Yesterday was my first day back at work, and though only a half day, I found myself exhausted!

So, now I’m feeling a little lazy, and figured a post of photos from my iPhone was the least tiring type of post

New Year’s Eve countdown with Marco

Marco and his aunt Chloe are silly geese

My beautiful, sweet friends Adrian and Micaela visited me last week to cheer me up, keep me company, and fatten me up a little, LOL. In addition to the Gott’s lunch we had (complete with milkshakes!), Adrian brought Timmy and I dinner – a tasty lasagna! Her recipe is HERE

Flowers from my bosses and coworkers

The best way to wake up in the morning!

I love my flats! – REPORT ‘Foley’ 

Dinner at home – black bean ‘burger’ in pita bread, with spicy hummus, yellow bell pepper,tomato and fat-free feta

My pretty girl, Roux

Creepy kitty… ha ha poor Stabler

Tim and I had stayed up after we returned from Christmas Eve dinner to finish setting up Marco’s presents. I wanted everything to be perfect for the kiddo to run out and see his gifts!

Christmas morning dawned, and still the Dicksons snored. Marco woke up at 8am, not exactly happy with life. He insisted that Daddy hold him on his chest. The three of us stayed in bed and passed out for an additional 45 minutes. Then, we decided to have breakfast before Marco discovered his treasures.

Marco loves his eggs

Look at his excited face – and his adorable holiday jammies!

After breakfast, we let Marco run out to the living room to discover what was there. He was SO excited to see his tunnel tent!

There was even a special note from Old St Nick

Tim had piled Marco’s gifts into the tent so we could all hang out with Marco in his new digs.

I gave Tim two sets of cuff links (one that is reminiscent of a circuit!), and a cool book by Brian Cox, and the accompanying BluRay documentary. I also gave him a few silly things for his stocking, like binoculars, candies filled with Sambuca, and such.

After a pleasant morning and early afternoon lazing around, we got ready for our Christmas dinner with the Dicksons.

 Marco looked so handsome! Vest, tie, slim fit jeans and Converse.

I made my special baked Brie for an appetizer (by special request), and it went fast! I was only able to get a few bites before it disappeared. We had a delicious dinner, and I spent a lot of time talking with Dad and Tim about photography.

My body wasn’t thrilled with me that day, and I was losing the battle to stay awake and comfortable., so we left around 9 so I could get home to bed.  Overall, a very good and quiet Christmas.

Happy New Year!!

I know I’m kind of behind on the holiday posting! It’s already 2012. Whoops.  I felt so disconnected from the holidays this year, because of how much pain I was in, how tired I was, blah blah blah. Anyway, Marco had a wonderful holiday, which is the most important thing! It felt good to be able to bring such smiles to his face.

The Friday before Christmas, my amazing best friend Micaela came up to stay the night and keep me sane. We sipped a little bubbly (delicious Lucien Albrecht Cremant d’Alsace Brut Rose – YUM) and discussed life in general, exchanged gifts (I’ve held onto her gift for several months, I was DYING for her to finally open it! I found this beautiful vintage locket in the shape of a book; the cover had a cameo on it. It was part of an estate sale that ended up in a shop near my house; the clerk estimated 1950s). Micaela gave me a beautiful raspberry colored scarf/shawl, and an awesome crafting book full of neat ideas that I feel like I can actually do! It’s like Pinterest, in book form

After the fun present part, Micaela helped me chop pistachios and candy canes so I could make chocolate bark:

Dark chocolate with pure orange oil and pistachios

Milk chocolate with almonds (my grandma’s favorite, I made it especially for her)

Dark chocolate, white chocolate and smashed bits of candy canes (micaela took a meat tenderizer to the super-size candy cane)

I also baked some cookies, molasses and ginger snaps, and dark chocolate and mint cookies:

The next morning, Christmas Eve, we enjoyed coffee and conversation, and Marco engaged Micaela in a few rounds of tag and hide-n-seek.

Tim, Marco and I headed to the Gomers for our usual Christmas Eve lunch (2009 & 2010). Marco was really excited to visit and open his gifts:

Woo hoo! Marco loves racing cars around the house, and this one is his new favorite.

Marco and Belle decided to take their mid-day siestas, so the grown ups lounged around. We exchanged our gifts (I’m excited to start reading 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami ! Timmy got a Wii golf game – at least he doesn’t have to wear the weird plaid to play lol!), and I tried to feel less tired.

When Marco woke up, we made the trek to San Jose for my family’s dinner at my uncle’s house. It was good to see everyone, and I was happy to see my grandmother in good spirits. She’s been so frail for so long, it was a relief to see her smiling and laughing again. Marco was free with hugs, and my cousin Tony made an appearance (I haven’t seen him in several years). Overall, a good night. We couldn’t stay very late, because we had to drive back up to Napa. The drive home was difficult for me; I couldn’t get comfortable and the Motrin wasn’t doing anything for the pain.Poor Timmy was exhausted too, so we were relieved to finally make it home.

Christmas morning and day to come in the next post!

Good morning!

Yup.

And I made it myself – though you’d think with an IT husband he’d be more help…LOL s’okay. I GOT THIS. 

 I know, I know – so many Halloween posts in the blog world!  Seems like this year was bigger than ever. Lots of good times out there.

