Jake goes skiing

We made a trip up to the cabin and took Jake out skiing for the first time. Mia stayed back with Papa and Tutu, so we were able to spend the day with our guy...lots of fun. He was REALLY excited about the whole thing. We were worried that once we got out there, he wouldn't want to do it. But he was rearing to go the whole time! The only thing he was bummed about was that he didn't get to snowboard or ride the "flying seat" (chair lift). He must have said "But Mommy, I really, really, really want a snowboard" about 100 times while we waited in line for our lift tickets. The people in front of us were ready to give him their snowboards for some silence ;) We rode the magic carpet or "magic floor" as Jake called it.....more modern version of the rope tow.....wow, SO much better! Brian and I both took turns with him and we used a harness to try and help teach him. He seemed to be getting the hang of it, but would get lazy sometimes and just flop like a rag doll.......of course he just laughed every time he fell. We were somewhat amazed that he didn't whine.....it was cold, the lines were long, and he could have had legitimate things to complain about....but he didn't! We were pleasantly surprised! Fun memories from this day!

Christmas!

We celebrated Christmas morning with Grammie, Gramps, Julie and Tim.....Christmas Eve dinner at Kerry and Fred's with Rob, Kelli, Grady and Bob....Christmas morning at our house with the whole DeMichiel crew, Christmas Dinner at Jan's house with the whole Emanuele crew (first time all of the girl cousins were ALL together in years!), and day after Christmas with Daddy and Heather....WHEW! A bit chaotic, but lots of fun. Jake "got it" this year and had fun leaving cookies and milk for Santa and waking up to the treasures he had left. It was Mia's first Christmas and she was as entertained by the wrapping paper as anything else! Brian was thrilled with the remote control airplane that Santa left for him too! Great holiday spent with all of our wonderful family!

Sitting on Santa's lap

Wow....can you just FEEL their excitement??? I think they could have cared less that they were sitting on Santa's lap. Jake was of course far more interested in the candy cane that anything else.

"Santa, I would like a football"

We arrived to see Santa at 11:30 on a Saturday, expecting to wait in some awful line.....we were the ONLY ones there! Jake didn't want to have any part of it when we arrived, but after Mia sat on his lap, he thought about it some more. Then, see saw that Santa had a candy cane for him....and the rest is history! He climbed right up and even gave Santa a hug after he left. Santa told us that he couldn't believe Jake actually got up and sat with him, based on his initial "I don't want to have anything to do with you" reaction. The funny part was that after we got him back into the stroller and were starting to head out, Jake asked us "so where is my football?" Stands to reason! We've been telling him that he needs to ask Santa for a present....he didn't understand the whole concept of asking Santa and then having to WAIT for the gift! Hope he's a good boy....Santa might just bring him that football on Christmas!

Binkie Boy

Oh, I DREAD the day (that I know is coming soon) when I have to take the binkie away.

6 months old!

6 MONTHS OLD!

I think this is how the REALLY feel about taking pictures!

Mia is 6 months old.....WHERE does the time go?!! She had her dr. appt and weighs 16lbs, 11oz and 26 inches. 75 percentile across the board....she's a healthy girl! She's been sitting up for over a month now, but is getting much less "wobbly". Playing with toys all the time now and everything goes in her mouth! She has such a personality now.....happy most of the time and full of smiles and giggles that melt our heart! Jake loves to make her laugh and give her loves....we'll see how he feels once she starts playing with his toys ;)

Sweet girl...

Couldn't resist a few holiday-ish photos of Mia.....love, love, love her!!! Her smiles are priceless!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Rob,Kelli,Grady, Brian, Mia, Jill, Jake, Kirt....lots of DeMichiels!

Mia's first Thanksgiving

Our Family has gotten bigger since last Thanksgiving!

Jake and his Thanksgiving "hat"

Cousins....so cute!!!

It was a fun Thanksgiving....we all gathered at Mom and Peter's for good food, good company, and good times! LOTS to be thankful for! I'm almost ready to go to bed as I write this post and am really wishing I brought some leftovers home with me! I need a late night snack!!

Getting ready for the slopes!

Jake got his first pair of skis.....he LOVES them! We're hoping he'll enjoy using them in the snow half as much as he has enjoyed them on the family room carpet! He has been "skiing" (scooting across the floor) and the first couple of days he wanted to do EVERYTHING while wearing them. You'll see him watching Sesame Street while standing in his boots and skis...he did this for the whole one hour show ;) We are so excited to take him skiing this winter.....it'll be interesting!

Ice Skating

getting ready!

hot chocolate....yum!

having fun!

loving it!

mike, zoe, brian & jake

Jake had his first day of ice skating today.....so cute. They have some outdoor ice rinks set up for the holidays this year, and it was lots of fun. Jake was able to do some skating with his favorite neighbor/crush, Zoe. He didn't like it at first, but of course didn't want to leave by the end of it!

Mia is 5 months!

Mia is getting cuter (and chubbier!) by the day.....she is just full of smiles and we continue to enjoy each day with her! We attempted to take the same pics of her that we did of Jake at this age.....and here it is! Nothing cuter than a baby booty :)

San Luis Obispo

Brian was doing some recruiting at Cal Poly for new grads, so we decided to make a weekend out of it.....we thought it was going to be SO fun! Apparently that was not what Jake had in mind! Let's just say that the weekend could be described by the phrase "If Jake ain't having fun, ain't nobody having fun". He is normally such a fun and easy going kid.....but he pulled out all the stops with his tantrums and attitude over the weekend! We're happy to report that he has returned to his normal self, with just the usual 2 year old grouchies every now and again....thank goodness he was not actually possessed. That being said, we did actually have SOME fun! We went to Pismo Beach and Avila Beach.....Jake couldn't have been happier about watching the "surf guys". It was a long drive with the kiddos, but it is always fun to get away. And while it wasn't a perfect weekend.....as Grammie would say, we made a memory :)

To post, or not to post?

I was on the fence about posting this picture, but decided to go for it! It's discreet :) This was Jake's quote while sitting on the potty when we asked if he was ready to get up...."No Mommy, I'm waiting for the poop to get out".

This week when we were going about our day....I was on the phone with Auntie Kelli and Jake said he wanted to go sit on the potty....so I got him all ready and down he sat. While I was chatting away on the phone, I looked down and he was going to town! Voila...poop AND potty! We did some MAJOR celebrating and he was so thrilled and entertained by my over the top reaction.....I was hoping it would encourage him to try it again, but so far it was a one shot deal. In any case, when he's ready, he'll do it!

Trick or Treat!

Ah, the sugar rush has worn off and I'm exhausted from a full weekend of Halloween festivities!! There were too many cute pix to choose from, so I'm posting a ton! Here is a cute one of Mia in her flower costume....don't you just want to squeeze those cheeks!!

A visit from Auntie Julie....
Jake and Zoe held hands up to each house....SO cute! I really do think he's in love. Will this pic be in the wedding photo slideshow 20 years from now??
Amazing that Auntie Kelli was able to snap this pic, as Jake was NOT into being cooperative during picture time!
The cousins!
Here are Grady and Mia....the cooperative ones! So sweet ;)
Houston, we have a problem....Jake wants to wear his astronaut helmet everywhere!!! It's a little bit cumbersome for most activities, but he LOVES it!
Grammie and Gramps with the munchkins!
Great Grandad and his first great-grandDAUGHTER!
Carving pumpkins in our pj's....good stuff! Jake wanted to help, but didn't like the feel of the pumpkin "insides"
Visiting Daddy at work......whoever got him to wear the group costume should get an award.....you know how he loves that stuff!! He was happy to show off his cute kiddos :)