Dylan is officially a "walker"...

Vancouver

Stanley Park

On the ferry to Victoria

In Victoria with the Empress Hotel in the Back

Mitch & I escaped to Vancouver for a long weekend away-- thanks Gigi for watching the kids! The weather was gorgeous and we enjoyed all that British Columbia has to offer. It was my 1st trip to Canada, but Mitch spent many summers there as a kid with his grandparents. It was so fun to visit Vancouver & Victoria with Mitch and revisit so many of his great memories growing up. As nice as it is to get away and enjoy some lazy mornings & adult conversations, we laugh at how we inevitably end up talking about the kids & spending oodles of money on souvenirs for them :) There is nothing better than coming home to their smiling faces & sticky kisses!!

Dylan & Daddy Part II

We finally got the last two pictures of Dylan & Mitch that we had taken back in September. We had them stretched over canvas so it took a bit longer, but they turned out beautifully!! I couldn't resist sharing-- I know Dylan is going to hate me one day for one of the pictures (I am sure you can guess which one) but it is my absolute favorite!!

Working on the Computer...

Savannah got this really cool Fisher Price computer program for Christmas. I put it up on the garage thinking she was a little young & figured I would pull it out down the road. Of course, she has been asking for it non-stop, so last week we set it up on a rainy day. She surprised me and is so good with it-- she can turn it off/on all by herself, operate the mouse & print pictures all by herself. I can't believe how quickly she is growing up!

We're Going to Hawaii...

Savannah had a playdate last week with her best buddy (and sometimes boyfriend depending on her mood) Joey.  When I went upstairs to  check on the them, I found them dressed like this and they quickly informed me they were "Going to Hawaii!!". Too funny!

Walking!!

Dylan is finally making some progress walking. Over the weekend he took multiple steps on a few different occasions. He still prefers to crawl- it is just quicker & easier! But he is spending more & more time on his two little feet and I am sure by next week he will be running around the house.

Playing at the Park

Happy Birthday Colleen!

We spent this last weekend up in Granite Bay celebrating Colleen's birthday & watching the Super Bowl. We had a great time out on Saturday night celebrating while Hailey watched the kiddos. Sunday we relaxed and watched the big game. We are so lucky to have the Israel's in our lives & always have such a good time with them... We love you guys!

Helping Mommy?!

I found Dylan standing the dishwasher this morning & quickly snapped a picture. Then I remembered an almost identical picture of Savannah about the same age... 

Saying Goodbye to the Butterflies

Savannah got a really cool "Butterfly Bungalow" from Auntie KK, Uncle Kevin & Coco for Christmas.  It came with butterfly larvae, which turned into caterpillars, then cocoons & eventually 9 butterflies. Savannah named each and every butterfly & feeds them everyday. Seeing as the butterflies are only expected to live about 2 weeks, I decided that maybe we could let them go outside last week while it was warm, so we didn't have to deal with the sad reality of them all dying.  Savannah was all for the idea of letting her new friends go play outside, until she realized it was permanent and that she wouldn't see them again... then the meltdown occured (she is bawling in the bottom picture).  It turns out the butterflies really didn't want to leave--- after an hour not one had flown out of the tent. So back inside they went up to Savannah's bedroom. We have 5 butterflies left now-- one died on Savannah's watch and she actually handled it very well, much better than my attempt at freeing them! 

A Day at the Beach... IN JANUARY!!!

December brought us snow and freezing temperatures.  January brought much of the same early on… but in recent days it feels as though spring has sprung.  To capitalize on the unseasonable weather, we decided to head to the coast with our friends the DeNatale’s, along with Jacquelyn &  Miss Gianna. 

 The kids had so much fun building sand castles and making mud pies…most of which were probably eaten by Dylan. The weather was even warmer than we expected and the kids enjoyed playing in the waves-- even though we didn't think to bring swim suits!! We are so thankful for the break in the winter weather and look forward to future visits to Dillon Beach.

 

Dylan's 1st Birthday Party

Happy 1st Birthday Dylan!!!

YES it is true-- Dylan is one year old today! This first year went by even more quickly the second time around and I can't believe my baby boy is one.  Here are some shots of the birthday boy we had taken yesterday...

Daddy & Dylan

When Savannah was about 6 months old, her and I had some pictures taken by an amazing photographer here in Napa (posted below). Dylan & Mitch had pictures taken by the same photographer back in September and we finally got them. Here are a few of my favorites...

Mommy & Savannah... 3 years ago

Christmas Festivities

Merry Christmas!

 

Go down to the very bottom & turn the sound off on the music before you push play!

The Santa Train

Every year at Christmas time the Napa Valley Wine Train becomes "The Santa Train". We took the kids this year for the first time. It is a 1 1/2 hour trip up & down the valley with hot coco, cookies, Christmas carols & some very special guests (and wine for the adults of course!). Both kids had a great time while Mitch & I enjoyed watching their delight. The battery ran out on my camera, so unfortunately I didn't get any pictures with Santa.

Christmas Concert

Savannah's preschool class had a small  Christmas concert yesterday...

"Jingle Bells"

"Away in the Manger"

Savannah & Joey

This is Savannah's buddy Joey. They have known each other since they were babies and are now in pre-school together.  They have a ton of fun playing together!