Dinner at Savannah's...

On Sunday night, we met some of my cousins for dinner at Savannah's in Huntington Beach. They live about an hour away, so it was nice to catch up with them. We had a great time and missed Mikey, as he was working.

Grandma and Matthew

Sue, Samantha, Cathy, Natalie, and I

Cathy's daughter Natalie is SO silly!!!

My cousins Sue and Cathy, and I

"Dinner with the fam is SO boring!!!"

My favorite dude!

Just chillin'!

Jenny, Matthew and I...

My good friend Jenny came down to H.B. to visit Matthew and I. Jenny and I have been good friends since high school. She has two boys and our busy lives have prevented us from getting together for several years. We had a great time visiting! Lots to catch up on!

Matthew's New Highchair...

When Mike and I got Matthew his new highchair, we had no idea how much he would love it. It is great for me because it is one more contraption that can keep Matthew busy for a small period of time. Matthew's preoccupation = Mommy's productivity...You know, dishes, laundry, cooking, etc. The video below sums it all up. Matthew's newly discovered game of repeatedly dropping the objects on the tray onto the floor.

Cute little oinkers!

So happy!

So smiley!!!

I am getting so BIG! Love the soggy onesie from all of the teething that is going on!

Vickie's 50th Birthday...

One of our co-workers, Vickie, turned 5o last Saturday. So...We all got together and planned a birthday party at Tumbleweeds Bar in Huntington Beach. Don't laugh! For those of you who know Tumbleweeds, it's a little shady! But, we had a great time! Happy 50th Birthday to Vickie! You look AMAZING!!!

The Birthday Girl with some of her friends

Donna and I

"Go Big"...

Matthew thinks my dad is absolutely histerical. It is so cute to watch those two play. Matthew copies everything my dad does. I got a video of my dad telling Matthew to "go big". Everytime my dad would put his arms out and say "go big", Matthew would do the same.

Matthew Loves Lucy...

Matthew just loves my parent's dog, Lucy. I am not sure if it is her black and white coloring, or that she is just his size, but Matthew loves Lucy! Matthew gigles often, but when he sees Lucy, he does this total "belly laugh". I was able to capture one of his laughing episodes. Too cute!

Kaylee's 1st Birthday...

Little Miss Kaylee Ritter turned "one" on January 6th. Her wonderful parents had a birthday party for her at Helme Park on Saturday. It was so nice to see everyone and of course, all of the kiddos. It's crazy to think that Kaylee is one year old already. Time really does fly. I remember visiting Kara & Jeremy in the hospital after Kaylee's birth. It was then that it hit me...."Oh my gosh, I am having a baby!". Matthew and Kaylee are exactly six months apart. Before we know it, Mike and I will be planning Matthew's first birthday party. Wow! Happy Birthday to Miss Kaylee! It has been fun watching you grow up!

Kaylee getting ready to eat her yummy birthday cake

The boys!

Matthew and Daddy

Donna's 40th Birthday...

For Donna's 40th birthday, her husband Jeff planned a surprise "birthday dinner" for her at Louise's Trattoria in Pasadena. The best part is that Donna really was "surprised." It was so hard for us to keep it a secret because she was acting so "sad" all week at work. So sad that she even planned her own birthday dinner. So, of course, we played along, knowing that we would all be there on Saturday night for her big celebration. Mike and I had a great time, as we don't get to go out with "adults" very often. Matthew stayed with his grandparents and I had several cocktails. What a great time! Happy Birthday Donna! Forty looks great on you!

T. Krame's lookin' studious!

Me and my sexy hubby!

Lilo rockin' bilateral cakes!

The silly girls!

Matthew's Six Month Pediatrician Visit

Matthew had his six month well-baby check with Dr. Rees today. As always, Matthew checked-out very well. His growth has tapered down. However, he is still in the 90th percentile for weight and the 100th percentile for height. Matthew now weighs 18 pounds and 4 ounces. He is now 27 1/2 inches long. He has been sitting up on his own for about two weeks now, which is very exciting. He is able to entertain himself so much more, which makes mommy's world much more productive. I am enjoying his "non-mobile" last couple of weeks, because I am sure he is going to be crawling very soon. He is starting to do the "military crawl", so it is only a matter of time before our little man becomes very mobile. And, I really wanted to wait until Matthew was six months old to introduce solid foods to him, but Matthew was jus not able to wait. I started feeding him solids when he was 5 1/2 months because he was like a little baby bird. Whenever I would put something in my mouth, he would try to grab at whatever I was eating and would proceed to open his mouth. This broke my heart, so I started giving him baby oatmeal and various veggies. Needless to say, he LOVES to eat and acts like he has been doing it forever!!! We have so much fun with all of Matthew's new milestones. It is fun to see what each and every day brings. We love you Matthew!

New Year's at Lake Mohave - 2009

For New Year's, we decided to get away and go to Lake Mohave for some rest and relaxation. Mike's absolute favorite place to be is the river, so going there was an extra special treat, considering it had been over six months since he had been. I had not been since I was several months pregnant, so it had been well over a year for me. And, Matthew had never been boating before, so Mike and I were super excited to take Matthew on our boat for the first time. Despite the fact that it was really cold, Matthew and the family had a great time!!! And, New Year's Eve is a special night for Mike and I. We met on New Year's Eve six years ago, and as you know, the rest is history. Happy "other" anniversary honey! Here's to many more New Year's together. I love you!!!

Grandpa Philzee and his "Second Amendment" sweatshirt

Me, Matthew, Kara, and Kaylee enjoying some fun in the sun....Well, there was not too much sun.

Me, Matthew, Ivy, and Pauli

Passed out on my first boat ride

Pauli the water dog!!!

My precious little son

Our little cutie in a hoodie!!!

My two favorite boys!!!

Mattie and Grandpa Philzee

Me and Pauli Girl

Matthew chillin' at Grandpa Philzee's trailor

All I Want for Christmas...

Matthew has been "teething" for quite some time now. Mike and I keep wondering...."Where's the teeth???" Well, on Christmas Day, Matthew woke up with his first bottom tooth poking out. Surprisingly enough, the actual cutting of his first tooth was not that bothersome to him. He was super happy all day during Christmas, which Mike and I will not complain about. Then, poor thing, four days later, he cut his second bottom tooth. So, our little man now has two bottom teeth. There's only one little problem with that...Matthew's new thing is to make use of his newly found teeth while breastfeeding. Can you say....OWWWW!!!

Christmas Day

On Christmas Day, Mike, Matthew, & I spent the day at home. Since daddy works so much, his Christmas wish was to stay home and have a relaxing day with the family. We had Mike's dad over for Christmas dinner. It was so much fun "staying in" with the family.

Look at my Red Ryder bee-bee gun that Grandpa Philzee got me!

Mommy's little Christmas angel

Merry Christmas!!!

Opening presents is such hard work!!!

So many toys, so little time

"Look daddy...My first lawnmower!"

"Oh boy...What did Santa get me???"

Christmas Eve in La Verne - 2009

For Christmas Eve this year, Mike, Matthew, Pauli, & I headed to La Verne to my parent's house. Christmas Eve was so much more exciting this year, as watching Matthew enjoy ALL of his gifts brought a smile to everyone's face. My good friend Tina, as well as some good family friends, all joined us for turkey dinner, gift opening, and all of the Christmas festivities. One of the highlights of the evening, was Matthew's life-size mini pony that he can actually ride on. I am not sure who had more fun with it, Mike or Matthew.

Tina & I

My hubby & I

My mommy & me