Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Monday, February 4, 2013
2012 Photo Album
Since I was painfully behind in sharing here last year, I thought I would simply add a link to our 2012 Shutterfly album. It was a very busy year and with Brad being full-time at UCSD, it has led to little sharing here. My time is stretched pretty thin, but the ultimate goal of every day is to be present, so things like the blog have had to slip a but. But we had a lot of great moments, a couple family trips, great holiday celebrations and general all around fun. Most of the photos below a pretty self explanatory but let me know if you are curious about anything!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Merry Christmas!
We have had a very merry holiday season around these parts and it's not over yet thanks to a nice long vacation for all of us. We've enjoyed lots of much needed family time and relative 'down time'. Unfortunately, we also have the plague, so we are looking forward to being healthy for the second half of our vacation.
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday as well!
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday as well!
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Happy Halloween!
In an effort to just get back into this, I'm going to post some pictures and not dwell on why its been so long since the last time I posted. I'll get to that at some point, but right now I want to ride a bit on the fun we've been having this Halloween season.
Early on we made a family trip to a rather ghetto pumpkin patch. The good thing is that it was so ghetto, they pretty much let you do whatever you wanted. So I was able to get in on the jumpy action.
We also carved a couple pumpkins. I took the idea from my friend Shan and had Elliott draw the faces and then I cut them out. I think they came out so cute :)
As for costumes, E and I were owls. (B doesn't like to dress up so I've given up trying ;) We were going to be a lot of different things at various points in time, but when E finally settled on being an owl, he thought I should be one too after seeing a woman's owl costume on Pinterest. Hoo, hoo, hoo could deny such a nice request?
After work and school, E and I headed over to the mall with our friends to the Halloween trick-or-treating event (and have some dinner) before trick-or-treating around our neighborhood. B had a midterm the next day so he wasn't sure he was going to be able to come with us, but fortunately he was able to meet up with us once we got back to our place.
And on this note, we hope your Halloween was the best!
Early on we made a family trip to a rather ghetto pumpkin patch. The good thing is that it was so ghetto, they pretty much let you do whatever you wanted. So I was able to get in on the jumpy action.
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| Admiring the pumpkin he really wanted to take home |
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| Crazy, half-inflated bouncy obstacle course |
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| Super tall slide. I'm really proud of E for not being scared. The next two pictures put the height into perspective. |
We also carved a couple pumpkins. I took the idea from my friend Shan and had Elliott draw the faces and then I cut them out. I think they came out so cute :)
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| Two mean pumpkins |
As for costumes, E and I were owls. (B doesn't like to dress up so I've given up trying ;) We were going to be a lot of different things at various points in time, but when E finally settled on being an owl, he thought I should be one too after seeing a woman's owl costume on Pinterest. Hoo, hoo, hoo could deny such a nice request?
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| Meagan the Evil Tooth Fairy - she'll steal your teeth! - and me |
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| The office costumes |
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| so excited! |
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| The Owl and Iron Man |
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| Two hooty owls |
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| The loot! |
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Easter Sunday
This year we tried to squeeze as much Easter celebrating into one day as possible. Easter marked the end of Brad's Spring Break and my vacation from work. Because it had been a pretty busy week beforehand, we ended up doing all the fun Easter activities on Easter Sunday.
Elliott and I got up early and dyed Easter eggs. This was Elliott's first time dying eggs and I'm sure it won't be his last. We both had a lot of fun, but it definitely helped to 'let go' a bit and not worry if fingers ended up in the dye or eggs ended up a swirl of mismatched colors.
I love Elliott's "Look What I Did!" face
The fruits of our labor
Elliott also hunted for eggs in grandma's garden and found a little clown friend.
Talk about a great place to look for Easter eggs!
Easter also meant the opportunity for a couple 'treats'. Since Ellliott is still not a candy eater, I opted to swap the obligatory Easter basket for a new backpack. This is a project I've had in the works for many months, but it serving as Elliott's Easter basket gave me the motivation to get it done. In his backpack was a new drawing notebook, new toothbrushes, a drum and maraca set, and a pencil roll with color pencils.
