Snow! (Not here- in Colorado)

Kurt, Dan's bro-in-law, in Colorado, shovels the white stuff off his back porch. Nice time to use the hot tube! Dan and his sister Carolyn actually got locked out of Kurt/Bev's house a couple of years ago and spent the whole night in the hot tub to keep warm- in the middle of a snowy winter. Two summers ago, Dan and I sat on this back porch and our faces felt like they were blistering due to the sun- and the thinner atmosphere. Colorado does have great seasons:-)

Waiting for Santa? No!

You'd think that our little blue Angel was waiting for Santa and his raindeer to pull up to the house, but no- Russell is waiting for the UPS man who brings such nice things from a wonderful place called 'Amazon.com'. The nice man in his brown outfit rings the doorbell and dashes away before we can even get to the door- he'd easily beat Santa in a disappearing act! Mom and Dad love Amazon because they have rock-bottom prices and they can shop while their little boy is asleep in his bed. Merry Christmas! 

Christmas Photo Shoot

On Sunday, we did our photo shoot for the Christmas card. Needless to say, you'll be receiving them a little late this year. I still feel like it is October so we're behind in the scheme of things. Russell has recently started to blow bubbles with his mouth and what results is a very wet shirt. He is quite proud of his talent and will show it to you if you encourage him! We also decided not to decorate the little tree this year since he enjoys playing with it so much and I don't want him to hurt himself on sharp edges. The lights are fiber optic so we don't have to worry about wires, either!

Oldest Lady in the World Dies

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bolden, recognized as the world's oldest person, died early Monday, the administrator of the nursing home where she lived said Monday. She was 116. Bolden was born Aug. 15, 1890.

Family members said she had 40 grandchildren, 75 great-grandchildren, 150 great-great-grandchildren, 220 great-great-great grandchildren and 75 great-great-great-great grandchildren.

How is that for a legacy? Not to mention an old-fashioned Sunday dinner after church!

An Eagle's View

Check out this view from the Blue Angels! The Golden Gate bridge and park can be seen in the background. Our friend, Derrick, sent this picture out to us.

A few 'stolen' pictures from 'Peters' Paridise'!

Ten months old!! He is 29 1/2 inches in length and 19 lbs 14 oz in weight. He eats anything you give him:-) Two months until his first birthday!!

Merry Christmas from California! We love these kind of snowflakes because we don't have to shovel them:-)

Union Square downtown SF. Lots and lots of lights and people!

The Sir Francis Drake Hotel lobby. It was at this hotel that Dan's work Christmas party was hosted.

Happy Birthday bouquet from my parents:-) It is beautiful.

Black Friday- the largest shopping day of the year! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree in this family;-) They review the sale papers together. Russell insists on helping Dad shop for computer parts.

Thanksgiving Day Photo- 2006

Makin' a get away...

Our friend April has been visiting us for the last few days, and we took the opportunity to see Monteray. The weather was a beautiful 70F. Dan had to work but the three of us still decided to go:-) We ate at the Fish Hopper and Russell loved to be out and about.

Russell had a nice time as well. He was so content with the sourdough roll:-)

"Oh, Mom! This is so good!!!"

Enjoying the day together in Monteray!

Fun at the beach.

Russell's new carseat. He loves feeling the soft fabric. He had almost grown out of his other carseat as his head was almost to the top of it.

Russell likes to sit in the box for some reason!?

Dan took Russell with him when he went to vote. Russell marked the boxes, I suppose;-) He was given his own "I voted" sticker. Our local voting location was a neighbor's garage.

Regular practice time

9 Months Old!

I remember when my friend Alysun posted about her daughter, Emmmaleigh, when Emma turned 9 months. It is the only time in life when you are as experience in the outside world as the 'inside' world!

Russell doesn't officially crawl but he gets around. On his tummy, he pushes himself backwards with his arms, and just lately, has pushed himself forward while laying on his back by pushing with his legs. He is standing longer on his legs while holding onto an object but doesn't pull himself up yet.

