Football season begins!

August marks the start of football season for us. And this is the first year Luke is starting to be aware of what's going on. Andy goes to work before Luke wakes up and usually doesn't come home until long after Luke's gone to bed, so I try to either go to the office or keep Luke up a little later if it means he'll get some time with dad. This past week, he started going around the house pointing at pictures of Andy & asking, "Dad, go?" (translation "where did Dad go?"). I explain that dad's working then we go play or do something to distract him (ice cream is very good for this!). On Thursday, Andy asked me to keep Luke up until 8:30 because he'd be home early. So at around 8:00, Luke was already looking out the front window for his Dad's truck. We worked on a few puzzles, but every time headlights drove past, Luke got up and ran to the door. Then he wanted me to stand by the front door and hold him. He's too heavy for that, so I moved his comfy chair up to the door. Here's a picture of him waiting for his Dad.

Worth the wait!!

Another fall football tradition is having Andy's players over for dinner. We fed the linebackers last night and what a meal it was! Appetizers: 1 crock pot of chili cheese dip & chips, 100 wings, 15 lbs of pulled pork, 3 potato casseroles, cole slaw, 2 Costco apple pies with vanilla ice cream. We had about 15 people over - that's the most we've ever had and I'm pretty sure these are the biggest players we've ever had. And that may sound like a lot of food, but not for kids this size! Here is some of the crowd in our living room - notice all eyes on Luke in the middle!

I think Luke was juking this freshman here. The kid's got some moves!

Me busy in the kitchen.

2011 Wolfpack Linebackers...and their mascot :) It was such a fun night - they are a really nice group of guys - all very polite and appreciative. Be sure to watch their first game @ Oregon on September 10!

Book worm

Luke is so into books right now. He loves to be read to, but sometimes I catch him sitting in his chair or in a quiet corner flipping through pages on his own. Here's one of those moments I was lucky enough to capture!

Just in a world of his own - love it.

Sleepy head

It was my turn to host Bunco tonight (Bunco is code for girls' night. We don't actually play Bunco. We eat & hang out.) I planned an Oscar party. I was cleaning the house and cooking all day so I couldn't play with Luke very much. Andy was gone snowboarding all day, so between the two of us, the poor guy didn't get any attention. He was crying and frustrated by the time everyone arrived. Andy was feeding him dinner while I entertained the crowd of girls that showed up. Amidst the noise of the television, the clanging in the kitchen, and the chattering ladies, the day caught up with Luke mid-bite. He was out!

Snowed in

As we watched the East Coast get pounded with snow in December and January, we thought we were going to get away with a mild winter...think again. The snow in our yard was waist-high & Luke was fascinated!

We did take him outside for a sled ride, but the snow was over a foot deep in the backyard & there are no pictures because we didn't have time - the sled sank down & tipped over...Luke's 1st sled ride lasted about 5 seconds & ended in cold tears. After that he preferred admiring the snow from a safe distance. I brought in a bowl of snow for him to check out and he wouldn't touch it with his fingers! Must be his San Diego blood :)

You can see the snow in the backyard behind Luke here...

And since it was too cold & snowy to go outside, we had to get creative - here we are having some fun with bubbles. Luke had only seen bubbles a few times before, so he loved this!

Our little Valentine

I saw this outfit on sale so I couldn't resist - even though he only wore it for one day. So thankful this Valentine's Day for the little boy that's stolen my heart. :)

February funnies

Here is a collection of Luke's crazy moments we've captured...He's one busy boy!

"I can think of something to do with this!"

He's a ninja with the wrapping paper tube!

This is his mischievous "haha! I got the remote!" smile.

He unscrewed the doorstop and put it in his mouth. So gross. I took it away...but had to get a picture first!

His hiding spot - he loves it under the table!

I knew it was only a matter of time before he found these!

This is what happens when he gets into a box of tissues. Love the goatee!

I've been experimenting with homemade baby food. Experimenting is the key word. He loves blueberries, but they stain everything...including his face. :) Good thing our happy boy doesn't let that bother him! Needless to say, this is a really fun age & we're having a blast!

Dad's helper

Seems like everything we buy for our little boy comes in a thousand pieces & Andy has the fun job of putting it together. This project wasn't too bad, but Luke wanted to be right in the middle "helping" Dad. Pretty cute!

On the move

When we got back from the bowl game it seemed like life started moving a lot faster - because Luke started moving! He's crawling and pulling up on furniture! And we're just trying to keep up!

This coffee table/ottoman/toy box is the best thing we've ever bought! It stores a lot of toys and it's cushiony leather so it doesn't hurt if Luke bonks his heads, which happens. :)

Here he is crawling in his Marine Corps camo courtesy of Grandpa!

Luke's hair is growing as fast as he is. "We represent the lollipop guild!"

Bowling In San Francisco

We were so excited that both sets of grandparents were able to come to meet us in San Francisco for the bowl game. We got there early so we could enjoy the city. Here's a picture of Luke with his Grandparents.

The bowl organized a kids trip to the California Academy of Sciences - a building I had always seen because of it's crazy roof, but I'd never been in. Luke thought it was pretty cool. Here is on the rooftop garden.

And inside checking out the animals...

Not sure if he was more fascinated with the fish or his reflection!

Out of everything we did in San Francisco, Luke's favorite activity was sleeping on our King bed. He's too big for the pack n play - he kept waking up because he'd roll over and hit the side of it. So while were were there, he took his naps in our bed. Here's King Luke in all his glory...

But here's the little guy up and about - in his snowsuit on the streets of San Francisco.

The game was at AT&T Park downtown. It was pretty cool to see how they turned a baseball park into a football field.

Pregame thumbs up from Andy!

We braved the crowd, the cold, and some really bad seats for the first half...

But Luke wanted to get back to his king bed, so Mom and I took him back to the hotel while everyone else stayed to watch the win. Nevada beat Boston College and the defense played great!

Andy with Nevada quarterback, Collin Kaepernick.

Here we are saying goodbye to our beautiful view! Beautiful way to end a fun week!