A Very Merry Christmas-- 2006 Style

This year was Jared's second Christmas, but the first time he really understood a bit more about some of the Christmas rituals. Before beginning our holiday travels, we began the Christmas festivities on the morning of Christmas Eve at our home. Jared opened his first Christmas gift while enjoying one of his favorite holiday delights, the candy cane (or "nandy nane" in Jared's words).

We began our day by taking the annual photo of Jared in front of our Christmas tree. As you can see, Mom likes shiny wrapping paper!

"Oh Mommy, we have sooo many Christmas presents for everyone! Can I help open them all? Okay, but after I finish this candy cane!"

"Mom, I really DO want to open this present, but I am a little busy right now! Can I get back to you in a minute?"


"I LOVE the Diego Hot Wheels, mom and dad... now if I could only get this wrapping off this candy cane, I would be very happy..."


As you can see, very few things inspire the kind of bliss you see here on Jared's candy-cane smeared face.

"After Christmas Eve at home with Mom and Dad, we headed out to Halmonee and Papa's for the rest of the day. I LOVE going out to Halmonee and Papa's land!"

"One of my favorite parts of Christmas is hanging out with my cousins Sarah and Micah! Halmonee set up a pretty Christmas table for dinner but we messed it up a little bit."

After dinner, Jared played Santa Claus for awhile. He doesn't know much about Santa yet, but he really likes wearing the hat!


"As always, I got lots of Christmas love from Halmonee and Papa! Mmmm---muah!"

"On Christmas morning, we drove down to see Grandma Betty and Papa Rich. Daddy read me the Frosty the Snowman book that Auntie JoJo got me for Christmas."

"It's always fun to see Papa Rich, too!"

"Grandma Betty got me and my cousin Jayden these cool tricycle things... but then we ended up trading! It worked out perfectly because Jayden liked mine better..."


"... and I got the cool Diego one! Yay-yay!"


All in all, it was a wonderful Christmas this year. We couldn't ask for anything more!

Orange You Glad I like Oranges?

In the past few years we have watched this tree grow and change. At first we thought it was a cumquat tree.... then the next year we thought it was a lemon tree... this year it became clear that it is, in fact, an orange tree. Sadly though, our oranges still TASTE like lemons... We did not take proper freeze precautions, so they truly taste like lemons... that does NOT stop Jared though. Every day as Dad takes him on their "nature walks" Jared begs Dad to pick an orange for him ("oran, oran, oran!") and then begs Dad to "open" the orange ("op, op, op!).

My Multi-Tasking Baby

Apparently Jared believes literally in the expression "Eat and run!" Here he is experiencing the treadmill for the first time at Papa and Halmonee's house. I wish I could post the video, this was sooo hilarious! :)

BUBBLES!

Jared has a newfound love for bathtime... and it has everything to do with BUBBLES!!!

"Oh, wait, wait, Daddy-- what are you gonna do??"

"Oh-- THATS what you are going to do!! Bubbles are the best!"

Even with his sheer delight in the bubble bath, Jared still takes his bubbles very seriously.

"No, Daddy, I am NOT ready to get out of the tub!"

A Christmas Preview

We went to get Christmas photos done and this is one of the ones we did not choose, but I thought was cute nonetheless. Jared is growing by leaps and bounds. :)

decorating the christmas tree

We love Christmas, so this year we decided to put up our Christmas tree nice and early... promptly after Thanksgiving. After returning to the store to buy shatterproof ornaments, we got started right away! Jared doesn't get alot of it yet, but he definitely likes the fancy 16 function Christmas lights Mommy bought! (Unfortunately you can't see the lights in the photos).

"Mom, can I hang the last ornament, please? I want to put up the little red boot!"

"I found the perfect spot!!! Isn't it pretty?"

"Yay! We are all done! Now what are we supposed to put UNDER the tree?"

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Happy Thanksgiving from me and my family!"

fun new things

Jared is having a blast exploring his world and two of his latest favorite things include looking out our front windows into the yard and climbing our furniture. Both are depicted here as he climbs our couch to look out the window in his Winnie the Pooh pajamas.



"What's wrong, mom? Don't worry-- I'm fine. The view is great from up here!"

some construction work

Playing LEGOS with Jared is alot more fun now that he likes to build as much as he likes to take things apart!

