Another year over, a new one just begun!!!

Happy 2011!!  We rang in the new year, family style, cooking, eating, and sipping bubbly champagne with our good friends, Clint, Lindsey, Carson, and Baby Landon!  The cooking competition started early, as the boys played and ran about the house.  The adults laughed, ate, and chatted the night away!

Zee Menu:

Goat cheese stuffed red peppers with a balsamic reduction

Brie en croute with green apples

Lobster green chile chowder

Chocolate fondue

Wesolowski Menu:

Stuffed Mushrooms

Tangy Meatballs

Crab stuffed chicken

Chocolate banana shakes

 My sous chefs, assisting me in the kitchen!! A family cooking affair.

Making pizza together!!

Carson and Landon wearing their New Year gear as they lounge in Lan's jumpee.

Yep, we really ate all that food!!!!  Roll us into 2011.....we are fat and happy!!  Cheers to the excitement of new beginnings in 2011!

Happy Noon Year!

Happy Noon Year at Pump it Up!!  Landon celebrated the last noon of 2010, with his bud, Carson.  The boys jumped, bounced, ran, and slid until beads of sweat dripped off their little heads.  Pizza, sparkling cider, party hats, horn blowers, and the final countdown to the noon hour topped off the party celebration!!!

2010 is nearly over! One party down, one more to go!!  Tonight's celebration is a cook off competition between the parents:  The Zee's vs The Wesolowski's.....they have no idea what they are up against!!!

White Phoenix

Dropping temperatures, freeze alerts, stormy skies, and snow?!  Ten minutes north of our house, mother nature blew in a small snow storm!!!  Scot stayed warm at home while Landon napped and I headed out to see my desert Phoenix home being blanketed white.  The air felt crisp and clean.  I stood outside my car in a park with snow billowing around me....so peaceful, calm, and quiet.  Everyone near stood perfectly still, awestruck as the snow wisped, dancing over our heads, covering the green grass, and sprinkling our coats and scarfs with white flakes.

Making the season last.....

Taking advantage of all the wonderful Christmas and winter events can be difficult to cram in before December 25th.  The Willy Wonka Gingerbread house exhibit was one that I was anxious to visit before the end of the year.   The JW Marriott brought the Christmas vibe into the air with their wonderful festive decorations.  The gingerbread exhibit was fun to visit, peeping into the Willy Wonka scenes and getting a visit from the mysterious Oompa Loompas. 

Tip for the JW Marriott at next year's exhibit.....sell candy for the hungry on lookers!!

Merry Christmas

Christmas has arrived!! We have been looking forward to Christmas for months....we just love this holiday in our house.  I worked on Christmas Eve while my fam enjoyed the seasonal festivities of cooking, eating, and family time.  Working certainly didn't stop me from racing over to be apart of the fun, as soon as I could. 

Christmas morning....ohh what a delight!  Landon slept in, as Scot and I drank coffee, with the fireplace crackling, and Christmas music playing.  Relaxing, to say the least. Landon woke eager to see if Santa indeed had arrived.  Inspecting the remaining cookie crumbles on Santa's plate, Landon was ecstatic to find all his gifts.....near the cookie plate, outside, and under the tree! Santa brought Landon exactly what he asked for....his Woody doll, along with a play house, and the many wonderful gifts from Mama, Dada, and our family!!

 

Thank you to everyone for a beautiful holiday!!  Merry Christmas!

Grandma Anne

There is never a good time to have to say good-bye to a loved one and early this morning Scot's grandma passed away in Wisconsin.  Although I didn't have many opportunities of time with her, I have wonderful memories of Grandma Anne. 

She loved Vodka Gimlets and teased me at Thanksgiving '08 for being a horrible bartender. Her classic east coast accent made you smile and let you know, she was a tough cookie. Scot's and my favorite quote of Grandma, "Can you believe it?  Well, believe it!". She never held back on her thoughts or comments and loves her sons very much!  Grandma Anne We Love You! 

People may pass on, but their memory lives on in our hearts.

For all you do, we thank you!

Scot and I made chocolate covered strawberries and marshmallows, with sinful, high calorie toppings for Landon's teachers, Ms. Ashley and Ms. Carla, the school chef, Ms. Karen, and assistant director, Ms. Trish.  For all you they do for Landon, we needed to show them appreciation and let them know how grateful we are for all their hard work!! 

Sit Down with Santa

Following Landon's party, we kept with the Christmas tradition, of visiting Santa.  Seriously, our child did not need any more toys, but after receiving Buzz Lightyear for his birthday, it was only fitting that he ask for the other half....Woody.  Santa has been a hot topic in our house, discussing who he is, what his job is, and his ETA.  Landon was feeling slightly apprehensive about this strange, white bearded man coming into our house while he is sleeping.  Needless to say, he felt courageous enough to pay him a little visit......and "No, buddy, we aren't going to the North Pole" , we kept having to remind him.  As we got closer and closer to Santa in line, Landon was not too sure about sitting on his lap, as we reassured him, he didn't have to.  The line came to a halt as the family in front of us were checking out.  Landon stood back, taking his time, turned to me and said "May I sit right here?" pointing to about a foot in front of Santa.  "Of course you can, bud", I told him.  Landon sat down in front of Santa and had a little chat with him!

Party Time!!

