Set of the Sail

Kenna's first Big Game and Craig's birthday

2011-11-19T19:37:00.001-08:00

Halloween visitors

2011-10-31T13:03:00.001-07:00

Here for the Halloween parade!

Introductions

2011-10-29T18:26:00.001-07:00

Tucker is being so brave! But he's also not quite sure what to make of Kenna.

A puppy!?!!!

2011-10-29T15:17:00.001-07:00

Welcome Kenna! The newest member of our family.

Happy Hallowen!

2011-10-29T14:52:00.001-07:00

Pumpkin patch with the cousins

2011-10-29T14:34:00.001-07:00

We went to Pastorinos last weekend and the kids had fun posing on this tractor.

Test

2011-10-29T14:32:00.001-07:00

Testing a post from the Blogger iPhone app

On the cable car at Squaw

2011-01-23T15:25:00.000-08:00

Family trip to the snow!!

2011-01-23T14:42:00.000-08:00

Owl project with the kids

2010-12-23T15:49:00.000-08:00

Inspired by a post on this blog, I set out to make these adorable owls with the kids. Check out the cuteness!

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Crunch

2010-11-28T14:25:00.001-08:00

Sweet Anticipation

2010-11-28T14:22:00.001-08:00

Enjoying Fall Part 2

2010-11-28T14:11:00.001-08:00

Outside enjoying Fall

2010-11-28T14:09:00.001-08:00

Leaf pile at the park!

2010-11-08T13:59:00.001-08:00

Walking on a wet day

2010-11-07T16:24:00.001-08:00

Our first Chuck E. Cheese birthday experience

2010-11-07T12:34:00.000-08:00

Julia's friend Juliana is turning 6 today!

Halloween tablerunner

2010-10-30T16:19:00.001-07:00

I whipped this up today too. Feels good to be sewing again. Happy Halloween!

Halloween cupcakes

2010-10-30T16:17:00.000-07:00

Thanks to mom's Family Fun Magazine gift, I have a horde of scary cupcakes to serve the kids tonight!

Construction site, location two

2010-10-17T13:48:00.001-07:00

Here we are on the 2nd location of the day, Rick's Rolling Smokehouse at the construction site. Rick can take a customer payment from anywhere!

Back on location

2010-10-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the location we are shooting today, while they are setting up. A very cool space, made to look like a design studio.

Two cats

2010-10-15T14:13:00.000-07:00

I am home for a brief break between shooting days, and am working from home to see a little bit of my kiddos before I head out again. And I couldn't resist the opportunity to post this pic of my two cats, both home and healthy, and close enough together that I could catch them in the same frame.

Movie magic

2010-10-14T17:54:00.001-07:00

We are ending Day 3 of shooting with some shots of the exteriors. For this one (hat shop) the plan was to shoot it with a boy on a bike riding by. I freaked everyone out by asking if we could have a customer entering the shop. (Healthy thriving businesses use Intuit products!).

After a little flurry of protest at the last minute request ("we don't have that kind of extra on hand, no appropriate wardrobe" etc) the movie magic people took over and out of thin air appeared a nicely dressed man, complete with umbrella (our ground was wet by this point.). A customer! Voilà!

See, I am adding value!

Have I mentioned the healer?

2010-10-14T16:14:00.001-07:00

Interspersed with the catering (I just turned down banana creams) we have a healer coming by to ensure we stay comfortable, energetic and healthy. In the morning he brings our vitamins in little flavored liquid sipping cups. Just now we had oxygenated energy boosts. He offered mouthwash after lunch. You have a need, he has the solution.

Mocha anyone?

2010-10-14T14:28:00.000-07:00

A case of mistaken identity?

2010-10-14T13:56:00.000-07:00

I stepped out of Video Village to make a phone call, when a tour bus from Universal Studios drove by. They all stared intently at me. And then one waved. I tried to look aloof and distracted, to fulfill their hopes that I was a star on a break. But then I ruined it by snapping a photo of them...

Lunch on the steps of a New York Brownstone

2010-10-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

We couldn't find a free table so we decided to perch here on the steps of what seems to be simulating a New York street with a row of brownstones. I am with Val and my account team Melissa and Leah from the agency.

Ginseng time!

2010-10-14T11:14:00.000-07:00

Every day around this time we are offered a vial of ginseng with a tiny straw. Healthy stuff, apparently, but it tastes terrible.

Video Village

2010-10-14T10:30:00.001-07:00

They set up a Video Village for the agency and client people where we can watch the filming on a monitor. This morning we are filming the interior of the pet shop. You can see the owner behind the counter with his computer, and the dogs being groomed in the foreground.