The little pencil roll was made with things from my stash, including the piece
of Winnie the Pooh canvas my dad 'recovered' for me many years ago.
Here is the backpack in action!
We also headed to Meagan's folks' place for Easter brunch where we ate lots of good food and the sangria was delicious :) Elliott was also spoiled by Meagan's family with some fun little toys and treats. He seemed to have a great time hanging out, playing with new toys and eating grapes :)
All in all, a great day spent with family. Hope your Easter was wonderful as well!
Elliott and I got up early and dyed Easter eggs. This was Elliott's first time dying eggs and I'm sure it won't be his last. We both had a lot of fun, but it definitely helped to 'let go' a bit and not worry if fingers ended up in the dye or eggs ended up a swirl of mismatched colors.
I love Elliott's "Look What I Did!" face
The fruits of our laborElliott also hunted for eggs in grandma's garden and found a little clown friend.
Talk about a great place to look for Easter eggs!Easter also meant the opportunity for a couple 'treats'. Since Ellliott is still not a candy eater, I opted to swap the obligatory Easter basket for a new backpack. This is a project I've had in the works for many months, but it serving as Elliott's Easter basket gave me the motivation to get it done. In his backpack was a new drawing notebook, new toothbrushes, a drum and maraca set, and a pencil roll with color pencils.
The little pencil roll was made with things from my stash, including the pieceof Winnie the Pooh canvas my dad 'recovered' for me many years ago.
Here is the backpack in action!
We also headed to Meagan's folks' place for Easter brunch where we ate lots of good food and the sangria was delicious :) Elliott was also spoiled by Meagan's family with some fun little toys and treats. He seemed to have a great time hanging out, playing with new toys and eating grapes :)
All in all, a great day spent with family. Hope your Easter was wonderful as well!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
A Few Videos from Texas...
Oh yeah...I don't know if I mentioned it or not...but mama got a new camera for Christmas! Woo! Thank you Cyber Monday sales! It is still a point and click, but with significant technological improvements so that I can actually...wait for it...take pictures INSIDE!! I'm beyond thrilled :) Anyway, it also takes some pretty neat videos, of which I shall share a few from our trip to Houston.
First up...this is what happens when a four year old feeds and almost two year old:
One of the outings we made while in Texas was to a place called It'z (think Dave and Busters for families). Elliott had a great time there getting in and out of the car racing games - who would have guessed? Mama and Brad had fun playing skee ball and basketball, respectively and earned enough tickets for a bumpy ball and a giant blow up crayon for Elliott. However, Elliott also enjoyed their toddler train ride, which he went on many, many times:
And this is Elliott and Leila at Gymboree class. We discovered that not only did they have a Gymboree close by, but they had a fairly convenient 'family' class. We also ended up being the only ones in class that day! Both kids got to take the class for free, which is good since I'm pretty sure they were counting the seconds until their lunch break...
First up...this is what happens when a four year old feeds and almost two year old:
One of the outings we made while in Texas was to a place called It'z (think Dave and Busters for families). Elliott had a great time there getting in and out of the car racing games - who would have guessed? Mama and Brad had fun playing skee ball and basketball, respectively and earned enough tickets for a bumpy ball and a giant blow up crayon for Elliott. However, Elliott also enjoyed their toddler train ride, which he went on many, many times:
And this is Elliott and Leila at Gymboree class. We discovered that not only did they have a Gymboree close by, but they had a fairly convenient 'family' class. We also ended up being the only ones in class that day! Both kids got to take the class for free, which is good since I'm pretty sure they were counting the seconds until their lunch break...
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Happy New Year!
I have to admit this past holiday season was by far the best! We were so fortunate to be able to spend time with both of our families and our two Christmases were so much fun!
Elliott and I started things off with a sleepover at my folks house, so we were ready to start celebrating bright and early Christmas Eve day (6:30 am people! - this was clearly Elliott's idea, not mine!). Everyone else came over by early afternoon and we spent the rest of Christmas Eve talking, eating and enjoying the larger than life yule log ;) We also did a lot of present unwrapping and Elliott even got in on the action. Santa and Grandma and Grandpa K got him a Lego train set...to which he very quickly began 'choo-chooing'. He also got puzzles, a tool box, books and a Radio Flyer push bike. There may have also been a few matchbox cars among his loot :)
Christmas morning we left for Texas where we spent the next week with Brad's family. It was so much fun to see everyone again. We hadn't seen Krista's family in over 3 years and needless to say the kids have grown! My goodness!
