What a wonderful life.

Connor was great with the Christmas tree all month, which was a huge relief for Crazy Christmas mommy. Christmas Eve was perfect; the weather was cold and rainy like winter and Christmas should be. That afternoon we had a wonderful surprise. One of Chris's clients sent us live lobsters to make for Christmas eve dinner. We had never cooked lobster before & it was kind of sad putting the live bugs in boiling water, BUT it was worth it.





















Dad let Connor help with the mashed potatoes.
He loves all power tools.





We started a new Stone family tradition. We drove around looking at Christmas lights before Connor had to go to bed. He was so cute pointing out all the lights. It was so much fun seeing it through his eyes with such excitement.

Then after Connor went to bed Chris and I stayed up assembling Connor's train table and train set while watching Chevy Chases Christmas Vacation & drinking wine. It was perfect! Knowing this was the 1st of many Christmas Eves that we will be assembling toys was a wonderful feeling.

















We spent Christmas morning playing trains with Connor in front of the fire and the Christmas tree. We had a wonderful french toast breakfast and eggnog lattes. It was truly a story book Christmas. Being a parent is such an amazing experience.

It was wonderful to have the Fallons join us for dinner. Ronda & I made a delicious dinner of orange balsamic cornish game hens, dressing, mashed potatoes and corn. Thank you Rachael Ray.
We let Connor and Samantha stay up until 9:30 playing and eating ice cream and cookies.

Sugar Rush.....

Crash.....
















Merry Christmas Zuki!

Christmas party for Mommy Inc.

We had a little Christmas party for our mommy play group.
Being a mommy is definitely a full time job.
Chris and I had our babysitter take pictures before we left.
For more pix check out the Fallon's Blog.

Holiday Dinner Date

A romantic dinner in front of the Christmas tree with
Connor's little lady Samantha.

Christmas with Connor's ladies.

We had a gift exchange with Connor and his little girlfriends.
It was so much fun to watch them open presents!
A little Christmas preview.
Everyone had a great time. Check out the Delio's blog for more pix.

Mommy & Me.

Beach in December... ahhh to live in S.B.

Yogurt Head

I hear "uh oh, uh oh" & look who dumped yogurt on his head.

Looking so innocent.

Looks like yogurt makes a good hair gel.
What a cutie!

Christmas Tree 2008

Poor Connor had a 102.9% temp. and mommy still dragged everyone to Buelton to pick out our Christmas tree. Connor was a total champ. He slept part way in the car and he quietly laid on dads shoulder while we picked out a tree. Fortunately the 1st tree we looked at was perfect! The perfect height and shape & we made the Santa Maria times.
http://www.santamariatimes.com/

Connor has been really good with the tree so far. He loves to use the remote to turn the lights on and off. BUT it's early and he's 1 & 1/2 so I don't think it will be long before he wants to undecorate it for us ;-)

Thanksgiving

We flew up to Sacramento CA on Tuesday.
The pilot invited me into the cockpit and let me press lots of buttons.

Played a game of basketball with my Mom.


I made beautiful art with my cousin Natalie AKA "Nanni".


Nanni showed me how to jump on Grandma's bed.
That was lots of fun.


I sat next to my great granddad for Thanksgiving.


We walked around and in the river.
It was COLD!



We had a great trip.
I even caught a nap on the flight home.
Man, I love the holidays.

3 - 2 - 1

Daddy and Connor launched a rocket together. Connor was very excited, he loves to say "Up Up Up"! I know Connor enjoyed it but I think Daddy enjoyed it even more ;-)

Tree Trimming

My Four

FOUR RANDOM THINGS I LIKE ABOUT MY HUSBAND:
1) He is the most positive person I know.
2) He is hunky yet incredibly sensitive.
3) He always does the right thing & chooses the high road.
4) He is hands down the BEST dad EVER!!!!
5) He loves me unconditionally!!! ( I know this is five but I could not leave any out)!

FOUR JOBS I'VE HAD:
1) Teaching Assistant for multimedia classes at Santa Barbara City Collage.
2) Production assistant for Media Revolutions. - which is a web marketing company in L.A. We worked on web marketing campaigns for Subaru, Winn Las Vegas Hotels, etc.
3) Web developer at Skinmarket with Ronda. That was a blast. Skinmarket was a beauty and style company. Working there was as close to being in a sorority as you can get, a great group of talented young women.
4) Project Manager for SFA Design. SFA is a luxury interior design firm. Our clients included high end hotel and private estates, like Barry Bonds. He was a real pill to work for ;-)

FOUR MOVIES I'VE WATCHED MORE THAN ONCE:
1) Breakfast at Tiffany's (what girl hasn't)
2) Love Actually
3) Most Adam Sandler movies
4) Most Will Ferrell movies

FOUR TV SHOWS I WATCH:
1) Thomas The Train (Connor is obsessed)
2) Anderson Cooper 360
3) Two and 1/2 Men
4) Anything on the food network

FOUR PLACES I'VE BEEN:
1) Mexico (my 1st vacation with Chris, So Romantic)
2) England
3) Spain
4) Italy

FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS:
1) Shrimp Curry
2) Sushi
3) My Lasagna
4) My Risotto

FOUR PLACES I'D LIKE TO VISIT:
1) Provence, France
2) Ireland
3) Yellow Stone Park
4) Scotland to play golf

FOUR THINGS I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE COMING YEAR:
1) Having two way conversations with Connor.
2) Having lots of family time.
3) Spending time with my new mom friends. Thank you Ronda :-)
4) Getting back into shape - maybe ;-)

Could 2 dogs love each other any more than this?

