Singing in the Sun

Here is Fred putting on a performance out in the back yard. 

Spring (or lack thereof) 2011

Hello everyone.  It has been a few months since we last made a post.  We apologize for that, but I guess you can say we have been busy this spring and our hard drive on our nine month old HP decided it wanted to fry out on us!  We do have another computer to use, but we equate our desk top to those old computers that were used in the 1980's that kids would play Oregon Trail on.  In any event, the past spring was busy, fun, firsts, and changes.  Once the snow melted, which seemed like it was sometime a few weeks ago, we were able to get outside and let Fred stretch his legs.  It was a long winter being couped up in the house so it was very welcoming for everyone once we were able to get outside on a consistent basis.  Fred really enjoys running around from the front to the back and exploring everything the yard has to offer.  Other than playing outside Fred continued his gym glass, every Thursday, up until the second week of June.  He really developed a lot during the year at gym. He has become a pro, for a toddler, at the balance beam.  He can do a somersault, wheel barrel, jump, play with a parachute, and many other things.  We really enjoyed the class at the Little Gym and will be sending him back next fall. 

Lisa and I were lucky enough to go to the Twins game with Peg and Pet on opening weekend at Target field.  It was a bit windy and cold (I am talking of the game not april - june), but we had a good time.  We love going to walk around at Target field and check out the view points of the field from different sections and areas of the stadium.  Our seats were upper deck behind home plate, they were fine, and the game was fun.  They played Oakland and lost 5-3, that is pretty much how it went for the Twins for the first few months.

A view from our seats.

Fred had is first hair cut - we took off all those lovely curls!  He did  great for Cricket - his 'stylist.'  He cried a bit at first, but after a few minutes he was all good. He just sat there and let Cricket do her thing.  It is funny who much a hair cut can make a little kid look so much older.  I mean he went from 21 months to at least 25 months in a hour.

"But I love my curls!"

Bye-bye curls.

Looking Good!

We went to Easter mass at OLP and then headed over to Joe's parents house for an Easter dinner and Easter egg hunt.  This year there was a joint Easter egg hunt with Joe's parents neighbors, which brings on more competition, but also more eggs to be found.  So we go Fred all geared up with his Easter basket and nice Sunday outfit and sent him off in the backyard in search of Easter eggs.  There was a pause.  He needed a little coaching from us before he really go moving.  He ran around with the other kids in search of all the eggs in the backyards until he say the swing set over at Angela's house (neighbors).  Easter egg hunt was now over.  But he had a good time while it lasted and a great time swinging and going down the slide. 


"You want me to do what with this basket?"

Fred and Potter

We all, other than chichi, participated in the First Annual FANA 5k at Phalen Park in St Paul.  We were surprised at how nice Phalen Park is.  It was our first time going there.  The run/walk went real well.  There was a great turn out and it was one of the nicest days of spring.  Lisa, Fred and Roman walked it and Joe and Mario ran it.  We wish we would have rested Mario instead of running him, because a week or so later we found out he had a slight tear in his ACL.  He has been in pain ever since, but we are seeing improvement in him. No more playing tennis ball for the little guy until he is fully healed, which could be later this fall.  Poor guy. 

The day after the FANA 5k was Mother's Day.  Fred and Joe were all ready to give Lisa the special day that she deserved and then Fred decided to make it real special.  He got sick!  Poor little guy and poor Lisa!  We had plans for a nice breakfast after we went to mass and then a nice relaxing day for Lisa.  It did not turn out that way. Instead we took care of a sick little boy. The good thing is there will be many more Mother's Days for Lisa to get spoiled! 


Joe and the dogs before the run.

 Fred at the finish line.

Over Memorial Day weekend we went with the Eiden's to their cabin in Eden Valley, MN.  What a perfect location from the cities. Just about an hour and half.  It was real nice to get away for a few days and enjoy the great outdoors.  The weather was descent one nice day and one raining day.  We had a good time just relaxing and hanging with our good friends. 

 All of us out to dinner.

 Lisa in a deep thought.

We had our annual Memorial Day BBQ and once again the weather cooperated for us.  All our Minnesota family was able to join us - we are still holding out for the Sabo's to join us one of these years!  We do have to say the food this year was especially good.  Compliments to the Chef. 

