Ho! Ho! Ho!

We went to see Santa today! Luckily, I didn't have any expectations of how this would turn out (for once). Zach was being wiggily waiting in line, which was all of 5 minutes. We got to the mall early, right when Santa started his shift. Zach didn't scream or cry, but he certainly wasn't playing with Santa's beard and whispering his secret Xmas list in his ear, either.
(You can click on any picture to enlarge)
Waiting for Santa to make his appearance

Daddy and Zach

Comparison pic from last year




The diva (divo?) waiting for his moment

Not too thrilled...

Another comparison shot from last Xmas


This is right before I took him from Santa. This doesn't happen often, but when it does you know something isn't right. See the little corners of his mouth turned down?

I love that they use the same Santa year after year. Now, if only he has his contract through 2017, that would be greeeeeeeaaaat.

I just cannot believe the changes in him in just one year! It really drives it home when I see these comparison pictures. It's moments like these when I really think, "Please! Slow down!"

Beautiful fall

We don't get much of a fall here in sunny Southern California, so we must take advantage whenever we witness it. Across the street there are several trees that just dump leaves. With Thanksgiving on a thrown into the mix, my neighbor's gardner hadn't been by in two weeks, which was fortunate for us! Everyday we went and played in these leaves! If we went outside he points across the street and says "Mama, ewwwww!" (Translation: Mama, I want to go over there, please.) The gardners did finally come back and clean up the ginormous pile of leaves, much to my neighbor's delight and much to our chagrin.

 

 
I love this pic. How did I ever bake him this cute?
 
He looks like he's throwing his head back in delight, doesn't he? Don't be fooled. He was actually throwing his head back in "Mama Madness" because I wouldn't let him go play in the street.
 

Gobble, Gobble

Thanksgiving was great! We had it at our house, which is so much easier with Zach and all of his "things". Plus, I really enjoy cooking Thanksgiving dinner (did I just type that? WHO am I?) The food was so good. We brine our turkey the night before and I swear, that's the secret! I will always brine my bird...it makes it so moist! We had the usual, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole (thank you, Tracy), stuffing, gravy...YUM! My parents didn't come because my mom had a cold, so it was just the Press side, Jack, Lenore, Tracy, her boyfriend Scott, his daughter Leilani, Aidan and our friend Pat.
Aidan and Zach...sweet cousins

 

Tracy, Scott, Aidan and MY dog, JJ...AKA Scott's new best friend

 

Our little turkey

 

The glorious turkey

 

It's a shame that you only get to do Thanksgiving one day a year, so I vow to have Thanksgiving in May also! Good intentions, good intentions...