Connor says, "Uncle Bobby" He is learning so many words so quickly! Its amazing!

Baby Boy - You've Changed!

Happy Halloween

Baby Dragon and the Little Lamb.

We had some really great costumes but
I think the drink box and sandwich win most creative.

What a cute baby dragon!

Piggy back ride

Yesterday was the 1st time Mom sat in a chair with Connor behind her, told him "to climb on" and he did. He loved his piggy back ride. He was mimicking the trotting sound and laughing hysterically. We've already been doing horsey rides on the ground but always with the help of Dad. This was a big step. Connor is understanding more and more. It's so much fun.

I'm a Model

This is my Zoolander look The "Magnum".

Ralph Lauren Catalog Look

"Santa Barbara" soap opera dramatic look

Next NBA Allstar

Connor showing off his skills!

Visit to Grandma's House

A few weekends ago we flew up to Sacramento to visit my family. I got to play with all of my cousins. Katie and I are both walking now so as Natalie would say there was total "Baby Chaos". It was a blast, we played in the pool (even my Great uncle Bobby came in). We played at the park and in grandma's back yard.

Me and Katie swinging.

Me and Grandma.

My Weekend

Well I had some more firsts this weekend. I ate my 1st burrito. It was awesome!! I ate the whole thing. It was kid sized so I could hold it on my own like Mom and Dad. I guess I'm a true Santa Barbara kid because I love Mexican food and the beach.


I also went from sitting to standing and walking all by myself for the 1st time and just kept on going. I did great! Here is some footage.

Ouch you're hurting my hair

I got my 1st hair cut yesterday and it was very traumatic. I am a sensitive guy and very attached to my hair I might add. It started off pretty smooth until the hair dresser touched my head and then I lost it. Mom held me but that didn't really help. Why did they insist on stealing my golden locks? Jealously? Torture? What is it? I don't know. But all said and done, I have to say I look pretty darn handsome (I take after my Dad). Eat your heart out ladies.

Look who's walking

Dinner Dates with Samantha

Connor being romantic already.

1st Independent Steps

I took my 1st independent steps on Saturday July 19th at my Grandma & Grandpa's place. We were all playing at the park behind their house when I wanted to get to my mom, so I took two steps. A few minutes later I took 4 steps & I've been taking a few steps everyday since. I've been practicing my independent standing as well. It's very exciting! I can't wait to run. I'm really going to keep Mom and Dad on their toes.

I can go down the slide by myself now!

Yesterday at the park I pushed myself down the slide. I held on to both sides, pushed off and slid all the way down. Mom was so excited she made me go down like 20 times. Man, I wish they had their camera with them.

I love spaghetti & meatballs

Friday Night Happy Hour

Tonight dad and I went to our regular swim lesson at Anacapa Dive Shop, off State Street, near the Pier. We had such a great time. My new friend, Cash, and his mom and dad took a picture and video of Dad and I dunking ouselves under water (look to the left). It was so much fun!!!

We also played falling off the side of the pool into the water. I was trying to do it myself, but I still need dad's help to pull me into the water. I think I'm a little more cautious than the average kid. After I fall into the water, I try my best to turn around and grab the side of the pool and climb out. Sometimes, I think Dad enjoy's watching me fall into the water more than I like jumping in. But that's ok! We laugh together and it makes it all worth it! Anyhow, I gotta run! This weekend is Dad's day and I gotta finish with his gift! Thanks for reading this!!

What a big weekend! Saturday morning we walked down to the Big Dog Parade. It’s an annual parade where thousands of dogs parade down State Street dressed in hilarious costumes. We saw Greyhound dogs dressed as greyhound buses, all different dogs dressed as Dalmatians, lots of dogs dressed as bikers, some as lions and even a few as ballerinas. Dad let me ride on his shoulders so I could get a better view. A few floats had bands and we’d dance or bounce to the beat. I liked using Dad's head as a drum.



Saturday afternoon we went to the beach and I played with Dad & we shared some watermelon.


Then Sunday was the big day . . . We went to the park to have a picnic & I pushed my scooter around all by myself. Here is a little glimpse of the action.

Sleeping Angel

Connor sleeping like a little angel with his teddy bear. Soooo peaceful.

Below are some of my favorite pics of papa and I at the beach. We love Hammonds! I think we will be spending a lot of time there. He's been teaching me the ways of the big blue ocean and the beach . I can tell that he loves the ocean and he wants me to love it just as much.