Christmas Morning

Christmas takes on a whole new life with kids. Cal and I were so excited this year. For Zach. I think the next few years will only get more fun with the anticipation. We spent Christmas Eve day at my parents' house, then spent Christmas Eve night and Christmas morning at our house.

The stocking.

Ripping into some presents. No messing around here.

Later Christmas morning we headed back to stay at my parents' for a few days. Of course, Santa visited us and spoiled us there, too. Lots of great presents, great food, great company,and serious amounts of game playing were had.

A proper new stock of pirate loot.

My parents got him a tricycle. I'm not sure he realizes just how much he will love this. If only the weather would warm up enough to take it outside and practice. He was starting to get the idea. Note the concentration.

I think it was a success!

We hope your Christmas was as fun and blessed.

Oh Christmas Tree

Zach has loved the Christmas tree this year. He got to help decorate it and thought it was just the best. He's been REALLY good about it and hasn't pulled any ornaments off or anything. I guess it helps that very few of our ornaments are breakable.

He likes to point out each ornament and tell me what it is, and which he put up.

Getting a good laugh under the tree.

(Haley, this one's for you! Like mother, like son)

We even put lights up outside this year. Here's our little tree.

Christmas Comes This Time Each Year

At the start of December we went on our annual trek with my parents up to Winter Park to cut our Christmas trees. As usual we listened to some silly Christmas songs (think Beach Boys Christmas), tromped around in the snow searching for the perfect trees, and had lots of fun.

Some pictures for your viewing pleasure...

Ready to go!

He actually kept the goggles on for quite awhile.

We had planned on my mom carrying Zach in the baby backpack, but Zach wanted to tromp himself, and we had a hard time fitting him in with his snow gear on. Good thing he likes snow.

He did get carried a little.

Our tree.

Cal and Zach cutting it down.

Snow angels with Papa.

For some reason that little tongue was out for most of the time. Maybe some hot chocolate spilled on his jacket?

I love this time of year!

The Last of San Fran

The last day was quiet as all but us and Calli had gone home. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset at the Berkeley marina.

I got some photo time.

My boys.

And Zach got some Nana Calli time.

An actual picture of me. At 22 weeks.

Have I mentioned on here that it is another BOY? We found out just before Thanksgiving. We are thrilled Zach will have a little brother to be buddies with (we hope). I was convinced it was a girl because this pregnancy has been so different. I'm doing well but still sick most mornings and exhausted. But I'm just grateful that he appears to be healthy. The weeks are flying by and we're getting more and more excited!

Zach was a wonderful traveler and it all went so smoothly, thankfully. In the airport on the way home he insisted on dragging his own suitcase, and was so proud.

Of course, more photos here.

A Birthday, Kites, and Santa

Grandma Jean's 90th birthday celebration.

Doesn't she look great?

The Smith clan.

There was an awesome playground at a school across the street from the house we rented. Zach was thrilled to have "park weather" and would drag us there every chance he got, especially Calvin and Calli. C3 and Zach were a great match with their endless energy.

Joy.

Flying a kite for the first time. He liked it for awhile, but the allure of the playground was too great.

That evening we went to see the Christmas lights at Tildon Park (I think that's what it was called?), above Berkeley.

They had an enormous tree with lights.

The wonder.

Another carousel that he rode 4 times. Yes, 4. This time there were even more relatives there to wave and smile and he loved it even more.

And a visit with Santa. He did well while he was thinking about the basket of candy canes by Santa's feet. Then the concern grew. No tears though, so I call it a success!

The Big Boy Bed

Last spring Calli delivered to us a bed that Calvin (Cal's dad) made for Zach. He was still in his crib at the time, and has since moved to sleeping on his mattress on the floor, while the bed was waiting in the basement. We finally got around to bringing the bed upstairs for him tonight. He is so excited about it and had to help carry all the pieces of it up to his room. It is impressive! It is a mission style bed and looks great. I will have to get some better pictures sometime...

I think he likes it.
Thanks again Calvin!

Part 2: Into the City

Friday was the only day we actually went into the city. We took Bart in (Zach's first real train ride) and got off at the Embarcadero. After he got used to it he enjoyed it, other than his ears hurting as we went under the bay.

We stopped in the Ferry House, which has a neat market, and got cheese, mushrooms, and hot chocolate. I do wish we had a market like that near us.

We didn't ride a cable car, but Zach got to climb on one. I'm sure he would have loved it if we'd had more time in the city. He also was excited about the pigeons. It's the little things in life.




We walked down to Pier 39. They had a huge Christmas tree up. Zach told me, "I see presents. I open them up Mommy!" and kept telling me how big the tree was.





We also saw the sea lions.







Photogenic Rosie and Jay at the pier.





Zach got to ride the carousel. He loved having a crowd smile and wave every time he went around. He only likes attention a little bit.





Waiting at a Bart station...







Zach took some serious naps on this trip- like 3 hours every day. (that's unheard of!) The poor little guy got worn out having so much fun.