Sweet San Francisco (and car naps too)

Today we took the boys and Hao-bu to San Francisco to check out Fleet Week. As you all know, Derek and I loved living in SF and we really miss the city (even though we know we have a great life for our kids in San Jose). We went to the Ferry Building for breakfast and then rode the street car to Pier 39 (I know, I know, it's such a tourist trap nightmare, but when you have young kids, the sea lions and the carousel come in handy). Then we met up with Christina and Justin and went to Crissy Field to watch the Fleet Week air show and get a bite to eat. It was a beautiful San Francisco summer day (fall = summer in SF) and I am so glad that we took the family up there.

The boys seem to have had a great time too... and both boys (and Hao-bu) managed to conk out on the drive home.

While napping, Miles wouldn't let go of his $6 hot dog (no joke, it was $6... and in this economy, that's a lot for a hot dog!)
And Oliver wouldn't let go of Hao-bu's hand... so very sweet.

11 months... huh?

Today my sweet Oliver is 11 months old. I really have no idea how the past 11 months flew by so fast. I really cannot believe in 1 month we will be singing happy birthday and he will be 1. I cannot believe that in 1 month, we wont be feeding Oliver with a bottle anymore. Time flies. Too fast.

Tonight, I really felt like I slowed down, forgot about work, the mess in the house, and just played with the boys. We crawled around the living room couch, we tried to scare each other and we laughed ... I loved every minute of it.

Girlfriend time in Portland

This past weekend I flew up to Portland for a 3rd annual girls weekend with a handful of my favorite girlfriends from home (Colorado), including my amazing sister. Since I live far from home and my friends, this annual trip is really a special treat each year. We had a really fabulous time... lots of great food, drinks, shopping, walking, laughing, and more shopping, drinking, and eating. The people in Portland were super friendly and we even got some gray, rainy weather (which I loved). We stayed in a really fun, hip hotel which had an incredible coffee shop and a restaurant/bar that served some darn good margaritas. I had a great time with great friends... and loved seeing Heather's growing belly (baby # 3 - GO Heather!).

A special thanks to Derek and his mom for watching the boys... I know I've had a busy fall with my Breast Cancer walk and this and I appreciate you supporting me and giving me this time. :)

Pre-dinner drinks with my sweet sister Cristina...


Heather's incredible laughter - this goes down as one of my very favorite pictures...



Amazing dinner at Paley's Place...

Look ma, no hands

Oliver's new favorite thing to do...

Walking coming soon.

Heart of gold

Tonight Miles and I were eating dinner and I got a call from the Breast Cancer Association asking if I could make a donation. I politely told her that I already made a donation to the Susan G. Komen fund and that I wouldn't be able to make another donation at this time.

When I got off the phone, Miles said that he wanted to call her back and I told him that I didn't know her phone number. He asked why she called and I told him that she was asking for a donation for breast cancer, but that I told her I couldn't make a donation. He immediately said, "Well, I can give her my money from my piggy bank. Ya, I can give her my money." And my eyes welled up and my heart melted and I gave him the biggest hug. It was just so matter of fact - he wanted to give them his money. Kids are amazing.

I hate my car seat

The picture says it all...


Our daily struggle of getting Oliver in his car seat. He thrusts his hips, screams, wiggles, turns... he's a strong little man, I must say! When it's all said and done, we are a sweaty mess and he's pissed off. Good times.

I love fall...

A few days ago, Miles told us that it was fall. He was right - it is officially fall and I just love that he is learning this stuff at his daycare - Layla is a wonderful teacher.

Well, I just love fall...
I love back to school (Derek thinks I am a total nerd, but I loved school)
I love the crisp smell in the air and that it's finally cooling down a bit
I love the leaves changing (well, not in California so much, but I remember the leaves changing colors in Colorado)
I love fall foods (pumpkin, squash, apples...)
I love fall colors
I love Halloween
I love Thanksgiving
I love fall.

Here is a funny picture of Miles in his aviator costume. He wore it for Halloween in 2006 and tried it on again the other day. :)



And here is a very adorable picture of my sweet Lu boys - they are the light of my life. I am a very lucky lady.