Our imaginary friends.

Some days I really can't believe I have a little toddler. I hope I always remember the sound of his voice and the endless babble and words he uses throughout the day to tell me stories, or make his toys come alive. He has quite the imagination. All of his stuffed animals are now his best friends....

 He wanted his sheep to wear his Brewers hat and tried very hard for ten minutes to figure out how to put on the hat and sit next to him without it falling off. He is just a little clumsy;) His chubby large hands are constantly squeezed. I cannot get enough.

"Bear" goes with him everywhere during the day. He brings him to breakfast and makes sure he gets something to eat, brings him to watch Thomas with him, makes him take a nap, and wear socks, and the latest and greatest....makes him sit on the pot and go poop. If I walk in the bathroom and bear is sitting on the potty, Gabriel informs me that bear is pooping.

I just wish I could put him in a bottle forever...I know that sounds crazy but I am sure moms can relate:D

Each day we watch him grow older and it only gets more fun though.

He seems to have turned a corner in maturity as if he knows a baby is coming.

He is ready to be a big brother.

Just the beginning of many joys

Gabe requested we find out if wewere having a boy or girl this pregnancy so that he could develop a little bond with our bambino before he/she arrives. We as women forget that we get to experience the kicks, moving, closeness of the baby. The men don't have much to go off of to realize they are having a child! So we went in for the ultrasound and had the tech write down boy or girl on a piece of paper for us to tote to St. Louis for Christmas Eve. I left that very important envelope in a spot that would help me remember only to forget all about it. Hmm....brain cell loss anyone? Long story short, we had the news delivered just in time for our Christmas Eve thanks to the help of a special sister Smange, who also captured the moment on camera for us...

I hope our child sees this picture one day and realizes with what great joy we had in our hearts that night as we got to share the news with our family. Your arrival is coming soon but it couldn't come fast enough! We are waiting for you with open arms!

Christmas Eve 2010

Continuing to play catch up and Photojournaling some very sweet memories of Christmas Eve...

His first experience of snow....

After Christmas Eve Mass....

He loved the hay in the manger and "Baby Jeethuth"

Our attempt at a family photo....Gabe was sick and Gabriel was past bedtime;)

Passing on the guitar skills to godson:

Uncle Paul was teaching him how to smoke a pipe. What he will learn from him aunts and uncles...;)

Soon to be cousins:

The men in the family:)

It was so fun that Gabriel had Paul for gift exchange, being his current fave Uncle.

Nicholas gave Gabriel a pretty sweet tractor!

Angela got all the children matching pj's to wear for Christmas. Who doesn't love a toddler in a onesie??

Gabe had been battling the cold/fever mix for a few days but no one was taking him out of the picture on his most favorite day of the year:) Luckily he was well enough to participate in all of the fun.

Just a few great memories....Driving through lights throughout the neighborhood, gift exchange, setting out the cookie contest winner cookies for santa, carols, I spy, and finding out what little baby we are having in April. It was a magical night.

Christmas Eve has got to be almost even better than Christmas Day at the Zuniga house. So much tradition, cheer, good ood, laughter, and celebration of the newborn king! I cherish these memories so much and hope that my children can have the same experiences.

Family photo outtakes 2010

I decided not to do family photos this year......and then changed my mind after receiving so many wonderful cards from out of town friends. Its such a great way to keep in touch. So we took them the week before Christmas of course! After 100 shots you are bound to get one that works. Maria did an amazing job with her new spiffy camera and making Gabriel smile. I like looking at all his faces in the outtakes:)

Thanksgiving 2010

I am way behind, but have to write down and remember some wonderful moments from Thanksgiving..

1) Getting to have Nanna Gennie here for a whole week. She drove so far to spend time with us. Gabriel loves it and so do we. She brought Sophie and Mac this time which couldn't have been more exciting for the kids!
2) Getting to spend Thanksgiving dinner with my sister Maria and her family for the first time in 8 yrs!
They have been a blessing to us these past few years in Beloit. Maria and I collaborated on the meal and made all our traditional favorites.
3) Finding my very curious boy eating crayons while we were eating the Turkey Dinner. Quite memorable.

(Going on a walk with Nanna)

Thanksgiving morning.

What kept Gabriel occupied.

Before getting his own first set of trains, he borrowed Nicholas' :)

We can't wait till you are here baby! You are 20 weeks old here:)

    Beautiful table setting courtesy of the hostess with the mostess.

What Gaber decided to eat for Thanksgiving Dinner: black crayons. 

You just got to laugh during these moments:)

Pumpkin Farm Round 2

Like I said, we love the fall:) We went to Lincoln, NE for the weekend to visit Lindsay and John and head to Roca Berry Farms (insanely huge and fun dream pumpkin farm). Gabe and I had a blast....mainly watching our son enjoy every part of the day.

He was old enough to get a hand stamp:)

He thinks he can lift heavy objects and take them home.

The best moment of my day! Such a thrill seeker. He wanted to go down on his belly-over and over.

 I felt sorry for the goat. He survived Gabriel's loving attention.

Of course there were breaks for snacks.

Rose is his favorite friend right now. She watches over him and tolerates Gabriel's need to hold hands at all times:) He asks for "Rothe" on a regular basis.

Hayride!

(Evidence of a fun filled day.)

Building Blocks and Practicing Words

Gabriel gets so excited when he can build something. We have gotten so much use out of these Melissa and Doug stacking alphabet blocks. We take every opportunity to hear him say "yeth" with his little lisp.

Old McDonald gives him dancing fever.

His laugh is so contagious. I could have filmed him for hours....

Summer is slipping away!

Fall is my absolute favorite season. The weather, festivities, and coming of the holidays make the Fall most exciting. I am sad however, to see the summer go. It really has been a wonderful summer. We got to see lots of family and friends, and enjoy some lazy weekends. Some of the highlights...

discovering confetti at Jordan's wedding...

being ridiculously cute in his mini tux at Matt's wedding

when you love someone, you go the extra mile;)

our camera always blurs during life's most precious moments. (4th of July)

He's part amphibian. His feet are so yummy. 

We got to spend some time with Oma and Opa. We loved every minute:)

Gabriel loved time with Nanna Gennie and cousin Novi:) Wish we could see them more often!

Nothing cuter than a boy and his teddy bear.

No caption is good enough for this one.

See why we don't want summer to end?

I promised myself I would be better about updated my family blog. Something about having to log in with Gabe's email address that always makes it seem more of a task than it really is.

Will be back soon:D