Busy Busy Busy

It’s been an extremely busy month around the Martin camp, we just haven’t had time to keep up with it all!  So, here’s the rundown:

Santa Cruz Staycation
August 4-5

We decided to take a trip along the coast down to Santa Cruz.  We had tickets to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, so we took advantage of a weekend together.  TJ had a blast.

He LOVED riding all the rides, and there were plenty for him to ride by himself.  The kid wouldn’t give up!  He was so tired, he even almost fell asleep on one of the rides.  TJ managed to take a break for some fun on the beach before heading back to ride some more. 

 

This was TJ’s first memorable experience staying in a hotel.  (The last time, he was 3 months old.)  He thought it was so fun, and he kept asking us, “Who’s house is this?”

 

The very next day, we got up, and drove 15 minutes north to the Roaring Camp Railroad in Felton for A Day Out with Thomas. We weren’t quite sure if he was going to be into it as much as last year, or if he had grown out of the Thomas phase, but he was all smiles all day!  He loved getting his face painted, getting a tattoo “like Mommy” (not quite like Mommy’s), and of course, taking a ride through the Redwoods on Thomas.  It was a great day, and a wonderful weekend away for the whole family.

 SF Zoo

August 12

The following weekend, we made our first trip to the SF Zoo.  It’s literally minutes from the house, and we can’t believe we haven’t gone before.  A special, FisherPrice Play Date is what drew us there.  One of the many things TJ is into is a cartoon called Rescue Heroes.  Billy Blazes, the firefighter in the series, was to make an appearance, so we decided to go meet him. 

The play date was fun – TJ tested out all sorts of new toys, drove some cars on the Power Wheels driving course, and loved meeting Billy Blazes.  The zoo has a wonderful children’s park, so he had a great time playing there, as well.

After spending most of the day playing at the zoo, we managed to see a couple of animals before it was time to head home.  We ended up getting a family pass, and TJ and Daddy have already taken advantage of the zoo a few more times.  They’ve actually seen animals, taken a train ride, and of course, took a spin on the carousel!

 

Schott Baby Shower

August 25

The following weekend, we took another road trip.  This time, we drove a few hours east to celebrate our friends’ Gary & Jenn, and their baby on the way.  TJ talked, not slept, the entire way there and back.  He was a little shy for a few minutes, but quickly warmed up, and stole the show.  While the parents-to-be were opening gifts, TJ stood up and started singing.  He took a few songs upon request before his little performance was over.  He’s such a ham!!!

 

 

"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!