Trani Family Brunch

On Sunday, December 26th we celebrated Christmas a day late and Dad's birthday a day early. We met in Palos Verdes for brunch at Admiral Risty's. We also had a chance to get an updated family picture. Included this time are Lauren and Andria's boyfriend, Roberto. Good food and great company as usual. Dad was still a bit weary from the holiday crush at the restaurant. Santa's gift to him was 8 hours of sleep! A huge treat, as I can truly attest. Andria is getting ready for her last semester of nursing school. Everyone is healthy and happy, so what more can we ask for?

Superhero Birthday Weekend

On Friday, December 17th Jack turned three years old. On the 17th we had a Spiderman party at Grandma and Pa's. And Sunday was a Batman party at home. It was quite a weekend indeed!

Christmas

One week after the big birthday score Santa came to town. Talk about a huge haul! Clothes, toys, a Batman sleeping bag, books and more! He really loves Christmas! One of his highlights was the Buzz Lightyear wings that Auntie Kelsey bought for him. They move up and down at the push of the button with lights and sound effects. Pretty cool, for sure.

Our Christmas gift is that we have a happy, healthy family. Lauren celebrated her 2 month birthday on Christmas day. She is smiling and babbling like a champion. She loves looking into our faces, especially at 2:00 AM. They are both growing like weeds and impressing us daily. We are so blessed.

White Christmas

Today we received a package from Grandma Sylvia and Grandpa Ned with presents for the kids. Jack promptly climbed into the empty box to play with the packing peanuts. He kept saying it was snow. He had so much fun playing with the "snow" and by the time he was finished the kitchen was covered in it. But he was having such a great time I couldn't stop him. Not only that, but it was a good lesson in cleaning up his mess. We managed to have a white Christmas in Ventura. Grandma's prediction? The "snow" will be his favorite present...I wouldn't be surprised.

Santa

Jack finally got to visit Santa last night! Needless to say he has been looking very forward to it for several weeks. He started a few weeks ago by going through all the toy catalogs. Then we cut out the pictures of the toys he wanted and glued them to construction paper. He brought his poster with him last night and gave it to Santa. They discussed his behavior and wish poster before Jack got in Santa's lap for a photo. I know he looks uninspired in this photo, but honestly I think he was totally in awe! He was stunned and amazed, completely star-struck! Lauren was less impressed...she woke up just long enough for this photo. Before we left, Santa gave Jack a book that he read the entire way through JC Penny on the way back to the car. He is still talking about it this morning. It's going to be a long haul to the 25th!

Happy Monday

If you want to know what to get for Jack this Christmas...money for future therapy! If his outfit last night is any indication I think he might have multiple personality disorder. He found a Santa hat at Lowe's (complete with Feliz Navidad on the brim) and so he wanted to be Santa. But he can't give up being Spiderman. The solution? Be SpiderSanta!

Lauren is 6 weeks old today. She is changing a lot. She smiled a few times last week, but this weekend she really let loose with some big grins. Of

course, that doesn't mean we can catch her doing it on film. She likes the doggy that hangs over her playmat and last night she was having fun in her bath (for a change). We'll keep trying to get a good shot.

Happy Anniversary

It's truly amazing what you can accomplish in five years when you set your mind to it. Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart. Thank you for the greatest adventures of my life, I look forward to a lifetime more. I love you!