It's Nate & Julie

Sunday, January 08, 2012

Our Summer-in-Winter Continues

It's the first week of January, we still haven't had more than a day of light rain in the past seven weeks. This can only mean one thing: bike ride. We've been riding to through the Lafayette Park and taking the trail behind our house to the (dried up) waterfall every weekend. Here's Julie running up the hill from one of their favorite tree swings.

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Santa Cruz Beach

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Castle Rock Park

On our day before New Year's hike along Castle Rock park at the base of Mt. Diablo.

Monday, January 02, 2012

There goes the backyard

Another day, another disaster.

TV Disaster

That's the last time we give Nate and Julie rocket launchers for Christmas.

Friday, December 30, 2011

Christmas Day!

Our excited 8 yr old son eventually got to sleep and everyone was wide-awake by 7:00am. Santa stockings ensued, and we eventually got to open presents, briefly delayed by a nice breakfast mid-stream. Julie and Nate had many, many presents from Mom/Dad, Santa, and family. Nate received the plasma-ball and Lego Black-Beard's ship he was so pining for, and Julie receive Santa's request for a queen's outfit and Calico Bunnies.

Christmas Eve

Photos is order: Julie and Nate waking up and laying out their clothes for the next morning (note Nate's outfit with sports coat, New Zealand rugby t-shirt and tie); Julie making her sugar cookie Christmas Tree present from Uncle Dave and Chris; and finally Nate & Julie's first ever, un-solicited present to Mom & Dad. As it turns out, it was a beautiful presentation of two Twizzler Sticks and cards, complete with holiday sentiments and thousands of dollars of fake money.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Garden Helpers

Each day as we get closer to Christmas, the amount of unsolicited offers for help seem to increase exponentially.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Second Day in San Francisco

We walked and walked, hitting each large hotel in the area. The highlight was the Fairmont Hotel with the life-sized walk-through gingerbread house (which we read requires repair each night after grabby children all day). We were disappointed by the Westfield Center which seems to decorate less each year, but the nice weather encouraged us to grab food and eat as we watched ice skaters in Union Square. After a quick walk through Chinatown, we headed home.

Overnight in San Francisco

Our traditional visit to San Francisco to see all the downtown decorations included an overnight stay at Omni Hotel. Our room wasn't ready when we checked in, which was frustrating, but the bellman kept swinging by with jelly beans, travel bags, hot cider and games. We filled the day with tea at Crown & Crumpet, chocolate shopping at Ghiradelli Chocolates, visiting Grace Cathedral, and having dinner at A16 restaurant in the Marina District (my favorite). The reserved two adjoining rooms, with the kids having the bunk beds, stuffed animals and bean bag chairs in the Kids Fantasy room. Their highlight was the chocolate chip cookies & cold milk delivered before bedtime.