Grandma and Grandpa Visit!

We were lucky enough to have a visit from Grandma Lin and Grandpa Joe a few weeks ago.  It is such a far trip from Hawaii.  We know how hard it is for them both to leave their businesses and we appreciate it so much!
On top of their visits, Simon still knows them very well from Skype.  A few weeks before they came, the door on our armoire broke.  I mentioned off-hand that maybe Grandpa could fix it.  Needless to say, Simon did not forget that and he had a whole list of things that Grandpa could fix.  We put him to work on his vacation and we are so thankful for it.
Before they arrived, Grandma and Grandpa sent a huge package for Simon.  We hid to box until they got here because we knew it would be too tempting.  When they arrived, Simon was so excited to open it.  It is a custom made barn by Grandpa Joe.  The craftsmanship is really unbelievable.  The doors open and the windows are actual plexi-glass.  It is labeled "Knight Farms" and there is a special plaque which reads "Made by Grandpa Joe 2012".  Also, Grandma has been busy collecting animals to go inside the barn (in actual pens too!)  There are horses, pigs, sheep, a farmer and his wife and a child plus many more.  Simon's favorite seems to be the black and white cat because it looks like Zoe.  It is such a special gift and we will treasure it always!

Playing soccer with Grandma Lin

Drawing "choo choos" with Grandpa Joe

They even got to see his gymnastics class.  He loves that trampoline

We love you Grandma Lin and Grandpa Joe and are so thankful for everything you do for us!

Monthly Update

Dear Simon,
You just get more sweet, cute, funny, cuddly, loving and grown up every day.  Some of your favorite phrases include, "What's going on?" "What happened?" "Can we go to the park?" "I need to buy some" (whatever item of food you think we need at that moment). "Can we go to the beach?" "The beach is closed" 

You speak in complete sentences these days and it is still surprising to me that we have complete conversations even though it has been happening for some time.
You are obsessed with the leaves falling off the trees.  You often say "The leaves fall of the trees in fall.  Then comes Santa in the winter"

It is becoming more difficult to summarize your favorite phrases because you talk ALL DAY LONG!  Everyone who meets you remarks on how advanced your speech is.  I may be biased, but I think you are the smartest and most handsome boy in the world!

Love,

Mommy

At the Open Streets Festival on State St.

These giant blocks were a real hit!

Joyeux Anniversaire Nonna!

We celebrated Nonna's birthday twice this year.  Once at home with cousin Will and another with dinner at Millenium Park.  We are so lucky to have Nonna in our lives.  She is an unbelievable source of love, help and support to our family.  

Simon loves to look at himself in the bean

He could have run around all day