"Nate, sit on the doorstep and hide the orange flashlight behind your back so we don't see it in the picture." His response, above.

Christmas 2006

Julie singing

Rudolph, abridged

Cub

Syd's appreciating the fact that we're watching Cub while Kurt & Patty are in Chicago during Christmas. 

Signs that Christmas is coming...

Our tree, newly hung stockings, packages from the family (unopened due to prying little fingers), and a fire. 

Sushi 2-2 Train

We drove down to Saratoga yesterday to hit a restaurant only open on weekdays: Sushi2-2Train. Instead of floating boats, this restaurant serves sushi (or other Japanese food) on a model train that wraps around the center restaurant table and into the kitchen. Nate went nuts. He actually sat down long enough to catch the lollipop the waitress had placed on the train for them as we ordered, and both he and Julie used chopsticks held together with rubber bands. Poor Gina had a little stomach ache, so it was true devotion when she agreed to have us (me) eat sushi, and Nate get his train fix for the day. 

Hanukkah

Nate and Julie went to their first Hanukkah party on Saturday at our neighbors, Ilad and Simone. Their slightly older kids are attentive and sweet, always helping Nate and Julie. When it came to light the menorahs (about 20 in the living room at a low table), N & J tried blowing out the candles, despite us warning him not to. Later that evening I asked Nate why he did that, and he replied "I was confused. I thought it was a birthday party!"

Not So Furry Friends

Took a ride out to Berkeley to visit the East Bay Vivarium, have lunch, and walk around a bit. No one asked to bring any new pets home, so I guess that's good... 

Our lights

 

Westfield Shopping Center, San Francisco

After Union Square we walked to the new Westfield Shopping Center off Market St. I wanted to see the well known restored glass rotunda. Nate and Julie's sights were set a bit lower. 

Union Square, San Francisco

We braved the holiday crowds to show Nate and Julie the Macy's holiday windows and giant Christmas tree in Union Square. The big draw seemed to be the police-riding horses, and what holiday "presents" they left on the sidewalk. 

Redwood City Holiday Event Downtown

Redwood City Holiday Downtown

Nate and Julie playing music

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Playing musical instruments at the Children's Museum in Seattle earlier this year.

Nate's Eye View

. This group of pictures taken by Nate at Grandmom's breakfast at the Fountain Restaurant in the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose. He's a budding photographer! These are more focused than mom's many attempts. The hotel lobby was all decked out for Christmas complete with model trains representing all different international country scenes. Wow! The restaurant itself featured a little train that Nate had to take a picture of with a little help from Uncle Dan, you can see them in the mirror reflection.

Grandmom Martin's 70th Birthday - Happy Day!

SF Zoo

I took Nate and Julie to the SF Zoo, along with half of San Francisco. Our big hits this time (we're now members) were the petting zoo and brushing goats, hippos, the steam train, and the lions. 

More SF Zoo