Movie: Julie's first fork

Here's Julie and her first attempt at using her fork. Not bad! But she won't be winning any speed eating contests anytime soon. (Taken on Jan 24, 2006)

Superbowl XL

We took exception to our "no commercial TV" rule for the kids, and let them watch the Superbowl on Sunday. Gina reacted to one of the first plays, and from then on Nate copied her. Whenever someone was tackled, Nate would exclaim "Oh, my GOSH!" Then during half time while the Rolling Stones played, Nate struck a pose holding a microphone then stabbed his finger in the air yelling "GINGERBREAD MAN!" (the only lyrics he decided worth singing). Julie even got into the action, gyrating her hips like Mick Jagger.

Another movie

Julia loves wrapping herself with small towels or clothes. She got ahold of her sweater recently and spent the next 20 minutes playing in the sunlight.

We're sick

Julie, Gina, Nate and I somehow managed to get sick all at the same time. Just the normal winter cold bug, with lots of runny noses and scratchy throats. We'll get through this, with a little help from our friends Tylenol and Kleenex.

Movie: Julie walking

Here's a short clip from last month as she was getting her "sea legs". Notice the proud smile.

Nate movie: 1 yr old

Here's an old video of Nate when we were at Montara beach, just north of Half Moon Bay.

Julie kept busy trying to head up the stairs which kept mom busy. Dad was busy chasing Nate who was chasing Chloe with balloons. All the kids, about a dozen in all, were kept busy with ladybug tossing, spotting, and cupcakes...ladybug cupcakes of course.

A Birthday Kiss for Chloe. Thanks to Aunt Regina and Uncle Alex who hosted a wonderful ladybug party for Chloe's big #3.

Wednesday went to the Oakland Zoo with Uncle David. Highlights were the giant tortoises, both real and not so real, the tigers up close and personal, floating and sinking alligators (!), giraffes, and of course, the elephants!

Was a big adventure week with the Uncles! Tuesday strolled around old stomping ground, West Portal, with Uncle Dan. Bought a birthday present for Chloe at one of our favorite toy stores, Ambassador Toys, and then had a great Mexican lunch (chicken buhreetoe!).

Piedmont Park fountain

 

Stairs, Piedmont Park

Julie never met a set of stairs she didn't like. She still tries to step down with both feet...at the same time, but can scurry up them as well as Nate. 

Friends, Food and Wine

Why do short weekends always seem the most eventful? We spent Saturday going to the library and hardware store, and then drove along the ocean where it was oddly sunny (and raining at home). I fixed the heater venting and fertilized the lawn in the afternoon. On Sunday we drove through Rockridge to Piedmont park, and then had a fantastic dinner with friends Kurt and Patty. Nate seemed to enjoy making green beans and mashed potatoes in the kitchen with Kurt 

SBC Park (continued)

 

Playground by the SBC Park marina

 

SBC Park

On Sunday we drove to San Francisco with the aim of taking Caltrain, but ended up enjoying the day around SBC Park. We had a nice, sunny lunch outside at a pizzeria, and then walked around the park and waterfront. The ball park, unused by the Giants during winter, had just hosted a monster truck show and was full of dirt. Me: "Nate, do you like the ballpark?" Nate: "No, it's too dirty." We ran into a couple of talkative SF Police motorcops who gave Nate and Julie stickers and then we played at the playground next to the marina. 

Profound conversations

Heard on a recent drive:

• Mom: "Nate, did you see the airplane?"
• Nate: "No, I cant see it! Where did it go?!"
  
• Julie: "No."
• Nate: "No Julie, no."
• Julie: "No."
• Nate: "No!"
• Julie: "No."
• Nate: "No! No! No! Nooooo!"
• Julie: "No."
• Nate: "Julie!"
• Julie: "No."
• Nate: (silence)
• Julie: "....no."
  

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!