Lindsay's Halloween

Lindsay (or her parents) didn't let a little 102-degree fever interrupt the Halloween festivities! Actually, it was an abbreviated night out, with just a few neighborhood houses visited...and by the time we got home, Lindsay seemed to be feeling fine. Must be the medicinal Skittles.

Enjoy the ditty.

Reflection

I just have to get this down in writing before I forget.

While talking with Lindsay in her bed tonight I noticed that she was looking into my eyes very intently.

I thought, "How sweet that my daughter is interested in what I am saying."

She says, "Mommy, I can see my picture on your eyes."

A Kitty Named Starfish

Lindsay and I went to a costume birthday party this past weekend. Lindsay was the cutest mermaid you've ever seen!

See Lindsay before meeting Bunky the Clown.

See Lindsay after meeting Bunky the Clown.

Lindsay kept telling the clown she wanted a starfish painted on her face. The clown kept pushing for a kitty. They finally settled on a kitty named Starfish. Not sure she looks like either. But she sure is cute, isn't she? I know, I know....I am a biased mom...and proud of it!

A Family Affair

Lindsay and I just got back from a trip "down South" for my cousin Joey's wedding. We are happy to add Melissa to the Ries family and trust that by now she knows what she's getting into.

Lindsay playing in one of many fountians a Balboa Park in San Diego.

Lindsay and Poppi at Balboa Park.

Lindsay and "Pop-Pop" (my 93 year-old grandfather) dancing at the wedding. They were officially the youngest and oldest dancers there. Lindsay actually started the dancing that night to the song, "It's Getting Hot In Here." We had to literally drag her off the dance floor at the end of the night, and she left asking us to, "please make the music loud" while driving home.

Melissa and Joe the day after the wedding and the day before heading off to Hawaii for a week!

Lindsay reading Pop-Pop a book good-night.

Lindsay and Poppi at the San Diego Zoo.

Uncle Kenny and Lindsay at the zoo.

Recent Lindsay Pics

Despite our lack of regular posts, we actually have been taking lots of photos. Here's what Lindsay's been up to over the past month!

Lindsay was the first one out the door when we got rain a few weeks ago. By the end of the day she was around the corner with the neighbor kids dancing in the puddles. They were all soaked head to toe by the end.

Lindsay modeling an adorable outfit her Aunt Cyndy gave to her a year ago! It would actually fit her now if she was still wearing diapers to help hold the pants up.

A co-worker of Bill's made this great hat for Lindsay after watching her try to cover her ears from the noise of the Blue Angels. Now we just have to put on the hat and tie the cords!

After watching the Blue Angels atop the roof of Bill's office building, we headed out for dessert at the famous Ghirardelli ice cream shop in San Francisco. Yes, that is chocolate on Bill's chin!

Lindsay LOVES playing dress-up!

Lindsay's first ride on an actual fire truck.

She then proceeded to wear the fire hat the rest of the day...even to dinner.

A Fun Family Place

After a couple of glowing recommendations, we finally tried out the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. This is much more then a theme park. Yes, there are fun rides for young children and lots and lots of theme-park type food, but the best part is the absolutely beautiful surroundings. Here's how they describe it on their site.

"Gilroy Gardens, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. After selling their Nob Hill Foods supermarkets, the Park was founded by Michael and Claudia Bonfante and is designed to educate guests and to foster a greater appreciation of horticulture. The Park features over forty rides, attractions, educational exhibits and majestic gardens."

We had a great day. It's not a cheap park, but it was worth the money!

Lindsay Takes the Spotlight

Lindsay is not too shy in front of the camera, is she?

Some Fun Photos

I thought I'd post a few fun photos from August. We still need to get the ones from September off the camera...

Ella tickles the ivory

Ella had her first piano recital this past weekend, and she did a fine rendition of Beethoven's Fur Elise (how do you do umlaut's on this thing anyway?).

Getting the hang of videos

Ella is shown below, exhibiting some of her burgeoning piano skills.



We've also captured important moments such as car washes and bike rides. It's nice to have a way to capture these moments, but then again, it is one more thing to think of at times...we've got the regular camera, and the digital camera, and the Flip...and before you know it, you've missed the moment all together as you rustled up the equipment.

I was very resistant to a video camera when Ella was little, exactly for that reason -- I wanted to be a part of the moments, not experiencing them through a viewfinder. I guess the middle ground is to make less of a production of it -- just whip out the Flip, shoot 30 seconds of cuteness or what-have-you, and post it here for family consumption.

Flipped out

I don't know if this will really work or not, but we got a new digital video camcorder thing, and we are committed to posting and sharing clips.

Here are a couple to start from last weekend:

Lindsay at breakfast

The girls in the sprinker

Feast or Famine

I know, I know; we go three months without any new photos and then I post tons in one day. What can I say?

Lindsay and Pop (Bill's dad) got some great time together during his visit from Boston earlier this month.

Lindsay and Ella enjoying a dip in the fountain at the Oakland Farmer's Market (our new Sunday morning ritual for fresh produce).

Chef Lindsay making Mommy some tea. By the way, this activity bought me 30 minutes--just long enough to make dinner.

Ella and Lindsay enjoying a beach birthday party for a friend last weekend.

For those who don't know, this is "our" beach--the Alameda beach just 5 minutes away from us. Not bad, aye?

Lindsay and her friend Leela dancing away to some goodies but oldies!

Bill's and my new favorite photo of Lindsay.

Fun in the Sun

In June we enjoyed a hot and sunny vacation in the Dominican Republic with Bill's mom (Joyce) and step-dad (Dick), sister and her family and his two step-brothers and their families. It was a wonderful trip with many great photos. I am posting a few here. Unfortunatly, I can't figure out why the pictures are so small, nor why this text is underlined...

The "lounge" of the Club Med.

The (not so refreshing) pool.

Bill be taking over by "the girls."

Bill, Kathy, Eva and Ella enjoying lunch.

Taking a break from the ocean.

This says it all!

The girls were in heaven at this place.

One of the very few "family" photos taken.

The Barrett Compound, where spent many a hours lounging, reading and laughing.

We were all able to eat, drink and be merry.

Big Steps

While Lindsay and I were in Oregon in June, she easily slept in a regular bed instead of the Pak-n-Play. When we returned, Ella and Bill had converted her crib into her new "big girl bed."

At the same time, something clicked with Ella and she officially became a two-wheeled bike rider!

Someone Stole the Last Three Months

How is it that we haven't posted a single thing since the end of April? Hmmm...not really sure about that one. Yes, life is busy, but three months is just pathetic. I'll attempt to do a little back-tracking since there's many great photos from the past few months of family visits, traveling and just general summer-time fun.

Mother's Day 2007

Our little artist.

She is not picky about her canvas.

Waiting to take the train into San Fran for the Bay to Breakers.

Around mile 6...or so.

We did it! Lindsay did great riding the entire time and we actually ran more than we walked!

A dress-up day for Ella.