Fun at the Sacramento Zoo

We had a fun day on Friday at the Sacramento Zoo. Michael took the day off to join Connor and I on our last day of Spring Break. Thanks Michael for taking the day to be with us!

(Tired out and found some plush friends at the gift store!)

Fun at Fairytale Town!

Connor and I ventured out to Fairytale Town today and had a blast! I pretty much followed his lead and and we explored the park for three hours! It was so fun to see how independent he is now with all the slides and play structures. It was also a blast to watch him interact with others... going up to an adult man wearing a Giants hat and saying, "Go Giants!" or going up to a group of kids and saying, "Remember when the Easter Bunny came and brought me candy and books?" or going up to the goats and saying, "Good Morning Mr. Goat!" He is such a social kid... I just love watching him grow and learn! I love him so much!

Easter Sunday

Dying hard boiled (turned out to be soft boiled) eggs with Poppy and Mimi

The adults enjoying the candy after the egg hunt. Connor was more interested in playing baseball with Daddy, so we got to raid his eggs.
On the hunt...
We over did it with eggs. Half way through, Connor handed me his basket and said, "I'm tried. You do the rest Mommy."

The expectant Mommy and Daddy! Last Easter without children. ;-)

Poppy reading to Connor while on the phone with Aunt Mallory. We missed you Mal!

Family... oh how we are blessed!

Connor with his grandmas!

Connor and his Easter goodies... spoiled by the Easter Bunny and his grandparents.

Michael's Birthday Celebrations!

The following are pictures from our weekend celebration of Michael's 30th birthday. We had a blast celebrating with a quiet breakfast at home, with friends and family at Oshima Sushi, and at a River Cats game, followed by fireworks. It was a special weekend for a very special man!

Not sure if you can see... but the score board says, "Happy 30th Birthday Michael Louis!"

Happy Birthday Michael!

Dear Daddy,

Happy Birthday! I love you so, so, so, very, very much. You are the best daddy in the world. I love how you make me laugh by tickling me, saying funny things, and making silly faces. My favorite time of the day is when you get home and we play baseball in the living room. You pitch the ball just right and always cheer for me. I love the surprised face you make every time I hit a home run! I also look forward to our special time at night when you put me to bed. You always make me laugh so hard, and I go to bed in such a happy mood after getting to spend that time with you. I love our weekends because you make me special pancakes with the perfect amount of whipped cream and syrup on each bite. I also like how you convince Mommy to take us to Chuck E Cheese so we can play games together. You always seem to know what I want. When I'm hurt or feeling sad, you always know how to comfort me or cheer me up. I am so thankful you are my dad. I love you more than anything. Happy Birthday Daddy! Love, Connor Michael

Happy Birthday to the most amazing husband and a wonderfully natural dad! Connor and I love you so much!

Spring Time Fun!

Today we had the most lovely playdate. Danielle and Sophia hosted us, including Kirsten and Lilliana and Liz and Madeline. We all took a walk, stopped to get sandwiches, and then had a picnic in the park. The big kids (Lil and Connor) played on the equipment and then enjoyed an Easter egg hunt. What a blast! It's days like today that make me so thankful for the wonderful friends we are blessed with. To be able to hang out with wonderful moms that I can learn from and beautiful, warm children for Connor to grow up with. We are truly blessed.

Connor and Lilliana ready for the hunt!

And they're off...

Comparing goods...

Connor posing with the pigs.

Connor helping Mommy bake cupcakes for Daddy's birthday.

My Little Monet!

Like Father, Like Son! I got my camera out to take a picture of what looked like a very sweet, candid moment (Michael helping Connor with a puzzle). However, as soon as they saw the camera... this was the pose I got!

Play date last week. Sophia Christy, Connor, and Madeline Kann. Sweet friends!

Exciting News!

We have some exciting news to share... Connor is going to have a cousin! Mandy and Chad are expecting a baby in October! We are overly excited and thrilled to have a new family member! The pregnancy hasn't been easy to say the least. Mandy spent much of her first trimester in and out the hospital due to severe cramping, and eventually had to have surgery to find out what was going on. During the surgery, the doctors found a heterotopic pregnancy which means one developing fetus in the uterus, and one fetus in the fallopian tube. The doctors had to remove Mandy's fallopian tube, but the baby in the uterus continues to develop and appears very healthy! What a blessing! Amidst Mandy being at the hospital recovering from surgery, her husband Chad was also in the hospital having his gall bladder removed. That week brought a whole new meaning to the phrase, "when it rains, it pours." We are all so glad the surgeries are behind them and now they can concentrate on getting healthy and preparing for a new baby! Connor is very excited about the news and claims that the baby is a girl and has named her Mia. He is very set on this too, which will be interesting to see if his predictions are accurate! Despite his excitement and enthusiasm... I'm not sure he understands completely because he keeps telling people that he has a baby in his belly! Oh well!

This is a picture of Connor playing "doctor" with Mandy. He insisted on bringing his doctor's kit to the hospital. Connor was a trooper and visited Mandy often in the hospital. I was worried about exposing Connor to the hospital and concerned about his level of understanding of everything. Connor was amazing... he was able to cheer Mandy up each time and often brought a smile to all the nurses faces too. He was never scared or hesitant, but eagerly snuggled with Mandy and gave hugs, kisses, and raspberries freely. He is medicine for the soul!

This past weekend, we joined Jeff, Kirsten, and Lilliana at the Folsom Zoo. It was a lovely day with great friends! We saw many animals, played at the park, ate a delicious picnic, and got to ride the choo choo train! Following are some other random pictures... Connor and Michael playing air hockey at Chuck E. Cheese, Connor celebrating Mimi's birthday, and having tea time with Mimi in Modesto.

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Our Little Slugger

We spent much of this rainy Sunday playing inside. We had a blast playing baseball in the loft and this video captures some of Michael's coaching and Connor's talent. I think we'll be spending many Sundays watching him play in the future!

Friday Fun with Friends

Friday was my first day off in awhile, so we spent the day catching up with friends. Connor had such a blast playing and interacting with his friends. We were reminded once again, how blessed we are to have such great friends (for Connor and Mommy too!).






Here is Connor with Baby Madeline, Liz and Greg's beautiful daughter!












Connor with his Buddies... Connor is holding Baby Jackson (Heidi's cutie pie), next to him is Baby Sophia (Danielle's princess), and then Lilliana (Kirsten's sweetheart).

If I ever open a day care (highly unlikely!), this will be my postcard!

We're here...just busy!

No big news to report, just wanted to post and let you all know we're still here. Things have been busy lately. Michael continues to be busy at work. I started teaching at Sac State again, so work is much busier for me too. Michael and I have been working on our rental home to get it ready for the new tenants who move in this week. We're enjoying what little free time we have with our little man. Speaking of Connor- he just recently got a haircut. He asked for a "mohawk" and we settled for a spiky do. He looks so grown up now. Hope everyone is well!

Had to include this one too... just love that expression! CHEESE!!!!!

Fun Weekend!

This weekend, we spent our Saturday at the SF Giants Fan Fest! It was another great day and a wonderful memory for our family. The crowds were crazy... with 40,000 fans enjoying the festivities. They had to close the doors to many others who wanted to come in, but the park was already at capacity.

Here are Michael and Connor hanging out in Triples Alley!

Connor got to meet Lou Seal, but he was still a little cautious and scared. Afterwards, he kept saying, "I love Lou Seal!"

Here is Connor in his new Giants pajamas that we picked up for him at the Dugout Store.

Lastly, here is a picture of Connor last Friday, celebrating his half birthday. What a sweet boy!