Saturday arrived and our park planned party needed to be revamped. It was still raining that morning and the park would be a toddler's parent nightmare, with the mud, puddles, and soaking playground. The outdoor theme quickly had to be indoors. Several phone calls and a QUICK set up of our house later, we were on track with the party. This year's birthday, Lan completely understood what was going on, friends, balloons, cake, and presents. He had been talking about his birthday party for weeks and his spirits were so high as he saw the prep work underway. This year's theme.....Fire Trucks, of course!!

 

The firemen of Station 56 surprised Landon and all his friends with a visit to our house!!  I don't know who was more excited, the kids or their parents.  The firemen was so inviting to let Landon and his friends play in their truck, trying on the gear, and the birthday boy got to start the engine and turn on the lights.  Each sliding door was opened to reveal all the gadgets and lessons on fire emergency protocols were being taught to each kid inquiring.  Landon got a special talk from Fireman Joe on how to become a firefighter when he grows up. He listened so intently, soaking up the tips!!  We passed around food and cake pops to the firefighters, who waved goodbye, and sounded the sirens as they departed!!

  

Birthday party fun was not over yet.  The kids smacked around the firetruck pinata until it cracked open with treats!!  Happy Birthday was sung and Landon was quick to ask, "May I open my presents?".  The party was wonderful having a home full of family and friends to celebrate Landon turning 3!!

Celebrating Landon!!!

Our boy is 3!! Landon is 3 as of December 14th, 2010, 8:41 am, and we still can't believe time is blowing by us!! I feel like I blinked and my little baby has become a little man.  Landon is hilarious, his sense of humor reflects ours.  He is quick to make you laugh, learning to play jokes on us.  He enjoys the thrill and adrenaline of being scared and loves to hide and scare us, as well.  Lan is a perfectionist, smart as a whip, intuitive, and observant.  LOVES to be center of attention!  Quick to pass out hugs, kisses, high-fives, knuckles, hand shakes, or a wink.  His manners are unbelievable, with his "nice to meet you", "may I have this", "please", and "thank you"'s.  He is a little adult in a boy's body, asking for "cold coffee"  in the morning and reporting that he is going to school at "Harvard".  He loves animals and his dogs are his best friends, bossing them around or calling them his "fire dogs".  He never met a hose he didn't like, thinking he can put out a fire with it at a moment's notice.  Lando takes his fire trucks and firemen very seriously, calling them "his trucks and men".  He is a charmer, sharer, and has a sensitive soul!  He is 3!!

Scot and I had Tuesday, the 14th off, to have our family celebration time with him, before his party on Saturday.  The little sleepy head woke to find a bundle of balloons, and .......a hamster!!  (He has been talking about wanting one recently).  His tiny hamster, which he quickly named "Wonder Pet", make him giggle when she runs on her wheel. He is not afraid to hold her, loves to open her cage door to talk to her, and give her snacks. The afternoon of his birthday, he was taking his nap with Wonder Pet in his room.  We could hear him on the monitor talking to her saying, "Hamster wake up!  You are my hamster now. I'm going to take a nap.".  We were laughing so hard!!

The birthday boy's second surprise....a visit to the Fire Station.  Fireman Matt toured us around Station 56, showing us all the behind the scenes of being a firefighter.  Landon listened very closely, following around "his fireman". Playing in a firetruck , is Landon's favorite place to be.  He sits in every seat, trying on the gear, turning on the lights, and even carrying the heavy fire hose. The station firemen were quite impressed with his comfort in the truck, were taken back when he shook their hand with a "nice to meet you", and commented that his seriousness for fighting fires, with his 6 foot red hose, at open was surprising.  Station 56 was a blast and we had to pry Landon out of the station!!

Our day was still not at an end.  We headed to paint our Z Family Santa Cookie plate.  Diving into the paints and his artwork, Landon completed the family's masterpiece. 

Standing in the grocery store we asked Landon, "What would you like for your birthday dinner?"  We headed to the seafood counter.  Landon replied "I want crab, lobster, and shrimps!"  The gentleman behind the counter, laughingly stated, "He's like an adult."  "We know", was Scot's and my response!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Angel Baby!!

Chinese medicine or Chinese Torture?

I recently started alternative medicine, Chinese medicine, for my chronic digestive issues.  Second week into my new alternative approach and this is me today.  Following my acupuncture treatment, this afternoon, I received......cupping. For those of you wondering, no, it wasn't painful. The glass cups were applied for approximately 5-10 minutes, until my skin turned a lovely shade of purple.  So, here I am, clearly needing to modify my wardrobe to NOT include strapless or backless attire until my swollen, purple spheres have faded.  I felt so energized and well rested following the treatment.  Next week, acupuncture and cup sliding.....hmmm.

Landon's GORGEOUS face!!

Photos courtesy of my girlfriend, Lindsey of Lindsey Leigh Photography. (Check out her blog)Just a few of the wonderful pics she captured of us for Christmas!!

Zoo Lights

Opening night of Zoo Lights and we had to be there!! This was Landon's 1st visit to zoo lights. The mood was perfectly festive, the air was crisp, and spirits were high.

Landon bolts to the entrance of "his zoo", he possessively names it. Anxious to see "his animals" and wake them up from sleeping so he can have a little visit with them!

Taking Landon on his 1st camel ride (and my 1st ride too). He loved riding "his camel", talking in his ear, and saying "YeeHaa!". Landon was so polite at the finish of his ride, thanking the camel for his fun!