The Holidays...

Well, I am looking back and realize that it has been over a month since I last posted on here. (thank you to the few of you who emailed me and brought this to my attention)

The holidays were so much fun for all of us. December turned out to be quite an eventful month for us! It started with my birhtday...December 14th. My parents made the trip up here and we were able to share the day together. We had a great time going out to dinner and taking Nicolas to play at the park the following day. Nicolas loves it when Grandpa decides to join grnadma for a visit.

Christmas was like no other Christmas I have ever experienced. There is nothing like seeing it through your child's eyes! (especially since this is the 1st time Nicolas really understood what was going on)

About a week before Christmas the Morro Bay PD & Neighborhood Watch had Santa touring all of the neighborhoods on the Morro Bay trolley, led by a half a dozen police cars. Nicolas could hardly contain his excitement waiting for Santa to come down our street! He was literally shaking. His best friend Eva and her family joined us for the excitement.






(he was a little overwhelmed by all of the noise) Nicolas said "hi" to Santa and told him that he wanted "much trains" for Christmas. and to not forget "Diesel 10 and a big Gordon" (both trains from Thomas the Tank Engine) Santa did not dissapoint!

In the days following we got our Christmas tree and Nicolas loved heling decorate it and talk constantly about all of the different ornaments. The bottom half of the tree was "open" for Nicolas to move the ornaments as he pleased. (I moved them back when he wasn't looking, I can't deal with the cluster look!)










Nicolas even helped keep the pine needles under control...just like his mommy!

Nicolas really got into the Christmas spirit when he got a new Santa hat from Grandma Brum...he decided to wear it while he downed at least 4 chocolate chip cookies that Grandma sent (among many other wonderful gifts) ! Thanks Grandma Brum.






**Note the chipmunk cheeks**

Well, I just realized the rest of my pictures from Christmas day are on my camera upstairs...it is getting late...so I will "fill you in" more later.

Happy 2008!!!

Grandma Brum's Surprises!

Grandma Brum constantly send Nicolas things in the mail. She lives in TN and doesn't get to see Nicolas as much as she would like to. Nicolas definately knows who she is though...she sends him wonderful care packages in the mail!

The last care package had so many neat things...Nicolas could not contain his excitement. Spiderman jammies, goldfish crackers, friut snacks, 2 DVDs including his new favorite Milo & Otis. The list goes on...

We just want to send out a big thank you to grandma Brum for all of the love you have sent our way. we miss you and wish we could see you more!

Getting Ready For Thanksgiving is hard work!

Nicolas has been patiently waiting for mommy while she cleans, makes lists, searches on the internet for recipies and grocery shops...I thought that we could use some one on one time.

We went to our favorite coffee shop and I let Nicolas pick out anything from the pastry case. He started small with a sprinke cookie...then moved up to the M&M cookie bar that was the size of this arm...and then he saw the gi-normous M&M cupcake that was bigger than his head...ok I drew the line there...so back down to the cookie bar. We balanced it out with a fresh fruit smoothie and had a relaxing time enjoying our "lunch". (notice the bulging cheek!!)

A Day With Cousin Viv...

Due to the Veterans Day holiday...Nicolas and his cousin Viv got to spend some quality cousin time together.

They had lunch at Mickey D's...nuggets all around of course! Then off to the park. I seriously think we were there for an hour and a half. (thet is a long time to be at one little park)

Both Nicolas & Vivia mastered the rock climbing wall. (Viv with no help at all!) They were so proud of what they accomplished, that they had to keep doing it over and over again!

After all that climbing & running they were ready for a snack! They shares crackers and fruit snacks with eachother. Nicolas even had to feed the fruit snacks directly into Vivia's mouth!

I don't know about Vivia, but Nicolas fell asleep as soon as he hit the sheets!

~Katie

...and on Sunday, we baked.

We had a pretty relaxed Sunday...a few errands, but for the most part we hung out at home and relaxed. Cooking, reading stories, watching movies. Just being together.

I had the urge to bake, so since I had a few ripe bananas, banana bread it was!

Nicolas got to help out too...he had fun mixing and the look of pride when he bit into his banana bread made it all worth while!

