Logan is 18 months!

Our little guy is now 18 months old! I can't believe how quickly time is flying by.  We are having so much fun with Lo-Jo! He makes us laugh and smile everyday. He repeats almost everything we ask him to say (see video below).  Currently, his favorite toys are any type of ball and cars/trucks.  Recently, he's been interested in watching Sesame Street and enjoys Elmo the most.

Today we went to Kindergym (this is our second session), and had lots of fun! Unfortunately, Lillie isn't in Logan's class anymore, but he has lots of fun with Jillian and his other friends. It's so funny to watch Logan's face when we sing songs during circle-time. It's amazing to visibly see how much he understands!

 After Kindergym, Logan had his 18-month check-up appointment with Dr. Isterabadi. Here are his stats: weight - 24.6 pounds (30th percentile), and height - 33.25 inches (77th percenctile). Therefore, he's skinny and pretty tall! Logan had to get a couple of shots, but all was well when he was given his very first lollipop! He's got 12 teeth and counting.  We are so blessed to have such a healthy, happy, little boy!

A video of Logan's words:

Happy New Year!

Last night, my family was kind enough to come over to our house and watch Logan for the evening so that Josh and I could go out and celebrate New Year's Eve.  We met up with the Bridgfords and headed to my new favorite place in Brea--240 South.  This restaurant is amazing!  It has delicious food and tons of wine.  240 South is unique because they have their own barrel wine.  In addition, another feature they provide is self-serve wines by the glass.  Therefore, you purchase a pre-paid card, walk up to the wine of your choosing, put the card in, select 1 oz., half a glass, or a full glass, and watch the wine pour into your glass.  It's a really cool experience!  Our other friends, Ben and Mindy, joined us for dinner, and we all had a great time!  We ordered the most delicious food, drank yummy wine, and celebrated over fun conversation.
After dinner, we all headed back to the Bridgford house to continue our fun and celebration.  The guys played Ping-Pong, while the ladies played Left, Center, Right.  We danced and chatted the night away.  My favorite part of the evening was when we were all gathered around the TV to watch the ball drop.  Everyone was counting--five, four, three, Eastbound and Down--that's right, the DVR changed the channel right before we finished our countdown!  It was hilarious!  Thanks to the Bridgfords for opening up their home so that we could all celebrate the New Year.

Mindy and I trying to figure out how to work the wine dispenser.

Ang, Mindy, and I at 240 South for dinner.

The boys--Ben, Mike, and Josh.

I had so much fun with these ladies--Mindy, Brooke, and Ang.

Counting down to 2012!

Josh and I are very much looking forward to the new year and all of the fun it will bring!

While Josh and I were out enjoying our New Year's Eve together, my Mom, Dad, sister, and Aunt decided to take Logan out to celebrate.  Here's Logan's narrative (according to Mimi):

"A picture of my Poppa and I.

New Year's Eve started out well.  Poppa, Mimi, Tia and Titi picked me up and took me to La Betolla to celebrate the New Year.

...And then the PARTY hats came out.  It was like a scene from the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Things started to deteriorate after that; Mimi handed me juice and told me to drink up.  I told Mimi that she had to follow directions and not give me juice, but you know I speak broken English and I don't know if she understood what I was saying.  Mimi said she wasn't a box mix and therefore didn't come with a set of directions, and that she drank juice as a child.  Poppa chimed in about walking barefoot in the snow to school when he was a kid.  And then Titi started some crazy talk about how she never wore a seat-belt when she was young.  And then they all said, 'Yeah, we turned out alright!'

I lost track of all the rules we broke.

When I mentioned the cavities that would result from all the bad stuff I was ingesting, Tia laughed and told me to live it up because all the teeth in my mouth were going to fall out anyway.  Mom, you never told me that my teeth were going to FALL OUT!!!"

**WARNING: No juice or chocolate candy was actually consumed during the taking of these photos.**

Christmas Dinner

On Christmas evening, we usually get together with Josh's family and have dinner.  This year we hosted Christmas dinner at our house.  I made Brushetta for an appetizer and my mom's Spaghetti Bolognese for the main dish.  Alison and Brooke helped out by bringing salad, garlic bread, desserts, and drinks.  We had a great time eating dinner, opening presents, hanging out, and playing the game Cranium!  Thanks so much, everyone, for coming over and making our Christmas evening very special.

