Happy Holidays!

2010 has been a great year for the Zunigas.
We have enjoyed watching Jorgito transform from a baby taking his first steps at the beginning of the year into a boy who is jumping off the couches and dancing to reggaton music. It is amazing how he has developed into a little person this year with a personality all his own.

Jorge is in his last year of completing his PhD at UNL in Exercise Science and I am still working part time at the NE State Foster Care Review Board. While I'm at work Jorgito gets to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa Fountain. He keeps them very active with his long walks down to their pond and lots of play time on his level :)When Jorge isn't teaching classes, taking classes or studying for classes he keeps busy with his endurance sports. He did the Lincoln half marathon as well as a half Iron Man triathlon in KS this Spring. He also did several other smaller races in and around Lincoln/Omaha. Before the weather turned cold Jorgito accompanied Jorge on some of his training sessions on the MoPac Trail in his running stroller. I'm sure Jorge has dreams of his son becoming an Iron Man some day.....however I am leaning more towards him becoming an Iron Chef! There isn't much I do around the house or anywhere for that matter without my little shadow "helping" me out and the kitchen is no exception. He gets on his kitchen helper which is basically a safety step stool/platform and helps me with everything from peeling potatoes to rubbing herbs into chicken breast. We have a lot of fun in the kitchen, and with the recent addition of his molars (finally) he is now enjoying fruits of his labor.

The highlight of our year was our travels first to Disney World then to Chile. Jorge had a conference in Orlando so Jorgito, my mom and I tagged along since he was staying right in the Disney World Resort. Before Disney Jorgito didn't even know who Mickey Mouse was and now I think it's fair to say he is borderline obsessed him. We also got to spend almost 3 weeks in Chile with Jorge's family at the beach. This was Jorge's family's first time meeting Jorgito so needless to say they were uber excited & happy and Jorgito was spoiled rotten. :)

As you can see Jorgito is very excited about Christmas this year!

Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy, healthy and blessed 2011.

Love,

Jessie, Jorge & Jorgito Zuniga

State Park Birthday

In the recent years we have started celebrating my dad's birthday by sharing a cabin for the weekend at Mahoney State Park.

My family: Jorge, me, my dad Larry holding Jorgito, my mom Deb, brother Tyler and his girlfriend Jamie

We arrived on Friday evening to climb the tower, play in the park and see the beautiful sunset...unfortunately that was the last enjoyable moment outside as the wind and snow held us inside the rest of the weekend.

The second floor of the cabin is a large open room where we relaxed and played games.

Art Time: Jorgito is sharing his crayons with us.

Uncle Tyler is helping Jorgito with this punching bag.

Yep those are mickey mouse ears we are sporting. Jorgito is pretty much obsessed with Mickey right now so my mom bought some MMouse birthday party favors to help us celebrate.

Happy 62nd birthday Grandpa Larry, now make a wish and let me help you blow out these candles so we can eat this cake already :)

Friends and Fall

I have been exceptionally bad at keeping up this blog lately so for the sake of catching up I have decided to show you some highlights of our fall.

We helped our friend Abby celebrate her birthday

We are no longer shy of Joel

My friend Amanda and her four kids moved to Waverly from Iowa to be closer to her family almost a year ago....this is our first time together without our kids :) We are celebrating our birthday (both of us born 7/22/80) 5 months late at a fine Tea House in Lincoln.

Jorgito and I went to Winter weekend at the Lincoln Zoo. You could walk around and discover which animals can live outside through the NE in the winter.....it was pretty much just this thing and the reindeer.

but all the bugs were alive and well indoors where we found this giant cockroach from Madagascar. Jorgito was fine until it started making it's way upwards.

And of course the highlight (and only reason people go) at Winter weekend at the Zoo was Santa. I fully understand why the Lincoln Zoo is closed during the winter.

Jorgito his best buddy Tucker in are ready for Christmas!

First Snow

Jorgito had to try out his new moon boots in the fresh blanket of powder.

We had to bring the fire truck inside since it doesn't have 4x4 to power through the snow.

Halloween

I was a lion tamer and I had two lions named Jorge. Yes that is a ring of fire made from a hula hoop and red duct tape.

Little lion was more interested in riding his fire truck than jumping through the ring of fire.

Roar!

Jorgito's BFF hosted a Halloween Party

Jorgito and Isabella manned the treat stash

Jorgito and his 2nd cousin Tucker went to Boo at the Zoo

No trip to the Zoo is complete without a ride on the train.

On Halloween evening we went to Waverly to trick or treat with the Bogle Bultman crew.

Jorgito caught on to trick or treating right away

Jorgito was pretty pooped after walking all over Waverly with his buddies so he enjoyed his stash in a wagon ride home.

Sebastian and Sarah

My friend Sarah and her son Sebastian came to NE for a fall visit. Sarah and I were roommates and played basketball together at Peru State College. Sarah is a traveling physical therapist and has lived on both coasts but something keeps calling her back to the Good Life....at least for long weekend visits.

Jorgito and Sebastian became good friends. Here they are sitting on a giant pumpkin.
Picking apples

Playing at the pond

Nature walks

Bath time

Getting ready for the Omaha Zoo. Grandma Deb brought back these cool monkey hats from her recent vacation to Mexico.

2 little monkeys check out a big monkey

Hanging out in PJs...NOT sleeping!!!

LAUGHTER!!!

This is more of an audio than a video but it really captures Jorgito's present laugh!!! My mom says he laughs just like I did when I was his age. They called me a niny goat.

Finger Painting

Mom I got paint on my hands...

Whoaaaa this feels weird....

Ok the creative juices are going...I'm in the flow

All done! Hang this baby on the fridge :)

Jorge's 31st Birthday

Every year for Jorge's birthday I make Chilean Empanadas. (kind of like a runza) They are a lot of work so he only gets them once a year....twice if he's lucky :)

The process started at 9:30am! I didn't get out of the kitchen until the party started at 5pm. Luckily Jorgito was playing at grandma's all day.

Jorgito gave the empanadas two thumbs up!

As did the two Chileans Joel and Jorge. Also fans 1/2 Chileans Katie, Ellie and Jorgito. Not sure what the Gringa in the pink shirt is doing in this photo ;)

Jorgito helped Papa blow out his candles on the manjar cake.

After the sun went down it got a little CHILE......

But no party is complete without a fire work display.

Willie from Chile

Jorge's best friend Willie from Chile spent a week with us after coming to the states for a work conference/training in Minnesota.

Welcome to Nebraska :)

Willie rode the bike as Jorge ran

Jorge showed off his master grilling skills

We had a little backyard BBQ to introduce Willie to some friends

I love how Andrea always smiles at the camera while everyone else pretends not to see me :)

No tourist trip to NE is complete with out a trip to the Omaha Zoo

Skyfari

Jorge informed me that this was the LAST time we took Jorgito on the Skyfari as there are no seat belts or safety precautions what so ever other than this bar....and the thing goes directly over the cheetah's home. I'm pretty sure Jorge could out run them but Jorgito and I would be lunch.

The Jungle

Jorge, Jorgito and Willie

The aquarium (Jorgito's favorite)

Jorgito spotted a shark

Famous Daves

We had a wonderful week with Willie from Chile!!! Jorgito absolutely loves him!!!