~Katie

Our Weekend...

Grandpa "dog sat" Daisy on Friday because mom & Nicolas had a busy morning planned. We went to a North Coast Mommies Meet & Greet @ Starbucks...what a great turnout!

We then ventured on to SLO with Elena & Eva trailing behind...we got some much needed shopping at Trader Joe's. Nicolas & Eva always have so much fun there...they usually eat their way through the store!

Mommy & Nicolas then met daddy @ California Pizza Kitchen for lunch. Nicolas had his favorite "bac-cheese ma me" (mac & cheese with edamame for those of you who don't speak Nicolas)

After lunch we had to pick up Daisy from the "sitter".

Nicolas talked grandpa Joe into playing trains as well as eating at least one grandpa cookie. (Oreo)

Saturday the family had a peaceful picnic lunch in SLO. The park was so nice...we found a spot under a tree that had the perfect amount of shade & sun. Nicolas was so excited to discover he could touch the tree.

We had dinner with the Peffly's Saturday night...a perfect end to a great couple of days! What is even better...we still have tomorrow!!

~Katie

Nicolas Loves School!

His favorite things about school (parent participation) are #1 the trian table #2 the big sandbox outside and #3 the playdough. We only go once a week but he has so much fun. It is really great for him to gain the experience of playing next to other kids his age. He is even sharing, which amazes me!

Here is Nicolas at the train table...poor quality pic because it is from my camera phone.

~Katie

Messages on The Road...

Here is N's new "Little Orang Kitty" Stewie...

This is Nicolas and daddy sharing a cone...

I discovered that I can now post messages and pictures to my Blog from my Treo (mobile device/phone) So this was a trial run. More to come later.

~Katie

Happy Halloween!

Well, I think that Nicolas is still too young to grasp the whole trick or treating idea...but we still had a great day otherwise! Who needs all that candy anyway?? (uh me!lol!)

We went to the "parade" of students in their costumes in Cayucos with daddy, Daisy and Grandpa Joe. Nicolas waved to all of his "friends" as they walked by in their various costumes.


Nicolas wore his skeleton costume...


and Daisy wore her pumpkin costume. A photographer from the Cayucos Breeze newspaper even took her picture!(not this pic obviously, doesn't she look happy??)


After the parade Grandpa, Daisy, Nicolas and I went down to the beach for some play time. Daisy swam in the ocean and played fetch. We had to cut our trip short...Nicolas was worried because the tide was coming in, so he spent most of his time gathering up his buckets telling me, "Uh OH! The wa-wa is coming! Hurry momma!"

We visited a few neighbors "trick-or-treating" more for the neighbors than Nicolas. We had about 15 visitors to our house tonight...we turned off all the pumpkins but forgot to turn out the porch light and had our last trick or treaters at 9:45! I just dumped the whole bowl of candy in their pillowcase...they scored. LOL!

Well, that is all for now! Happy Halloween!

BTW Here is our pumpkin we carved this year...Nicolas held my hand as I scooped out the seeds...he told me, "Too messy mama!"


Oh...and my funny story for the day...Nicolas was yelling "what is Daisy doing?" and laughing in the playroom. I was nearby in the office. I told him to come talk to me...he said "daisy funny momma!"

I asked him what she was doing..."eating a lollipop" Sure enough, Nicolas said he gave her a red one. She had eaten the whole thing...tootsie roll center and all. All that was left was the stick that was stuck between her molars that she kept trying to get out. Oh I wish I had a camera then!

Nicolas still laughs about it!

Sweet Springs

Today we had the pleasure of spending the morning with Elena and Eva. We went to Sweet Springs Nature Reserve in Los Osos. There were TONS of duck to feed, many large sticks to pick up, bridges to cross and paths to follow. We all had so much fun. It was so nice to have our traditional "North Coast" weather back. (it has been hot and dry for the past few days due to Santa Ana winds) Elena took some photos while we walked...isn't she amazing?

OK...How Cute Are They??

This week my mom has been partying it up in a condo in Avila Beach. Why you ask? She is having a mini reunion with some of her college girlfriends.

