It's a (rare) rainy day

Nate and I hung out and listened to music after storytime at Barnes and Noble.

The stormy waves really mixed up the sand in the water

Thanks for the raincoat, Nana, I finally get to use it :)

Nate went out the dog door to to see the rain. It was just sprinkling when he went out but then he was surprised with a downpour. We hardly ever see rain here so it was really interesting to him.

Nate and I went to storytime this morning. Sometimes I can get him to say "library".

learning to help

Nate loves to put the clothes in the washing machine.

Christmas and New Years in Houston, TX

We had a non stop week of fun staying at my parent's new loft in downtown Houston this Christmas. We arrived Christmas day to a wonderful turkey dinner and lots of presents to open. The next day Aunts, Uncles and cousins arrived from Oregon and San Diego. My Grandma from Colorado came out too. That night, my brother brought over a fabulous Turducken he ordered (it's a Cajun thing- turkey stuffed with duck stuffed with chicken and has Cajun spices inside-yum). The eating did not stop there, the next day we went to the best Tex Mex around... Pappasitos! I always miss the fajitas when I come back to San Diego. That night, we went to the TransSiberian Orchestra http://www.trans-siberian.com/about/index.php . We traveled down to Kemah the next day which is near the area where I grew up. Nate just loved the restaurant with the giant aquariums. The next day, we went to the famous (best shopping around!) Houston Galleria. That night, we found a bar that had 200 beers on draught! Dave and I even got to go on a couple of dates during all of this (we cannot thank you enough, mom!). We went bowling at a modern bowling alley called Lucky Strikes. http://www.bowlluckystrike.com/ The next day Gene and Barb arrived (Dave's parents). It was so great they could join in the fun. And since we hadn't eaten enough this trip (j/k), we headed to Taste of Texas which has AMAZING steaks. Then, New Years Eve, we spent most of the day getting ready for the BIG party. My dad and his friend co-hosted a big event in one of the party rooms in their building. My mom's brother, Pat and his wife, Jan, arrived this day from Oklahoma. The party was amazing! My parents did such a great job planning.

Mom and I

Dad and I

Aunt Judy came from San Diego and cousin Lexi from Bend, OR

Aunt Janet and Keith came from Bend, Oregon

Aunt Judy, Grandma, Janet, and John

Uncle Pat and Jan drove down from Oklahoma

Gene, Barb, Dave, me

Dave and his Rib Eye at Taste of Texas

Mom and Dad at Taste of Texas

Nate helping Gene and Barb open their presents

Dave and I at Flying Saucer

Jason, Dave, me, Naomi, Judy, Dad at Flying Saucer

We met up with my good friend, Liz, and her family. Carmen (2yrs old), Taggart, baby Ruby (3 weeks), Nate, and I. Empire Cafe was one of our favorite hang out spots in high school so I always like going back.

Nice view from the loft

checking out the fish

The balloon lady made Nate a dog at Pappasitos. Then he popped the whole thing with his teeth.

The band played Nate an Elmo song

We went to Sunday lessons and songs at the Episcopal church my parents go to.

Cousin Logan, Aunt Judy, Nate, and Cousin Paul playing with Jason's old train set.

Turducken... It tastes much better than it looks here

Naomi and I. Naomi is Jason's Fiance. They plan to get married in 2011

Nate playing with Jason's old barn

Dad and Nate playing with his new firestation Duplo block set.

Nate and my mom opened presents together

Nate was quick to help everyone open their presents

Jason cooked a fabulous Turkey. When are you starting your personal chef service, Jason?

The happy couple

This is the surfer statue just down the street from us in Cardiff. We left our house on Christmas day for the trip and noticed someone put a Santa hat on the figure.

This was a great restaurant to take Nate to. The aquarium was so amazing to him. He learned to say "Whoa!!"

Nate enjoying a lollipop on the flight to Houston on Christmas day

Poor Nate, we made him go see Santa last week at the library. He liked him much much better when he was way across the room reading a story. When we set him gently in his lap, he immediately launched himself out so we decided to get a picture with the whole family instead.

Nate ran up and down this ramp almost the whole time we were at Blind Lady Ale House. I think his favorite word is "GO" since it seems suit his lifestyle so well.

"Hot"

New way to workout

Nate's 1 1/2 today! Yay, Nate!

Nate's monkey skills got him a new bed this weekend. He had been jumping from his crib as well as throwing the entire mattress out. It took a while to get him to sleep last night but he slept through the whole night in it. He woke up laughing because he was so excited to be "free".

Thank goodness for the Duplo Lego blocks or I would get nothing done. He absolutely loves them.

Cookie and Ornament Playdate at Karen's

We are glad the real Nate is back. He's had an accumulated sleep deficit for about a month. We weren't sure for a while because he wasn't napping but his body was just in stress mode because he was overtired so he wasn't sleeping well (hey, just like us for the first year of Nate). I think he is back to normal now.... I sure hope anyway, it's been a challenge for us. I can tell he is much happier .

Thanksgiving at the Gaukels

Bob's mom and my grandma

Bob, Norma, and Judy making final preparations. Loved the grilled turkey!

Nate and Paul enjoyed playing with the train set

Nate vs. the tree

He wasn't so gentle this time with the ornaments. oh, and the next time he pulled the whole tree down when I wasn't looking. I guess the tree is not going to work out this year. That's okay, because I kind of knew it wouldn't... that's why we didn't buy a real tree.

Mom, just a preview of what Nate will do to your tree this Christmas. At least he puts the ornaments in a neat pile...haha.

I just wanted to share Dave's wonderful dinner. Nate even went to bed at 6:30 so we really got to appreciate the night!

Steve and Meg

He spent much of the day making the braised short ribs

Beets, Heavenly Potatoes, Short Ribs, and Glazed Carrots. No, not starting the season off very light. Ok, better go exercise now!.....

Nate always chews on his crib but his time he wanted to "talk" about it.

I know this one is really hard to see but it's so funny. Nate and Miles were sitting in the wagon shaking their heads and being silly.

Camping in San Clemente

Dave, Nate, and I went camping with our friends Jill, Cory, and Miles. San Clemente is a beach town 35 minutes north of us.

hanging out in the tent before we packed it up.

of course they always wanted the same toy even though we made sure to bring two of everything.

going on one of several wagon rides.

snack attack

amazed at what Dave's doing

Thanks, Dad (Grandpa), for the "I make dirt look good" t-shirt. It was very appropriate for this trip!

chasing each other

playtime