Last year, my boy was Darth Vader for Halloween (he was only 5 months old):

This year…

You tell me where you’ve ever seen a cuter Yoda and I’ll call you a liar.

In the afternoon, Marco’s toddler class came to trick-or-treat at my office (they’re within walking distance), and I got to show off a handsome Jedi to coworkers.

In the evening, the two of us trick-or-treated conned our neighbors into giving us candy. He actually hugged a few people after they gave him a candy bar!

So happy after a piece of KitKat bar!

Finally ready for bed…

Tim was out of town for a business trip, and missed the Halloween festivities; we missed him!!

Last week was quiet around here, mostly because our little family was super busy – IN THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!! Disneyland post coming soon…

I love concerts (if you couldn’t tell already). I love sharing music with other people, friends, loved ones, people Ive never met…not to get super hippie-dippy but I love the communal feeling that a concert gives. Theres something about it that makes me happy, and last weekends Bridge School Benefit concert lived up to my hopes. The event is held every year at Shoreline Amphitheatre, and benefits a The Bridge School, an organization that educates children with severe disabilities. They’ve helped so many over the years, and several of their students have even graduated college! This year marked the 25th anniversary of this concert series.

The theatre was packed!! I have never seen Shoreline so full, and Ive been to a lot of concerts at that ole place.

The lineup for this year included:

Neil Young
Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds
Arcade Fire
Foo Fighters (Sunday only)
Eddie Vedder
Los Invisibles, featuring Carlos Santana, Cindy Blackman Santana Guests
Beck
Mumford Sons
Tony Bennett (Sunday only)
Devendra Banhart
Norah Jones with The Little Willies
Jimmy Fallon (MC Saturday only)

Well, Jimmy Fallon did not show up (jerkface!) and because we went on Saturday we missed out on the Foo Fighters – but thats okay. It was such an exciting and amazing concert! Tim, Justin, and Adan were my concert buddies this round, and I couldn’t have asked for better companions.

Really, how much better can it get: great friends, great music, and the stars above you? Were already planning for next years concert.
Mumford Sons were my favorite performers; I felt happy chills while they were on stage. Marcus voice is powerful. I really enjoyed Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds acoustic set. Dave was a true performer, giving the audience the interaction we crave (and cracking us up!). Eddie Vedder was enjoyable too, and surprisingly so – Im not a Pearl Jam fan.

I did manage a video from Mumford performing with Neil Young – Dance, Dance, Dance

Amazing sound, considering its my iPhone camera!

Stay tuned this week for a fantastic present to my readers… Can’t wait to share it with you!

Last weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph the engagement photos for my friend Rachael, and her fiance, Mike. I was very nervous, but excited! Luckily, we all had fun, and the spot chosen for the shoot was so beautiful. I am so happy with how the pictures turned out!

It’s really fun to take photos of people that are so obviously in love – it gave me the warm fuzzies. Here’s a few of my favorite pics from the day:

What do you think??

I was super excited to hear this song on the radio the other day, and I just had to share my love for R&B ‘slow dance’ songs:

Love it!!

Ohhhhhh Al Green. Yep.

Tim thinks my Boyz II Men obsession is a little weird, but that’s okay.

…AND YET!!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!? I was so close to Hugh! Probably the closest I’ll ever get…for now. Just kidding, Timmy!!

I did have to throw an elbow to get this close. I wish I’d brought my DSLR and the zoom lens, so I could get even CLOSER photographs! Phooey.

Saturday’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass was 5 kinds of fun.

Marco’s first music festival! It was awesome! He was the cutest boy there.

Dude! Fried pickles with Sriracha sauce! Sooo good.

Marco just loves banjos.

Gillian Welch was great; some of you may know her voice from The Decemberist’s latest ‘The King is Dead’, or from the “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack. Anyway, her voice carried over the park, and even from our position we could enjoy.

Next festival: I’m wearing makeup. I LOOK LIKE A GHOST.

The evening kind of ended badly, with Tim, Marco, and I walking across the entire city to get to our car (towed). No lie. Golden Gate Park to Mission Street next to the Bay Bridge. But…even that couldn’t exactly bring me down. LOL

Quick recap of my birthday dinner! Holy mac, can’t believe I’m 27 already.

Heck yes, I wore a tiara.

Check out my shoes!!

Favors for the guests! Mason jars filled with gummy bears, Dutch caramel wafers, English toffee, and madeline cookies.  I decorated them with ribbon and mini-chalkboards (yes, I gave out chalk, too!)

My birthday dinner took place at the 1515 Restaurant & Lounge in Walnut Creek. Food was good, and the cocktails were excellent.

I told them to act natural. Good spies they’d make, eh?

Adrienne couldn’t make it this year, so Justin acted as a placeholder. Personally, I think he should’ve worn the heels.

Adan and Tim lookin’ fly in their new suits

I had a wonderful time!! The restaurant was very cool inside, and though the food wasn’t amazing, it was good and I really liked their house-made hummus. Ooh and their onion rings were delicious!

For dessert, I’d brought cupcakes from Sift; Stud Muffin (Lagunitas beer and brown sugar cake, caramel buttercream frosting topped with bacon and fleur de sel) and Pink Champagne (raspberry and champagne cake with buttercream frosting).

We didn’t end up getting home until almost 2 am, but I was happy tired.

I love birthdays.