Zoo Lights

Each year the Denver Zoo sets up a special lighting display for the holidays! I been so excited to share the tradition with Zack. He loves all holiday lights so I had no doubt he would enjoy it. The weather forecast for Sunday evening looked the most promising (40 degrees dropping to 35 by 7 pm or so) so we bundled up and headed out. Our friends Heather, Brandon and JD Oss joined us for the fun.

He LOVED it!! The whole night he was saying "lights, lights, lights!!"

Most of the evening was spent chasing Zack from one display to the next.

We did manage to get him to sit still for one picture but only because he was mesmerized by the gecko.

The light tunnels were a big hit with the boys! JD (left, with mom, Heather) and Zack, with Dad.




Zack was constantly trying to get into everyone pictures.
Here he is posing with nice young lady.
Dad says it's a good way to meet chicks...
But I think it was more about the lights than the ladies....
At least for a few more years! (Crossing fingers.)

The train lit up was also quite the hit...Zack is one distracted by lights!

Brandon, JD, and Heather

It was really hard for both of the boys to stay out of the displays but they tried!
One solution was letting them play with the ropes that were suppose to keep them out.

JD is 14 months older and Zack had a blast copying him all night!

Happy Holiday's!

Happy Holiday's from the Gallego's!

It was impossible to get Zack to sit still for a second...

And when he was still for one second,
he was still being a goof!
Certainly is different than last year!

Making cookies!

This year Zack helped me bake cookies for Albert's company's cookie contest!

Of course, Zack picked the snowman cookie cutter.

He thought it was so fun to cut out the shapes, although,
they weren't the prettiest cookies,

but after Zack taste tested a few,

he decided that taste is all the matters, these were yummy!

He also dicovered the little sprinkle balls,

which are kinda hard to get out of jar,

but turns out they are tasty too!

Our cookies turned out pretty good, but Zack slept during contest so we didn't get to officially enter but heard we did pretty good job and might have won!!

Snowman otherwise know as "Nay, Nay's"

This past weekend we built a Z size snowman. Zack absolutely loves snowmen. He can say "snow" and even "snowman" just fine but for some reason he calls them "Nay Nay's". We have no idea where it came from but he is very clear about what he is saying. We stayed outside as long as we could, but a storm was coming and Zack's hand were bright red.

(He won't wear either of his mittens.)

Christmas tree 2008

This past weekend my sunglass clad dudes and I headed out to get our Christmas tree.

We were going to go to a tree farm and get a "living tree" so we could plant in yard after the holiday's but teething has really messed up nap time so we opted to just go to Loews's and look at cut tree. Zack checked out the selection, but ended up loving a fake one with a ton of lights. Is even more environmentally friendly so we bought it. I have never had a fake tree but we live in a different world now and it is pre-lit! Huge time saver!

Zack showed some concern about the tree fitting in the back of the truck, but with little creativity it worked out.

Zack and dad put the tree together, but needed to take a little nap before the was up for ornament hanging.


So I started with the high, breakable ones. Then he and dad finished up with Zack friendly ones down low.



He really liked the snowmen...







and the dog-dog ones...













and the candy canes...

Especially once he figured out that they are eatable!








I really love how excited Zack gets every morning to say good morning to tree and turn on the lights. And again at night when he says good night and turns them off. This is a fun age!!

One and half years old!

*Note that pictures are terrible...taken with camera that is being sent out to repair...Too many play dates*

Today Zack turned 18 months! We celebrated with his favorite breakfast, Pancakes! He ate 5 little ones...Yeah!

Unfortunately B-Day's usually include a trip to Dr. but this time was suppose to be ok, since we don't have shots! But it was during Zack's nap time and the Dr. was running behind and Z had to get flu shot. Made for cranky Z.

Having Thomas and apple juice helped a little, until he had to have his shot....




And a lollipop from a nice nurse after always helps. Then we were off to Zack's favorite lunch...Little Anita's for burrito!




Much happier!!
Stats: 20 lbs, 13 oz & 31.5 inches! Growing, Growing, Growing!

An inside snow day!

Yesterday Zack and I headed to the Campbell's to have a play day with them plus Mia. We did lots of fun things since all the naps are short these days. One thing was play in the snow. It was only 12 degrees outside, too cold for the kiddo's, so we brought some outside in!

Each one kid had a spoon and had a blast playing in the snow! They also so had their own take on it...


LT liked the snow balls I made...




While Mia spent at least an hour "cooking" her snow.



And of course, Zack loaded up a dump truck.

And had a little snack. More pictures from the day!

Hoops with LT

Below is a little video of Zack and Landon trying out his new basketball hoop.

Love of dirt

Zack has a new fascination with dirt, or sand, as I was told by a 4 year old at the park today. It's is his new favorite activity, at least when away from his trains and trucks.

It's harder than you would imagine to find some dirt to play in these days, since all the new playgrounds have wood chips instead of sand but there are still a few good ones around.

Here are a few pics of him having a great time in old fashion dirt (sand)!

He needs two shovels lately but is pretty good about sharing if he has to.


Of course he was really excited when two of his favorite things came together. A building by the house was demolished and he got to watch the excavator's from his books, dig in his beloved dirt!

Dad took him over for a short look when it wasn't too dangerous.

Monday at Children's Museum

Monday morning, Zack and I bundled up and headed to Children's Museum to meet Landon for indoor fun.
It's becoming increasingly hard to take pictures of Zack at play. He is never still for more than a moment. He is always running to the next toy, activity etc. Kari will attest to how fast the little guy is...He sometime manages to escape from both of us. Here's the one time I can almost always get a picture, strapped in car seat!

Landon arrived right as we did and the boys were off. These pictures are of the boys in the little garden...planting veggies then picking and throwing them.

Landon really loves this garden, since I am sure it reminds him of his own little basil and lettuce garden at home.
Soon after, Miss Mia arrived and joined in the gardening fun. I really love Monday's when Mia can play with the boys.

This is a rare picture these days...
All the kiddo's in the same frame! (Mia, LT and Z)

Of course, right after Z and LT moved on to play with some of the letter toys. Surprisingly, I was able to get these two in a picture together.
Lately it's been interesting to observe how the same yet different the boys are. Examples of my point;

Zack checks out things for about minute then runs off to find something else to play with or build. While LT will take the time to even climb up to get better look.
(left)
Another difference is Landon seems to be fascinated with how things work. He needs a closer look at how stool is put together, (right) while Zack, of course, has no interest unless he can stack things on it. Of course he has ran of and is no where to be found.

Sofi arrived soon after and was little bored with the museum so we headed to the play ground outside.
Zack showed Sofi the treasure map, (left) before he took off to play on slide and she showed off her monkey skills.

It was really fun morning and treat to play with lots of Zack's friends.