At the park!

In Memory of Peaches

While we were gone on a trip last month, our dog Peaches passed away. What can be said about her? Well, she was as sweet as her name indicates, calm and patient, and so indulgent of Dylan. Of course, her relationship with Dylan was symbiotic - he got to pet her and all that, and she got all his 'offerings' from his meals that fell to the floor!

We miss her, and hope that wherever she is, she has a lot of 'offerings' from many high chairs, tons of squirrels to chase, a few laps to curl up on, and all the love and attention she craved so very much. Thank you for the good times, Peaches!

Some Christmas photos - Sacramento '08!

Dylan's First Christmas Parade!

This was the annual downtown Sacramento Christmas Parade, 2008. OK, so it's not the Macy's Parade in NYC, but, hey, it's what we get! Actually, it almost didn't happen, what with budget cuts and all. But our illustrious (cough cough) new mayor, former NBA superstar Kevin Johnston donated part of his inauguration funds to pay for it. What a guy! So we took The Boy to see the parade and Santa. For the most part, he enjoyed it well enough. As always, he has his stoic face on, but that doesn't mean he didn't like it! Anyway, it was cold and we were glad to see Santa come riding along at the end.

Merry Christmas!

Dylan and Mommy at the Sacramento Santa Parade, 2008

He liked the marching bands and horses a lot,

but his fave were the dudes with the Fez hats

and the go-carts!

Waving "Hi!" to Santa as his entourage passes by

Happy (Way Belated) Birthday, Part III!

The Birthday Boy, with Mommy and Poppy.

September, 2008

Way belated... Nearly six months! These are pix from Dylan's First Birthday party, held at Grandma and Grandpa's house (thanks, Grandma and Grandpa!!) and it was a happening day for Dylan. I'll get names and more attached to the photos later, but for now, just enjoy. Now that The Boy is nearly 18 months old (where doest he time fly???), I get these up... He had a lot of birthday celebrations, though, from Sacto to San Luis Obispo, and it's hard to keep up with all that celebrating.

Dylan is 1! sign made by his cousins

Dylan with Party-goers; he is pointing to his 1-year old brain!

Dylan really wanted a cow bell, but he'll make do with this

Big Brother Matt is very exuberant about the Pah-tay!

Dylan shows off the latest baby style: full body bib!!!

Let the feasting begin!

But I don't want to take it off...

So many people to hold me...

Why is there fire on my food...?

Thank you to the Heavens above for this joyous bounty!

Mommy is a-huffin' and a-blowin'

to put out the fire... Dylan's not helping

... and now he's trying it on his own.

This is the ASL sign for "MORE!!!"

"OH, My God... I could not eat another bite!

Take it away!"

A memorable 1st birthday; thank you to all

who attended and showered The Boy with love!

Random shots for the New Year!

Hooray for 2009! Truth be told, it is just as crazy busy as the end of 2008, at least so far! We are jetting off tomorrow (Monday, 1/5/09) for a ten-day trip to Louisville, Kentucky. This is a trip we hope is going to be full of relaxing, resting and relatives (my son, Jack, his girlfriend, Teresa, and their new daughter [just 3 months], Dahlia). We really need a vacation!

Below are a bunch of new photos taken over the holidays with Jennifer's new camera she got from Santa for Christmas! A very cool little camera, and I have to confess to some camera envy. It's a lot of fun to shoot with and the pix are surprisingly easy to take and turn out looking "Mah-vah-less." Look for more photos from her new camera by the artist known as JMA on the blog, as she is now a co-author of the blog! Phew! Finally a little help with this thing... Ha!

We all hope that the Holiday Season was wondrous and happy, and that 2009 and beyond bring only the very best of everything for you and your loved ones - enjoy the new photos!

Matthew, Mommy, Dylan and Ernest. January 3, 2009.

Dylan gets a ride on Poppy! January, 2009.

Mommy entertains The Boy with her readings!

January, 2009

Matthew holds his little brother and the gift he gave Dylan: Maynard!

Notice the "Dark Knight" pjs worn by Maynard.

January, 2009

The Official Christmas Card Photo, 2008

Merry Christmas!

Just some photos of Dylan taken a couple days ago. He loves to wear Poppy's hats, and the Santa hat is no exception. We all hope you have a terrific Christmas and that you got to spend it with the people who mean the most to you!

Thanksgiving movie

Here's The Boy eating his first Thanksgiving feast. He thoroughly enjoyed all of it, as you can see. Dylan also got some cranberries which he found very very yummy.

He wishes everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving and the very best for the holiday season.

Next up: the Christmas card photo.

Uh-oh part II

Uh-oh!

Dylan on an early Saturday morning, making the rounds and making comments. Dylan says, "Uh-oh" to trash in the kitchen, water on the floor and the cats outside. And he does look just 'smashing' in his little gray Union suit, doesn't he? All it needs is a little flap in the rear and it would be perfect!

You'd have to be pretty hardcore to not find this more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

At the Park & a Bean/Cheese Burrito

Nothing special about these  clips, other than it's The Boy being cute...

Happy Birthday to You - Madonna Inn '08

This was birthday party number 3, at the famous Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. Grandma Pilulaw, Mommy and Poppy went there with The Boy for a little birthday lunch and cake. The whole place joined in singing and clapping for Dylan's special event, which he thoroughly enjoyed!

Dylan Walks!

Dylan Wears Poppy's Hat

Dylan was just amazed today when I walked into the living room wearing my fedora. So of course I took it off and plopped it on his little noggin'. He loved wearing it! So here are a couple of snaps I took of him while he was cavorting around in it. The dark spot on his forehead is the remnant of a nasty spill he took on the driveway. Poor Baby Boy! But it's healing nicely, and it won't be the last one he'll get... 

Cutest Baby on the Block

More Halloween Photos!

Cousin Ari (whose birthday is Halloween - Happy 20th!),

Dylan and Aunt Patti, 2008

Halloween 2008

Here are some photos of Dylan in his 2nd Halloween costume. Ain't he cute? We think so! 

Pah-tay Number One!

Dylan Joseph Zárate, September 12, 2008

The Boy Turns One Year Old!

I Love Balloons This Much!!!

Mommy and Dylan, September 12, 2008

The Boy's First One Year Party

Dylan and Mommy, September 12, 2008

The Boy's First One Year Party

Mommy and Dylan, September 12, 2008

The Boy's First One Year Party

Dylan in Bliss, Bliss, Bliss

September 12, 2008

Dylan, September 12, 2008

All is Good in the World!

Dylan's daycare provider, Yolanda, goes all out for birthdays. Every kid she cares for gets the works - piñata, treats, balloons and a most festive party atmosphere. The kids, both birthday kids and unbirthday kids, enjoy the parties. Dylan's first party was, very suitably, at Yolanda's home.  Oh, and we found out that Dylan has the most intense passion for balloons! OMG, he just LOVES them! And if he sees them, he is very clear he wants them! And now!