singapore Noodles.