Category Archives: Family
OC Fair Filmstrip 2011
Our annual photo booth pictures! This almost didn’t happen due to Brett’s crazy work schedule but thankfully it all came together so we could go as the family to the fair. Brett got his dippin dots and we were able to see my photograph on display.
I realized I never put up the picture from 2010. Maybe it was because it isn’t very good. Clare is only a month or so old and was out of focus and pimple-covered. Anyway, here it is. And, here is the link to the last two years as well.
Kate’s First Big Dance Recital
Hopes of becoming a professional dancer aren’t high on our list for her, but Kate still had fun at her first dance recital. She really enjoys dance class three days a weeks with her friends Layla, Aerowyn, Kendyl and Anika. The dance gene is definitely not in our DNA pool so we know an invitation to try out for the company team won’t happen but for now Kate can enjoy expending some energy and getting more flexible! She had three different dances with three costumes at this recital – “Good Ship Lollipop” (song and dance), “Peppermint Twist (tap) and “Splish Splash” (pre jazz). Nana Wende, Papa Tony, Gramps, Uncle Anthony, Aunt Cherise and Uncle Kyle and Aunt Stephani all came out to watch!
Good Ship Lollipop - Kate, Layla, Aerowyn, Anika, Kendyl
Clare, Kate, Aunt Cherise
Clare, Kate, Nana Wende
Kate and Gramps
Kate, Uncle Kyle and Aunt Stephani (with cousin Gavin in her belly)
Our family
Kate and mama
Good Ship Lollipop
Good Ship Lollipop
Splish Splash
Splish Splash
Splish Splash - Kate, Layla, Aerowyn
Peppermint Twist
Peppermint Twist
Peppermint Twist - Layla, Anika, Kate (the giant), Kendyl, Aerowyn
Easter 2011 (it’s not too late, right?)
Playgroup Easter Party
Playgroup Easter Party
Easter Egg Hunt at Irvine Park Railroad
Easter Egg Hunt at Irvine Park Railroad (playgroup)
Easter Egg Hunt at Irvine Park Railroad (Aerowyn, Kate, Layla)
Easter Egg Hunt at Irvine Park Railroad
Easter Egg Hunt at Irvine Park Railroad
Easter Bunny 2011 - Kate and Clare
Kate left carrots for the EB
Look what the EB left for Kate!
We even saw his little footprints
Easter 2011 at the Dunst's
Easter 2011 at the Dunst's
Easter 2011 at the Dunst's - check out the loot!
Easter 2011 at the Dunst's
Easter 2011 at the Dunst's
Easter 2011 at the Dunst's
Easter 2011 at the Dunst's - Papa Tony
Easter 2011 at the Dunst's - Aunt Cherise and Uncle Anthony
Kate’s Birthday
Disneyland holds a special place in this family’s heart so naturally we love to celebrate special occasions at the happiest place on earth. Brett was able to take a half day and meet us to enjoy the beautiful day. We stayed late in to the evening to take in the new “World of Color”. We had seen it a few months ago and did not have wonderful seats and overall I was very disappointed. However, this time, we took advantage of the special dining package. Basically you eat at a specified restaurant and a fixed meal and get priority seat tickets. The new perspective made all the difference. I thought the show was beautiful.
Overall, I think Kate had a blast. Her current fav ride is the Matterhorn.
First off, let’s take a look at Kate in her chair at one year and now, at three years.
And of course we need one with baby sister as well.
Next, let’s look at Kate last year with Minnie Mouse on her birthday and this year with Minnie.
Minnie doesn’t seem to have aged at all.
Kate’s gift from Nana Wende and Papa Tony was her very own annual pass to Disneyland! I was content to let her still slide in under the radar but Brett and my mom would not have that. So, as a right of passage for a proper orange county girl, at three, Kate now has a Premium Annual Pass. Hopefully my parents will continue to purchase this. {smile}
Getting her picture taken.
Yay! An almost $500 flimsy piece of plastic. But, oh the memories it will be responsible for!
Love this picture with Clare’s hand on Kate.
Having fun with Papa Tony.
Two peas in a pod.
Birthday candle #1.
And #2.
So glad my parent’s have annual passes too!
Happy Birthday to my sweet little girl. I can hardly believe that three years have gone by. You astound me every day with how observant, humorous and unique you are. I can’t wait to see the person you will become.
Catch up
I really wish that I could post more often. I love how they do it over at Gomez Rocks. Fun pictures, straight-forward commentary. I aspire to be more like that. However, I have an over-abundance of words that need to get out. The sad thing is that I don’t even really like what I write since I heavily edit it for the benefit of the readers of this blog (and who’s kidding, it is all my family). Anyway, in homage to the Gomez Fam here are some pictures to catch you up on the last two months.
