Thanksgiving weekend

My parents, Bill and Ladonna, came out for Thanksgiving weekend to join us. We had a very nice and mellow Thanksgiving day as we hung out at home all day. We relaxed, cooked, ate and relaxed more.



On Friday, we went to tour our potential new home (find out for sure tomorrow, Dec 1st). I will include pictures of the house on a separate post as soon as it becomes official.
After seeing the house, we dropped by Dave's office to see his digs and met a couple of his co-workers. We then we to see the new home of the Shahkars. They have done a beautiful job remodeling the house and it was fun to see it and them.

Shahien, Gabriel (who was quite hungry) and Alyson


Dave practicing with Gabriel who was very content to chill out.



On Saturday morning we met Kevin, his mom, Joanne, Todd and Melissa for brunch at the Beach Chalet. It was stunning and warm day and the waves were supposed to be topping out at around 20 feet. After a yummy brunch, we all took a stroll along the ocean. The boys and Joanne headed to our place to watch the Florida versus Florida State football game while Mom and I went to BabiesRUs so Mom could check out our registry items and do a little Christmas shopping for the rest of the family.

Todd, Melissa, Dad, Mom, Me, Dave, Joanne and Kevin

Kaiser PTs 2008 Holiday Party

On Friday night, we ventured to the Gun and Rod Club of San Francisco to attend my department's annual holiday party. We had a lot of fun hanging out and chatting with everyone. We had a great turn out at the party. It was a good way to kick off the holiday season.

Our stellar dinner table crowd, Dave, Jeff, Joyce, Alla and Yuri.


I stopped Jillian and Greg for a quick snap before they headed out.


Joyce, Dave and Alla enjoying the band.

Jeff and Joyce enjoy the fire in the fireplace while standing on the hearth.

Joyce, Alla and myself. Wednesdays are our lunch out days which almost always end in a trip to Starbucks.

The McEwen's (in case you don't recognize us) :)

Soon-to-be homeowners

After a lot of back and forth, we finally got our offer accepted on a house in Orinda. For those of you not familiar with areas outside San Francisco, it is over the bay bridge and then through a tunnel. Yes, we are going to be bridge and tunnel people in just a few short weeks. Crazy! We are excited about having a home and being able to bring the newest member of the family home to his own nursery when he finally arrives.

My sweet husband went to store before I arrived home from work on Thursday to get some sparkling cider for me and opened some champagne for him to celebrate our upcoming new home.


We pulled out the champagne glasses that we toasted with at our wedding to mark the occasion.

Brunch and registering

On Sunday, November 16th, we met the Yungs in Millbrae for brunch and then Joyce graciously accompanied Dave and I to BabiesRUs to register for everything we need for the little one. Given that Dave and I were pretty much clueless, Joyce was, is and will be a life saver! Thanks JBY!!

Jeff and Madeline as we wait for our table.


Madeline getting a jump start with some strawberries.


The Yungs

A busy November 15th

We had a very busy and fun Saturday, November 15th. The morning started early with Dave and I hitting our favorite coffee house for coffee and a crossword.
After coming back home for Dave to watch the Florida Gators game, I headed out to brunch to meet Susan Hobbel. She was in town from Portland for just the day and was so great in coming up to Glen Park to meet me for a quick bite so we could catch up. I haven't gotten to see Susan for just over a year, and it was wonderful to have some one on one time in person. I can't wait to someday get back up to Portland to see her in her Oregon world. Thanks for coming, Susan!

Obviously a quick self portrait.


Later in the day, Dave and I headed over to Berkeley to board the Hornblower yacht and celebrate Angie's 40th birthday. It was quite the bash with sailing around the bay on a beautiful clear evening, having a lovely dinner, listening to a band and then singing happy birthday to Angie with many candles and a wonderful cake. It was a fun night to hang out with many friends.

Dave, Jackie, Michaela, Mike and Melissa smiling as we sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge.


The happy newlyweds, Katherine and Melissa. They were married 3 weeks prior. We, as are they, are very sad that other couples like them will not have the opportunity to marry for now as California passed a ban on same sex marriages. We look forward to the day when this is again reversed and this type of discrimination is put to rest.


A view of Ghiradelli square from the water.


Dave and I enjoying the views on the back deck of the yacht.

Dinner with the Shahkars

One week ago on a Friday night, we ventured out to Walnut Creek to have dinner with Alyson and Shahien and to meet 5 week old Gabriel. Gabriel was out cold through dinner which gave his parents and us a chance to catch up. We then went to get gelato and sat outside on a lovely evening. Gabriel is obviously very cute and Mom and Dad Shahkar looked and seemed fantastic. A beautiful Shahkar family for sure. We look forward to spending more time with all three of them!

Shahien and Alyson not looking the least bit sleep deprived (though they told us they were).


Baby Gabriel waking up.


Happy with Mom.

Dinner at the Haynes

A couple of weeks ago, we went to Matt, Abby and Evan Haynes' home for dinner. We had a fun evening hanging out and catching up.

Abby and Megan


The boys busy on the couch (Matt, Evan and Dave)


Evan is very mobile now and moving all over.

House Hunting

As many of you know, Dave and I have spent a number of months house hunting and have seen our share of homes. Included in this post are some pictures from a home we saw recently with our real estate agent, Patrice. I have put the pictures on the blog because this had to have been one of the worst decorated houses we have seen. Enjoy them as we did touring the house live. Oh My!

Patrice and Dave in front of the red painted fireplace in the yellow and orange living room.


Here is the orange wall to the left, yellow to the right, gold and white curtains, and, oh yes, oriental porcelain doll collection above.

This bedroom had this giant tiger painted on the wall in front of an empty huge tank. I really hope that something is long gone and not wandering around the house. Yikes.

This is the window of the same bedroom with gold and green curtains. I surely hope the person who lives here is color blind because one just can't have this bad of taste, can they?!?

This bedroom has a Greek theme to it. Note the columns on the furniture and the lovely drapes. The bathroom attached to this bedroom had black and white floor tiles with a cream and green shower stall. Whoa.

I hope you enjoyed your home tour. :)

A Friday night dinner

Last Friday, October 24th, I had a really fun dinner with Joyce, Jeff, Madeline, Emmet, Emily, Mike, Dave and Emmett. Dave was in Florida for the weekend at the University of Florida homecoming game, so he was not able to join us.

Emily, Emmet, Joyce and Madeline

Notice the Jazz band playing in the background.

Jeff, Dave, Emmett, Mike and me

Jeff and Madeline

Caribbean dinner

On Saturday Oct 18th, my wonderful husband welcomed me home from a long day of a continuing education class with a Caribbean themed dinner. We had a wonderful chicken salad complete with fruit and coconut shavings with a yogurt dressing. We then had a black bean, ground beef and corn stew. Very yummy!