And... We're Back

Well... Here we are in La Jolla, California. It's been almost 6 months since our last post. It really is true that the second child just doesn't get as much blog time as the first. Sorry Claire.

We have left San Francisco (it's still too fresh, can't speak of it) and are settling into life in La Jolla. We have been in our house for about 3 weeks. It's super cute, although a little cluttered - still unpacking. 

Instead of recent pictures - I'm adding these two cute shots that Aunt Joie took of Aunt Suz's wedding in March! So cute. What a different 6 months makes - Luke was at least 40% better at being a ring bearer than he was at Uncle Mike's wedding in Chico. At least he didn't throw off his hat while walking up the isle, try to climb under the bride's dress and then scream "Don't touch me, Your hurting me" when being removed from the bride/groom while they were saying their vows.  Again - 6 months makes all the difference.

Claire was super cute. Dad did a good job dressing her and she got high marks for just being so damn cute all day.

Now that everyone is married off... as Luke said that day as we were all partying, "Aunt B, when are you getting married?" As I wash bottles, prepare for tomorrow's lunch, and get ready for bed knowing I will be woken up by one of my two little nuggets - I say to Aunt B, "Take your time, hun."

Claire at 3 1/2 Months

More Photos

More photos - this one is for you Lech.
xo

More Pictures of Pangoneo

So - Claire's belly name was "Panga" after a surf spot in Nicaragua that she visited when first just a little seed in the belly.

During her belly time, Luke watched a fun little movie called "Gnomeo and Juliet". Now - when he is filled with good spirits and love with is sister, she is called "Pangoneo".

More pictures to share.

New Addition and Back to Blogging

Wow - we have been lazy bloggers over here at the Beverage Casa. It has not been for lack of things to talk about.

Here is a picture of what has been going on. Little nugget, Claire Frances Beverage, arrived on our door step in September.

Three and a half months later - we can't believe how time flies.


Looking forward to keep you posted as we move forward in the world.

Luke Reads Bagel

Luke is loving himself some Bagel's Lucky Hat.

http://www.youtube.com/user/jennboydbev

Denver

Our little man is never very far from his favorite pet and role model - the monkey.

On a recent trip to Colorado we spent a few days in Breckenridge to witness two lovely people tie the knot.

We dragged the bean along even though he would have rather stayed home. Once there, of course he loved it and was able to party with some SF friends (late nights with milk, animal crackers, and nyla's dvd collection), hike up big mountains (on mom's back of course), and meet the local wild life (who can pass up an old mountain man with a wolf and a donkey?).












In addition to the mountains, we had two fabulous days with friends in Denver. The bean loved playing with his Denver BFF... zoo time and pool time, breakfast at the airfield, and a great time in general.

Summer's Begun

So summer is here and the bean has been a busy, busy boy.

We spend lots of time near water here in hottest place on earth. Fountains are little man's first choice, puddles after the rain are a close second, and pools are third. Although with swim lessons starting up soon hopefully pools will overtake puddles.





We've been doing a bit of traveling as well. We had a roadie diaper change at Ocean Beach last month when visiting the city we miss and are happy to get back to in September.








The visit was too short but the bean decided to give us the slip and hang out in the trunk for a bit. This little stunt was a precursor to the resent "look mom, I can climb out of my crib" stunt of last week. Boo.

We also had a chance to hang in so cal for B's big graduation. Grandma and grandpa got a good work out taking care of the little guy. I'm sure they are even more ready for retirement now. The bean also got some quality LA time with his musical side of the family, great grandma and lots of play dates too. Lots of fun.

We've been bad with pictures as of late - but I'll get better soon.

Mexico Fun

We were lucky enough to spend 5 days in Mexico with some framily (friends that are practically family). We were all there to watch two super cool kids get hitched. It was fabulous and provided the bean with lots of time with his new favorite thing... "wha wha". Yes - whether it's in the ocean, a wave, a pool, the bath, a puddle on the ground, or a picture of a fish, penguin or anything that lives in water... our little guy loves it.

Puppy Love

Is it March already?