The juice tray is back

2010-10-14T09:31:00.000-07:00

On the Universal Back Lot today

2010-10-14T09:07:00.000-07:00

Here is a wide shot of the pet shop we are shooting, inside and exterior. It is on the Universal Back Lot which is a maze of little streets, all fake, waiting to be dressed and filled with lights, camera and action.

Dog enjoying a blast of air

2010-10-13T17:44:00.000-07:00

I took a quick video of the monitor showing this take of the dog enjoying a blast of air from the pneumatic tube. You might wonder what this has to do with Intuit. Well, you'll have to wait until November to find out!

On location day 2

2010-10-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

Today we are in a new location, a very graphic space where we have built a series of tubes going through the space. We are putting a bunch of dogs into the space running around. Very crazy day.

Now comes the fruit

2010-10-13T09:53:00.001-07:00

Less than 30 min later the catering guy is back offering fruit dressed with yogurt and honey. See the figs? Fancy.

The catering guy

2010-10-13T09:45:00.001-07:00

The catering guy is quite the character. He comes by every hour or so with an offering of something tempting. This morning he was offering a choice of energy boost juices. I got a custom mix of tangerine and pomegranate. Yum!

On location: hat shop

2010-10-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

I am in LA shooting 4 TV commercials in the next few days. Lots of interesting sights and sounds to share. Here is a view into the hat shop location from yesterday. The director is the man in the light shirt with his hand on his hip. The space was very cool. Can't wait for these to show up on TV.

Dinner is a colorful affair tonight!

2010-10-09T18:30:00.001-07:00

Part 9

2010-10-09T12:42:00.001-07:00

Part 8

2010-10-09T12:41:00.001-07:00

Part 7: getting ready to head home

2010-10-09T12:38:00.001-07:00

Part 6

2010-10-09T12:36:00.001-07:00

Part 5

2010-10-09T12:28:00.001-07:00

Part 4

2010-10-09T12:26:00.002-07:00

Part 3

2010-10-09T12:26:00.001-07:00

Outing with Julia Part 2

2010-10-09T12:24:00.001-07:00

We stopped at Johnson park. She is a good climber!

Outing with Julia Part 1

2010-10-09T12:20:00.001-07:00

We took the tandem bike to Downtown Palo Alto and stopped for a chocolate milk at Starbucks:

A nanny, a singer, a dancer, or a teacher

2010-09-30T18:56:00.000-07:00

She is still debating, but Julia says she'd like to be one of these things when she grows up: A nanny, a singer, a dancer, or a teacher.

Andrew says he'd like to be a Daddy.

Awww...

Tucker

2010-09-28T17:38:00.000-07:00

{wordless post. I'm not ready to put words to this yet.}

Nana and Grumps are here!

2010-09-18T12:18:00.001-07:00

We are at the mall, tossing pennies in the fountain.

2010-09-12T12:39:00.000-07:00

Can you put this in my backpack?

2010-09-12T12:36:00.001-07:00

"is it on in the nighttime?" he wants to know.

2010-09-12T12:33:00.001-07:00

Walking on the ledge is more fun

2010-09-12T12:24:00.001-07:00

Let's read it.

2010-09-12T12:18:00.001-07:00

Why wait until we get home when we can read it right here!?

Rolling down a grassy hill.

2010-09-12T12:15:00.000-07:00

We love the book store.

2010-09-12T12:05:00.001-07:00

Can i go down there?

2010-09-12T11:56:00.000-07:00

I want that fire truck!

2010-09-12T11:50:00.001-07:00

Snack time at Starbucks

2010-09-12T11:41:00.001-07:00

Ducks!

2010-09-12T11:40:00.000-07:00

Can you spot him?

2010-09-12T11:38:00.001-07:00

Taking a walk

2010-09-12T11:37:00.001-07:00

"What's in here?"

2010-09-12T10:10:00.000-07:00

Twins!

2010-09-04T11:10:00.001-07:00

We are renting a house in Aptos this weekend at the beach. Andrew and Nathan got matching shirts from Benne!

Bedtime

2010-09-03T20:21:00.001-07:00

Craig is a sleepy boy.

Jazz by Robin Mckelle, setting by Filoli. Perfection!

2010-08-15T15:38:00.001-07:00

The picture from my seat doesn't really capture it but let me tell you it is heavenly! Under the canopy of oak trees and umbrellas, and with a glass of the delicious (included) wine in my hand, I am really appreciating Mom and Dad's birthday gift to Jeff that we are finally taking advantage of! Filoli does an excellent job with these concerts!