We wasted no time digging into the presents that night (after all...I'm pretty sure we would have had a riot on our hands if we made the kids wait another day!).
Elliott even got his own camera! While I know it is a little old for him still, it has been so much fun to see his pictures and I know he will have a lot of fun with the camera for many years to come. In fact, I'll be sharing a few of his pictures in a coming post :)
...although this is one I took with his camera that I particularly like.
Elliott also made some new friends! This was the first time he met his aunt, uncle and cousins in person and it was so much fun to see them together. We took trips to the park together (as well as the mall) and Leila even joined Elliott for a Gymboree class! Keziah was particularly sweet with Elliott...and once again I wish they lived closer since she would make such a great babysitter in a couple years!
There may have also been a bit of wine and cheese...naturally ;)
And perhaps one of my favorite moments of the entire trip: Brad and I came in from where we were sleeping next door to find all the kids quietly playing together on the family room floor.
Uncle Brad was also able to rekindle his very special relationships with Keziah and Matias...and make a new friend in Leila. We will miss being around them so much and we are so, so very pleased we were able to see everyone. It has been entirely too long and I'm afraid it will be a long time before we see them again, but we are already counting the days!
Elliott and I started things off with a sleepover at my folks house, so we were ready to start celebrating bright and early Christmas Eve day (6:30 am people! - this was clearly Elliott's idea, not mine!). Everyone else came over by early afternoon and we spent the rest of Christmas Eve talking, eating and enjoying the larger than life yule log ;) We also did a lot of present unwrapping and Elliott even got in on the action. Santa and Grandma and Grandpa K got him a Lego train set...to which he very quickly began 'choo-chooing'. He also got puzzles, a tool box, books and a Radio Flyer push bike. There may have also been a few matchbox cars among his loot :)
Christmas morning we left for Texas where we spent the next week with Brad's family. It was so much fun to see everyone again. We hadn't seen Krista's family in over 3 years and needless to say the kids have grown! My goodness!
We wasted no time digging into the presents that night (after all...I'm pretty sure we would have had a riot on our hands if we made the kids wait another day!).
Elliott even got his own camera! While I know it is a little old for him still, it has been so much fun to see his pictures and I know he will have a lot of fun with the camera for many years to come. In fact, I'll be sharing a few of his pictures in a coming post :)
...although this is one I took with his camera that I particularly like.
Elliott also made some new friends! This was the first time he met his aunt, uncle and cousins in person and it was so much fun to see them together. We took trips to the park together (as well as the mall) and Leila even joined Elliott for a Gymboree class! Keziah was particularly sweet with Elliott...and once again I wish they lived closer since she would make such a great babysitter in a couple years!
There may have also been a bit of wine and cheese...naturally ;)
And perhaps one of my favorite moments of the entire trip: Brad and I came in from where we were sleeping next door to find all the kids quietly playing together on the family room floor.
Uncle Brad was also able to rekindle his very special relationships with Keziah and Matias...and make a new friend in Leila. We will miss being around them so much and we are so, so very pleased we were able to see everyone. It has been entirely too long and I'm afraid it will be a long time before we see them again, but we are already counting the days!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas!
Perhaps the best part about buying gifts for an almost 2 year old...
It really is easy to make them happy!
It really is easy to make them happy!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! We celebrated with a nice dinner hosted by Meagan's folks. I brought some 'energy bars' and a spinach casserole.
I have a few things to make a simplified turkey dinner at home in the next day or so because the leftovers can be almost as good as the dinner itself. I did this last year too, only I made a full turkey (my first one!). I also made myself a challenge to use the leftovers in different ways, so it didn't get old...but also to make sure I used the whole thing - a bit of a challenge when its just two of us eating a whole turkey! I took photos last year, but never got around to posting anything, so I thought I would post them this year to pass along some ideas for your leftovers.
