New swings!

 

The uncles working on the playset.

Christmas morning

 

On Christmas eve Julie and Nate left fresh baked chocolate chip cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer in front of the fireplace. Their hard work paid off the next morning with full stockings and a couple of extra presents under the tree. Nate's big present was the oft-requested Lego freight train and Julie got her ponies and barn/stable. Not to mention all the goodies from other family members.

Frosty mornings

 

SF by BART

 

 

 

 

Our first BART ride into San Francisco. We hopped off the first City exit to do our annual visit to the Hyatt to see the lighted town/train displays and the 20 story interior lights hanging from the ceiling. And as always, we rode the glass elevators to survey the scene. Even I get a little vertigo from that ride. Julie was again too scared to sit on Santa's lap so we watched the ice skaters outside, took a few pictures, and high-tailed it home.

Parents' Visit

 

 

 

 

The timing was perfect for a sunny visit from our Snohomish visitors. The air was even clear enough for a pretty good view from Mt. Diablo's light beacon, which we later found is only lit to commemorate Pearl Habor Day on December 7, a few days after we visited. The kids were a little ornery due to long school days and our no-nap routine, but they had enough energy to bake gingerbread cookies and keep everyone busy.

This Year's Gingerbread Creation!

Julie and Nate showcase their gingerbread house in front of the current installation at Lafayette's newest art gallery.

Thanksgiving II

We visited Grace and Joe's house for a post-Thanksgiving get together and had a birthday celebration for grandmom too. It was fun to play with the cousins and enjoy Aunt Janine's great brunch. Joe was quick with the bunny ears.

Thanksgiving Feast

Our first family soiree at the house...let alone our first turkey cooked at home! It came out wonderfully. Kudos to the master chef, Michael, and to the head turkey carving guy, Uncle Dan. Grandmom, Uncle Dave, Uncle Mark, and Aunt Mimi were all on hand to share the bounty (not just that on the table) that we are so grateful for.

Happy Birthday Julie!

 

 

 

Julie turned four this month!

A Fall Day

 

Moving Day

 

 

 

 

After what seemed like an endless stream of hours packing boxes, moving day finally arrived. The movers from Delancy Street arrived at 9am, quickly loaded up two trucks, and then met us at Public Storage to get Gina's poor, neglected piano. By 3pm we were alone in the house with all our belongings. Luckily we had the foresight to color-code each box. That weekend as a reward for helping us move, Nate and Julie each got to pick out their own goldfish for their room. Nate chose a white one and named it "Chickie Chick Marshmellow"; Julie's is classic orange and named "Snowbelle".

Halloween 2008

 

 

 

 

And this year's costumes...a beautiful ladybug for Julie (found in Lafayette!) and wiggly-legged black widow spider for Nate (made by Gina). We ended up spending so much time trick-or-treating around the Redwood City neighborhood, we only had two visitors at our door, but loads of candy to take home. We have yet to go back to our new house to see how much candy was taken from the bowl we left in our absence.

Halloween Fieldtrip

 

Gina, Julie and I tagged along to "Farmer John's" pumpkin patch in Half Moon Bay, Nate's October field trip for Kindergarten.

Blue Angels

 

 

 

During Fleet Week, the day Gina returned from visiting Len & Dave, I took the kids up to the city to watch the Blue Angels with some friends, as well as celebrate Oktoberfest at their house. A perfect San Francisco day.

Hey Bro!

 
Was so great to see Len and Dave last week. I think it's been 7 or 8 years since I've been down to the Ranch at Cucamonga... It was a really fun, relaxing time just being with you guys. Thank you for the black widow extermination tricks. I hope to never have to employ them but will relay to Michael your foolproof techniques.

Swimming Lessons

 

 

At the PCJJ in Foster City.

Nate's Classroom

 

Pastorino's Farm

 

 

For the third or fourth year in a row, we left early to visit Pastorino's Farm in Half Moon Bay for our pumpkins. This year it was strictly business with Nate and Julie: three tiny pumpkins each (and I mean TINY, some grape sized) and no rides. Nate ventured into the animal petting area to harrass some chickens, ducks, rabbits, and goats, but we were home by lunchtime. My favorite part was watching the hour-long backup into Half Moon Bay as we sailed home.