He has a healthy appetite and eats 4-5 ice-cubed sized meals three times a day. He eats chicken, salmon, brocolli, potatoes with leeks, brussel sprouts, carrots, yams, squash, green beans, peas, kiwi, bananas, apples, pears, and peaches (especially at Emma's house!). If it can be cook and/or pureed, he'll eat it!! We are beginning to work on his pincer movement so he can eat finger foods as well.

Thank-you to everyone who continues to pray for our little boy. We pray daily that someday he will be a godly young man:-)

On Saturday, October 28th, Laura Peter and Kris Goetch were married. I was pleased to be a maid of honor alongside Alysun. Russell and I flew to Portland on Thursday and Dan followed the next day. He took care of Russell so well during the busy weekend and deserves the 'Father of the Year' award. Dan returned to SF on Sunday and Russell and I stayed with Alysun and her family at their home for a few extra days. It was a wonderful weekend, and I can honestly say that the wedding and reception were flawless. That is a first in wedding history!!!

Alysun, Laura, and I, with little Kassy. What an honor to stand next to the bride on this day!

Wedding party L-R: Jeff (groom's brother), Hillary, Laura (bride), Kris (groom), Alysun (maid of honor), Craig (friend of bride), Kassidy & Kyle (niece and nephew of bride).

The beginning of a new life together- the sweet couple.

Cutting the cake- very tasty!

Double trouble for Mom!

Family photo:-) (Socks don't stay on Russell's feet).

Alysun and husband, Jeff, with daughter Emmaleigh. She has seen a lot of cameras in her short lifetime.

Emma and Russell sharing a 'moment' together.

A Day at the Park

Day at the Park

Our neighborhood park

We love our neighborhood park. Russell and I and sometimes Dan take our daily walks here.

If we happen to walk in the mornings, mostly older people are enjoying the time on the track. They are keeping mobile and we even see one older lady doing her yoga- just amazing flexibilty!

If we walk in the afternoons, Russell and I see the field filled with children and teens practicing soccer. The coaches/dads/moms cheer and encourage the teams and I remember that these are the next generation of adults.

If we walk in the early evenings, the park is quiet once again, the sun is setting over the San Andreas hills, and everyone else has gone home. That is when we love the park the most because then it is ours. And we take another lap around!

A tired little boy at the end of a busy day.

8 1/2 months old- Russell loves his giraffe which he cuddles with while he sleeps. Needless to say, the ears and tail are well chewed:-) Russell loves to play with paper and other non-toy items like Dad's computer wires. He is slowly working on crawling but he doesn't like to exude too much energy since Mom and Dad can carry him where he wants to go. Russell loves to smile and makes Redwood City a happier place when he and his mom run errands to Target, Safeway, and the library!

Four Years

Our fourth anniversary was last week. How time has flown! On Thursday evening, Dan and I went out to the Cheesecake Factory in Palo Alto and had a wonderful dinner and dessert. Russell stayed at our friends' house, Anne and Jeff. They are expecting their first baby in November:-)
On Sunday afternoon, we drove up to Nice, CA, and stayed at our friends' timeshare- part of the WorldMark company. We liked the pool and we took nice walks along the lake. We stayed for two nights and came home on Tuesday.

The WorldMark in Nice, CA (on Clear Lake- which wasn't so clear afterall).

Precious times.

Our Gerber baby.

Father and son... (or also known as Big Dan and Little Dan).

What more could a little boy want?

The little rebel!

Maybe next time we could visit a winery:-)

This past weekend, Russell and I went to Portland for lovely Laura's bridal shower. She is getting married at the end of October. Alysun and I hosted the shower on Saturday afternoon and we later went to Red Robin's for dinner- courtesy of Bonnie Ruth (Laura's mom). Russell was thrilled with the helium balloon on his high-chair at the restaurant. On Sunday morning, before our flight home, Laura took us to the Farmer's Market in downtown Portland. There were many fresh flowers and fruit and veggies- too bad I couldn't bring some home with us! We did take a bag of apples, and a bag of grapes, though- thanks once again to the Peter family:-)

Alysun and the spread we prepared. The chocolate cake was so rich and creamy and almost sinful... the bundt cake was lemony and with the fruit and tea, it made for a nice afternoon:-)

Hangin' out at the bridal shower on Saturday. He did so well.

110% Mr. Personality!