........... my two dads

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Santa Fe 2009

Ahh, Santa Fe! My "spiritual center" of the universe. Every time I go there, I feel as though I regain the balance in my life. It truly is one of my all-time favorite destinations. The week goes all too quickly, but leaves me wanting for much much more. Here are but a few pics from our week.

Our hosts, the Chicago Eleys (Tom, Victoria, TC, Teddy & Katherine) and the McCollum-VanHoosears during our annual President's Week pilgrimage to Santa Fe.

One thing we love to do in Santa Fe, ski & snowboard...I'm posing with TC who I could barely keep up with - to be 18 again!

Lucas learns to navigate the slopes! "Dad, I only fell thwee times!" Hit the "PLAY" arrow to see Lucas' first ski experience.

The Eley & McCollum-VanHoosear kids.

Everybody waits patiently for our table at the Plaza Cafe...

What the heck...kids on stilts with mustaches??? Welcome to Canyon Road Art Feast! A delicious way to see some of Santa Fe's finest art houses (as well as some interesting entertainment!)

Even an acordian player!

Miss Kate was bundled for the event...

The Santa Fe Farmer's Market is always fun to visit...

As well as the new Railyard Park adjacent to the market. Lucas LOVED the maze!

The merry-go-round was pretty darn fun as well!

These are two of the most handsome men in Santa Fe!!!

Lucas finds a new friend at Stone Forest...

We had a house party for our other visiting friends...the Weissmans from Seattle (Lucas plays the electric guitar with Lucas Weissman - not only did they share the same name, they even looked like each other! Lucas W is 13, Lucas MVH is 5.

Now its MY turn to jam!

No trip to Santa Fe would be complete without a treatment at 10,000 Waves Japanese Spa.

Is that a satisfied & relaxed customer or what???

Daddy poses with the kiddos...

We're ready to book next year's trip!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Miss Katie Bug turns 9 months!

Miss Katie Bug turned 9 months this past Sunday. We decided to head to Laguna Beach - can you believe it? - to COOL OFF! It was nearly 90 degrees on Sunday so the beach was the perfect place to escape the heat. We had fish tacos at Wahoos and soaked our toes in the cool waters of the Pacific with the Flatt-Stykemian family. Lucas, (a Laguna Beach native) didn't waste any time heading for the surf. Kate loved the sand. At one point, she started crawling toward the ocean - as if she were a sea turtle returning to the sea as she scooted through the sand.

Awe....that sand feels SO good on my feet!

Justin & Alan with their boys, Evan & Benjamin

Hey Poppa, check out Lucas and the surfers!

Come on Daddy, its fun!

Daddy & Lucas stroll along the surf.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Holidays 2008

We celebrated many things this holiday season...our newest family member, the precious Miss Katie-Bug, our sweetheart of a son, Lucas, our family, our health and the (almost) completion of a major remodel. The pics of the remodel are coming (I know - I keep promising them, Allie...but I PROMISE I'll get to it as soon as I have a moment to spare). For now, we hope you enjoy some pics of the past month of life happenings around here and we wish all of you a very happy New Year.

Lucas & Kate's elf, Aloysius. He reported to Santa every night how good they both were so that Santa would bring them everything on their lists.

We lit a menorah for little Kate...in honor of her birthfamily. (She also got some cool vintage dreidels from her Aunt Stacey & Uncle Neil).

Oh, to have the best of both worlds! Miss Kate LOVED opening presents!

Lucas gets a sharp new hat from Dorothy.

...and a Speed Racer car that has so many cool action features!

Hey, Santa...you left your hat, you silly!

Santa! You got me that big-boy bike with NO TRAINING WHEELS! Its the coolest!

Miss Kate got a new high chair - she LOVES it!

Some of our decorations...our collection of nativity scenes.

The coffee table decorations were SO TEMPTING for Kate now that she can pull herself up to it!

Our Christmas tree(s) - a bosque of 5 live trees, one in Jeff's new antique kids' wheelbarrow.

Christmas Eve dinner with Grammy & Stacey & Neil. Complete with Prime Rib, Yorkshire Pudding & Crackers to pop for our Christmas crowns & silly jokes (what's up with that British humor?)

Grammy gives Kate some walking lessons. Kate is sporting her cousin Emma's "Baby's First Christmas" sleeper. Thanks little Ems!

Do I really have to pose in front of the presents when I'd much rather be ripping into them!

Gratuitous shot of my little cowpokes - two days before Christmas. Lucas wanted to wear his new boots & he is wearing MY FRINGE JACKET FROM WHEN I WAS HIS AGE (talk about bringing tears to my eyes)! Miss Katie Bug is sporting some fancy red ropers (Justin, of course!)

Our annual gathering of the kids from SF & Laguna - L-R Jesse, Benjamin, Evan, Kate, Lucas & Avery.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Thanksgiving 2008

Wow, what a great turkey day we had! Our tradition (for the past 5 or so years) has been to head over to the Smiths' house for Thanksgiving. Julie makes an AMAZING turkey and everyone brings something to enjoy. Jeff's stuffing is always a hit as are Joanne's delicious pies. The day after, we headed up to Lake Arrowhead for a weekend in the cold mountains. Cozy fires, leftovers and Mexican food at Papagayo's made for a great time. The Smith girls couldn't keep their hands off Miss Katie Bug. Needless to say, Kate enjoyed the attention.