Sewing again

2010-08-14T17:27:00.001-07:00

I've been crafty these past few days! I think it's because our front room is finally finished and I have space to bring out my sewing machine. Check out the two little projects I've been up to this weekend. Details on my crafty blog.

Happy Birthday Jay!

2010-08-10T10:51:00.001-07:00

It's GG's birthday today! Hope you have a lovely day!

My return to rafting

2010-08-07T16:04:00.000-07:00

We have been in Tahoe this week. Gorgeous weather. So much fun with our friends the Joneses. They left this morning, but we had plans to stay one more day and aren't we glad we did. We went rafting on the Truckee river! I have many fond memories of this exact same rafting adventure when I was a child. We would come up every summer with my dad's side of the family, hanging out with cousins, aunts and uncles. Every year we would take to the river and epic water battles would ensue.

Decades later, I am pleased to report the experience is just as fun, laid back and unspoiled. We even got attacked by pirates and Julia was kidnapped! After turning on us and soaking us all with her captor's water soaker squirt gun, we managed to steal her back to our side. The wild rapids at the end of the run left us breathless. The root beer floats at the patio grill were the perfect finish.

We had not dared bring a camera, so we paid for the official photo to remind us of the day. Here we are (I took a picture of the picture with my phone.)

Fairy House building in Tahoe!

2010-08-06T15:43:00.001-07:00

Guess who is at the beach!?

2010-08-01T13:53:00.001-07:00

Benne is visiting today!

2010-07-30T13:37:00.001-07:00

Big news at Swimming today!

2010-07-29T14:29:00.002-07:00

Wendy took the day off, so I got a chance to take the kids to their swimming lesson. And what great timing! Julia passed her level check for the butterfly stroke! Which means, she's learned every stroke they teach in swimming lessons: freestyle, backstroke, breast, and now butterfly! You should see her doing it. I wish I'd thought to take a video. She's just amazing! So at the tender age of barely six, she's already done with swimming lessons. Next is swim team, which we will look into for the fall. Here's a picture of Julia with her ribbon. We will call her "jellyfish julia" from now on.
And here's Andrew, in a very short video expressing his excitement about his drink:

Happy Birthday Mom!

2010-07-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday! Looking forward to celebrating with you tonight at the party!

Cute new shirt for Julia

2010-07-23T08:07:00.001-07:00

I just love that sweet detailing on the back. Adorable.

Let there be light

2010-07-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I always know when my Dad has been visiting while I'm away at work. Where there had been darkness, there is now light!
We had no less than 3 light bulbs out -- all in the SAME corner of the kitchen! We were suffering from a significant pool of dimness for several days. Until Now. I managed to frame up all 3 of the lights that were out in the same photo. The one above the stove, the one above the sink, and the ceiling light in that same area. It was a truly bad situation. And, helpless as we are, we were silently suffering with it, no hope of resolution anytime soon. Until DAD. And a little help from Wendy. Hajellulia!

Thanks Dad!!!

Me and my kiddos

2010-07-16T19:49:00.000-07:00

It's all in the presentation

2010-07-16T18:10:00.000-07:00

I made a couple of loaves of banana bread for some ailing family members, and had a little fun in the process of packaging it up for delivery. Just a little extra effort turned this simple bread into a cheerful get well gift.

Date night

2010-07-15T18:06:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Mom and Dad for taking the kids for a night last weekend! We took advantage of the opportunity to try out the new outdoor lounge area at the Rosewood Hotel, recently built near our neighborhood. That setting turned this wine from good to fabulous! Yum.

Did I mention we camped?

2010-07-07T20:13:00.000-07:00

Our past few weeks have been such a blur.

Not this past weekend, but the weekend before that, we took a quick little camping trip to Big Basin with our neighbors and longtime friends the Staas family.

Highlights from the trip: "Everything", says Julia. And, playing with Emma and Katie, s'mores, sleeping in sleeping bags, playing Apples to Apples, climbing on the bridge in our campsite, and up on the huge fallen log. And I especially liked the hike we took right from our campsite that led to a little creek and waterfall that we could splash around in. So much fun!

Down by the lake

2010-07-06T21:35:00.000-07:00

What a great way to spend the Fourth of July! Tubing from the boat, picnics by the lake, cocktails on the deck, jet skiing, time with kids and grandparents. And don't forget fireworks over the lake, viewed from a boat right underneath them. A great way to spend the holiday weekend for certain. Many thanks to Paul and Susan for generously hosting us for this last minute and impromptu trip. So glad it worked out. We are looking forward to being back soon!

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-04T15:22:00.000-07:00

A new world opens...

