Casa Bonita!

If you're from Colorado, you get it... going to Casa Bonita is a necessity for a Colorado native. It was the special place my parents would take me and my sister. We have so many fun memories from Casa Bonita, and it was so much fun taking TJ there yesterday.

It was Pa's treat.  That's what he wanted to do for his birthday.  TJ loved playing with the flag at the table that would let the server know we wanted more sopapillas!  And today, he's still talking about the cliff divers saying, "Jump!  Wa-wafall, splash!"  He rode the choo choo train and racing car rides a half a dozen times, and he helped Pa, Ga and Mommy play skee ball.  It was the perfect way to celebrate Pa's birthday.  Daddy had a blast, too, even if he's from California. :)

TJ continues to talk up a storm.  There is nothing this kid doesn't say.  He loves watching the Saints with Daddy and yelling Brees!  and Who Dat!  But right now his favorite thing to do is "Nastics!"  Mommy takes TJ to gymnastics once a week with his friend Jack.  And they both love it!  TJ talks about "nastics" ALL the time!  He does handstands, forward rolls and backward rolls (with Mommy's help.)  He's getting good bouncing and the trampoline, and he's getting the hang of sitting and listening to Coach Brian and waiting his turn at each station.  It's so funny to see how excited he gets!

There's not much else to say... at 20 months old, TJ continues to be a constant joy (minus an occasional temper tantrum) and he makes us laugh and smile every chance he can get!

I've attached a video of the little man.  Ga & Pa bought him a Thomas' ABC's book, and he reads along with Mommy.  Now, he even has the letters memorized up to J!  Enjoy!

All Aboard!

TJ LOVES Thomas the Train, so what better way to spend Grandparents Day than to take the whole family on A Day Out With Thomas?  That's just what we did.  TJ's best little buddy, Jack, and his parents came along too.  We all had a wonderful time.  TJ was so excited when he boarded Thomas... he didn't know what to do!  He kept shaking his legs, clapping his hands, shouting, "Go Thomas! Go!"  He just couldn't sit still!  The only way we could get him off the train was because we were on our way to the front of the train to get our picture taken with his favorite Number 1 engine.

After the train ride and picture, it was off to meet Sir Topham Hatt, get a tattoo of Percy and play with Jack.  TJ especially enjoyed the fire truck that was there.  It was a beautiful day and we all had a wonderful time watching the joy on TJ's face the entire morning!

We had a fun week this past week.  TJ started a gymnastics class with Jack on Tuesday.  I wasn't sure how he was going to like it, but TJ had a blast.  Everything was so new and so fun... he has talked about "nastics" all week.

Also on Tuesday, Mommy & Daddy celebrated their third wedding anniversary.  While we went out to dinner to celebrate, TJ hung out with Morgan.  She lives next door and is a senior in high school.  TJ had a lot of fun playing and reading books with Morgan.  He even gave her a kiss at the end of the evening.

Tonight, TJ went to his first high school football game.  He had so much fun... cheering and yelling "Football!" and "Touchdown!"  We made it through the first half before it was bedtime.

Tomorrow, TJ is headed to Ga & Pa's for the weekend.  I'm sure he'll have an okay time. :)

Goin' Back To Cali

This past few weeks, we've been relaxing... and recovering... from our third and final trip to the Southern California for this summer's Wedding Season.  We are so fortunate we were able to be a part of all of our friends' special days!

TJ was a champ on the flight to LAX.  As soon as we got into town... we headed straight for the beach.  It was TJ's first trip, and he LOVED it!  Mommy is not a fan of the ocean (just a fan of the beach), so she was a little nervous when TJ made a bee-line to the water.  He hung on to Daddy and would squeal with pure joy everytime the waves washed up and hit him in the chest.  It was a great time for the whole famiily.

After the beach, it was off to Sam's house.  Sam, and his Mommy & Daddy were gracious enough to let us stay with them while Daddy and Rocky went to their Fantasy Football draft.  TJ & Sam quickly became best buds.  Sam is a year older than TJ, and he was a great role model for the little man. who tried to do everything Sam did.  He even wanted to go potty like a big boy like Sam!  When he went to bed, he asked for Sam, and when he woke up, the first thing he said was Sam!  Even a few weeks after our trip... TJ still asks for his new friend.

Friday morning we headed to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.  TJ met up with his cousins Mary, Joseph and Rory, as well as Nana, Bill and Auntie Tara.  It was a quick, chaotic trip, but it was so great to get all the kiddos together again!

Saturday was Rodie & Christine's big day!  It was a beautiful ceremony for a wonderful couple.  TJ did pretty well in the church.  Mommy thought it would be a good idea to bring crayons and a coloring book.  The crayons did keep him busy -- busy coloring Daddy's suit -- MOMMY - FAIL. :)

We had a great time at the outdoor reception.  TJ wasn't the dancing maniac he was at Ali's wedding because there was a great play area set up for the kids.  He did manage to shake his booty to a few songs with Uncle Rocky, though. :)

The next morning, it was time to head home.  And although we loved visiting with everyone, we were all pretty excited to get back home and get back to our routine.  The flight home was the first time we had a rough flight with TJ.  I think 80% of it was that Mommy and Daddy were tired.  TJ did have a little excitement -- he saw Santa.  He kept saying, "Santa!  Santa!" over and over.  I didn't realize he knew how Santa was so I thought he was trying to say something else.  Finally, I asked, "TJ, what are you saying?"  He pointed behind me and replied, "Santa Clause."  I looked behind me, and sure enough, this man had a bald head and a huge white beard!  So funny!  This boy is crazy!

Since we've been home, we're getting into our new schedules. Mommy is now working Sundays through Thursdays (EP'ing Sunday nights).  Daddy is back to working College Football Saturdays.