Oh how time flies.
We have been too busy to keep up -- so so sorry grandma/pa, nana and grandpop.
Here are some fun moments from the past few months. Stay tuned for a video to be posted shortly...super cute.




The Beverage Boys at Austin Botanical Gardens















Little man with Mom and Dad hiking at Hamilton Pool.







Really getting into the Texas spirit...loving Mom's boots!

Christmas '08 • Big Bend, TX

Happy Holidays from the BeanSpot! We just returned from a 5 day road trip in southwest Texas. Wow...1300+ miles later we arrived home dusty and happy for our own beds but what a good time we had.

We began in Marfa, Texas were we spent Christmas Eve at a fabulous old hotel. Although it was very quite and mostly closed due to the holiday, we were able to talk a little walk around this one-horse town and look in the windows of some of the galleries for which the town is known.




Then onto Big Bend National Park where we had two nights camping for the first time with the bean. At 15 months old, we had no idea what would happen. Were we crazy to try it?

Of course not.
The little man was fabulous. He had a great time exploring our camp site and chilllin' with the trees. Playing with mom and sleeping in the tent.





He even hiked 6+ miles up a mountain top - just to see what he could see.
What a bean!




























We hope you're holiday with family and friends was full of festivities and we wish you all joy and health in the New Year!

Trail of Lights

Austin has been fabulous in December '08.
We were able to watch the leaves fall, take some great hikes and visit the Trail of Lights - a 1.5 mile loop in Zilker Park. Thankfully it is only a little walk from our house so a group of us headed over in mid-December for a night under the lights. The bean didn't quite know what to make of it and ... I think ... was mesmerized by it all.

Monkey Love

I knew it would happen one day. The Bean would find his soul mate, his true love.

For some wee ones this first love is a pacifier or a blanket or a little animal. The Bean digs his paci still, but only at nap time and really could take it or leave it. He's a sucker for a soft blanket, sometimes 3 --- two small square ones that he clutches or puts over his head and one for his little arms and legs. He even had a rather intense infatuation with a 1/2 plush, 1/2 plastic teether toy named Blizzard the Wolf. Oh...but all those flings are nothing in comparison to the love he has for his new Monkey.

The Bean first knew there was something special about Monkey when he saw a little stuffed toy at his friend's house. He would even try to take other kid's monkey toys if they were not paying attention or holding on tight enough.

Oh the joy...now that the Bean has his own Monkey to love!

Bean Birthday Glamor shots!

Oh how delightful this little man is!

Dressed in his Einstein b-day suit --- because he's just that smart --- the bean enjoyed a fun and fabulous day with family and friends. He cruised around, ripped open a few gifts, and had his first taste of sugar (aka - baby crack). So what if he didn't make his nap --- it was a great time!

He missed his grandparents but will see them very very soon!

The Bean's Birthday Bash

September was birthday month for the Bean!

Lots happened this month...
- we moved, again!
- the Bean starts to walk
- visitors arrived for the bean's big day
- Oh ... and he's now 1 year old!

Auntie/Uncle Visit the Bean

Aunt J and Uncle B had a Texas visit in August!
Oh joy!

The Bean loved family time...
and did not let auntie and uncle sleep in too much!

Bean in LaLa Land

The Bean had a fabulous time in LA this past weekend!
He had his first overnight with the best auntie, uncle and cousins a wee boy could ask for! We found out a few things this weekend...
1. The bean is a tool user, preferred tool = spoon
2. Cousin Z is the baby whisperer and his effects on the bean are amazing
3. Cousin M will - some day - teach the bean how to kick a** in Halo
4. Auntie and Uncle are not the young bucks they used to be and it is safe to say the bean rocked their world.
I hope you are all sleeping more soundly now that the early riser has left. We look forward to making this an annual thing!

Texas BBQ

The Bean tries Bar-B-Que....

We think he likes it!

Say Peaches!

Ah the donut peach!

Now that we have discovered it, there is no turning back! 

The Bean wishes you all a happy July and requests that you get thee to a grocer and try this delightful, handy, perfect-teether-shaped fruit!