Kyle's 1st Camping Trip!!

We were excited to finally take that camping trip we'd talked about taking at least a year ago. Kyle LOVED it! :) We'd found a tiny kid-sized tent and sleeping bag at a garage sale and he'd had a lot of fun pretending but we were eager to do the real thing. Our good friends joined us for the adventure at a nice, little OC campground not too far from home. We split the site and joined together what we could gather from our kitchens and got out of there for just over 10 bucks! ;) We had a great time.  

The boys took turns helping Rudy set up the family tent. They enjoyed playing in their separate "play" tent, too.

 He just couldn't have been cuter! :)

 

Relaxing after all was set up! ;)

Enjoying the campfire from a little distance away!

Trying to stay warm with the help of a  heater!! No, it wasn't hot to the touch! ;)

Our hiking excursion led us to a Nature Center, some trails, and a huge playground.

Melissa and I loved listening to our boys really talk to one another. Here they were discussing what Kyle was drawing. 

Holding my friend's precious blessing. He is an answer to prayer after heartache and loss, born Sept.14th the day of my surgery. I can't tell you how many ways our stories intertwine. I love this little man.

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all had a nice Christmas! We sure did. Kyle made this whole month so much fun. We were so eager to have all the things/events we were anticipating finally come to pass.  My brother and sister-in-law came from the Chicago area and we enjoyed several low-key things like playing ball at a park near my parents' house. Kyle was so much fun running and chasing after the balls and just generally wanting to be included in everything. 

My family at our church's Christmas Eve service. Sorry for the blur.

Kyle LOVED having his Mimi, Grandpa, 2 Aunties and Uncle Maco at his church. He couldn't stop smiling!

We ate out at one of the best restaurants ever! Had to include this silly picture of the boys. Kyle looks so proud to be like Papa.

Like I said, he was enjoying just about every second of our night! That is, until he had to go to bed! :)

Christmas morning was so much fun! Santa and family were so kind and generous! He got the guitar he'd picked out and wanted all month long! Thank you, family!

He's watched many a big boy ride a razor like this one and really wanted one for himself. You should see him out there with his little helmet on. He's such a BIG boy!

Then, back at my parents' house for the rest of Christmas. GG stopped in while on a layover at LAX. Here the grandmas are posing with Kyle just as they did with their little blueberry (the size of their grandchild at the time) right after we announced we were pregnant with Kyle 4 Christmases ago.

And Christmas wouldn't have been complete without visiting our Jonathan. Had he been able to hold on as long as Kyle did, he would have been with us by now. This Christmas and up until his due date next week mark a significant milestone. We continually feel his absence. Thankfully, however, we continually feel God's presence, too.

Merry Christmas to you all! We love you.

GG and the "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" Cake

Earlier this week, GG sent a fun Christmas care package with the book, Happy Birthday, Jesus!  Kyle was eagerly anticipating her arrival and their plans to bake the Jesus cake!

I think he thoroughly enjoyed himself! :)

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and blowing out the candle.

Thanks, GG, for all the toys, gifts, clothes and more!!! What a fun visit.

"The Happiest Place on Earth!"

My sister invited me to be her date for her Christmas work party at Disneyland's exclusive Club 33. Included in that offer was a day at both Disneyland and California Adventure.We had a great time!! During the morning hours we went on adult-ish rides and after our delicious salmon lunch, Kyle joined us for his first trip ever! Originally we thought we'd wait to introduce Kyle to all things Disney until he was old enough to remember it. But since all our admissions were free (kids up to the age of 3), I figured, why not?! We had a great time. Kyle wanted to go "more" and "higher" with every ride. He particularly wanted to see Mickey. Unfortunately, Mickey and Minnie passed us while we were on the Dumbo ride. Next time! ;)

Love my sister...

Finding the semi-hidden door. Can you tell we felt special for 5.2 seconds?! :)

While eating, Mickey and Goofy stopped by to say hi. I took these pictures for Kyle and texted them to Rudy to show him. I heard he kept staring at the pictures saying, "Wait for me, Mommy!" 

 Then.... KYLE CAME!!!! :) He had skipped his nap because he was so excited!! How cute is that?

On Dumbo, his favorite ride of the evening!

 Dumbo

 Waving hello to Buzz Lightyear at Buzz's Space Blaster's ride.

 This kid was all smiles!!

 Clapping for the rockets we were about to ride.

 

Kyle was slightly excited! :)

Thanks, Auntie Michelle, for letting us join you!! :)

Fishing

Rudy has really gotten in to fishing lately. He's always had an interest and has liked doing it, but ever since Kyle got his own (toy) pole, and could therefore join in on the fun, the boys have been out on a regular basis. Their favorite spots are out on various local piers. However, Ru has just asked for a fishing license for Christmas so he'll be able to cast off anywhere.

After Ru's last school exam (and thus ending his 8 year post-graduate marathon!!) we all went fishing!! Kyle kept saying, "Congratulations Papi!"

Kyle found one of the only locks on the entire pier, while Mommy found Jonathan's cemetery to the right of those palm trees up on the hill.

Precious, isn't it?

The day after the rain.

Today, as I began driving inland on my way to work, my mouth literally dropped open at the sight of the gorgeous snow-covered mountains. The entire range was covered as far down as I could see with the most beautiful snow. It was breathtaking! Clouds that hung here and there around the peaks gave such a powdery, magical feel. I immediately wished we could call a day off and take Kyle to the snow.

Here in Southern California we don't get much rain. In fact we mostly see a layer of smog that rises up from the LA area and gets pushed up against the mountains with no chance of leaving until strong wind or rain clear it away. So the day after the rain is exceptionally beautiful and I look forward to it each rain we get. It always takes my breath away! My entire commute north gave me quite a view and I couldn't help but be encouraged if not inspired by the metaphor.

We've been living through several storms this year. Some little, some big. Some known and some kept private. All along, I've trusted that someday we'd see that glorious "day after" and somehow all the pain, frustration, stress, and/or heartbreak would lead us to something more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. I still believe that. I believe that all this "rain" is developing our character, making us stronger, and helping us realize how dependent we really are on God.

So I'm thankful for the 50 minute reminder I got this morning of what is to come... we can drudge through the rain with the hope of a day like today.

(And drudge, Rudy has... he's taking his 4-year cummulative exam tomorrow to end all exams!!! We are celebrating with a night out! That is, if he doesn't crash the second he gets home!:)

Happy December!

We love December! It's always busy, but so exciting, too. Having Kyle makes us feel like little kids because we're so eager to experience everything with him. We've had a lot of fun decorating the apartment, getting our beautiful tree, and taking walks around our neighborhood's specially-lit-up streets. There are two neighboring streets that go all out with their lights, lasers, and snow-makers. They serve hot cocoa and homemade cookies to everyone who stops by every Friday and Saturday night for the entire month. We've already gone 3 times! ;)

Kyle loves it all and constantly says he's, "So excited!!" He was so much fun last year, exclaiming over every single light he saw. This year, it's even more fun as he's truly anticipating everything about Christmas and can't wait for Santa to bring his guitar!!

We love our tree! Of course, Kyle said every tree was "pretty."

Our tree before we changed to white lights and added ornaments.

Kyle's robot ornament.