Happy Birthday Elvira!

Elvira just happens to be one of our best blessings here in California. So, it was only appropriate for Lucas and Phoebe to make her 40th birthday extra special. She was overwhelmed with surprise and excitement when she opened the babyroom door to see 2 cute kids sporting their new wardrobe. . .compliments of Alex. We also bought her roses and made her a homemade lunch and chocolate birthday cake. I think she had a good day! We are so grateful for you Elvira! Happy Birthday!

Countdown until winter break!

Lucas is excited about his new expedition backpack and expressed his enthusiasm by flailing his arms in the air around the neighborhood! Everyone we passed thought Lucas was waving at them! Little do they know this is his signature move! This is a perfect carrier for him. . .he can see up and over Jay's shoulders and can take in everything happening around him...exactly what he loves being such a social butterfly. We are strongly considering taking him on a hike in the Santa Monica Mountains! Ambitious????

Have you ever seen a cuter pair of pajamas? or kid? or smile?

Jay and Karen have been working very hard these weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas and are looking forward to seeing the Dean family next weekend! It will definitely be exciting to celebrate Lucas' first Christmas! I wonder what Santa will bring?

Thanksgiving Adventures in Minnesota

Our week in Minnesota to visit the Roligs for Thanksgiving was, as expected, quite eventful. Lucas experienced his first snowfall, went sledding for the first time (and looooved it!), met Santa Claus, hung out with the next generation of Golden Gophers (Karen's college friends' kids), and enjoyed all kinds of attention from his cousins and Grandma & Grandpa Rolig, among others.
Karen and Jay got out on a few dates, as well, enjoying breakfast at the Edina Grill, dinner at Broder's, and a night at the movies (the surprisingly solid "The Next Three Days").
Thanks to everyone, especially Bonnie and Jack, for your Midwestern hospitality once again. Next time, though, we'd prefer it not to be 11 degrees, and the coldest Thanksgiving since '89. Please? Lucas and his grandparents had a happy airport reunion.


Lucas spent time with Karen's college friends' kids: Alex, Paige, Ryan & Michaela. He even got some alone time with Ryan and went in for his first kiss.


Brian & Kristy threw a raging party for Ingrid's baptism Sunday night. We especially loved the impromptu photo session with the cousins upstairs (left to right: Max, Lucas, Annika, Ingrid & Emerson).


We went to "Santaland" at the downtown Macy's so, as predicted, Lucas could meet Santa and yank his beard. Notice how Lucas is always looking in the same direction in all photos. Never at the camera, though.


Most memorable was Lucas' first sledding experience. He was flapping his arms (his patented sign of excitement) the whole time and couldn't stop grinning. Neither could we. Too bad the kid could barely move in all those winter layers.

The obligatory Posing of the Grandchildren in Their Christmas Outfits for the Christmas Card.


After a long week of being the center of attention, Lucas, who just wanted to spend some quality alone time with his newest cousin, had finally had enough...

Lucas' First Halloween

While it's not quite Halloween, Lucas celebrated in grand fashion with his Willows Family including Karen's 4th grade students, Elvira and, of course, Phoebe. Lucas looked splendid in his first ever Halloween costume: a pea pod (Thanks, Sarah!)

Lucas as Pea Pod.

Elvira with Pea Pod and Strawberry (Phoebe). Unbeknownst to each other, Lucas and Phoebe dressed up as healthy snacks. Secretly, they wished for candy.

Lucas and his 4th Grade Role Models!

Karen and Lucas (sporting his new shirt) at school.

'Tis the Season

Pumpkin season, that is!

The Dean Family ventured to Moorpark with Sarah, Sam, Alex, Mike and Phoebe last weekend to take in the sights and sounds of Underwood Family Farms. We frolicked in the corn maze, listened to some sweet banjo music, watched some pig races, rode the Cow Train, saw Tori Spelling, and more! It was a jam packed day that ended with us wanting more but being too tired to do so. Some highlights in pictures:

Bonus Picture of the Week: "Shower Time!"

Let's Get Out of the Apartment!

We had a few days of rain last week, but this weekend we took advantage of the weather and got some fresh air. Lately, we've been taking Lucas to a nearby park. It's filled with kids and ducks! Lucas especially loves the swing (only this time he rode alone, without his friend Sam).

Bonus Photo #1: This is Mommy and Lucas after one of Lucas's showers. Yep, that's right. Lately, he's been more into showers than baths. Much less prep time for the parents, too.

Bonus Photo #2: This is Lucas showing off his new favorite outfit for the Fall. Now if we could only get him to stop squinting with the flash.

Next week: The trip to the pumpkin patch! We're thinking about bringing the camera...

Swim and Gym!

What a weekend! Lucas and his friend Sam enjoyed their first Swim and Gym class together at the Santa Monica YMCA. All I have to say is, parents really will doing anything for their kids, especially if it involves a swim cap and a bathing suit! The boys enjoyed the first part of class singing songs and "tumbling" on the gym mats and they were even more excited to be in the pool for the second part of class. They loved splashing, floating, and even being "dunked" underwater. It was only towards the end when Lucas' three teeth started chattering.

BONUS PICTURES:

Clearly, Lucas is showing early signs of what teams he's loyal to. He is his daddy's son!

Doesn't Lucas look like such big boy now that he can wear a baseball hat! Flash back 7 months or so. It's hard to believe.

Labor Day Weekend: No Labor, Only Play

To start our Labor Day Weekend and get our final ya-ya's out before the official start of the school year, we went down to El Segundo for a play date with Sarah, Jeff and Sam. Lucas and Sam shared their sitting skills with each other and had some great chats and shared secrets about how to take advantage of their parents. After that, we walked down to the local park for some Extreme Swinging...

On Sunday, the Dean Family checked out the Long Beach Aquarium. Despite the crowds, they had a really fun time, especially (you guessed it) Lucas who even went on his first merry-go-round...