Amanda and Corben's Visit

One of my friends, who I know through Catie (they were sorority sisters) Amanda, lives in New York, and was here in CA for a little bit.  She has a son named Corben who is almost 18 months old (about 4 1/2 months older than RJ).  Catie hosted a little get-together so we could see Amanda and Corben, and it was really fun!  Catie made some really good gumbo and spaghetti and we all just hung out and caught up.  I also got to see our friend (Ryan's long-time friend) Jeni and her son Charlie who is almost 4 months old.  Our friends Donna and Rene were also able to make it, and we all had a great time.  Thanks, Catie!

Amanda, Corben, RJ and me

Little Charlie waving good-bye to me!

What?

Corben showing us where RJ's eye is.

RJ and his Jordan's that Ryan found at Marshall's - gotta love it!

Cake

Eyes closed in front of the City Hall =)

Dan Hicks getting annoyed by people not listening to him introduce his band...

Vince DiFiore

John McCrea

A cool picture I think

Ryan got me tickets to see one of my favorite bands Cake for Christmas and we went just a couple weekends ago.  (They sing "The Distance", "Short Skirt/Long Jacket", "Never There", amoung others.)  We had a really good time, and got to be right up in front.  The venue was The Fillmore in SF, which neither of us had been to.  It's really cool, and only fits about 1200 people, so it's somewhat intimate.  Especially when you are literally at the stage!  Yay!  And the opening bands were pretty cool, too.  The first was a high school band called Fishbear and the second was a singer Dan Hicks, who Ryan's dad actually has a cd of.  He was pretty entertaining, that is for sure!  We had a blast, and I loved my gift, thanks babe!

Snow!

Daddy and RJ

Hey, I like this!

So happy!

Hmm, let me just get this mitten off...

I don't know how I feel about this...

Yea, not so much...

I know, Papa, but you said it was going to be fun.

Trying to like it!

Okay, as long as you don't face-plant me again!

Yay!

Taking more and more steps...

Having fun exploring!

RJ and Nanos

RJ and Papa

A couple of weeks ago Ryan, RJ and I went to Incline Village, NV to hang out with my Papa and Nancy and of course, to see the snow!  RJ really liked it; okay, he liked looking at it!  We are so lucky to have this time with him, and be able to do these things with him any time of the day, any day of the week!  Thanks for the good time, you guys!

Christmas Pictures, finally!

Christmas in Hollister, a little late I know, but this is my virtual scrapbooking now, so I have to record it!  =)

Mom, Makenna and T

Uncle Charles

Erin, Avalon and Joe

RJ and bow =)

Ruette, Erin, Joe, Avalon, Phyllis and Tom

Shaun and his basket from my Nana

T and mom

T and Shaun =)

Musical toy?!  I love it!

Thanks Nana, I love it!

Winding down...

Thanks for the CAKE tickets, babe!!!

The process of taking a christmas card photo

I always think it is hilarious the actual process of getting a good photo of a toddler. I had this issue when I worked at the preschool, but I think RJ has been my hardest client, yet! Herein lies the process of getting this year's christmas card photo...

And he's off!

Wait mom, don't hold on to me!!!

The picture!!! Seriously, mom, don't hold my arm...

Oooh, look at this one - what's that I hear? Silver bells?

Another pretty one.

So cute (our second option, but not enough of the Bill Cosby sweater).

Let's try this pose, hmmmm, maybe not.

Yea, not so much.

Daddy, what are you doing?

Seriously, these are cool toys, why don't you let me play with these all the time?

Don't tickle me dad!

But, you can make me fly, that's cool!

I love my dad!

6th tooth and then some!

RJ got a sixth tooth last week, and is just getting bigger and smarter by the day. Just today while we were reading I asked him where the banana was in the book - now, I had to point at this banana many times, make him not turn the page and point some more, to get him to do this, but he finally pointed at the banana. But, later when we got to the ball I asked where it was and he pointed at it like a pro, without my help! I am so proud of him and can't wait for all of his accomplishments to come!

Hope everyone is well!