Clare 7-months
Fun with playgroup friends
Camping in San Clemente for New Year
Washing dishes with (great) Gramps
Christmas Day
Christmas Eve
Fat Santa
Happy Thanksgiving!
It was Thanksgiving of 2009 that Brett, Kate and I announced that a new little baby was on its way. What a wonderful year we have had and we are so very, very blessed.
Clare: 5-months
Sweet baby chunk is now 5-months old. She is full of smiles and giggles. She is constantly communicating with us via squeals, screams, grunts and coos. Clare loves her big sister the most. Really, she has to be the cutest baby ever.
Our little family had a beautiful day on Nov 22 when we went to Mission San Juan Capistrano to take our annual photos with Tonya Joy. The place is magical. I was lost in the beauty and the history. The little town around the mission is adorable and I can’t wait to go back there again soon. To see Tonya’s sneak peak of our shots go here. Below are a couple I took in the harsh light but I had to get the gorgeous fountain.
Bugs and growing babies
I never realized how busy Halloween can be when you have littles! On Saturday the 30th, we had our playgroup family Halloween party and later that evening, Brett and I were able to have some adult-fun at the annual DreamHost Halloween party. Trick-or-Treating topped off the weekend. But, before we get to that, guess who is 4-months old! (I realize this is a tad late since Clare will be 5-months next week, but what are you going to do?)
Stats:
Weight – 13.11 lbs, 50%
Height – 24 3/4″, 70%
Head circumference – 42″
At 4-months, Kate was 14.14 lbs and 24 3/4″! You can see my 4-month post on her here. Wow, they really do look a lot alike. I am wondering if Kate weighed more because she was formula-fed and Clare is breastfed. Clare is also enjoying the same exersaucer and is an avid communicator. She only needs to make eye contact with you to smile and she constantly is making little squeals and grunts. A total cuddle-bug and another thumb-sucker.
I had a couple of bugs around here for Halloween.
A ladybug…
…and a butterfly to be exact.
Clare’s costume wasn’t very functional so at our playgroup party she wore a fun onsie that said Pumpkin Princess with an adorable custom tutu and headband that my friend, Lynn, made for her.
Brett and I had an amazing time at the DreamHost Halloween party. Last year, we went with a group of friends as renaissance people and won the group prize. This year, we all went as geishas and samurais and won the group award again! Our friend Jason spent months hand making an awesome samurai warrior costume so we decided to have that be the theme for the group. Unfortunately I didn’t get a pic of him alone but you can see him peeking out behind the group of Asian lovelies.
Brett was the “sensei master” and my costume was called “jade princess” but I’m not sure what that means. All I know is that all the girls succeeded in looking like Asian hookers!
The party was at the most amazing venue called the Edison. I hope they have it there again. I pretty much wanted to move in to the place. It gave me the idea for our group to dress in steampunk for next year.
I am lucky that my brother Anthony and his fiancee Cherise (yep my baby bro is engaged!!!!) also go with us to this party. It is always fun having them around!
We had some of Kate’s friends over on Halloween, along with their parentals, to do trick or treating around our neighborhood. I was happy to discover that we have a great treat giving street! We only made it down our street and half of the one below us before the kids pooped out. I want to make it a tradition to have the kids and parents over every Halloween for trick or treating and hot apple cider and sweets after. It reminds me of the amazing Halloween memories I have growing up on LeRoy.
Happy Father’s Day!
Pretty much every day I think how lucky I am to have the amazing father that I do. No one is perfect but it was clear and evident throughout my childhood that my dad’s #1 priority was his family. Because of this I never felt that I wanted to for anything and I can honestly say that I had the best childhood and wouldn’t change a thing. The main sentiments that I remember are fun, love and adventure. My dad wanted this for my brother and I and, along with my mom, did everything he could to make it happen. I am proud to have my dad as my father and I hope I can give my children the same memories he provided to me.
When you get married, you are thinking of your new husband as how he fits with you. You can really have no concept of how they will be as a father. Boy did I luck out! Brett has been a hands-on dad since he slept every night in my room at the hospital when Kate was born. He changes diapers, makes food, packs the diaper bag and a lot of the time makes me feel guilty for how much he does! We definitely have different parenting styles but they compliment each other well. Kate is so blessed to have an amazing dad like Brett.
Moreover, I am grateful to have so many wonderful men in my life from my Grandpa, my uncle and the great family I now have because of Brett – his dad, uncle and grandfather. Here’s to all the men out there that take an active role in their childrens’ lives and are the strong role models we all need to become responsible parents ourselves!! I love you guys!
Kate was 6-months old in this picture.
A great picture of Brett, his dad Frank and grandpa Frank + Kate.
I can’t find any pictures of me with my dad when I was little. My mom has most of these. Here is one that I love of my dad and Kate.