Some background...way back when, she and these 3 ladies drove from Chicago to L.A. A true road trip. Along the way they even spent the night in jail. No, they did not get arrested. They were in a small town that had no motels and the only place the town had to offer was the local jail. They even made the paper! They were considered pretty wild over 40 years ago!

They have had a great time visiting...they went wine tasting, out to fancy dinners, sat by the pool, toured Hearst Castle, visited Morro Bay, and even went to the Santa Maria Red Hat Lady fundraiser event. (Typical Old Ladies, LOL!)

I had the pleasure of meeting these ladies...they were all so kind...I can see why my mom has remained friends with them for so long. I can only hope that when I am that age, I will have wonderful friends like that!

After Their Lunch At Bayside Cafe, Morro Bay


The Ladies At My House (Linda, My Mom *Sue*, Marian, Laura)

How Many More Times Must I Go???

Ok, well it sounds like I am complaining...but I am not. So far this pumpkin season, we have been to the La Familia Pumpkin Patch 4 times...and Haloween is still 9 days away. Grandpa Joe hasn't made a trip with us yet, like he did last year...so I am afraid we must go again!

Honestly, I must have 20 pumpkins...a few big ones, some red ones, a gourd or two and a ton of little ones that Nicolas likes to carry around the patch by the handful...and insists that we take them all home in the end. Needless to say my home is ready for Halloween and Thanksgiving!

Now, can you blame us for going so many times...check it out for yourself. (we went with the Peffly's, Grandma & Grandpa Flynn, Aunt Suzanne, Uncle Mike and Vivia, Parent Participation, and once more with just mommy and daddy)


The Harvest (Elena)

Pumpkins in the Morning Dew (Elena)

Don't Even Get Me Started On The Whole Hand Sucking Thing!!

US!!!

Grandma & Grandpa Flynn

Uncle Mike, Vivia, Daddy & Nicolas

Pumpkins Make Me Smile!

...Time to Head Home

OK , So, I am trying...

For all you doubters out there...this is officially the 3rd time in 2 days that I have tried to post and add some much requested photos from our recent events. Well, for some unknown reason...I can't post photos. It keeps erroring and telling me they are aware of the problem and working on a solution. Whatever!

Please know that I am putting an effort in! OK...off to watch some t.v since I can't BLOG!

I wish...

I wish I had more time to dedicate to this. I will be back soon to update you on the recent happenings...I have quite few pictures to add for your viewing pleasure. I love this time of year...warm sweaters, cozy fires, baking, going to the pumpking patch for the 100th time! (lol)

BTW this website won't let me post pics...is it just me? This sucks!

Summer is slipping away....

I can hardly believe the summer is over. School at the local elementary school starts tomorrow. The buses did their test drives all day today. I can almost remember how it felt as a student, knowing that I would have to go back to class...I don't miss those times, that is for sure.

Well, we had a great day today. We spent a lot of time playing in the water table outside as well as constantly looking up in the sky at the Apache helicopters that kept flying overhead. They must have passed by 20+ times. They flew so low, the noise shook the house. Nicolas loved it! He waved every time! I told him that if he yelled "hi" they would come back...they usually did!

We had a great dinner with our good friends the Peffly's...a nice dinner on the deck. A good way to end the summer.

We also have a full moon tonight. It is lighting up the sky like you wouldn't believe. I am going to try to stay up for the lunar eclipse...but that isn't until 3am...I kinda hope I am asleep!

I am going to share some recent pics...that is all for now!

I had to get the pic, but I was running for support as soon as I was finished...

Victory...I made it to the top!

...and back down again!

Our trip to Manhattan Beach....

And of course we celebrated Daddy's Birthday! (32!!)

ok, so I am a flake...

I really need to make this a habit of doing this...We have been so busy. Being sick, getting better, getting sick again...it never ends! So, here is a pic of Nicolas at the beach...El sure does take some good pics!

Oh...and how could I forget the 1st haircut...can you believe we let it go for 2 years?? I was in no hurry to get rid of those baby curls. Especially since he really didn't have hair until he was 13 months old!

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER...What a Cutie!!