Chase-Salerno Family Events

We remember with love Declan’s great grandma Margaret Chase, whose birthday is this week.

Here are some pix of the two of them together from when Declan was one month to 1.5 years old.

Some pix from the past week…..Enjoy!

Enjoying quality time reading a story with Gemma and Papa Salerno

Having fun playing peek-a-boo with buddy Gus

Working hard “shoveling” outside

Hugs from Tante Eileen

Smiley “postal carrier” transports our mail up the driveway back home

For weeks, Declan has been asking to play violin. We promised that he would have a chance to do that with Grandma Chase during our next visit up to Schenectady. It’s a little big, but he was in heaven. Then he made Grandma take a turn. Is this music stuff in the genes, or what?!

First time holding and playing a violin!

After “Lunch and Listen” concert time with Grandma, we visited Great-Grandpa (“Gumpa”) and Declan invented some map game where he would shine Gumpa’s flashlight on a spot and Gumpa would name it.

Just a fun pic to add to the end – Declan and friend Cianan “We’re working hard, mommy!” doing important things with tools and that ever-important ear protection.

Someday soon I will figure out how to upload pictures of our AWESOME new niece, Kai Lian, George and Vanessa’s daughter, so you can all see her. Sorry for the delay – but believe me, she’s worth the wait!!

We’ve had a nice 2006 filled with friends and an AWESOME new addition to the extended family…..Kai Lian Chase, adopted daughter of George and Vanessa! She’s so wonderful, we can’t get enough of her pictures, videos, and e-mail updates. Declan is excited about this new cousin! We can’t wait to meet her in person.

Here are some photos from visits with friends in this new year.

Hitching a ride with buddy Miles

Spending some quality time with baby Norah

Wearing Daddy’s boots

Writing important notes with the carpenter pencil from Daddy

Play-Doh fun with friend Cianan

Taking a yogurt break with Cianan

We began our holiday season with a festive winter solstice celebration with some friends at their farm. After playtime, songs, snack, and a story, we went outside where Declan received some surprise horse kisses!

We ended our gathering with a bonfire – here’s Declan with his buddy Olin trying to “catch” the smoke.

We made our first gingerbread house together – here’s Declan lending a hand to Daddy during assembly.

And here he’s putting on the finishing touches…..after having tried all of the candy personally. You know, quality control and all.
(Shopping for the candy was such a special moment in time, never to be repeated. Declan doesn’t get too much candy around here, so when we were in that aisle at the supermarket, Erica would hand him bag after bag to put in the cart, and he would look at the M&M’s and the Twizzlers quizzically and ask, “That’s candy, mommy?” Sigh. It will never be like this again….)

Here’s a photo of the finished product, with a close-up of the “tree incident.” Being our first gingerbread house and all, we ran into a couple of issues, such as one side breaking because Erica forgot to cut out the window while the cookie was still soft. So it broke. Instead of “caulking” it back together with the icing, Mike suggested we capitalize on it and call it “tree falls on house.” So there it is, complete with rubble, both inside and out. We’re still laughing.

OK, so here it is – a piece of the magic we experienced this Christmas. This one is the first one where Declan started connecting the dots – Jesus, Santa, reindeer, waiting to open gifts, carols, all of it. This photo is from Christmas Eve, where he made cookies and left some for Santa, along with some eggnog and some cut carrots for the reindeer. By the way, whoever thought of promoting the idea that Santa doesn’t come unless you’re sleeping was BRILLIANT! The kid went right to bed. The next morning, he wanted to read some biblical Christmas stories, then asked excitedly, “Did Santa come last night?” He was so delighted to find the snacks had been eaten up and that he could open up his gifts.

We had a special Christmas with Gemma and Papa, and the next day with Grandpa, “Gumpa,” and Cousin Barbara as well. We celebrated “across the miles” with Grandma and Great-Grandma in Florida; Uncle Steven, Aunt Marsha, and cousin Andy in Suwanee, Georgia; Aunt Linda, and cousins Ian and Kyle in Lawrenceville, GA; Great-Aunt Elisa in Ohio; and Uncle George and Auntie Vanessa and their adorable new daughter, COUSIN KAI LIAN, in China!! Yippee!! We’re so excited to meet this newest member of our family.

Declan and some friends, and their moms, had a great time caroling at a local nursing home this week.

This is of Declan “in action” during Jingle Bells.

Here’s the crew taking a break afterwards.

The next day, we enjoyed a visit up to Schenectady. Here’s a shot of Declan looking at his picture on “Gumpa’s” Christmas card.

Declan was also gifted with a “Robot Doggie” from Grandma and Grandpa, which you can see him playing with here.

And, as always, when we visit Gumpa in his apartment, we took some time to shoot a game of pool.

A few things going on around here during the Christmas season.

Declan draws or paints all the time, whenever he can. This is the first recognizable thing (to us) that he does – lollipops!

This is the first of what turned out to be a “series” of snowmen we’ve made so far this week. Mommy is learning that instead of periodically getting rid of old hats, scarves, etc., we’ll be holding onto them for future snowmen or craft projects. (As we began our fourth snowman, our accessory supplies became dangerously low….)

Our little elf helping to decorate the living room.

Having lots of fun with the beautiful snow!

Here’s a picture of Declan really loving life – holding and petting a cat (belongs to buddy Liam). Usually four-legged creatures catch on quickly to Declan’s overly-affectionate ways and steer clear.

Enjoying some sled time in the woods behind our house.

When Mike asked Declan to get dressed to go outside, this is what the results looked like. Mike said that letting him wear that down the driveway fits under the category of “you pick your battles.”

Pulling our fresh-cut Christmas Tree with Daddy.

Starting to decorate it!

Helping Mommy blow out her candles for birthday #36 with baby Norah, Aunt Tracey, and Uncle Jim nearby.

Giving Mommy a big birthday kiss with a special cake at home!

As you can see here, Declan has had a great time “testing out” Aunt Tracey and Uncle Jim’s new toy supply as they make preparations for their new baby (due 2/06).

It’s also homemade hot cocoa season, with marshmallows of course, and this picture conveys some of that sense of toddler bliss.

Happy December!

We had a wonderful week filled with family and friends, and activity…..

With continued home improvements going on in almost every direction, Declan took advantage of a spare 2×4 and Daddy’s carpenter pencil and had some fun.

First watercolors.

Declan can’t get enough of handyman Mr. Scott who is tiling our downstairs shower. He stands right in the doorway with his ear protection and the tile saw doesn’t bother him at all anymore.

Erica had a chance to babysit Norah (5 mos.) this week and we had a great time. A good day of “training” before our own baby arrives in March!

We hosted our first Thanksgiving and enjoyed a joyous day with friends and family, including Declan’s “Gumpa” (great grandpa Chase) – his 94th Thanksgiving holiday – wow!

Part of our Thanksgiving dessert was to celebrate Grandma Chase’s birthday – Declan helped to blow out the candles.

The next day, we spent the morning with toddler friend Jack (2 yrs.) and his mom, Nikki, who moved back to Maryland this summer (dad Al is a translator in Afghanistan with the Nat’l Guard).

Making cookies with Jack.

Best part – eating the cookies!

Sled ride in the season’s first snow.