I have been sick for an entire week, and I'm so good at sharing, that now Derek has it. Last night I was up with him for several hours because he stated he couldn't breathe (through his nose). What a wonderful evening of bonding! Here are a few recent pictures. ENJOY!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Derek and I decided to take up ice skating this winter. What do you think? Pretty good, huh!!! Ric wasn't into it, so he wanted to ski. What a pro!

I didn't want yesterday to end. I kept telling Derek, "Today is the last day you'll be three." Four, just sounds so old to me... Whenever someone asked how old he was, he would state, "I am three. My birthday is January 13, 2006! I will be four." Now he is four, and I'm feeling a bit sad. As all parents say, "They grow up so fast!" Ric and I cherish each moment we have with our son. Happy Birthday, Derek!!! We love and adore you.

Today we had a lovely day celebrating Derek. When I got home, we opened gifts from Grandma and Grandpa, then did the Five Mile Drive. After, we headed to Eric's work to have lunch. It was wonderful spending time with Uncle Eric! Next, we went to Green Towers for a little bit (actually a lot) of indoor miniature golf . Derek and Ric played 51 holes. We thought he would only do about 3 holes... We were sure wrong. Later on, we went to Build-A-Bear where Derek made his first stuffed bear and placed a tiny heart inside. Lastly, Derek opened gifts from Mema and us. What a very special day!

Ladies and Gentlemen, we would like to introduce to you the newest arrival to our cousins, Jakob William Eric Sawaya. He was born on January 7 and weighed in at 7 lbs. He has such a cute face with the blondest hair I've ever seen on a baby. Derek and I got to meet him today, while Ric met him the day after he was born in the hospital. Here are a few pictures! Isn't he a doll?




Also, today Ric, Derek, and I went to Owen Beach and caught about 30 to 40 jelly fish. We actually held them!!! In the video, the entire cup is filled with jelly fish and the water has been dumped out. Therefore, the cup is entirely filled with them. So Fun!

Because Derek loves to stay up until 1:00 AM. Ric and I have him do "heavy work" to tire him out. On this particular day, he was able to get a work-out as he used his muscles to push us across a play toy. It took him about 15 minutes to do it, and he never gave up! 300 lbs is quite a heavy load.

Derek's great grandfather's funeral was on Tuesday, January 5. Many were there to say their goodbyes. May you RIP, Opa.

What a trip! Highlights: WALL-E, hand dryers at a rest stop, Zamora, 4 star hotel, cookies, blue and green candles, chasing a rooster and waves, half a zoo, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins, oh my, candy smiles, goo, Christmas, fried turkey, first bike, Opapa in our hearts forever, feathers of a pelican, wine tasting, sand crab, beach, snow ball fight, long journey, and finally, safe at home.