2010-07-04T10:52:00.001-07:00

Julia gets an early birthday gift from Nana and Grumps.

2010-07-04T08:40:00.000-07:00

Julia's first American Doll: Lanie!

New hats for the girls in the Village in Big Bear!

2010-07-03T11:23:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for Fourth of July!

2010-07-03T10:15:00.001-07:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY (Outtakes!)

2010-06-20T11:11:00.001-07:00

Photo shoots are tricky these days...

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO DAD'S AND GRANDPA'S EVERYWHERE! ESPECIALLY OURS!

Haircut Day

2010-06-19T15:52:00.000-07:00

Before:

After:

Today's Photo Text: Fun at the Pool

2010-06-17T18:08:00.001-07:00

Julia and Andrew met up with Iris and Violet at the pool today. Here's the picture of them that Wendy texted me during the day. They're hanging out by the pool's fence. Summer fun!

Photo Texting

2010-06-16T19:30:00.000-07:00

Wendy and I have a new way to communicate about what's happening with the kids during the day while I am at work: Photo texting! While the kids were at the park this morning for a playdate with Sawyer, Cooper and Auden, Wendy snapped a photo with her phone and texted the photo to me. It made my day to see this pop up on my phone while in the middle of a boring meeting at work. I'm loving technology today!

Braids!

2010-06-14T08:32:00.001-07:00

In the remodeling home stretch.

2010-06-12T08:21:00.000-07:00

Knobs and pulls, fireplace surround, and lights & switches. That's what's left to go, which means we're in the home stretch. The painters finished up last week and we couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out. The trim and cabinets are a soft white ("Monterey White" from Benjamin Moore), and the walls are a nice neutral shade of "Monroe Bisque".

We love our contractor, and architect too. While no remodel is stress free, this one has been relatively easy on us, especially since this room can be so easily walled off from the rest of the house. Nevertheless, we are anxious to have it done and move in!

Kindergarten is over. Already???

2010-06-12T07:50:00.000-07:00

"Julia, you could probably run this class." So said Ms. Merk as she handed Julia her certificate of Kindergarten completion and her memory book. "And I appreciate all your help" she added as she hugged Julia amid laugher from the assembled crowd. It was such a cute moment.

Jeff and I weren't surprised. And no doubt Ms. Merk is right. That girl's got something special, and everybody who gets to know Julia can see it. I'm bursting with pride about our little baby who's all grown up.

After class Julia and her friend Mason, who is moving to Pleasanton (so sad!) shared an extra big hug. So cute.

Every year the kids gather to say farewell to the departing 5th graders in the annual "clap out". Here's Julia at the fence awaiting this clapping tradition.

Julia's good friend Grace Ann hosted a pool party for all the girls in the class immediately after school. Here they are getting a quick talk on pool safety before diving in. Benne met us at the party and stayed with Julia all afternoon.

Strike a pose

2010-06-10T18:56:00.000-07:00

Silly posing by my team at our work offsite meeting yesterday.

I am very lucky to work with such a smart and fun group of people.

Marital harmony resored: The Shed is Complete

2010-06-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

I won't go into the gory details of what it took to get this shed put together... lets just focus on the happy outcome: Have you ever seen a more gorgeous garden shed in your life? I don't think so. I'm thrilled with this darling new addition to the garden.

Here's a glamor shot close-up of the shed's adorable details.

Ah, the bliss.

Strawberry Shortcake

2010-06-07T20:05:00.000-07:00

After polishing off what was on his plate, he proceeded to climb onto the counter in pursuit of the bowl of leftover whipping cream. Both the bowl and the boy came crashing down onto the floor a moment later. After a momentary pause (during which I was sure he'd broken a bone), he popped up grinning ear to ear, saying "I ate some on the way down!"

Sleepover with Jane

2010-06-06T19:57:00.000-07:00

Julia had a guest on Saturday night. It was a busy night. Fava beans were shucked, the climbing dome was summitted, the tricycle was tested, the Meow Meow game was played, the Blendy Pens were used, Cinderella was watched, and the cat was pet. Fun night for all, and they even got a little sleep.

Rare sighting: Grandpa on a bike!

2010-06-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

Lion King Weekend

2010-06-02T20:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Nana and Grumps, for taking us to the Lion King and for treating us to a special weekend! We had a great time. Highlights were the Lion King, of course, seeing Brad, Kim, Kira and Gwen, and looking for the soccer ball way up in the tree. :)

Wendy and the kids in the garden

2010-06-01T18:08:00.000-07:00

Here is our very favorite person in the world, WENDY! With the kids, in the back yard.