I think Fred a real good time playing with his cousins and friends.  We sure do like it when other kids are around for him to play with.

Fred and Joe took a day to head to the Minnesota Zoo.  The zoo is such a nice place to walk around at and Fred really enjoys getting out of his stroller and running all over the place.  He really loves the animals and being able to walk around and be independent!

 "He is much bigger than Chichi."

Once June rolled around things sure did fly by.  We all stayed real busy.  Lisa took a few continuing education classes, Joe worked and played softball, Fred just played and enjoyed life!  Fred was able to spend a few days with Joe's mom and Lisa's dad and Jonelle while Lisa was busy at class.  Once Lisa was out of school her and Fred needed to find activities to keep the days going, this was not a problem.  They normally play with Oliver and Hazel a few times a week, go to the park, play outside, go to the pool or head to the zoo.  Time sure does go by fast when there is so much to do. 

"Lets go Roman!"

Father's Day weekend ended up working out a lot better than Mother's Day.  Fred was healthy the entire weekend!  This years Father's Day weekend fell on Joe's birthday so it was a celebrate Joe weekend.  Everything turned out just perfect.  He was thrilled to hang out with Lisa and Fred for a few days and also spend some time with his family.  We all had a lot of fun together.  Lisa took Joe out for some BBQ on his birthday - you can't go wrong with a little BBQ.  Also that weekend we went to the Twins game with Fred.  He did great and last until the 7th inning.   We thought we were going to get rained out but it turned out to be  a great night.  There were a few rain drops and the start of the game, but it ended up being a nice night.

Tony Olivia was nice enough to take a picture with us.

A few family photos

 It is real loud in hear!

Outside of Target field.

 On Father's Day we went over to Joe's parents house for a little food and fun.  The kids really had a good time running around.  We really don't realize how great it is to have sidewalks in a neighborhood.  They all just ran up and down the sidewalk like it was the greatest thing.  Fun times.

Pops and the grand kids

 Family photo.

 Nona and Pops and the grand kids.



All in all the last few months have been great.  We have really enjoyed our time watching Fred grow right before our eyes.  It is pretty crazy on how fast he picks up on things and how quickly he learns new things.  We never know what the day is going to bring us.  Fred has picked up on a lot of words and he now is repeating the things we say.  It us fun listening to him have a conversation.  There will be a bunch of toddler talk and a few words here and there.  The funny part is his facial expressions during it.  He is so serious and concentrating on telling us something.  He also is does a real good job of picking up on routines, habits and processes.  It is funny to watch.  He still really likes apple sauce and hot dogs.  He really likes BBQ pork chops, french fries, orange juice, fish sticks and anything else that someone other than his mom and dad give him to eat.  He really enjoys playing with is Thomas the Train toys and his car collection.  He also loves to be read stories.  He loves just being outside and playing in the pool.  Names he knows:  Mom, Dad, Peg, Pat, Ollie, Hazie, Nona and Pops (Joe's parents), Boppa (Lisa's Dad), Anya, Emmy, Chichi, Mario, Roman, Bob, Paul (Father Paul), and Joe (Jovanny).  I am sure he will pick up on other's soon. 

Other than our time with Fred, lets see.  Lisa finished off another school year at OLP.  She also is taking a quilting class this summer.  We all can't wait to see the final project.  Joe started a new job at RBC Wealth Management.  He is now advising high net worth clients with their Estate, Tax and Wealth Transfer planning.  This job is a much better fit for Joe.  We also started the process to adopt another child.  We are real excited about having a sibling for Freddy and another child.  We are very early in the process, which means we still have a few years, but you never know it could be sooner!

 That is all for now.  Joe, Lisa, Fred, Roman, Mario and Chichi. 

Happy Birthday

We were real excited to host Freddy's first birthday party this year. We had everyone over on July 3 for cake ice cream and pizza.  It was a real big deal for us to watch Freddy open his gifts, play with his Thomas the Train balloon and sing happy birthday to our little man.  We are truly blessed to have him as our son and we can't wait to celebrate many more birthdays with him.

Fred had a good time playing with his cousins, Nona, Pops, Grandpa, his Aunts and Uncles, and Jonelle and he really enjoyed the gifts he received.  We all had a really good time. 


Here is a video of all of us singing Happy Birthday to Freddy!

Fred's Hair Cut at Home