Catching Up is the New Normal

So we jumped from Joaqo's birthday to Halloween where he was a greaser - sooooo adorable!!! He was able to say "trick treat" to most people and got some candy. Auntie J and Uncle C came for a visit and we got to go hiking and visit the zoo with them. Halloween then rushed into Thanksgiving and now here we are at Christmas. Joaqo has embraced the Santa concept wholeheartedly and points him out everywhere we go. We went to see him last week so Joaqo could tell him he wanted choo choos for Christmas. Joaqo was psyched and called out "Santa, choo choo" a few times when we got to the zoo where Santa was making an appearance that evening. It was probably a little overwhelming for the litte man bc when it came time to sit on the old guy's lap Joaqo got a little scared and wanted his Daddy. No worries, Santa gave him a candy cane which he was pretty darned excited about and everything was fine. He's even seen these pics of him crying on Santa's lap and doesn't acknowledge that he was upset.
Here are some pics - Happy Holidays!!!!!

Happy Birthday Joaqo!!!

The Little Man is 2 years old. The past 2 years have brought his Daddy and me tremendous joy and happiness that I know I never imagined. He is such a sweet, kind and considerate little boy. He is always looking out for his brother and is a wonderful host when people come over. He gets so excited when his Daddy comes home from work and loves to play w him. Slides at the playground, balloons, choo choos and cars are his favorites. He also likes to draw on our windows (and then wash the windows,)he loves to dance and sing and tries to get Bash to clap and dance too. He is also quite the little helper and still loves to swiffer as well as help me out w the laundry. He likes to look nice and fix his hair and loves hats, shoes and sunglasses. He is a little ladies' man and flirts w pretty girls.
Last Thursday on his birthday he knew he was the star and picked out his own clothes to wear - his choo choo jammies that his Grandma and Grandpa Hintz sent him, his red hat and bib. He played on the slide at his Gaca's and Bapa's house and then played w his new tricycle. We had dinner and then ate sweet potato cake.
His birthday party was a lot of fun. There were many kids (and girls as Joaqo would point out) to play with. We bowled, played w silly string, had a Thomas pinata, cooked out and ate cupcakes. I know he had a great time. Bash was supportive and also enjoyed the festivities.
Sigh - our Little Man is growing up :)

WISCONSIN

Joaqo, Bash, Ryan & I just spent the last week in Wisconsin. It was a great time. We got to hang out with friends and family and got in a couple of activities like apple picking and going to the zoo. He even had time to meet a new girlfriend - Deziah. Joaqo had a little trouble saying her name so he called her, "Girl." He followed her around the whole party and made sure she had gotten extra frosting with her cake. He was quite smitten and is still referring to her.
It was really nice getting to visit with family. Grandma and Grandpa Hintz had plenty of toys waiting for Joaqo and he loved playing with them in the backyard. Joaqo loved hanging out w his Uncle J. He got to visit with his Great Grandpa and Grandma Trofimoff. Uncle Dave & Aunt Mary came by for a visit; we got to see my friend, Karie. And Auntie T treated us to the zoo. We also got to visit with Linda and Kathy and the Tanel family. Oh and we went up for a visit to Grandma Hintz's work. It is amazing how quickly time flew by.