Thanksgiving weekend

We had a very small Thanksgiving - only 6-1/4 for dinner (Bob and I, Nono Al, Nono Pipe, Chris, Becky, and of course, Tyler) which is quite a switch for us. I'm sure Christmas will make up for that. On Friday, Matt and Sarah came down and the whole family went to see Noni in the nursing home. She had not seen Tyler for a long time - either he was sick or she was sick. Hien took some nice pictures of all of us - although she never got to be in any of them. After our visit to Pacifica, eveyone, including Nono Pipe, came back to the house and had turkey soup and leftovers. That night, Tyler woke up at midnight with a temperature over 103 - to the doctor's on Satuday with 2 ear infections. He is much better this week.

Having fun with Tyler

On Monday, Becky, Hien, and Tyler came over to make gnocchi. Tyler only made one but had lots of fun doing it. Then he had lots of laughs on the floor with Becky, me and "Bob the Builder". On Wednesday, Bob, and Matt went to Chris' house to fix two out of three toilets and Tyler was ready to work with his "Bob the Builder" overalls. When he got into the back of Bob's truck, he thought he was in heaven. He had to touch everything and even helped move a door frame - but you always have to wear a hard hat when working in construction.

Weekly Visits

For the past month, Chris has been coming over here on Wednesday mornings to see his chiropracter and leaving Tyler with Bob for an hour or so. Last week, he had an aftermoom appt, so I finally got to "babysit" a little while. Bob took pictures and Tyler would flash his crazy smile right after he saw the flash of the camera - too late for the picture. We got a couple cute ones though - playing with a new toy from Nono, lounging on the couch, and, of course, holding "puppy" while sucking on his 2 fingers.

Weekly visits

We had a great weekend with Brian, Heather, and Peyton visiting. Sunday afternoon, the 2 bigger boys chased after bubbles at Pauline's house and that evening Peyton, Tyler, and Aiden showed off their Halloween costumes. Peyton and Tyler discovered how much fun they could have together - chasing each other and screaming down the hallways and around the kitchen AND wrestling. They even had a few "take-downs" as 18 people sat around watching and laughing at the fun they were having.

With school starting and everyone getting into the fall routine, we haven't had much time to take new pictures of Tyler. He is talking like crazy, many recognizable words, and some not so . He loves to clean, sweep, and dust, and especially loves to go "ou'side" with daddy and Sophie. 4 generations took a trip to the S.F. Zoo last Wednesday and tyler got to ride the on a "bear".

Matt and Sarah celebrated their 1st anniversary last Sunday traveling to S.F. for the chocolate festival and then we surprised them - meeting them for dinner in Vacaville. Their 1 year old cake was slightly dry but still delicious.

Eric is getting ready to start his Master's in Santa Barbara next week - and still hoping to find a place to live down there. He is going down this week to hopefully secure a place.

Back from Italy

We arrived back from Italy on Sunday, July 29 late at night. We had a great time - hope everyone got to follow our exploits on the wedsite that Sterling created. Bob took over 500 pictures. We are now in the process of printing and arranging in an album but here are a preview. The Rialto Bridge in Venice taken from our gondola ride, and the meal the family cooked for up at their houses in Soglio, near Chiavari. Lori, Mark amd the girls were here for a week but we just got to see them for 2 days before they left. Bob and Eric (their tour guide for the week) took them to Pier 39 on Monday and they all rode the merry-go-round. We went to see Tyler (and Chris and Becky) on Tuesday. What a difference 3 weeks makes. Tyler is a little man now and definitely knows how to "ham" it up for the camera. We visited Matt & Sarah on Thursday before they left for a long weekend at Truckee. All in all, a very enjoyable July.

Tyler now walks all over the place. He was just starting out on Father's Day and also had his first beer (ha ha). He also learned how to bbq with Nono the next day. But his favorite new thing is to get into the dog's kennel and close himself in. He showed us all how to do it up at Uncle Matt and Auntie Sarah's house in Vacaville in Jake's kennel over the weekend.

Tyler's 1st birthday

Can hardly believe it but our little Tyler was 1 year old on May 24th. Chris and Becky had a wonderful party for Tyler in a park near their house in Newark. He had a great time in the jump house, riding his little truck, and playing with all his cousins/friends. He wasn't really interested in his cake because he just wanted to get out of the high chair, but finally when he licked his fingers, he thought it tasted good. All in all, he did very well, especially since he didn't have an afternoon nap.

Becky's birthday

We had a great time at Becky's birthday on Saturday. Chris, Eric, and Hien decorated and pulled together everyone's help to create an appetizer feast. Although Tyler had 2 ear infections and pink eye in both eyes, he was not unhappy, just looked like a little "sad sack". The saying of the day was "wash your hands" after holding him especially before touching Aiden.

Boston

Had a great 6 days in Boston. A bit cold (40's) but we kept warm by walking, sightseeing, and laughing. Our theme song was "Happy Trails to you, until we EAT again", and we did eat. New England clam chowder (don't say "Manhattan" or "Yankees"to the Bostonians), lobster, shrimp, and crab, and lots of Italian food in the North End (Little Italy). We visited the "House of Seven Gable" in Salem, a Vanderbilt summer home in Newport, Rhode Island, Cheers, and the State House to name a few. Lots more pictures, not enough space. An unforgetable trip.

Just starting out

With a lot of help from Pauline, I finally created this blog. Hopefully, I won't have to call her each time I want to add to it.

Tyler is 9 months old in this picture. Each time I see the picture on my desk at work, he makes me smile. Can't wait for Aiden's baptism in May when we can get all 3 boys (Peyton, Tyler, and Aiden) together for another picture with Nono Pipe.

More news and pictures to come.