"Back Where I Come From"

Mommy's had a tough time keeping up with all the fun things we've done the past month, but we're finally getting caught up.  And, the highlight of our summer, so far, has to be our trip back home to Colorado.

TJ & Mommy were lucky enough to get a whole week back home.  It started with a sleep over at Jack's house.  TJ & Jack had such a wonderful time playing together.  We got to meet Jack's baby sister, 3-week-old Emily, and we got to give Jack his birthday present.  The boys had a blast playing with their matching Buzz Lightyears and watching Toy Story.  Mommy loved getting in some girl time with Susie (or Mama Sus as TJ likes to call her) and we both loved seeing baby Emily.   We were a little worried how the boys would handle the sleepover, but they both were great.  In fact, TJ went to bed the earliest he has in six months!  It was great!

The next morning, we had  playdate with the rest of TJ's Colorado Crew.  It's amazing how it seems like no time has passed when we all get together... Well, except for the fact that they all look so much more grown up!  They play so well together.  It was fun for Mommy to catch up on girltime, and see baby Avery and watch little Miss Clara start to walk!

Ga & Pa picked us up from the playdate, and they took TJ to the Aquarium while Mommy had lunch with Anne & Carrie before heading over to the station to visit with everyone.  As always, TJ had a wonderful time, and Mommy didn't have enough time to chat with all of her former co-workers.  Then, it was off to White Fence Farm to play there and have a fried chicken dinner with Aunt G & Pat.  TJ was pretty tuckered out from his busy day, but he had a great time.  We were sad to say goodbye, but TJ was looking forward to heading down to Pa's house that evening so he could hop in the sandbox, and that's exactly what he did that night!

The next morning, the horrible news about the Theater Mass Shooting was all over the news, and Mommy's boss in San Francisco called her in to work at the scene of the shooting.  Mommy was lucky she could leave TJ with Ga & Pa.  So, I packed my bag, and headed back up to Aurora to field produce our coverage for Michelle (poor thing was also visiting family in Colorado and had her vacaton interrupted.)  It was a terrible story to have happen in your home state, and while it was something you never want to have to cover, at the same time, it was a good experience to have. 

Mommy stayed up in Denver because Daddy was flying in for the Kenny Chesney (and Tim McGraw) concert.  We met up with Aunt G & Pat there   It was an AMAZING show!!!!  Enough said. :)

Daddy couldn't take anytime off for work, so Sunday morning, he headed back to SF, and Mommy drove back to Canon City.  We spent a ton of time playing outside in the sandbox and in Pa's backyard. We fed the ducks at the pond (before the geese came and attacked Pa), and TJ LOVED playing hide-and-see with Pa... hiding in closets until Doc came and found him.

During our vacation, Ga & Pa took us up to Santa's Workshop where TJ rode rides, met with Santa Claus and played arcade games.  TJ remembered his favorite ride from last summer's visit -- the firetruck -- and rode and rode and rode it!  Once he saw it, he didn't ride anything else!

Before heading to the airport, we stopped by Jack's house to get a little more playtime in.  TJ was sad to leave Jack's house, and we were both sorry to leave Ga & Pa to go through security, but were glad to get back home to Daddy.

                          (I love this picture... their shirts say "Brother from Another Mother!)

We made so many wonderful memories in just one short week that we will cherish forever, and we can't wait to make another trip back under the Colorado skies.

Boys of Summer

TJ's cousin JoJo and Uncle Joey were able to make it up to SF for a quick trip in early July.  They were here for a friend's 1st birthday party, and stayed with us.  TJ loved having another boy to play with around the house, even though all the Josephs were a little confusing.  TJ knows his name stands for Thomas Joseph.  Add Joseph and Uncle Joey to the mix, and there was bound to be a mix-up!  It was funny because TJ kept calling his cousin Thomas Joseph.  Once we switched to JoJo, we were all good!

The boys played pretty well together given the fact that everything and everyone was pretty new to one another.  TJ shared his toys great.  There were  few off limits... like his Golden Gate Bridge which he told JoJo, "This is the Golden Gate Bridge.  It's dangerous.  You can't have it."  That boy.  JoJo loved playing with TJ's race cars and track, so I guess we know what we're getting him for Christmas! :)

It was a quick trip, but we managed to get a trip to Pier 39 in.  After sharing a Bucket of DoDo's (as TJ like to call them), the boys checked out the small group of Sea Lions (apparently, they travel south to Mexico in July) and then took a few spins on the carousel.

On our way to taking them to the airport, we took a drive down Lombard Street.  Frankie was a pro navigating the crooked street.

We were sad to see Uncle Joey & cousin JoJo leave, but we can't wait to see them and the rest of their family soon!

July 4th Firsts

This 4^th of July, we decided TJ was ready to get the real holiday experience.  This is Mommy’s favorite holiday, and so it was exciting to finally be able to celebrate it with Mr. Man.

We started the day with an “old town” Main Street parade in Half Moon Bay.  It was a 30 minute drive, but well worth it.  The parade had a small-town feel, which Mommy really liked, and it was the perfect size for TJ’s first parade. 

He loved the fire trucks and the 200+ dogs in the pooches parade.  He waved his flag and waved his hand to all the marchers and floats.  Of course, his favorite part was getting a couple handfuls of candy that were thrown at him.

After the parade we headed back home for lunch and a nap… then it was time to venture into the city for the fireworks show along the bay.  Since it was TJ’s first, we decided to brave the crowds and make sure it was a spectacular show.  And it was.  Luckily, Mommy has a parking spot at work, and it’s just a few blocks from Pier 39.  It was nice to park there so we didn’t have to battle for parking.  We found a nice spot on the grass near the Aquarium by the Bay, and waited and waited for the fireworks to start.

TJ was wired!  We’re not sure if it was the excitement of being out late, all the people, the cotton candy or a combination of it all, but he was non-stop.  He ran and ran and ran.  He giggled and giggled and giggled.  He was such a joy to watch, even though it was exhausting trying to keep up with him.

And when the fireworks started… he was in awe.  He smiled with his whole face.  He yelled out the colors of the fireworks.  “That’s a blue one!  That’s a red one!  That’s a BIG one!”  He said, “oooohhh… ahhhh” with Mommy.  He loved every minute of it.

It was a perfect way to spend the holiday as a family.