"Okay, mom... hold on, I just have to put on the finishing touches!"

"TA-DA! Here it is! What do you think of my creation?"

festivals and bellydancing

Recently Jared and I went to a an outdoor festival downtown. We were going to watch a friend's bellydancing troupe. We were disappointed to see that the day was rainy and a bit gloomy, but we had fun anyway! :)

"Let's go, Mommy... I think it stopped raining! Or we could go into Dragonfly and get some sushi instead of just standing outside."

"Don't worry, Mom. I don't really mind that you make me eat sliced apple when all the other kids are eating funnel cakes and ice cream!"

One of the places we sought shelter was under this tent with a very interesting circus act. Jared was pretty curious about the dancing caterpillar man....

But the clown scared him and we had to leave before the end of the show!

Soon thereafter, Kate's bellydancing troupe began to perform... they were great!
"Mom, can you help me get on the stage? I think they want me to join them onstage!"

"Okay, Mom, this has been fun, but I am getting sleepy now..."


"But before we go I want to meet the star of the show! Great bellydancing, Miss Kate!"

Happy Halloween 2006!

Although Jared was still fairly oblivious to Halloween itself, he did enjoy dressing up as his favorite fuzzy character, Elmo!

"Wow! I don't know what Halloween is, but if I get to dress like Elmo, can we have it every day?"

(Although this picture turned out fuzzy, I had to post it because it perfectly captured his glee upon seeing his reflection in the mirror! )

"C'mon, Mom and Dad! I am ready to GO!"

"Trick or treat!!!!"
"Do we go in the car for trick or treating?"

"Okay, I am all dressed up... now where do I go?"

"Sorry, Mom--- can't stop for pictures---too busy!"

"Okay-- fine. One picture! But then I really have to go! I don't know where, but I have to go!"

"Okay, I like dressing as Elmo, but I kind of feel like he is eating my whole head!"

" Thanks for a fun Halloween, Mom and Dad! Next time, can we leave our cul-de-sac?"

new friends

Recently, Jared and I went to visit Marisa and her new kitten, Ginger.

At first, Jared and Ginger just sort of looked each other over...

Then slowly, they started to check each other out...

Finally, Jared reached in to pet Ginger, who was fairly receptive to his curiosity.

Overall Ginger was more interested in napping on the chair, but a good time was had by all.

Dress Up

"When I grow up I want to be just like my daddy! Go Gators!"

Sittin' in a Tree

Anyone who has read my blog has seen my numerous references to Jared's girlfriend Jordyn. Jordyn's parents are close friends of ours and Ive been friends with Jordyn's dad for almost 20 years... Since Jared and then Jordyn were born, we have joked about them getting married some day... in that spirit, we decided to have their portaits taken together as babies.

When we were at the mall, another parent actually asked us if they were brother and sister, to which I replied, "No, they are boyfriend and girlfriend." You can imagine the look she gave me. :)




I figure that when they grow up they will either laugh at how silly their parents are or just think we are plain crazy.

Sesame Street Live

Last week, Dalvin and I took Jared to Sesame Street Live: SuperGrover. As can be seen in the photo, everyone was there (Left to Right: Zoe, Elmo, Grover, Telly, Rosita, Baby Bear, Bert).

When I was a kid, Big Bird probably made the biggest impression on me... I am not sure why, but it was fun to see him in person.

Zoe, one of the very few female monsters, was in attendance. Rosita and Prairie Dawn were there too, but I didn't want to post all 200 of the photos I took!

And of course, Elmo-- Jared's favorite-- was a big part of the show.

When the show began, Jared was very focused. He stared in what almost appeared to be disbelief... "Is that really who I think it is?" After staring with rapt attention for awhile, one of the thunderous roars of applause shook him up and he was upset for a moment. I worried that we would have to leave early, but he returned to his fascinated state quickly.

After intermission, Jared quickly became very comfortable. We sat on the center aisle in the floor seats and we had to physically prevent him from running up to the stage every 2 minutes!

Judging by Jared's applause, he enjoyed the show thoroughly! Dalvin and I were surprised at how much we enjoyed the show too-- Good job, Sesame Street!

"Thanks for bringing me to see Elmo, Mom and Dad! I had so much fun!"