I Miss You!

Driving away from the sunny, cold, San Jose Christmas.  Whatever!

See you when it is warmer in Utah!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Christmas Day feels like the laziest day of the year.  After all the excitement ends by 9am, it is jammie and naps, that is it!

Between rain showers and 40 degree nippiness, Nate was able to convince dad and Alex to take him for a ride in his new limo wagon (2 seats, 4 cup holders).  Cousin Sydney tried it out with him.  Alex couldn't part with his new DC sneakers and hat.  
We did venture up to grandma's house to find Uncle Jake and Aunt Debbi there with Maddie, Izzie, and Ben (the rest of his family at the movies).  Nate hadn't seen Ben for awhile, so they took some time to reconnect...

Izzie and Nate being the buds they are, got to borrow Nate's new trike.  She was wheeling around grandma's living room having a blast!

Nate wasn't sure about sharing, but after we talked him into it, he needed to show Izzie how to ring the bell.  Alex was game at pushing her around the house.

Maddie was showing Nate how to do wheelies around the track (being the dining area, down the hall, through the living room, and into the kitchen back into the family/dining room).  She was zooming around all day getting the hang of her new bike as well.

This is just a new favorite shot of Nate, Christmas night, on our way home, in front of Grandma's fun little trees.  He loved the lights and decorations, and actually didn't break anything this year.  What a great kid!~

Pumpkin Patch with friends and family

Ben picking his pumpkin

Zack doing the 2 pumpkin juggle

Sisters in law - Debbi (Izzie), Christine, Beth, Laura (Ben)

Just another cute baby - MINE

Zack was kind enough to share some treats with Nate

Tried to get kids to smile in the middle of picnic time

Nate and Sam kickin' back with the pumpkins

Cute poser

I want to take all these home

Every once in awhile, I get an amazing shot, here it is.

Nate loved the maze tunnel

Train with Nicole and Nate (cousins)

3/4ths of the 2007 cousins-Nate, Izzie, and Ben

Cousins on the train-Nate, Maddie, Collette, Abigail

Favorite movie heroes starring "Nate the Great"

Nate was having fun with the Harry Potter glasses.  

He thought he was so funny...

Then pretended to be bashful...

And then it was time to turn fierce as young Skywalker

After all, he did receive his middle name "Luke" for this purpose...

Never too early to start Jedi training!

Hanauma Bay Snorkeling

We snorkeled, we chillaxed, and Emily is one of us....need we say more.

Polynesian Culteral Center

First, on the tour, a beautiful waterfall.

We learned a hula dance...
Alex delivered on his promise and tried poi, didn't like it... SURPRISE!
We got lei'd in Hawaii... (lame Hawaii joke, I know)
Brooke on the beach...
Mom and Nate enjoying the wind and surf...

Progress while we are away...

Wait, what happened to our driveway?
That fire circle is looking awesome!
The outdoor living is on its way...

Closer than we imagined...

It is getting closer to being a fire circle...
I can see the monster sheds...
The patio is almost there...
Yep, that is where my hot tub is going!!!

Can you see it?

Can you see the hot tub?
Can you see the fire pit?
Can you see the sheds?
Can you see the outdoor living bbq, pergula, and patio?
Again, can you see the HOT TUB????  I can!

What will be the front walk, covered in pavers...
Where the shed(s) will be...
The bbq, paver patio, and most excellent pergula...