A year in review - Part 1

To prove we were alive for the last year and didn't just live in a hole, here are some highlights of the fun things we did. This is a post in two parts because it just is. Anyone reading this blog should just be impressed that there are as many pictures as there are and that anything was documented at all. We really do love all of our family members and friends who are far away so for those of you who care, here's what we've been up to.

For Spring Break 2009 we went to St. George and did some hiking. We also went to Zion and hiked Angel's landing. Though Gabe and I sat out the last little bit because I had done it and Jon hadn't and making the summit with a baby in a backpack is precarious at best.

Matt, Jon, Gabe and Josh near Angel's landing. Matt and Josh are Ph.D students at the U who are friends of Jon's.

Easter egg hunt at Grandma and Grandpa Balzotti's house. Wish I had more pictures of this fun event. Gabe is just too cute in his little sweater not to share this one.

Last year we spent as much time as possible at my family's ranch because we knew its sale was imminent. In December the sale was finalized. We are still so sad about it. Gabe still asks to go frequently. Unfortunately 52% of the shareholders voted to sell. We will always love the Macfarlane Ranch.

Gabe, ready to go for a hike

Gabe and Dawson

Gabe in front of the Ranch house.

Gabe in front of the Pony Express

Gabe fishing at the pond

Nat and Gabe fishing at the pond

Grace, Gabe and Jon in the canoe on the pond

See part 2 for further proof of our existence.

A year in review - Part 2

Last May I went to Moab for a work trip. We took the girls from the treatment center where I work down to hike and go river rafting. I can't post any pictures of the girls but here are some of my favorite people I was lucky enough to work with who made the trip really fun.

Natalie, Nora, Aimee and Me. Yes that is a fake tattoo on my face. I was trying to bond with teenage girls.

Richard and Aimee being bridges

One of many bocce ball games that usually follow Sunday dinner at the Balzotti's. Gabe, Uncle Chris, Haydon, Aunt Marie and Dawson.

Gabe with the box of Cheerios he poured on our floor. Funny because we have a photo of me when I did the same thing at his age. I'll have to track it down.

Gabe and Natty during a visit last summer sitting on our front porch in their rocking chairs. Gabe's face says it all. I think Nat is his favorite person.

In February I got to go out to Berkeley to visit my sisters. I took Gabe and he got to stay with Shane and Natty while we took my new niece Maud and went to Monterey for a girls trip. It was so great to be with two of my favorite women.

Krista, Elisa and Maud on the beach we were told to evacuate, by about 10 people yelling at us, because of a tsunami warning

All four of us and one of the few photos of me pregnant.

Thanks to a flood, Elisa and Nat and Maud came to Utah around the same time I went to visit them. Nat and Gabe got to build a snowman with BG and Yaya.

So now you're all caught up. I'll try not to go that long again without posting. I promise nothing.

Welcome to the World Little Nico!

Dominic Jonathan Balzotti or Nico, as he is more commonly known, was born April 26, 2010 about a week and a half early. He weighed 7 lbs 13 oz just like Gabe who was a week late, and he was 20 1/2 inches long. An inch shorter than Gabe.

At his 2 month check-up he was 12 lbs 1 oz and 24 inches long. He is growing fast and he is pretty darn cute.

Gabe loves him and often says "Mommy put my baby on my bed so I can hug him." He is also good at reminding me when he is leaving "Mommy take care of my baby okay? Don't forget to give him his binky."


Nico is a very sweet baby and is starting to give us lots of smiles which we haven't really been able to capture yet on camera

Gabe Quotes

A sampling of our daily humor from Gabe

After pouring dirt all over the floor:
Gabe: "But Mom, it my job to make a mess right?"
Mom: "No, but it's your job to clean up the messes you make."
Gabe: "You kidding me Mom? No way. You gotta be kidding me."

Chelsea made Gabe a crown that said "I'm a big brother" when Nico was born.
Gabe's response was "Oh, I'm a princess!"

Mom: "No hitting Gabe."
Gabe: "But Mom, I a bad guy!"

We are in the throes of potty training and one day when he pooped in the toilet I told him we could go on a walk and get a treat. He was very excited and said "First I have to do my dance mom. Don't come over here while I do it. It dangerous." When he finished his dangerous dance we went for a walk. To everyone who we encountered on the walk he said "Hey! I pooped! I going to the store to get a treat!" I think our neighborhood was thoroughly entertained. Several people laughed out loud. Mind you, most of these people were strangers.

First Halloween, First Birthday and Other Assorted Firsts

First Merry-Go-Round

First Halloween

First Birthday

Note how food is more important than presents.

First Cake

First Bath With Natty

This kid has a great arm.

First time raking leaves...well, eating leaves.

First steps toward becoming a tease like his father.

First time using the computer.

Whew. That was exhausting.