Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Keller Laughing



Keller's laugh is hilarious. He doesn't laugh often, but when he does he sounds like he is laughing so hard that it actually comes out as a gurgle. This is not individual to his laugh, when he cries, it takes a second for an actual cry to come out. Before that he just makes these throaty little sounds like he is struggling to not howl. Either that or his lip quivers for a good 10 seconds before any sound exits.

Of all the people in Keller's life, Vera is the one that makes him laugh the most. He giggles when she spins around, laughs when she jumps, and gets the gurgle going when she throws toys around. He loves his big sister.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

We've got that Christmas spirit!


My sister knits, knits and knits some more. We love getting her homemade creations and the compliments roll in whenever we wear something that she has made. Here we have our matching Christmas hats, which we adore. Thanks sis!!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Pre-Christmas Dinner and our Tree

Pre-Christmas dinner at our house...good times! J cooked up a ham and everyone brought a dish, yummy food, good wine, and great friendship, all you need. We have come a long way since being the Thursday night crew.



I went with a themed Christmas tree this year. Every ornament and decoration (okay, except for the lights) is made out of paper. Vera and I made the chain and white snow flakes. She helped by opening them up once they were folded. My sister taught me how to fold the cranes and balls. Then, we were at a friend's birthday party for her son and the craft project was to decorate different ornaments. Vera decorated a dozen wreaths, ornaments, and stars so that she could put them on the tree. She is a crafting machine.

Holiday Cheer - Santa Claus Part II






We had a chance to see Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Dasher, and Vixon. Vera straight refused to sit on Santa's lap this time. Keller was loving the man, Santa wasn't quite as taken with Keller. It might have been the fact that when I grabbed Keller off his lap, a handful of Santa's beard was grasped in his little mitt. Mrs. Clause was laughing though.

Interesting side note, both male and female reindeer have antlers.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Ellwood Butterfly Grove



J and I have lived in Santa Barbara just about 7 years now. Every year the butterflies come and go and we miss our opportunity to see them. This year, my awesome friend was keeping track of time and asked us to go. My reply, "They are here already!?" This is why we miss them every year, for some reason I thought they came through in spring, but turns out they cluster here in winter.

It is pretty wild, you walk through a forest of eucalyptus trees looking up you see what look like bunches of dried leaves all over the place. Then, flashes of orange start to appear as they butterflies open and close their wings. The pictures really don't do them justice. It was only the kids and I who went, so I am thinking that we will drag daddy out soon to see them.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Letter to Santa

Hello Santa,

Daddy stayed home today.
Mommy stayed home today.

I broked a conyata today at my friend's birthday party.

I want...
-kumbrella
-conyata for my birthday
-double doll stroller

I catched a starfish.
I love your reindeer.
It's Baby Doll's birthday and she breaks a conyata.

Thanks,
Vera

Friday, December 12, 2008

Swing Time



Oh. I'm sorry, did you want to see multiple videos of my children swinging? Be careful of motion sickness.

Favorite People


When we visit San Fran we get to visit Nana and Papa, two of our favorite people. I used to joke that if J and I were ever to divorce (which won't happen) I would take his grandparents in the settlement. When saying good-bye to me Papa gives me a hug and then says "love you." His acceptance of me, Nana's joy in sharing one of Vera's passions...the collection of dolls, and their caring nature are just a few of the many reasons why they are such special people.

I feel very fortunate that the kids have opportunities to bond with their great grandparents.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Butterfly Beach



My favorite photo!
An afternoon on Butterfly Beach turned into a decent little photo shoot of our family.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Vera's View




When Vera gets in a picture taking mode any and every subject is up for grabs. Keller is always a favorite and she loves to turn the camera around for a self-portrait. Or, she takes pictures of me and my kids...that is us in the last picture. Yep, my family consists of both Baby Keller and Baby Emma. Heaven forbid I want to take a picture without Baby Emma. It might hurt her feelings.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Sandwich Store

J was recently stuck in the car with the kids while Nonni and I bought sandwiches at Subway. This is what happens when he is left alone entertaining Vera. :)

Monday, December 1, 2008

Maverick's





On the Friday after Thanksgiving, the Mazzetta clan headed out to Half Moon Bay to chop down our own Christmas tree. Jay and Jan led the way with our crew of four following close behind. Before stopping to look for trees, we wanted a little adventure and went to Maverick's beach to watch the surfers and to see some cool sea creatures in the tide pools. Surfers there were many, but high tide pretty much stripped our chances of catching sight of anemones or starfish.

Still, the beach and time of day provided a cool photo opportunity. For Vera the fun was in collecting angel wing shells (mussel shells) with her nonni and putting her feet in the water. We are all in sweatshirts with knit hats on and my little pumpkin is running around with her pants pushed to her knees and soaked through to her undies.

After spending some time on the beach, our crew had a very WT moment in the parking lot of Rite Aid eating yummy pumpkin ice cream and BBQ Pringles...that is what happens when you forget to pack snack and water.

To finish up the day we searched through two lots, but it was unanimously decided that Home Depot might be a better place to purchase the tree. To appease Vera, who really wanted a Christmas tree, we let her take home a small tree branch. It is so easy to make an almost 3 year old happy at times.