RJ Has a New Move

RJ & Bust A Move...

Almost 21 Months Old

February 13, 2011

RJ having fun at La Jolla Shores

Papa & Son (AKA: Chief and Chief-In-Training)

Christmas 2010

Our Dearest RJ,

Words cannot express the joy that you have brought to our lives these past 19 months.  This weekend we celebrated our 2nd Christmas as a family.  You are by far the best gift that we have ever been blessed with. 

This year your Daddy was inspired to decorate our front yard with lights, lights and more lights, because of the oooooohs, smiles and giggles that you made whenever you saw Christmas lights.  Of course, they all had to be LED and on a special timer, because you know how your father is about conserving electricity!  Needless to say, all the driving your Papa did from Target to Target (to find specific lighting that he was looking for to complete certain sets) and hanging lights in the rain and wind, was well worth the joy that you gave us with your smiles and delight.  Our favorite part of each evening was when you would bring us your blanket and point to the front door, asking us to bring you outside one last time to look at the beautiful display.  The best was the first time that I heard you say "Ooooooh, pretty!"  I hope you don't get too upset when we take the lights down on January 5th as that will be the 12th day of Christmas, and thus the official end of the holiday.  Don't you worry though, we'll be all set for next year - along with some surpise additions that we were able to get on sale (yay for after-Christmas deals!) 

Thank you for bringing us so much joy.  Thank you for being so sweet.  We truly hope and pray that you will be like this forever...  Most of all, thank you so much for honoring your Ate Angelina and for all the kisses you give her at her gravesite and her picture at home.  One precious moment from this Christmas that we will never forget, was when we were sitting by the tree, you got off my lap, walked over to the cabinet - opened the glass door (which you are not allowed to do) - picked up a picture frame and clearly said "Ate" and kissed the frame.  You very carefully tried to place the frame back in the cabinet, and when it fell you were quite upset.  However, instead of getting mad, you continued to try to fix it, ever so gingerly, and with so much respect.  We love you and we thank you for keeping your sister's memory alive in our family! 

We look forward to everything that the new year will bring, and pray that you will continue to be blessed with good health, happiness, and much love. 

Hugs, Kisses and More Love Than You Can Ever Imagine,
Mama and Papa

Festival of Lights

Today we took RJ to the Del Mar Holiday of Lights.  It claims to be the largest animated drive-thru light show in the West Coast with more than 400 twinkling live displays located around the Del Mar racetrack. 

We've known about this event for several years, but never had the desire to check it out.  However, when our little boy got super excited every time we pulled into our drive way and exclaimed "Oooooooooh!"  whenever he saw the lights, and sometimes even "Oooooooooh, pretty!"  we knew we had to take him to this event. 

My parents came along for the ride, and we must say, it was a priceless event.  Words cannot describe the joy that we each felt when we saw RJ's face as we drove up to the light display.  Just the simple giant snowflakes hung from the palm trees alone got him excited.  He was beside himself with the light show and couldn't get enough.  It was awesome. 

Can't wait to do it again next year!!!

RJ's 1st Christmas, Again

Last year was technically RJ's first Christmas... but at only 7 months he didn't really understand what was going on.  This year feels more like his "1st Christmas" since he'll be 19 months old and is starting to express himself. 

The look on his face when we lit the tree this year was priceless.  He says "tree" and we think he says "pretty" sometimes too.  He understands not to touch the ornaments, but from time to time he will test us by poking at one or tugging at a branch. 

Sadly, unlike last year, he wanted absolutely nothing to do with Santa.  We tried to get a photo of him with Mr. Claus a couple of times at the mall, but he screamed and cried like a wild child.  Oh well... maybe next year...