 Brooke, Ken, and Connor.

 Logan with his cousins--Alex and Connor.  Logan has so much fun with these two.  They're so good about playing with him, and he loves it!

 Logan playing on the new Jungle Gym that Santa brought him.

 Grandma Alison and Grandpa Jim got Logan this Little Mover.  He loves it!  It plays music, and he just loves to push the buttons and ride around the house in it.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Christmas Morning

Merry Christmas!  Last night we were up pretty late because we were having too much fun at my Aunt and Uncle's house.  I was hoping Logan would sleep in later this morning, but expectantly, Daddy was the one who was too excited to sleep in on Christmas morning!  I barely opened my eyes and rolled over to see Josh bright-eyed and saying, "Let's go open presents!"  He was like a kid again--it was so cute!  Once we got out of bed, we took Logan down the hall to see what Santa brought him (see video below).  It was so sweet to watch his facial expressions as he opened his presents.  After the three of us opened presents at our house, we headed over to my parents' house for our annual Christmas Breakfast.  This year my mom made eggs and bacon for the boys, and the girls ate Eggs Benedict.  My mom says we have to end on a sweet tooth, so she had Cinnabon cinnamon rolls to finish the meal off right.  It was delicious!  Once we finished eating breakfast, we all gathered around the Christmas tree to open gifts.  My family outdid themselves, again.  Logan got so many cute clothes and fun toys.  Thanks so much guys for making Christmas extra special!  We love you so much.

 Logan's Papa and Nana got him this adorable Peek-a-Boo Teddy Bear.  At first, LoJo was a little hesitant, but as you can see, he quickly warmed up to the bear.  Thanks so much guys!  

 A bunch of the presents Logan got from his Mimi, Poppa, and Tia.

Our family on Christmas morning.

Logan seeing Santa's gift on Christmas morning!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we always head to my Tia and Uncle Mark's house.  Every year we have such a blast with my family.  We eat a delicious meal, play games, open presents, and eat yummy desserts!  This year, we had a fabulous meal, and then my cousin Dakota decided to break out the old family videos.  They were hilarious!  It was so much fun sitting down with my family and looking back on the past; we were cracking up!  Josh especially enjoyed watching the "music videos" that I attempted to create when I was a teenager.  All I can say is good times!  After we all laughed at ourselves, we played a game, and then opened presents.  Since Logan is the only baby right now, he gets lots of love and presents.  This year he definitely grasped the concept of opening gifts, so it was so much fun to watch him do it!  Thanks again to my family for all of the wonderful gifts and fun memories!

 Our family

 My sis, Logan, and I

 Lo and I taking a picture with my cousin, Dakota.  I was 11-years-old when Dakota was born.  It's hard to believe that she's now in college and turning 19 in a couple of weeks.  Time really does fly!

 Logan's Great-Aunt Linda got him this cool Pirate Ship.

 Logan opening his presents.  I just love watching his reactions!

 Logan's Titi (my Tia) got him some adorable Paul Frank pajamas and this awesome train!

 Logan hanging out with my cousin, Weston.

Every Christmas Eve we try and get a picture of all of the cousins.  We call it the "Cousin Train"!  From the back to the front--Me & Logan, my sister Amy, Dakota, Weston, Alexis, Mia, and Brandon.

Naples

Every year the Bridgfords head to Naples to look at Christmas lights.  This year they invited us to tag along, and we had a great time!  Naples is so adorable.  Every house participates in decorating with lights, and some houses win awards for their unique decorating styles.  It was so much fun walking alongside the water, looking at beautiful Christmas lights, and sipping hot cocoa!  Thanks so much, Bridgfords, for including us in on one of your special family traditions.

 A picture of the kiddos having a great time!

 The Bridgford family got Logan this hat and coat for Christmas...isn't it adorable?!

Every year the Bridgford family takes a photo in front of this house, so we decided to join in the tradition and snap one of our family.