Big Brother, Little Brother

We wanted to capture our boys when one was truly little and one big because one day they will both be big...a day that will come all too soon. We took these at our favorite park just down the street from where we live. Enzo can't wait for Marco to be big enough to show him "his park". Someday soon they will both be running around, climbing, swinging and sliding down the twisty slides together...big brother and little brother.

First Day of School

All ready to go to his first day of school!!

Posing for a picture with Marco!

A pic with Mommy...

...and one with Daddy too!!

Enzo making his name tag.

The finished product!!

Enzo was very excited to start the school year again!! We decided to do another year of Pre-K since he would've been on the young side. He was super happy to get to have another year with Teacher Lori and some of his best buddies who are also staying for another year!! We just love his school and secretly I am glad for another year of preschool...he is growing up way too fast!! Looking forward to all the adventure, fun and friendships

the year has to bring!!

Welcome Baby Marco!!

Here he is right after he was born...just don't mind me!!

On August 13, 2011 at 1:55 p.m. we welcomed our newest member of the family...Marco Alessandro, named after my Dad, Mark!! He was 9lbs. 5 oz. and 21 inches long!! He surprised us by coming almost 3 weeks early but we have managed to get all settled in and are loving our family time together!! We were very lucky to have Grandma fly in the very next day and help us!! Enzo was so excited to have her here and she of course was thrilled to spend time with him and to meet her new grandson!! Grandma was a huge help!!! We never would've made it without her!! Thank you, Mom!!!! Here are a few pics of Marco!

Big Brother Enzo meeting Marco for the first time!!

Enzo's BIG News!!!

Well as most everyone who reads this already knows his big news I thought we'd announce it on here anyway!!

Enzo is going to be a BIG brother in late August!!!

We couldn't be more excited with the news of expanding our family and were overjoyed when we found out!! Our smart little guy figured it out on his own too!! He had overheard Francesco and I discussing some things having to do with a baby and also I had been really sick and in bed for the better part of 2 months watching T.V. and reading. Of course a popular program for me to watch was A Baby Story to help remind me of what to expect again!! He told me one day out of the blue that "I hope the baby in your tummy is a baby brother!" I was shocked and asked him if someone had told him and he said "No I just figured it out. You are always watching that baby show." I started to laugh and told him nothing gets by him at all!!

Lemos Farm Field Trip

We had a really fun day on a field trip with Enzo's Pre-K class!! The kids rode ponies, took a train through a haunted ghost town, went in a haunted house, fed animals and had fun in the bounce houses! After we took our class picture each kid got to choose a pumpkin to take home. Great day of making memories!!

Happy Father's Day!!!

We hope that all the Daddies out there have a wonderful day!! We appreciate all that you are and love you so much!! To our Grandfathers who are no longer with us...we miss you dearly but the wonderful memories of you live on! Enjoy the day :)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

SNOW MUCH FUN !!!!

Enzo has had so much fun playing in the snow!! He asked Zia Cassandra to build him a snowman. He was so happy to have his very own!! Nonna and Nonno's next door neighbors Amy and Tom gave him a saucer which he has had soooo much fun with!! He has been sledding down the driveway...his favorite is going backwards!! Will post more pics soon and videos as well.

Teddy Bear Picnic

Enzo's Preschool class had a Teddy Bear Picnic!! It was a fun day filled with decorating bear shaped cookies, introducing their bears to the class, a picnic with bear shaped sandwiches and an afternoon of fun games!! Everyone had a good time!!

Bowling!!

Happy New Year!!!

Francesco, Jen and Enzo wish all our family and friends a very Happy 2010!! We hope the New Year brings everyone much joy, happiness and good luck!! We love you all and hope we get to see everyone within the year!!

Farewell to 2009!

This year has been a busy one...but full of wonderful memories!! Enzo grew by leaps and bounds...taller and wiser!! He is such a big boy now!! Of course we as parents would love to slow it down a bit but that is how it goes and it brings us great pleasure to watch him!! With each new word, sentence or action we are amazed at all he soaks up and remembers!! He says really big words and they are used in correct context! He also is able to do so much by himself, which is what he prefers anyway!! Sometimes he even puts himself down to nap...those days are great!! We definitely have had a great year to reflect on...lots of great family time and fun adventures with some twists and turns for sure!! Of course my parents moving was definitely a tough twist but we are happy for them and look forward to our visits with them in 2010! As everyone does we also had our challenges juggling work, home and family but somehow we made it work and we all love eachother very much!! We would be nowhere without eachother's support and love...I have to say the 2 men I share my home with are the best ever and I just love them with every bit of my heart!! Another great year under our belt...can't wait to see what 2010 has in store for us...

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to all!! We wish everyone a wonderful Christmas!! The three of us went down to Auntie Kimmy and Uncle Juan's home. We had really good day! We woke up and the boys opened their stockings and tons of presents!! They were so happy! The smile on their faces was priceless! Baby Gabriel had his first Christmas and Enzo was more than happy to show him how to open presents!! I will post the pics soon!! We send our love to everyone!!

Update: Here are a few of the pics from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...

Enzo and Gabe on Christmas Eve. Aren't they sooo cute in their matching outfits?!!

Analise, Gabe and Enzo. They were so cute together!!

Christmas Eve at the Barraza home.

Kimmy and I with our 2 boys!!

Christmas morning opening presents...he got soooo much and loved it all!!

We tried to get them both to look at the same time...impossible with a baby and a toddler!!

Enzo's Little Tree!

He really wanted a tree this year so we got him his very own and he decorated it all by himself!! There are ornaments that he made at preschool and daycare on it as well. It made him very happy to have his own tree!

HO HO HO

Tonight we went to visit Santa! Enzo has been excited all day! He told him that he really would like Mickey's Magic Choo- Choo and he told Santa he has been a good boy! We also took our huge donation of toys to the Toys for Tots drop-off. The firemen there collecting them were so happy to get so many toys! They told Enzo how nice and thoughtful that was to collect toys for other children at his birthday party instead of getting them for himself. (He got plenty from family and friends!) He was so proud of himself and even helped fill up the bin! It was a great feeling to help others, especially with so many struggling right now.

Lighted Boat Parade In Santa Cruz

Enzo and Grandma. He has a green flashlight that Papa gave him which he loved!

On our last weekend at Grandma and Papa's house in Aptos we took Enzo to the harbor for the lighted boat parade. It was so pretty and festive! Even the boats not in the parade decorated with lights. Afterward we went to eat at one of our favorites-Carpo's. Will I ever miss that place! It was a great way to kick off the holidays and a nice memory with Grandma and Papa. The next day we said our " 'til we see you next time" because goodbye was too hard. We will really miss going there as much as we did. But can't wait to visit their new home! We are literally counting the days until we visit them!