Happy Birthday Abe Lincoln

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Merry Christmas!

Christmastime!

Kate was officially 22-months as of December 1. She is geared up for the holidays and fully knows who Santa is. Everytime she seems him on TV or in a book she says, "Santa"! However that excitement quickly turns to horror when in person she realizes she has to sit on his lap. So far she hasn't cried uncontrollably but just has a general look of fear and betrayal on her tiny face. Here are some pictures to illustrate.

Kate and Gemma (13-months)

Kate with Disney Santa



Flashing gang signs (we start them early in OC)

My little family

Be sure to visit Tonya Joy Photography to see our 2009 family pictures. I can't express enough how lucky I am to have this amazing, talented woman in my life. Not only is she a great friend but her pictures aren't too shabby either!

Who's busy?

Wowie! We have been so busy lately. We just finished renovating our three bathrooms, getting all new windows and doing some major lighting changes. That on top of a very active toddler and a crazy work schedule has led me into a rut with updating this blog. I have sooo many pictures and stories. I will just post some fun ones for now and try to update more often!

Kate: 21-months


Getting ready for her first Halloween Trick-or-Treating!

She was a 50's girl with a poodle skirt



Fall photo in costume

At Tanaka Farms - a great working produce farm in Irvine

Tiny Dancer

Kate has been taking a dance class with some of her friends every Thursday. She gets to practice tap and ballet. At first she was shy and timid but now she is really warming up and having a lot of fun. I don't have high hopes for a future in dance given the coordination deficiencies of her parents but at least for now we can enjoy it. :)

Oh and Kate is now 20-months old! I can hardly believe that in 4-months my sweet baby will be a 2-year old!! I am off to Toronto next week and hopefully I won't need to travel again until February!

20-month old pictures in her chair!


Getting stickers at the end of dance class.

Holding hands with her friend Layla. Kate can say Layla too which is adorable.

Layla, Kate and Aerowyn. These kiddos have been in Gymboree together since around 3-months of age. We now get them together in our mom's group and also at dance and art class.

Layla and Kate. Kate is 2-months younger than Layla and Aerowyn. Looks like she is going to be tall!

Hooray for growing families!

My one and only brother-in-law Kyle just got engaged on Sunday! I am so excited to have his sweet and gorgeous girlfriend Stephani as an official part of the family. Not only is Stephani super smart (an engineer), and very pretty, she also is from Arcadia so of course she is utterly fantastic as well. How unique that two brothers from New Jersey, transplanted to Rancho Palos Verdes, ended up with two girls from Arcadia!

I am really looking forward to the holidays this year with Kate being able to better engage in the festivities and also the newly engaged couple looking forward to their life together.

Congratulations Kyle and welcome Stephani! I love you both!