Hike - take two.

We loaded up the family this past weekend and hit another favorite trail.  San Elijo Lagoon, about 5 minutes from our house winds through some marsh lands to the ocean.  It was a bit hilly at times and a challenge to push the stroller up the hills....well for Brody as I made him do it, but a nice little hike!

View toward East San Diego

View of the Pacific

San Elijo Lagoon

My hiking buddies...I was smart enough to bring the stroller this time.

My best hiking buddy.

My coolest hiking buddy.

My worse hiking buddy, note the muddy paws....someone couldn't stay out of the lagoon.

Good thing Brody was with us....not fun pushing the stroller up the hills!

Happy Trails for real this time :)

Visitors.

We were very lucky to get to visit with my Aunt Barb and Uncle Jim who were in CA for my cousin Marc's basketball team last month.  Marc was busy with practice so we didn't get to see him, but had a great time with Barb and Jim.

They were staying up in LA so we drove and met them halfway in Huntington Beach.  We had a great walk on the pier and very nice lunch.  Jonah was beyond good.  I almost didn't believe it.  He usually does not like strangers (which Barb and Jim unfortunately are to him having only met them once when he was 10 months).  I was preparing myself for a meltdown.  He usually screams and tries to hit people if they get too close to him when he doesn't want them too, so I was all prepared to apologize for his behavior.  I was ready for time-out.  To my HUGE surprise, he didn't seem phased at all.  In fact, he even let Uncle Jim pick him up.  Yes, you heard me right, PICK HIM UP.  It gets even better.  We went to lunch and again, I was expecting Jonah to want to get down from the table and run around, not listen and be his usual toddler self.  To my HUGE surprise again, he sat at the table, colored, looked out the window, and even ate his lunch!!!

Maybe it was something in the air, or I guess he really just liked the DeBoys, but it was a very pleasant day and I was so happy they got to enjoy the side of Jonah that most don't get to see.  I loved hearing from Barb "oh he's so sweet and so good."  I haven't heard that much.  Mostly when we are out I  hear, "fun age isn't it?"

Here are some pictures of the "magical" encounter (maybe overkill on the magic title, but it was pure magic to this tired mom).

Jonah and Uncle Jim, Huntington Beach Pier

If you hold hands with him, you have to do the "one, two, three - wheeee".

This would have been a really cute picture if Jonah's finger wasn't up his nose....

Uncle Jim trying to be artistic with the Pelican on Jonah's head..

Actually sitting in a chair and not screaming.  Progress :), maybe there is hope yet.

Thanks for a great visit DeBoy Family!

Sunday funday.

We had to suffer through another perfect day in Southern California today. 

We could have layed on the couch all day and watched the NFL playoffs.  (Well we did that for most of the morning).

But we decided to get up, put our shoes on, and enjoy the outdoors!

We loaded up our bikes and drove down to Mission Bay.

We were so excited to ride bikes (his new favorite word is bike....)

On our trek, we found a really fun playground and stopped to rest (and play).

Look Mommy, I am driving!  (who is the lazy guy in the back.)

All smiles - which is rare these days with the terrible twos (that started about 6 months ago for us)

I think I am ready to head home now.

Our scenery was so pretty.

Happy Sunday!  Enjoy your week!

Ours is off to a great start!

Puppy Love.

Happy Birthday to my sweet Charlie who turns 6 today!  He's been with us through it all - from CA to HI to VA to FL and back to CA.  He is a very good pup.  He loves to go to the park and the beach.  He LOVES to eat (as you can tell).  He follows his mom around the house.  He constantly begs for food (one main reason he is a fan of mr. jonah).  He Snores loud when he sleeps.  He doesn't play fetch with a ball, but will go crazy for a frisbee.  He was my first baby :)

We love you Charlie!

six years.

Happy 6th Anniversary Brody, it's been nothing short of an adventure.  Love you.

the most wonderful time of the year.

Christmas 2011 is under our belt, along with a couple extra pounds of yummy treats. Compared to our whirlwind couple of months, the Welte's had a rather low key Holiday. I struggled this year with trying to teach Jonah the true meaning of Christmas...I know he is a bit young for that, so maybe I was trying to refresh my memory. It is hard not to get romanced by the ribbons and bows. Christmas as the Grinch finely put it, "means a little bit more".

I think the true meaning of Christmas is hope and of course, love. Although we all have struggles in our lives, we can praise the Lord for our blessings. Count them, they will always outweigh the heartbreak.

I hope you all had a very merry one this year, and may God Bless you beyond your wildest imaginations in 2012.

Here are some snapshots of our San Diego Christmas.....it truely was the most wonderful time of the year.

There were kids jingle belling.  (Jonah awaiting the Holiday Lights Show in Del Mar)

And everyone telling you "Be of good Cheer" (We needed some good cheer waiting in those long lines!)

It's the most wonderful time of the year (Especially in San Diego where Christmas Day was a lovely 70 Degrees)

It's the hap-happiest season of all! (Jonah celebrating Jesus' Birthday with a cupcake on Christmas Eve).

Yes, it's the most wonderful time of the year.

Jonah was spoiled by us, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles and friends.  He was so spoiled in fact that I decided next year to follow a new guideline for Christmas.  (Something to wear, Something to read, Something you want and Something you need).  After all, the focus needs to be off the presents and on the big man upstairs (not the North Pole)....he is after all the reason for the season.

Merry Christmas from Brody, Jessie, Jonah, Charlie and Dakine.