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.

 

 

 

 

Nap

Zonked out in the back of the Acura. He apparently still thinks he's holding the book. 

Julie's Happenings

Fun new Julie developments:
1. Will blow kisses.
2. Can say "mama" and "daddy" and "Nat"(e)
3. Will say "Mmmmm!" to moo when looking at cows.
4. Can now stand up 3-4 seconds unassisted.
5. Tries to drink from cups.
6. Likes to type on computers.
7. Says "hiiiii" to people walking by outside on the sidewalk.
8. Will clap, high-five, and hold her head on command.
9. Eats grapes, bananas and cereal with abandon.

Oakland Zoo, part deux

On Sunday we again visited the Oakland Zoo with friends Kurt & Patty. Nate's favorite animal these days: the elephants! However, I own the camera and therefore get to take all the pictures I want of giraffes. 

Traffic Jam

Sydney doesn't lick Nate while Nate doesn't crash into Julie (right, everyone?!) Julie can actually traverse around the house and Nate is starting to use the pedals on his great tricycle.

Steelhead Brewery

After the Coyote Point Museum, we joined Chloe, Regina and Alex for lunch at the Steelhead Brewery in Burlingame. Regina handed out stickers to Nate and Chloe during lunch, and soon a sticker fight ensued. Guess who won? (Hint: not Nate)

Coyote Point Museum

Nate and friend Cloe in front of the river otters at the Coyote Point Museum in San Mateo. Besides Chloe and the otters, Nate seemed to most enjoy the 70 year old turtle he could touch.

Halloween 2005

The family came over to Google for our Halloween party, and Nate's first game was "Ghost Bowling"...he's the one in the lion costume. I took off early from work, and after carving pumpkins we went on our first family Halloween trick-or-treating on our block. When I knocked at the first house, Nate reluctantly stood in front of the door, then ran behind a plant when our neighbor answered. Four or five houses later, he was finally getting a hang of it. Neighbors Tom & Renee across the street (our last stop) had a special bag for Nate and a musical bunny for Julie. We then went home so he could count and recount his booty, and we answered the door for our trick-or-treaters. Nate ended the evening by helping us give out candy and as each person walked away he called out "Happy Halloween! Thanks you guys!"