Oh Christmas tree, O Christmas tree...

Have to say we did feel a bit like the Griswold's looking for the perfect spotlit tree.  And even more so, when we arrived home and our tree was about 2 feet too big for our ceiling.  Out with the power saw!!!  Finally the perfect tree.

Happy Turkey Day!

We are going here with some friends for a Thanksgiving brunch and overnight getaway.  SOO looking forward to it...We'll see how it goes taking all the little monkey's along too!!!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We are thankful for you.

When life brings you rain...

Life in Northern California generally means you don't have to plan your life around the weather.  Except for our family photo shot day in early November when it was a RAINY,WINDY,STORMY day....what??!!  We creatively improvised as you'll see from our up and coming Christmas cards.

Here's little sneak peak of sweet Max....

 

Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Patrick Henry Dennis
March 21, 1921- November 14, 2008

Nothing describes my Grandpa better than a good and faithful servant. We are all tearfully planning his funeral, wondering what words we can say to honor him, wondering how we will ever make it through a service without crying. But I realized here is a man who needs nothing said about him (although we'll have plenty to say). Anyone who knew him, KNEW him and was KNOWN by him. Grandpa connected with others, respected them immensely and found value in each person.

Heaven's gain.

It's a new day....

Randy Acorns Blog struck home for me.  I have such a strong belief in protecting the unborn and at the same time actively loving the women making these horribly difficult decisions to keep their pregnancies or not.  It always overrides most everything else I believe in politics.

So its a bit bittersweet thing to welcome Obama to the White House.   I do agree that's its time to to get behind our new president and show some good 'ol American support. 

Happy Pumpkin Day!

Some hanging out fun waiting for all the action of Trick or Treating...

Charlie thought he had his pumpkin of treats hid from Max...no such luck.

Some fun outside in between rain drops...



Max was festively dressed for the day...we knew he would be asleep in the carrier for the big night.

And off our little dragon goes...

Charlie and his buddy Jack

Charlie, Rebecca, Leo & Aidan hit the neigborhood...

Sugar HIGH, Sugar LOW

The evening ended with happy trick or treaters...

Sonoma Weekend

Columbus Visit

Chewing on the yummiest Midwest pumpkin Max could find...

Pop Pop and all his boys...

Max & Cody

Max is already jealous of Cody's gorgeous locks...

Happy 6th Birthday to big cousin Zach!

The Merkel Wedding

Pumpkin Fun

Happy 12 year Anniversary Jeff!

What do I know now that I didn't know on October 5th 1996?

Oh, just a few important things....

One..........sharing a chair and a half
Two..........chocolate pudding in coffee cups
Three........peanut butter and jelly baguettes on Old Brompton Road
Four..........around the world on another man's dollar
Five...........crossing the US in a Ryder truck
Six............70's parties and The Job Search
Seven........saturday coffees in Lincoln Park
Eight.........stay in town on a weekend...never!
Nine..........here comes Charlie
Ten...........let's take a walk in Holland Park
Eleven.......Hillgate Village & Plymouth Way
Twelve.......here comes Max

Can't wait for 12 more!

Sorry boys...

I am one of 'those moms'...matching outfits!!
I love it.

Creative or Deviant??

My take on it usually depends on how much sleep I got the night before....I think I was leaning towards deviant on this day!




And then Charlie had the nerve to say...

'I'm too busy Mama to clean up'.

You can imagine what I said to that!

I'm starting to sound like my mom....

For my belated birthday celebration I just wanted us to spend time together...taking a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.

I remember my Mom saying the same thing, not so much about the Golden Gate Bridge...but of course about spending time together. What a wise woman. I should enjoy these years when my boys are happy participants:)

The good moments....

It's been a little nutty around our house lately. With Dad working long hours, Charlie & Max sharing colds and ear infections, and Mom just being plain grouchy.

Here were some good times today that make me happy...

I want to stay ALL BY MYSELF....

What a change from last year's first day of school. Charlie wanted to be sure that Mommy, Daddy & Max were NOT staying this year. So glad that Charlie like his school, teachers and friends. And I can enjoy a quiet morning while Max naps. Yea for the fall and the new school year!

It was all about the redwoods....

Our Labor Day weekend was spent in the beautiful forests of redwood trees in our area. We started the weekend at the Kings Mountain Art Festival in Woodside, CA. It was a gorgeous setting.








Jeff took Charlie camping in Big Basin with a group of his Stanford friends and their kids. Somehow all the wives opted out for a quiet house for 24 hours.

Lots of 'helping' hands pitching this tent....

This open meadow was the perfect playground.



SMORES!!!!

A tired little gang of campers...