Home Sweet Home

Yesterday, at lunch, TJ looked up from his plate of mac n' cheese and said, "Ahhhhh, Home sweet home."  It's true.  After three months of craziness, Parker is once again feeling like home.  The boys have settled into school, and we're all staying very active -- TJ's in gymnastics, a theater group called RatCo (Random Acts of Theater Company), and he's getting ready to start basketball in a few weeks.  Both boys were able to take part in the Parker Days Parade and represent their school.  Grandma and Grandpa were there to wave as the float went by.  And TJ took the stage with RatCo and performed at Parker Days on a Saturday afternoon. Cousins Ross & Carole were in town from NYC, and we had a great time catching up with them! TJ did an amazing job in front of the crowd -- his favorite routine, of course, was "What Does a Fox Say?" 

Since we live just a block from the main town park as well as main street, where all the action was, the boys spent all four days at the festival.  TJ couldn't get enough of the carnival -- he rode rides every night.  He even got Aunt G and Grandpa on the giant slide -- although he had no problem going down it the first time by himself!  Saturday night, we didn't leave until almost 11.  That night, TJ had a great time hanging with his best buddy Jack, and Frankie even got to sneak on a ride.  We spent Father's Day back at the festival... finishing up unused tickets and finding the pony rides and bounce houses!  It was a fun-packed family weekend, and we loved every minute of it!

Frankie has started working as a Special Projects Producer at Dish Network.  The company puts on a summer concert every year, with free beer, food, prizes and games for kids.  This year, it was capped off with a 90 minute performance by the Eli Young Band.  The boys had a great time raiding the ice cream truck, but apparently, the concert wasn't too loud to put TJ to sleep!  Frankie, on the other hand, would rather mingle with the crowd instead of sit and enjoy the music!

We capped off this weekend with some gymnastics, a fun games and movie night with our RatCo friends, playing outside and just enjoying quality time as a family. 

Celebrate Good Times!

Since moving back home, we've been busy celebrating a lot with friends and family.  It's been such a busy few months, we're just now getting around to writing about it.

Two weeks after the big move, we left the kids at home with Grandma and Aunt G and flew back to California - Southern California - to celebrate Joey's 40th birthday.  Joey and Tara planned a great get-away weekend full of gorgeous views, great food and wine tasting.  It was a nice weekend away, and it was great to forget about all those unpacked boxes waiting for us at home!

We took another break from unpacking and organizing to celebrate Easter weekend.  Our townhome is right next to Parker's big O'Brien Park, so we were able to walk there for the Easter egg hunt.  The boys had their game faces on, and they had a great time.  TJ even won a prize in one of eggs, which made his day.  After the park, we drove over to get the boys' picture with the Easter bunny.  TJ, who has always loved E.B., was super excited.  Frankie, on the other hand, not so much!

Frankie's crying didn't seem to bother the Easter Bunny, he still spoiled the kids the next morning, filling up their baskets and leaving each a much-wanted Stuffie!  Frankie was so excited, he started walking that morning!  Now, we can't keep up with the crazy guy.

Later that morning, we drove to Colorado Springs to have Easter lunch with Grandma, Pa, Aunt G and Pat.  Good thing it was a buffet, because little Frankie was heaven!  That boy can eat, and he loved every bite!

After Easter, things started to slow down a bit, but just a bit.  We've spent a lot of time being together as a family, as well as spending time with Grandma, Pa and Aunt G.  The boys are adjusting to their "new" school, and we're loving this slower pace of life.

It was so nice to be able to hop in the car and drive down to Buena Vista to celebrate Mother's Day.  Grandpa put together a nice turkey dinner and we were able to visit with Uncle Carl and Aunt Jane, too.  The only problem with being in Colorado, is it snows, even in May.  That weekend, we had a big snowstorm, so since Mommy's in charge of weather, we had to head back home early in case she had to work.  TJ decided to stay a few more nights with Ga & Pa, so they gave Mommy her gift early.

TJ and Baby Frankie ended up giving the sweetest gift.  Months ago, Mommy told TJ a story about how she lost her favorite lovey, a pink and white stuffed puppy named Pinky.  TJ's response was, "Mommy, I'm going to find you another Pinky."  And he did!  It was most wonderful gesture from the littlest little man!

The snow melted later that week, and it's been warm weather ever since.  We're enjoying walks to the park, the Farmer's Market and the H2O'Brien water park!  It's going to be a great summer!

Frankie's First

Frankie's first birthday came in the middle of our family's big move back to Colorado.  Still, we tried to celebrate in style, even if it was on a smaller scale.

We held a mustache bash for our little man.  Mommy & Grandma made mustache candy, while Grandma cooked up pulled pork and Mommy baked two dozen cupcakes.

Grandma & Aunt G were already in town helping us pack, and Nana, Uncle Joey and cousin JoJo flew in from LA to help Frankie celebrate.  Frankie's amazing babysitter, Natayla, and her kiddos also joined in the fun as well as a few other friends we made during our two years in San Francisco.

It was a beautiful, unusually sunny day in Daly City, so the kids had a great time playing outside and on the swing set.  When it was time to sing Happy Birthday, Frankie had the cutest smirk on his face -- it's like he knew it was all for him!

Frankie wasn't too sure about his cupcake, so the cake smash was pretty uneventful.  He was definitely more interested in opening presents and playing!!!  After some more playtime with friends, it was time to say goodbye.

The next day was Frankie's actual birthday.  We spent it having pancakes with family at the Boulevard Cafe, and then Frankie had his one year checkup with Dr. Berston.  The little monster was 24 pounds and in the 76th percentile for weight and the 70th percentile for height!  We're still not sure where he gets it from!

That afternoon, we said goodbye to Nana, Uncle Joey and JoJo, and Frankie went to spend the afternoon with Miss Natayla while TJ went to his final basketball practice.  This was Frankie's last day with Natayla, and we were so sad to say goodbye.  Frankie loved her, which meant, so did we.  She took such amazing care of our little man, loving him and spoiling him rotten.  Saying goodbye to her and her family was the hardest goodbye we had to say.

Frankie's first year was a whirlwind.  We can't believe what a wonderful little personality he has become.  He loves playing with cars -- tractors seem to be his favorite -- and balls.  But most of all, this baby loves to dance.  He loved swaying to the music Sasha and Julia played on the piano, and he loves dancing to any kind of beat.  He is so silly!  He is a little chatter box, too, and he's got a little (sometimes a lot) of attitude thrown in.  He is pretty wild -- he loves to crawl up on TJ's toddler bed and go to town, jumping and making lots of noise! He is smiley, smart and very very cuddly.  He is quite the mama's boy, and he adores his big brother.  Happy birthday, little man!  We are so happy to call you ours!