Christmas Tradition

So, when Paul and I first got married, we didn't have any ornaments for our tree.  We decided then, that each year we would give each other at least one ornament that signified something important to us.  After 7 years now, we are getting quite a special collection.  This year, the day after Thanksgiving, I gave Tanyon and Paul their special ornaments for the year.  

Tanyon was excited to open his first gift...

He was even more excited that it was a Dora the Explorer ornament!  I figured it was one of the main obsessions of the year.  Last year, I gave him a garbage truck and garbage can ornament.

Paul got a watering can to symbolize all of the work he did putting in our drip system for the garden this year. He also got a suitcase to represent our trip to Los Angeles and a hammer, because he has become our family's fix-it man.

The next week, I got a cute sand bucket with a sandcastle in it to represent my trip to San Diego with Tanyon.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday, a time for family and food, when nothing else matters besides enjoying the company of others and eating food many helped to prepare.

Here is Paul standing proud of his turkey:

We had to move our dining room into our living room to accommodate the 20 guests we had over.

Tanyon was a little shy at first with how many people were over, even though he knew them all.  However, he eventually warmed up and spent some time on many laps, including Papa:

"The hosts:"

 My sisters and I with my mom and step-dad Larry:

Between dinner and dessert, the coloring books came out, not sure who was having more fun?:

Such a wonderful evening!  I loved having my family and Paul's join to create such a special event.

Papa's Birthday Lunch

After a nice lunch for Papa's birthday in Middletown, Tanyon got to play puzzles on the iPad.

I think they were both having a good time solving the puzzles, but at one point Tanyon held back Papa's hand, so he wouldn't help him anymore...

Even though it was Papa's birthday, Tanyon got a special present. Papa picked up a Smokey the Bear hat for him.

Trains

Playing with his new train set:

New Room

In order to prepare for the new little one coming into our lives, we decided to move Tanyon into his own "Big Boy" room. We wanted him to have a special place that was his to help with the transition of having to share so much with his new baby brother. It was a couple of months in the making, but after trips to IKEA, Target, online sources, and gifts from family...we have finally put it all together.

We used some of the items from his old room and added many new touches to create a transportation themed room. Tanyon now sleeps in a toddler bed (he was in the crib converted into a toddler bed). He loves his new space so much that he drags anyone who comes over to the house into his room to play.

Tanyon is in the middle of potty training, so he wears only his underwear around the house.  This is so normal for him, that he saw no problem giving you a tour of his new room in them...

New race track rug from IKEA:

A train table from craigslist was completed by an amazing train set from Grammie Dee and Larry.  There were so many pieces, that we decided to simplify the track for now and grow into it.

Tanyon helped decorate his closet door with stickers from Target. He also has his own coat rack and chalk board easel:

 His toys are organized in cubbies, so he can easily put things away.  He is pretty good about the clean-up game already.  We switch out some of the toys every other month or so. Of course he also wanted to show off his guitar for the photo tour...

Here he is taking a break to sing one of his favorites, "If you're happy and you know it:"

Hanging out with the cousins

November 4th, 2011

Paul's uncle Brian and Cousin Meghan were out from Michigan in November, so we met up with them in Corte Madera for lunch.  As a bonus, his Cousin Molly who lives in Mill Valley was there with her son Weston.  While I was particularly excited to meet Meghan's new little boy Liam, Tanyon was smitten with Weston.  They have played before, but Tanyon really enjoyed playing the older cousin role. 

Here he is pushing Weston around the shopping area:

He would stop the stroller to make sure Weston was doing OK, or to ask if he wanted to go somewhere specific:

He talked to him about the duck fountain:

I am usually the photographer when we are out, but this time my hands were full with baby Liam whenever possible.  Sorry we don't have more to share!  It was a lovely time with the fam and we hope to do it again soon.

Mama's Night Out

On November 2nd, I joined my dad, Teri, April, Matt, Julia and our friend Paul in San Francisco for the Gaelic Storm concert.  My dad and Teri had seen them last year and thought we would all enjoy them.  It was in early celebration of dad's birthday and it also happened to be Paul Troppy's as well. We enjoyed dinner at Tommy's Joynt, then found seats towards the front for the show.   The concert was at the Great American Music Hall, which is an amazing venue.  The band was great and the company wasn't so bad either... =)