Goodbye NoNo...

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I must report the passing of my grandpa 'NoNo'. He passed away early this morning at St. Mary's in Reno, NV.

We had a lot of really good times together I was able to spend quite a bit of time with him when he would help my Grammie in watching me once a week since I was about three-weeks old.

My middle name is Donald in honor of both him and my daddy's grandpa Donald. Two of the most fantastic men you could ever wish to meet.

I know that I may not really remember much about my NoNo as I get older and all the time we spent together, or how he used to dance for me when I would get cranky and sing oldies to me and suddenly I would be all smiles. I may never be told completely how proud he was of a sweatshirt I gave him the Christmas I was born that said 'World's Greatest Grandpa" and how he wore it everyday the first couple months of my life. I may not remember how nursery rhymes never seemed the same when he sang them because all the words were different, or how he would secretly call my mommy to make sure she called my Grammie and asked them to babysit that week.

The stories may change and the details will become fuzzy, but there will never be a time when my family will let me forget how much he loved me.

Goodbye NoNo I know you are in a better place and even if I can't see you I know you will always be with me and my family.

Grandma's Surprise 50th Birthday Party!!!

I was part of big surprise today. My Grandma turns 50 tomorrow and tonight my Grandpa threw her a surprise birthday party! I was part of the surprise because my Grandpa needed a way to make sure my Grandma wouldn't head to Reno and be gone the whole day...you guessed it...Mommy and Daddy, were asked by Grandpa to call Grandma and see if I could spend the night on Friday! I'm the key to making sure everyone's day is a little less flexible.

Well, my parents arrived around 3:00 and then Grandpa called to say he had shot the best golf game of his life at Empire Ranch (where they live) and we should come over to the country club and celebrate. With that said we all packed over and when we walked in about 75 people yelled 'Surprise!' My Grandma cried. We enjoyed some good food and cake (my favorite) and heard many stories about my Grandma. I played with Hannah and Jack most of the night and got crazy with balloons and table clothes. The party turned out fantastic and my Grandma cleared some good loot!

Happy 50th Birthday Grandma! Here's to 50 more!!!!

I'm walking....Yes indeed!!!

3...2...1...Happy New Year!!!!

From our family to yours best wishes for a happy and healthy 2007!

Our family couldn't join in the festivities this year because of my teething. I have been pretty darn miserable this weekend, but I think I have about three new teeth for the new year.

I'm tucked in my crib right now, snuggling with my Mr. Monkey and duckie blanket...I have a strict 8:00 bedtime, but my mommy and daddy stayed up to welcome in the new year, and drink champagne!
Stinks to be them. Not only do I have a strict bedtime, but I will be up by 7:00 in the morning...get to bed you two!!!

Happy New Year everyone...

Planting a Mighty Oak Tree

Today, my mommy and daddy helped me plant an Oak Tree. You may remember back in September in my music class we sang a song about Fall arriving and the mighty Oak Tree. My music teachers passed out two acorns with instructions on how to grow the might Oak tree.

Well, this is when we are suppose to plant it, so my mommy and daddy took me out today in the warm afternoon sunshine and helped me plant what I hope will become a 'Mighty Oak' tree. I planted both acorns in one pot and if anything is going to happen we will know in about six weeks. My mommy convinced me that we should plant it in a small pot to leave in the house by a window that gets lots of sun, and if something happens than we will transplant it to a spot of my choice in the backyard in the Spring!

My Great Grandma Joanie also gave me a 'money' tree for my First Birthday that I will need to plant in the yard soon. Both are very exciting to plant around my birthday and the New Year. I hope to watch them grow as much as I do!

Lets hope my 'Mighty Oak Tree' grows...

p.s. I also have another bottom tooth today! I have actually been working on it for a couple of weeks, but my parents noticed the new pearly white today. Yahoo, for my fifth tooth!!!

Birthday Letter From Your Old Man!

Well Jake,

You are one whole year old, and sure to let us know that you are the boss (got that from your old man of course, we just let the women think they are).

Been a crazy year, from Christmas at Saint Mary’s to Christmas in a new house we have all seen you grow up a lot.

Hard to believe you have gone from not even being able to hold your head up to now learning to walk, playing your snowman (over and over) and eating real food, all in just one year.

Looking forward to what you will be able to do next year at this time.

Merry 2nd Xmas and Happy 1st Birthday Kiddo

Love, Dad (AKA the guy who always says NO or DADADADADA)

My Second Christmas Celebration!

T'was the night before Christmas

And all through the house

Nothing was stirring

Not even a mouse.

Mom was in labor at St. Mary's

Where she hoped my arrival would

be Christmas Eve,

But as you well know the night quickly past,

And I made my grand entrance as Santa passed out the last of his stash....

Seems sort of weird but that is how I celebrated my first Christmas. I'm only 1 year old, but I celebrated my second Christmas today. It was fun! I sort of figured out how to unwrap presents and I got a great loot! I received a baby backpack (Mets of course), super soft holiday jammies, books, money for college, toys, more toys, clothes, more clothes, oh, and did I mention toys?

My parents and I had almost the entire family over for Christmas Eve dinner. It was really fun to hang out with everyone! I showed off my walking skills and my mad dancing skills. It was really a good time...

I'm such a lucky little guy and I love my family very much for always thinking of me and making all my days, not just Christmas, special!