Pictures from Christmas on Euclid 2009

Blessings

This time of year brings so much emotion to me. I'm so thankful for a lot. Here are a few things I'm thankful for: I'm so thankful and blessed to have wonderful family and friends. I'm thankful that we all can spend time together. I'm thankful that despite how busy we all are we manage to keep our traditions.

Our 1st tradition to bring in Christmas 2009 is going as a family to "Christmas on Euclid". Mom, Jen's family, Bec's family, and our family go. It's so much fun and creates many memories for all of us. It also helps me get in the holiday spirit. This year we captured this on our camera (photos to come). Emmie sat on Santa's lap and was looking at the ornaments. Nate decided that he just wanted to, "wave to Santa" and give him a picture he colored. We had way too much fun!

This time of year also makes me think of the people in our lives that have passed on. Grandma, Auntley, my Dad, Jerry's Mom---just to name a few. We are so blessed to have had these wonderful people in our lives.

Take time to hug those around you, keep your traditions with them, create memories, and remember to "live, laugh, love, and dance".

So much is happening

I can't believe the middle of November is here. Pretty soon it will be Thanksgiving then, Christmas. I love this time of year. I have so much to be thankful for.

I have an adorable 3 year old. Nathan turned 3 last Friday. I can't believe how big he is. He had a wonderful time at Preschool making muffins with his friends for his birthday. He loves preschool and loved when his friends sang "Happy Birthday" to him.

About 3 weeks before he turned 3 he gave us a gift....Totally

potty/poop trained. He has been out of diapers since July, but couldn't get the poop thing down. I'm happy to say that he loves going poop in his froggy.

I know it sounds yucky, but it's our world.

Emmie's so sweet. She's getting so big. A week ago she weighed 21 lbs. I can't believe it! She has 2 bottom teeth poking through her gums. On Friday she will be 6 months. Jeez, where does the time go? We are anxiously awaiting this weekend. Emmie is going to get her 1st taste of solid food. Yummy! Stay tuned for those pics.

Life's moving way too fast. I'm so grateful for those moments when I can take a deep breath and enjoy holding both of my beautiful kids.

Pumpkins! Pumpkins! Pumpkins!

This year we ditched Cal Poly and went to Oak Glen for fun, pumpkins, & apples. It was hot as usual, but lots to do and see. We missed Uncle Mike and Hailey Girl.

Nate, Jerry, & I started a new tradition in our house and decorated pumpkins. Em is too little to decorate so she held hers.

Lu Lu is 5 months old

Our little Emmie Lu Lu Belle is 5 months old! 1 more month and Skatey will be 3 years old!

A lot is happening in our house. We are soooo busy that I don't have time to blog. Laundry is left in the dryer or chair. It sometimes makes it to the closets and dressers. Dishes sometimes are left in the sink...shocking. I never used to let dishes and laundry get this way.

I'm enjoying Emerson and Nathan to the fullest. Dancing, laughing, running around, and reading to them. I know that I should really get my butt in gear and make sure all the housework is done, but I honestly would rather hang out with them.

Em has realized that she can laugh at nothing. She now rolls over from her back to her tummy. We are waiting for her 2 teeth on the bottom to come. She gets to eat solids in 1 more month. I have given her tiny, like a dot, tastes of banana and avocado. When I put it on her tongue her arms and legs go crazy. She's going to love food.

Nate has discovered the words BECAUSE, WHAT, & NAMES. I hear because and what all the time. He really is interested in knowing who people are, where they live, and what they are doing. He's very observant and reminds me of a professor. He eats up anything we read to him or tell him. He has also mastered (in July) riding his tricycle and last month riding the scooter. He is trying to master the skateboard.

Skatey and Lu Lu are the very best of friends. They both smile when they see each other. I'm so THANKFUL that they love/like each other very much.

Jerry went to "Oh, CANADA" this month for work. We missed him so much and couldn't wait for him to get home. Nathan just went on and on about the "hairplane" that Daddy was on. It was cute.

Cute

I'm amazed at how sweet my children and husband are. When I can't find the motivation to exercise there they are...making it so easy. Nate, Emmie, and I have walked up to the park (3mi. round trip) 2 times this week. No crying, no whining, no fighting, no accidents, and no explosions. They make it so peaceful. On Tuesdays and Thursdays my little ladybug is patient as I walk through Upland. And tonight Jerry took Nate outside so I could go on the treadmill for a little bit.

It's so hard to exercise especially when I want to be with the fam. But when Nate says, "Mommy, you go for a walk." "Mommy, we go in the stroller to the park." "Mommy, you go on the treadmill." I can't help but make myself do it!!!! :)

When I picked up my sweet lil' boy at school today he asked me if we were going to the park today. I told him, "Not today, honey." He said, "We'll walk there tomorrow." He doesn't know it but he keeps me going.

Thanks, guys.

I love you bunches!!!

Zoo and Exciting things

Nate and Em 1st time at Zoo








Aunt Bec made this bow :)

Grace, Bianca, Luke, & Nate at the Zoo. Brandon wasn't ready to have his pic taken. This is before Luke threw his hat to the Orangutans






Mommy, Emmie, and Nate at the Zoo

Daddy and Emmie at the Zoo









Nate and Sis on his 1st day of Preschool

Brandon and Nate being silly at Bran's B-day dinner

*****New and exciting things are happening all the time!!!!

We went to the zoo for Gracie and Luke's 2nd Birthday. It's hard to believe that they are Terrific Two. It was Nate and Emmie's first time and they loved it. Nate loved running around with his cousins, Aunts, Uncle Ed, and Nana. Emerson just chilled in the stroller. We had lots of FUN!!!