First up, the obligatory turkey sandwich...if it were most customary, I would be down with eating a turkey sandwich for Thanksgiving dinner since I love them so much. I make mine with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce (the only real reason for cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving in my opinion ;).
Pulled turkey anyone? I shredded most of the leftover meat and separated it into two person servings. One night I added BBQ sauce to the turkey and made a sandwich with some coleslaw. I served the whole thing with mashed potatoes (potato salad would also work if your mashed potatoes are already gone).
I also made several cups (maybe 9 or 10?) of turkey broth by making stock from the carcass. For one meal I made a simple soup with veggies (onion and carrots), orzo and turkey.
Finally, I made one of our favorite curry dishes with turkey instead of chicken. We love the Red Thai Curry sauce from Trader Joe's and usually add green beans to the curry sauce. I just substituted turkey for the chicken and served it over basmati rice with garlic naan (also from TJs).
Hope you enjoy these leftover options!
I have a few things to make a simplified turkey dinner at home in the next day or so because the leftovers can be almost as good as the dinner itself. I did this last year too, only I made a full turkey (my first one!). I also made myself a challenge to use the leftovers in different ways, so it didn't get old...but also to make sure I used the whole thing - a bit of a challenge when its just two of us eating a whole turkey! I took photos last year, but never got around to posting anything, so I thought I would post them this year to pass along some ideas for your leftovers.
First up, the obligatory turkey sandwich...if it were most customary, I would be down with eating a turkey sandwich for Thanksgiving dinner since I love them so much. I make mine with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce (the only real reason for cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving in my opinion ;).
Pulled turkey anyone? I shredded most of the leftover meat and separated it into two person servings. One night I added BBQ sauce to the turkey and made a sandwich with some coleslaw. I served the whole thing with mashed potatoes (potato salad would also work if your mashed potatoes are already gone).
I also made several cups (maybe 9 or 10?) of turkey broth by making stock from the carcass. For one meal I made a simple soup with veggies (onion and carrots), orzo and turkey.
Finally, I made one of our favorite curry dishes with turkey instead of chicken. We love the Red Thai Curry sauce from Trader Joe's and usually add green beans to the curry sauce. I just substituted turkey for the chicken and served it over basmati rice with garlic naan (also from TJs).
Hope you enjoy these leftover options!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Halloween 2010
Since we don't really live in a great tick-or-treating neighborhood, like last year, Halloween really focused around the annual Halloween potluck at my office. We had a great time and while I really did go into Halloween not intending to make us coordinating costumes like last year, I just couldn't help myself. So this year, I was Snow White and Elliott was one of her dwarfs...which one? That ended up being contingent on how well the costume went over ;) Fortunately for me, Elliott and everyone around us, it went over well!
I made most of my costume and put Elliott's together with regular clothes, then made his embellishments. The crafty, nerdy details can be found over on the craft blog here.
And while Auntie Meagan was very scary as Little Dead Riding Hood (as usual!), Elliott didn't seem to mind and sat right next to her during the potluck.
There was also the cutest Wonder Woman I have ever seen! (and yes, that's Uncle Kanji in the background in a pink house coat - see what happens when you don't dress up! ;)
Despite the initial threat of low participation this year, it had to be one of the best years yet! Nearly everyone participated and the costumes were funny, creative and a lot of fun.
Hope you all had a great Halloween as well! ...I'm already thinking about next year!
I made most of my costume and put Elliott's together with regular clothes, then made his embellishments. The crafty, nerdy details can be found over on the craft blog here.
And while Auntie Meagan was very scary as Little Dead Riding Hood (as usual!), Elliott didn't seem to mind and sat right next to her during the potluck.
There was also the cutest Wonder Woman I have ever seen! (and yes, that's Uncle Kanji in the background in a pink house coat - see what happens when you don't dress up! ;)
Despite the initial threat of low participation this year, it had to be one of the best years yet! Nearly everyone participated and the costumes were funny, creative and a lot of fun.
Hope you all had a great Halloween as well! ...I'm already thinking about next year!
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