First Santa Visit

We are in Salt Lake visiting friends and family and it's already been a jam packed trip. We had dinner with friends, Lucca has gotten lots of puppy and kitten love, lunch with Gigi and Papa Jim and tonight we went with Gaga, Papa and Boo to see Santa. We weren't quite sure how he'd react, but it was like the most normal thing to do on a Sat. night. Why not go sit on a bearded mans nap, get a candy cane, smile and then go eat dinner. Here are some of the best shots...

Roar

More pics of our little lion learning to walk...

I thought this was one of the cutest costumes we saw all day. Seriously, isn't she to die for.

Patiently waiting for me to open his first piece of candy.

This Lucca's little friend Parker. She is SO cute. He's been friends with her since he's been about 6 weeks old. She's such a little firecracker -- the first to do just about everything. And a little dare devil! She looked so cute in her little kangaroo costume.

My Dear Lucca is walking...

Lucca,

Today is Halloween and you started walking. You had taken a few steps here and there but today all the pieces of the puzzle came together. I wish I could bottle up your excitement for later. The glee in your face shows how proud you are of your new accomplishment but no one is more proud than Papa and me. Watching you grow and discover new adventures is the best part of being your Mom and today you made our Halloween so very special.

Congratulations on your new found discovery. Now you can see the world a foot taller. Have fun!

Love you to the moon and back.

Mama and Papa

Roar like a Lion

We went to preschool today and Lucca was a little lion. To my surprise, he actually likes his costume. Here are a few photos of Lucca and his other little friends. So many cute little babes.

Harvest Tradition

Long before Lucca we've had a tradition of going to pick pumpkins at the farm and do the corn maze. I LOVE it and have been so excited to take Lucca along. As some of you remember we tried this last year (Lucca was 1 month) and it wasn't quite as I expected. This year was much better although I wouldn't say Lucca LOVED it. Whatever...he'll get it next year. Once he realized getting muddy, wet and cold was fun he had a good time. :)

Ode to hair

Shan gave Lucca a haircut the day before his birthday party and it was quite a surprise. It's very short and aged him by years. I am not ready to have such a big boy so I'm really looking forward to it growing out again. He's not getting another haircut until he's 10.

Birthday Boy

It's taken me a bit to catch my breath from all the festivities and wrap my head and heart around Lucca's birthday. His birthday has been full of celebrating and grieving. I'm so excited for our future and everyday there's a new discovery for Lucca. I am also filled with sadness that my little baby is growing up and some of he things we've treasured over the last year are coming to an end. Sniff Sniff.

We were lucky enough to have lots of family in town for his big day. Shan's mom Malika came all the way from Sri Lanka to help him celebrate this big day. My folks as well as my grandparents came from Salt Lake so it was a full family affair. It's so nice being surrounded by family and Lucca ate it up. I had so many friends comment how lucky I am that Lucca knows his great-grandma. She's such a spunky woman and I know Lucca loves spending time with her just as I did growing up.

As always, we couldn't have pulled this party off without my parents help. I hope they had fun even though it looked like Martha Stewart threw up in our dining room. Lucca adores you and it's so special to watch their relationship grow.

Thanks to everyone who came out to help us celebrate. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a freak when it comes to family and that includes our family in Seattle. You all are the ones who support us on a daily basis and we love you all.

Here are the best shots - and there are quite a few as there were several camera enthusiasts there.