Golden Gate Bridge

Yesterday we took advantage of the break in the rain and again played tourist in San Francisco. This time it was a trip across the Bridge, through Sausalito, and briefly through the Marin headlands. Nate kept asking for the "toll bridge" and didn't like it when the fog obscured the top of the towers.

Bath time!

Nate and Julie enjoying an overdue bath. 

Drove up to the City to see a model train at the Embarcadero Hyatt but they were dismantling it already - fortunately for us as we had a better time riding the glass elevators and grabbing an al fresco lunch at the Ferry Building (Nate and Julie loved the pigeon chasing entertainment). Then we seized the moment and got onto a cable car. Nate was in heaven!

Oranges are a big hit.

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More pics

Christmas day was so exciting! An early morning, of course, so stockings could be emptied and presents opened. What fun for everyone. We headed over to Grandmom Martin's house to see grandmom, assorted Uncles and Aunt Janine and Gracie and Joey and enjoy a great pot roast dinner...and more presents...and more fun for everyone (except for cousin Joe's bump on the head, too much excitement).

Exploratorium

 

Marina bakery

At a Marina bakery for a quick snack. What trip to San Francisco would be complete without some element of food? 

Christmas Eve: Exploratorium

We had Gina's family over for a pancake breakfast, then headed along the coast. The sun broke out and it was almost 70 degrees...absolutely beautiful. The weather was too nice to head back home, so we explored around the Exploratorium to watch diggers and swans, then walked to Chestnut street in the Marina. 

Julie, outside

The shot every Googler parent has, baby with Google paraphanalia. Here's Julie helping out with our outside cleaning duties, sweeping up leaves from the recent storms.

Gingerbread House

Uncle Len builds the gingerbread house while Nate tries to convince the rest of his he needs to sample each part of the building. 

Stone River

On our last warm day of the year, we had lunch at the Stanford Art Center cafe, and later explored the Andrew Goldsworthy sculpture.

Christmas Tree

Gina decorated our Christmas tree last night while I finished wrapping presents. This morning Nate couldn't have been more excited. He grabbed each ornament and shook them, naming each one in turn. "Santa!", "Curious George", "Fragile thing", "Bell". He insisted on grabbing a stool to get better reach. When I asked if he'd like to get down to get breakfast he protested, "Not yet. Not done figuring out the tree!"

Out for a stroll

Gratuitous picture of Julie who is bundled up against the December chill.

Grandpapa Martin

Leonardo Martin, MD (1925-2005)

Working at Google

Nate spent the day with me at work on Friday. While I was on conference calls and sending emails, he put Elmo stickers on coworkers, watched Bob the Builder on my Mac and ate lunch at our local Google cafeteria. When we had to visit our division head's office to get an opinion on a contract, I walked out saying "Thanks, Joan" and Nate followed after me, waving over his shoulder saying "Thanks, Joan."

The reason for watching Nate? Julie's one year anniversary of her surgery which required a follow up visit to Stanford Hospital for more bladder/kidney tests. Good news: the kidney reflux healed, so no bladder surgery necessary and we can discontinue the antibiotics.

Nate in a box

Hanging out at Grandma & Grandpapa's. 

Julie's First Steps!

She's walking! Gina and I were sitting in the living room, and Julie must have felt couragous since she stood up, took four steps forward, sat down, then did it again and again. She was walking all evening, there's no stopping her when she's excited. She eventually fell asleep an hour earlier tonight, probably gaining energy for all those potential footsteps tomorrow.

Train ride

We ended the long Thanksgiving weekend with a ride on Caltrain. After stopping in Menlo Park, we quickly ate a crepes for lunch outside (brrrr...) then hurried back to catch our ride home.

Gina with her dad

Grandpapa's 80th Birthday

Gina ordered Dr. Martin's favorite restaurant food, Chef Chu's, in honor of his 80th birthday today. Although he wasn't able to eat solid foods again today, we had a wonderfully happy birthday cake singing and candle blowing event at his bedside; his smile couldn't have been wider. Here's Grace building her multi-level track, and Joe and Nate doing the "choo!-choo!" train locomotion. Although it's hard leaving all the brothers at the home working with the hospice, we plan on taking a day to do a train ride to Palo Alto tomorrow. Nate and Julie have both amazing with their flexibility in spending days at the Martins and showing huge amounts of love to Grandpapa Martin during this difficult time.

Thanksgiving at the Martins

A bitter sweet gathering, we sat down for Thanksgiving dinner. Thanks John and Janine for the wonderful food (and to Dan for leaning over so I could get David in the picture.) 

Thanksgiving Day

Getting some fresh air and inspecting David's great sprinkler job in Los Altos: Grandma Martin, Great Uncle Jim, firefighter Mark, fun Uncle Len, Mom, Julie, and in front Grandpapa Martin, cousin Grace, and Nate.

A grand visit to Grandpapa and Grandmom Martin the day after Julie's birthday. Enjoyed seeing grandpapa in the sun and sharing birthday cupcakes. Papa started hospice care last week. He's always delighted to see the babies as we are to see him.

Julie's First Birthday!

Nate and Mom made chocolate cupcakes while I mowed the lawn and finished racking the wine. We opened presents from friends and family, and after a quick dinner out for hamburgers, we came home to sing happy birthday and eat the cake. Happy birthday, Julie!

 

 

Stafford Park

I took Nate and Julie to the library on Saturday, then headed for Stafford Park near our house. It was another beautiful day (mid 70s), and to Julie's delight, there were many oak leaves that needed examining...and a few that needed tasting.