Our little "M" started to roll...she gets on her side and is trying so hard to move to her tummy. She's getting 2 teeth on the bottom, loves to scream, laugh, talk, and blow bubbles.

Skate Taco, Nate, started preschool!!!! He loves it!!! We had orientation on the 8th. He played w/his friend Kate...his future wife. She goes to school on Mon., Wed., and Friday. His first REAL day of school was the 10th. The only thing that caused him to pause was that Kate wasn't there. He goes to school Tues. and Thurs. When I walked him to his classroom I told him that I sissy and I were going shopping, but I would be right back. I gave him a hug, kiss, high five, knuckles, and told him "I love u". He said, "Bye, Mommy"....so CONFIDENT!!! When I picked him up 3 hours later, he said, "Hi, Mommy". That was it!!! Here I was w/butterflies in my tummy and he was FINE. He also kept his underwear dry...WOO HOOO!!!!

Summer 09

Not much new! Trying to stay cool and shake off yet another illness. Emerson is 3 1/2 months and is trying so hard to roll over. She talks and laughs so much. Nate is eagerly awaiting school to start. He keeps telling he's going to play with his friends and ride bikes.
We went to Tom's Farms a few weeks ago w/Nana, Aunt Jen, and the twinsies. We had so much fun riding the Choo Choo and the Carousel. The kids, Jen, and I braved it and went into a petting zoo. YUCK!!!! Animals are cute to look at, but they stink. I kept pointing out poo to Jen and the kids..."Watch out. Don't step on it."....and guess what happens to me...Not only do I step on it, but a goat jumps on me and puts it on my capris. Double YUCK!!!!!
The kids got to see the horsies. I was going to let Nate ride on it, but it was $5 and I felt bad for the poor ponies in the heat. They looked miserable. So we just looked at them.
We also got to eat and hear some music...FUN!
P.S. Pic of Mom and Emmie are courtesy of Aunt Jen...THANK YOU!!!

Summer 09

So much has happened since I last blogged. Emerson had her 2 month checkup...14 lbs and 24 inches....95 to 100 percentile. She's Miss Personality. She loves to talk, move her hands, legs, smile, and laugh. She remindes me of a 4 month old. Nate and Em continue to get along. I don't remember what it was like just to have 1.

Em went in the pool for the 1st time with Dad and brother. She loved it! I think it's because she was in the spa (nice and warm) and she was in her ladybug swimsuit that Nana gave her. Thanks Nans.

We decided this year to go to the river. Jerry and I were both very nervous about taking a 2 month old. We knew Nathan (water baby) would do great!
It turns out that the river trip was a huge success. Both kids fell asleep in the boat several times. Nate wanted the boat to go "fast" and he loved the inner tube.

So much to be thankful for

Our family has so much to be thankful for...
-Jennifer, Eddie, and the kids are moving back home...HIP HIP HOORAY!
-Hailey's team placed 3rd out of 30 teams in Utah...We are so proud of her!
-Emerson turned 7 weeks on Tuesday, 7/7
-Nate is doing great at potty training...Even though, Ringo ate his poo off the carpet! I know gross!
-Everyone is in good health
And so much more. We are so blessed to have a wonderful life.

Busy

It's so hard for me to blog lately. We are busy, busy, busy. Emerson will be 7 weeks on Tuesday. She's just like Nate. Calm, sweet, snugly, and adorable.
She has been very kind to us. She stopped going poo poo at night when she was 3 weeks. So she sleeps for 6 hours by herself and then comes to bed with us for the remaining 3 hours. I love her and can't imagine life without her. How did we survive before we had our amazing kiddos?
Nate is starting potty training this week...I hope. He went potty for the 1st time in his little froggy potty this morning. After that he refused to wear his big boy underwear or a diaper for naptime. What's up with that? He was/is still trying to recover from our busy day yesterday.
4th of July
We went to the parade like we do every year. My wonderful husband brought our huge EZ up so we could claim our spot and have shade. THANK YOU, Jerry!!!! It was so much cooler for our family with it. The parade had so many wonderful things: Police Officers on motorcycles, horses, doggies, cheerleaders, Karate, Jeeps, old cars, Michael Jackson look a-like---this was a crowd favorite---and so much more.
After the parade we invited our family and friends to come over to our house. We went swimming, on the water slide, the Taco Man came, and we got to see the fireworks. Out of bed at 6 AM in bed at 11:30 PM. Busy day, but fun. Thanks to family and friends.

Beach

First off...Props to Jennifer for a great layout! I love 4th of July!
Wednesday Nate, Em, and I went to the park with the Arteagas. My goal was to tire Nate out so he would have a great nap. When I was packing the kids up to go home Jerry called me. We decided to do a spur of the moment thing and go to the beach. We were there for a few hours. Em slept. Nate played and played. He loved the water, people watching (he gets this from me), and going to the park there. He even was okay with walking on the sand.
Can't wait to go back there! It was so much fun!
Now to start the weekend off right we heated the pool. Nate & Dad are at home in the water or as Nate says, "WA WA".