Christmas Break 2016

Steve's parents visited over Christmas break this year.  Silas had such a good time playing with them, and I had a lot of free time to get other things done.    They went to the park a couple times, the aquarium, and we all went to dim sum... the dim sum didn't go so well, but Silas seemed to really enjoy having them here.

Family Pictures

This year, we participated in the MOMS Club family photo charity Christmas pictures.  The photographer seemed really good, and got Silas to smile.  The photos turned out OK.  There weren't as many photos as I would have expected to choose from, and there weren't any that we loved.  So we only got the one included picture and didn't buy any extras.

We tried to take some photos at home right after our shoot, but Silas was much more interested in chasing the ball than staying still for photos!

Santa Barbara Vacation

Our second official vacation with Silas, we went to Santa Barbara for a few days before Thanksgiving.  We didn't do a whole lot, but we all had a good time.  We went to the Santa Barbara zoo, saw lots of boats, and went to a few play grounds.

Getting Silas to sleep in the hotel was definitely a challenge.  We didn't use the pack 'n play, but instead got a room with two queen beds.  The first problem was that Silas wanted to bounce and jump on the beds, they are much bouncier than the bed at home!  The second problem was that he doesn't settle down well when I am laying next to him.  The nights weren't too bad, but getting him to nap was tough!  We had a great time, but were definitely ready to come home.

Eating breakfast at the hotel, PB&J was the favorite!

Playing around on the hotel bed

Playing around on the hotel bed

At the zoo!

Watching the elephants

Something interesting at the zoo

Fun with Daddy

Playing Soccer

A found this little set of different balls for Silas.  We walked over to the high school one weekend afternoon, and tried out the soccer ball.  Silas loved it.

Anderson Park, Again

We haven't been for awhile, but we took a recent trip to Anderson park.  I think the last time we went was before Silas was walking, or when he had just barely started, so it was surprising for me to see how well he got around on all the equipment.  He even went in the 'big kid' area and loved the big curly slide.  It's a really nice park, but it's too bad there isn't anything else around the area.

Things have been a little tough for us again lately, but will hopefully be getting better.  We are definitely looking forward to the Christmas holiday and having more family time together.  Silas has been talking so much lately, he is starting to say more and more complete sentences.  He also loves singing and is either asking for us to play him songs or singing his own.  It is adorable!

Pony Time

We've taken Silas a couple times to the Lakewood Equestrian Center.  It's a really cute place!  They have a petting zoo with goats, sheep, chickens, a pig, a cow, and even a llama.  They also have ponies that you can pet through the gate and feed carrots to.  They do have pony rides, but Silas hasn't been interested in doing that... yet.  Maybe after he goes a few more times, he'll be interested to try it.

Pumpkin Patch!

A couple weekends ago we ended up with some free time on a Sunday afternoon and took Silas to a pumpkin patch.  Overall he seemed to enjoy it, some parts of it more than others.  He didn't like riding in the wagon or the giant rocking horse.  He seemed to enjoy the petting zoo, sitting in the boat, and running around the little pumpkin houses they have setup.