Mountain snow in So Cal!

I have really been missing the snow in Colorado.  I know it sounds crazy but after almost 7 years of it it kinda grows on you.  So here are a few pictures of the snow on the Saddleback Mountains.  This mountain range is northwest of our house and this view is just beautiful.  Of course its nothing like the rockies but considering we are in southern California its pretty spectacular.  Our house is just on the other side of the power lines so we had a pretty good view of it.  Its mostly melted now thanks to the 60 degree weather we had yesterday and today.  

Reading time with Daddy

Its been awhile since my last post and so much has changed in the land of Nicolas.  He is such a boy in every sense of the word.  He is all about balls, cars, trucks and really anything with wheels.  Its funny how natural it is for him.  But lately when Eric is at home before bedtime, Nicolas wants to sit down and read a book with him.  He will go pick out his book of choice bring it to daddy and want to sit on the couch with him.  Of course this would never work if I tried it, he would climbing all over the couch.  Cute how he wants to cuddle on the couch with daddy and read.  He sure is growing up fast...

Year in Pictures

Okay, so we finally got the images for the professional pictures that we had taken back in August.  So here are some pictures that capture Nicolas at different stages from his first year.  Hope you enjoy!

Year in Pictures

Halloween 2008

Nicolas at JW Tumbles Halloween Party, once he pulled the hat off he was having a good time!
He was a little overwhelmed by all the kids at our neighborhood Halloween Parade

Okay so I know its been forever since I posted last and some of you may have wondered if I had given up on it.  But the truth is the little guy keeps me so busy now that I am just too tired at night to do this.  Since this is a special occasion and so many of you have asked to see more pictures I thought I'd write a blog.

Nicolas had so much fun trick or treating but was thrilled for the day to be over and the cute penguin costume to come off.  Daddy made it home in time to take the little man to a few houses on our street so he could ring the doorbell and beg for candy.  Even Jax got into the spirit, its hard to tell but he is a bee!  

Birthday Boy

It really seems like just yesterday that we brought this little angel home from the hospital, but the first year has come and gone!  So many changes have made this such an exciting time and I can't wait to see how he changes during his second year of life.  We are so lucky and blessed to have such a wonderful and healthy son.  

Fun Filled Week

In the caves at the Beringer Estate, we had a wonderful private tour and lunch.
Silly little boy showing off all of his teeth.
View from the Opus One Winery
Future Dallas Cowboy!

This past weekend our good friends Mike and Kathy came to visit.  We met up with them in Napa Valley and had a great time tasting wines and touring the beautiful wine country.  Nicolas was such a trooper, we really put him through the ringer.  Sitting in the car and then being transported to the stroller was especially difficult for the little guy because he decided that this was the weekend to begin walking!  We left Napa Valley monday morning and made our way down the beautiful California coastline.  

Now I won't say whose great idea it was to do this but we made one wrong turn down the highway to hell.  Normally this would have been a beautiful drive through the northern california mountains if it weren't for the 30 or so straight miles of uphill/downhill sharp curves.  I do not normally get car sick but this was the exception, I can only imagine how the little guy felt.  We finally made our way out of the forest and to the breathtaking cliffs overlooking the ocean. 

Two days later and we were finally back in southern California.  Unfortunately Eric had to go back to work but Mike, Kathy and I took Nicolas to the beach for the first time.  He loved squishing his toes in the wet sand and waving hello to every stranger that walked by.  The day at the beach was followed by an early birthday celebration.  Nicolas enjoyed his first birthday cupcakes , most of which ended up on him and the high chair, and then lots of toys.  

On thursday we made the trip down to the San Diego zoo where we saw elephants and giraffes and Nicolas even got to walk around in the petting zoo.  He did not want to touch the animals, he only wanted to get very close to them.  

Needless to say we had a wonderful week with Mike and Kathy in town.  Here are a few pictures that show all the fun.  

Not Just Any Other Day

Wow, how things change in just a week!  This past week has been full of many changes in our house.  Nicolas has mastered the art of waving hi and bye-bye and is so pleased with himself.  He waves to people on the street and in the store.  He has been saying da-da this and da-da that for quite some time but a few days ago I was so pleased to hear him say Mmmama.  Dad is not to happy with this development, I think he never thought the kid was going to say mama!  He liked having the joy of telling people all he would say is dada.  On top of his growing vocabulary he has learned some other new tricks, clapping his hands when mommy claps hers and my favorite is when he takes the puppy his toy and tries to give it to him as if to say, 'come on, lets play'!  I love it, he actually understands these things now.  

Last night while I was trying to wrangle him in to put on his jammies, and he knows that this means bedtime so he tries to escape, he took his first steps!  Now he has taken one here and one there before but this time was different.  He stood up and looked at me and looked at his little red chair and took 1, 2, 3 and 4 steps fell over on his chair and squealed in delight!  Of course I was equally excited clapping my hands and praising him as one tear rolled down my cheek.  I can't believe that my little boy who it seems like I just brought home from the hospital yesterday is learning to walk and learning to talk.  

I wish I could keep him at this age forever but I can't wait to see what the next year brings.  

                                                       Nicolas thinks he's the puppy
              I don't know why I thought it was a good idea to let him feed himself!

Testing my Momma!

Everyday Nicolas finds new ways to test my patience and see just how far he can push mommy.  Its hard sometimes not to laugh at the temper tantrums and the silly things he gets himself into.  Here are a few pictures of the silly little boy!

                               This is my new favorite game and I scream bloody murder when mommy  closes the door or I accidentally close it!

                                 Such a big boy now - this was supposed to be a birthday gift but   mommy couldn't wait!
I just love playing with my Jaxon puppy!  We have so much fun playing tug of war!

FIrst attempt at blogging

                                                                 Eric and Carla 

                                                                     Nate and Nicolas

 

                                                      Daddy and Nicolas monkeying around

                                                 So I can't figure out how to rotate after 

                                                 I downloaded it, Nicolas was so tired on  

                              the plane ride he fell asleep on daddy, he never does this!

                                                               Nicolas and Aunt Elissa

Okay, so here goes my first attempt at blogging.  I thought I would go ahead and give it a try since moving to California makes it even more difficult to keep in touch with everyone in Texas.  

This past weekend we went to Carlsbad, NM to visit my sister in law, who I have never met.  We had a great time visiting and getting to know each other.  Here are a few pictures of the family.