Monday... Mondays

On Mondays I get to stay home with Leo! I love Mondays :) One of the things we do is visit the Brandt Girls - Kristin, Emily & Claire. It is such a treat, Leo usually gets time with Claire's on her activity mat, Emily plays with the bugs that are on Leo's car seat handle, and Kristin and I get to catch up - oh, and I get good advice from an experienced Mom! Fun for everyone. Some days we even walk down and get coffee from Locavore... Dawson Taylor coffee... yum. Oh and the egg baguette sandwich! Here are a few pics from a recent Monday.

Emily, Leo, and Claire all playing on the mat!

Leo telling Claire that he too has a parrot that looks like this one... and asking her this one's name.

Silly Em's getting some tickles from Mom.

Christmas City #2

The Christmas Tale continues...

We caravaned to Twin with my Brother leading the way - well most of the drive, Kevin pulled into the lead position just about Wendell after a good effort of extra "paddling" on Drew's part (had to be there, but let's just say adults play pretend games too and it's still funny!).

My parents house was full of Christmas cheer, lots of lights for Leo to stare at and decorations to catch his attention. My Mom (Grandma Emmie, Mary, and Papa Steve) were excited to see Leo and how much he's grown just since Thanksgiving. We spent Christmas Eve with Lisa and Chloe,

Kevin, Drew, and Mom made dinner....
then we watched Chloe sing Christmas music from her school program and opening her gifts. She was very excited to hold Leo, and pulled her Mom (Lisa) aside to tell her that Leo sitting next to her on the couch did not count as holding him, he needed to be on her lap. Hilarious :) So we arranged for a photo opp. in front of the tree. (That's Pixie sneaking into the photo)

I love this photo...

Kevin invited my family to play our new found card game - "Hand & Foot" - two and a half hours later I think all would say they had a good time. I was the lowest scoring player... seriously pathetic showing on my part, even for a self admitted horrible card player. But I enjoyed the banter and conversation we all shared.

Look at this cute shirt that Uncle Drew gave Leo for Christmas..

Little family photo...
Christmas morning after Leo woke up (ok and me too, Mom sleeps in as long as Leo does... maybe because Mom wakes up during the night when Leo does. I'm just sayin') and we opened presents. Here are a couple PJ (pajama) pics..

And all the pups had a good time too... Here's Honda napping on the kitchen floor, and Jezebel just wishing she was allowed to step into the kitchen.
Lucy and Izzy in front of the Christmas tree.

Sunday we headed back to Boise. Leo and I are fighting runny noses and sinus congestion. We are settling in and enjoying this last week of 2010 together.

As I looked at photos from this time last year, and the tiny bump in my tummy as I closed out the first trimester of my pregnancy I am overcome with gratitude. I love our baby - Leo, my husband, and our beautiful, loving families. I feel incredibly fortunate and blessed.

A Tale of Two Christmas-s

Our first Christmas involved a trip to Florida to spend some quality time with Kevin's family. Leo was a champ on the flights. I strapped him in the Moby carrier and we cruised through the airport. Leo took his morning nap on Mom on our way to Denver and then played and napped on the way to Tampa. Kevin's Mom (Grandma JoAnn, or RaRa, & Grandpa Jo, or Papa Jo) were waiting for us with smiles. The most difficult part of the travel for Leo was sitting in his car seat on the way to Venice Florida. But he worked through it, as we all did, and we enjoyed our first sushi dinner of the trip.

Here is a photo of Leo and RaRa in a cute Christmas outfit.
and Papa Joe... who totally had the secret bounce rythmn that would put Leo into a peaceful sleep when needed.

Leo and I took a walk one day to help him take a nap... Kevin snapped this photo on our way back to the house.
Oddly the weather in Florida was nearly as cold as Boise when we landed but warmed nicely into the low 70's. We ate sushi everyday - much to Kevin's delight - enjoyed some delicious Italian food - much to my delight - and played "Hand & Foot" with Kevin's grandma Irene, then later with Ryan and Melanie (Kevin's brother and wife). This is a card game, it involves risk, strategy, and the ability to add (which under pressure I learned requires me to peel off my socks and use my toes.... pathetic, I must invest in flash cards!)

This was the first time Ryan and Mel got to see Leo. We've been showing Leo pictures and telling him all about them... so I think he recognized them both. Smart kid :) Here's a pic of Melanie holding Leo after he's been swaddled, she wasn't so sure he liked it... thought it seemed a bit confining - I agree but Leo still seems to find it soothing.

Melanie also introduce Leo to Pooh... not sure if he is whispering to Pooh about how pretty his Aunt is, or giving him a slobbery kiss, or both! I think both.


Kevin, Ryan and Leo hanging on the couch...

Fresh fish, fresh air, and family fun. It was a great trip! Here is a pick of a delicious fish dinner JoAnn made... so good.

Kevin introduced Ryan and JoAnn to the game Angry Birds... it's a Smartphone App.... fun for some but Melanie and I are not fans...

All 3 playing the game - caught in the act... they didn't feel guilty tho!

It was a great trip. We had a few days to recoup before heading to our next Christmas destination.