Merry Christmas!

And, oh boy, was it ever merry!

My grandparents were all here with me, which was such a treat. Getting here for Grandma and Grandpa Saccento wasn't so easy ... they had a flight cancellation, stayed up all night trying to figure out how to get here, made a last minute decision to book new tickets and fly on a different airline out of a different airport between east coast snowstorms, were delayed on their new flights by several hours, but finally arrived several hours after planned, but amazingly on the same day! Of course, things couldn't start to get easier for them then - their luggage didn't arrive for a couple of days ... but thankfully got here just in time for Christmas Eve (since there were presents in there!!). Whew - Mommy says that someday I will be able to appreciate all that they went through to be here with me for Christmas.

On the Tuesday before Christmas, I went to the Children's Discovery Museum with Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, and Grandpa. I had an amazing time, but somehow everyone forgot their cameras. I thought it was a nice break, not having flashing lights in my eyes the whole time, but they seemed pretty upset about it.

We had Christmas Eve here at my house. While Daddy prepared, I spent the afternoon out with Grandpa. Daddy cooked for everyone (they say it was fabulous - I, on the other hand, enjoyed ravioli ahead of adult dinner time). My family open most of our presents on Christmas Eve. I received so many wonderful gifts ... and had so much fun opening this year. I wanted to play with each and every gift, but Mommy & Daddy tried to move me along because I had so many things to open. A few of my favorite new toys: Elmo Live, the Fisher Price Garage, and a play tent (oh, and check out my new keyboard ... I love my new lego train from SacEast ... and my Elmo's World DVDs - thank you EVERYONE)!

Christmas morning I was surprised to find even MORE presents. Santa brought me a wooden train set, along with a bunch of other train stuff. He really knows what I like!!!

We spent Christmas afternoon at Grammy & Poppy's house where my great-grandparents joined us. I spent some quality time with Elmo as well (as you can see below!).

Merry Christmas!!! We hope yours was full of fun, family, love, and laughter!

An early Christmas present

Since his ear was sticking out of the bag and it caught my eye, my mommy let me open my present from "Aunt" Deb early. Let me tell you, I couldn't have been more thrilled with my new bear.

Have a look and see some of my recent adventures with my new bear friend (yet to be named).

I feed him,

I kiss him,

I hug him,

We watch Elmo together,

I talk to him and teach him all that I know

I love my new friend very much - thanks "Aunt" Deb!!!

Our little big boy

Sometimes I look at Luke and I forget how little he was not that long ago.

Today, for old time's sake and since it was out, Luke tried out his old infant car seat. It made me realize what a big boy he is ... and how much he's grown.

Luke, on the other hand, decided that it was quite a nice seat for reclining ... and wondered why we don't leave it out in our family room full time.

Christmas art projects

I have a few art supplies that I really love using. When Mommy is feeling really adventurous (in other words, she doesn't mind the fact that I need a bath when we are finished ... and the "art studio" will need a full cleaning), she breaks out my finger paints and markers.

We've also tried play-dough recently, but that wasn't such a big hit with me. I really don't understand why I should want to play with something that looks so much like food. Let me tell you, I know first hand that it certainly doesn't TASTE like food! Maybe I will learn to love it when I get a little older(?).

I wanna be a rockstar ...

...just like my daddy :)!

Helping

...to get ready for Grandma & Grandpa to arrive in California for Christmas

I love my Luke-sized broom that Uncle Kenny found for me!Mommy can't resist taking close-up shots of me (can you blame her?)

Welcome, cousin Frederick!

I am so excited ... today I have a new cousin!

Frederick James arrived this morning at 5:08!

Even though he's a big boy, weighing in at 9 lbs, 2 oz, my mommy says that it will be a while before he's ready to rip things up with Jacqueline and I.

My whole family already loves him SO much!

What I love about my 17 month old

I'll say it again ... how is it possible that he's 17 months old?  It seems like I just wrote one of these lists - and I realize that another month has raced by.

Oh, where do I begin?

1) I love how when you want Daddy or I to join you, you will often go halfway there, realize we aren't behind you, come back, and grab our hand to pull us along.  And, you have a very specific way that you want to hold hands (usually with your fist around my thumb) and we just can't go anywhere until you have that grip just right.

2)  You have been waving goodbye for months, but this month you have started waving to EVERYTHING ... people, animals, toys, the TV, the park, the library, the bathtub.  It's too cute!

3)  I love how much you love visiting the library.  Despite my best efforts to intrigue you with the big basket of board books, you are MUCH more interested in the DVDs and especially the toddler computers.  You have a definite mind of your own and really know how to let me know that you want to play on the computer and that YOU will decide when you are finished.  Sometimes you even stand behind other kids (really close), or sit right beside them, in the hope that they will "hurry up" so that it can be your turn.

4)  You make me laugh so hard when you take a DVD out of its case, carefully carry it across the room, and gently place it just UNDER the DVD player.  I guess you think that is where we put them in.  After you're done, you stare intently at the TV waiting for your show to begin.

5)  I love, love, LOVE how you have really started to shake your groove thing when music comes on.  You do squats, wiggle your hips, and turn in circles - so funny!

6)  Whatever word you use for "yes" (it's more of a squealing sound) makes me smile every time.

7)  I love how when we read you point at all the things you know ... and how you are so proud when I read the word and you point at the corresponding picture.  Showing us where your head, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and tongue also elicits a huge smile when you are successful (which is every time now).

8)  I love how you have full, long, drawn-out conversations, complete with hand gestures with the animals.  We have NO idea what you are saying, but you do!

9)  Shopping for the Christmas tree this year might always be one of my favorite memories.  You LOVED being there, outside, running in between the trees.  And your face when Daddy brought the tree inside the house was just precious - so full of awe and excitement.

10)  I love how much you love trains, "choo-choos" (maybe Santa will bring you one of your own?).  You have so much fun watching the electric train that Daddy set up around the Christmas tree go around and around.  You watch, sometimes following it on foot as far as you can, always being careful because somehow you know that if you touch it, it won't work anymore.

And so, so many more things ... my list could go on and on.

Racking wine

Tonight we went up and watched the wine makers rack their product from this year's harvest. I couldn't resist taking a few shots of Luke - he looked particularly cute in his warm hat that "Aunt" Deb brought him from Helsinki (and with a bit of dinner left on his nose!).

Christmas decorations part 4

The most exciting part of all (well, for Luke) ... the train!

Our finished product:

WHEW! What a job!