Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

So I thought I should probably get a move on in posting the pictures from Christmas since his birthday will be here before I know it. I just sent out his invitations, I can't believe how quickly time flies!

So Asher's first Christmas was absolutely wonderfully perfect. He took an awesome nap on Christmas Eve which was going to be questionable since he'd had such a hard week. His cold seemed to be on its way out and he slept Wednesday night great and didn't wake up until 7:30 on Thursday. So, we skipped the morning nap in hopes for a better afternoon nap and PTL, it worked. He woke up so happy and feeling great. Dinner was wonderful. We had a couple of old traditional Gruber (my mom's family) dishes and one of David's request that he remembered from his childhood. All of it was great. Asher enjoyed dinner too. He especially liked the kidney bean salad. After dinner we opened presents which Asher did with no problem at all. I guess all the catalog page ripping paid off because he ripped the paper open just fine.

Christmas morning was great too. Asher slept great again and his cold seemed to be gone all together. We had our traditional homemade Monkey bread and bacon and scrambled eggs. Granny and Papa came back up and Asher had a couple of more presents to open. He loved playing with all his new toys. Then off to the Perea/Mascari Christmas. It was great. Asher got to play with all his cousins which he loved and even hung on the couch with Uncle Craig to watch the Chargers pounce all over TN. An absolutely wonderful day.

Asher kind of had Christmas 4 days in row. The day after Christmas we headed down to Grams for lunch. He loves going to Grams, she has such fun toys. He loves the alphabet pal she bought him and pulls it all around to the house. We had a wonderful lunch at Brett's BBQ, yummy!! On the way home we stopped by Granny and Papa's so Asher could see the train under the tree before they took it down. He loved it. He probably would have sat and watched go round forever.

Finally back home on Sunday, Asher got to open a present from the Mascari family, he had already gone to bed on Christmas day by the time we opened gifts. How awesome, a t-ball set. He picked up that bat and ball and was ready for play.

Thanks to everyone for the wonderful gifts. We are so blessed by wonderful family and friends. We love you all and are so thankful for the village we have to help us in raising our son(s). We love you! Happy New Year!

A Very Merry Un-Birthday to you, to you...

Are you singing it with me? Anyway, today Asher is 11 months old, my oh my blink and he will be a year old. I just can't believe it. As you have read, he is walking now and starting to run a little or at least walk real fast. He is louder than ever, certain that is NOT a Perea trait. He has been pointing at things for weeks now which has made the Christmas season even more special for me. The past few weeks he brings us books and wants to sit in our lap and be read too - precious. We read, Clifford, Where is the big red doggie at least 20 times a day, no joke. About 2 weeks ago, I noticed I didn't even look at the words anymore, yikes. He brings us thing when we ask him for them, like go get the ball or bring me this or that. He gives kisses - when he feels like it. He is very opinionated, again probably NOT a Perea trait. We are having so much fun. He chases David through the house now. He is slowing phasing out of the 18 month clothes in into 2T - oh my. I can't believe how much he has grown.

Things around here have been quite chaotic the past few weeks. My mom had hip replacement surgery, so a lot of time down there and away from home. Then I got a cold. Being pregnant, I can't take much to help with the symptoms and Saturday night I thought for sure I was going to die. Doing better now and seem to be on the mend, but I am very behind. We tried to do a home Christmas picture, ya right, so lucky for me we were able to have an appointment first thing in the morning. So hang tight, our Christmas card will arrive but maybe real close to Christmas.

Next stop...Christmas, the desert and THEN ASHER'S FIRST BIRTHDAY!!

PS. We hope to have some 3D pictures of Asher's soon to be brother Isaac, stay tuned!

Desert Trip before Thanksgiving

We had a great time. The weather was perfect. We camped at a different spot which was nice, a little far from the dunes, but great still! The kids are getting better and better every year on the quads. Bear just loves the berm tracks, it makes David wonder how she doesn't get dizzy. The two older boys, Nick and Jake caught some air this trip. We are very much looking forward to after Christmas.

It was quite the monumental trip for Asher...he took his first steps on Sunday, Nov. 22nd. Kind of a b-day present for cousin Nick. I was the only one who saw it, but he then performed for Nikki, Leslie, Selah and Kendra. Finally on Monday, Daddy got to see him walk. He has been walking ever since more and more every day. I will post some walking pictures soon. Also, while we were there, he learned how to stack his blocks. A lot of you know, he just wouldn't have it if his blocks were stuck together and if there were any stuck on his piano. Yeah, not any more. He stacks them up.

The last night was hard, no sleep at all, but overall a great trip. Couldn't have been that bad if I am ready to go out again.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING...a week late :-)
So Thanksgiving was fun. We went to Grams house for a couple hours. Uncle Mike and Aunt Tess came in from Colorado for the holiday. It was our first time meeting Tess and their 'kids'. The big horse of a dog and the other shepherd looking dog were theirs. The little black and white dog is Grams. Asher thought the dogs were great, he especially enjoyed one of their rawhides. The other little boy is Erik, Uncle Allan and Aunt Ej's son. The boys are about 6 months apart. We had a wonderful time visiting. We were able to hang with them Wednesday night and again on Thursday. Then off to Granny and Papa's for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving dinner is my most favorite meal of the year and being pregnant I enjoy and crave it all that much more. I woke up Friday morning and all I could think about was Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed potatos and Gravy on it all. Yummy!!!!!!!!!! I will post our desert picks next. It was quite the monumental trip, if I do say.