sad and glad news

The sad news is Benj's grandma, Ella's great-grandma, Joyce Ann Becker passed away. She was a very sweet lady and lived a life of service and dedication to her family and the Lord. Benj went to her funeral in upstate New York today. She will be very missed.

The other news is (aside from this quick trip to New York), since I stopped working in Montana two years ago, Benj and I have really only been apart twice. The first time was when I went to a baby shower in AZ for Ella, and he surprised me by painting the walls of our living room and putting in new light dimmers and fixtures. The last time was in August when Ella and I went to Wisconsin to see my mom's family, and Benj again surprised me by painting the kitchen, planting a new tree and creating more storage shelves in the garage. So, I figured I had to come up with a surprise for him too when he comes back tonight. Painting walls and building shelves were not on my to-do list, so I decided it was time to cut my hair.

I donated my hair to Locks for Love once before (right after graduating high school). This cut isn't exactly the Katie Holmes look I was going for; but I've heard, and believe, the difference between a good hair-cut and a bad one is about two weeks, so I am not too worried. The trouble is, and you will notice in the future I am sure, I forgot that when my hair is short I look like I am in a perpetual wind-storm... it naturally flips under on the left and out on the right. No matter what I do, blow-dry, straighten, curl... I look like the wind is blowing the same direction- always:)

Ella's First Birthday

Ella is One! I cannot believe how quickly the last year has gone by and it has been the best year yet! Thank you all for your kindness and support. We truly feel blessed to have great family and friends. Happy Birthday Ella!

In addition to having a pumpkin cookie decorating/sidewalk chalk drawing costume party... Ella was invited to make her first birthday cake at our dear friend's (Marelene McBride) home.

Marlene has a family tradition of making multi-color cakes for birthdays. Ella and I convinced her to share the family secret and help create Ella's first birthday cake.

No two cakes are ever the same, and the goal is to get each at least one of each color in every slice. Thanks Marlene~ this is a great tradition!

Pumpkin Patch

This week for Mom's group we went to the Pastorino Pumpkin Patch in Half Moon Bay.

We had fun riding the train, petting the animals and playing with all the pumpkins.

Ella has just realized how fun balls can be, especially when you roll them. So being at a pumpkin farm with lots of pumpkins (similar to balls) was a timely treat.

I love pumpkins; bread, cookies, cake, pie, cheesecake, dip, soup. If I were to open a restaurant I think it would have a pumpkin theme all year around.

Edmond Wong

This is Edmond Wong.

Last night we went to the Fog City Diner with Edmond and his wife.

They are visiting from Hong Kong. He is my 'uncle Pat's' chauffer (technically Pat is my mom's cousin, but when you are Italian everyone is 'aunt' and 'uncle').

I got to know Edmond well while I was a missionary in Hong Kong. I am perhaps one of a select few who had full access to a brand new BMW 745 with a driver (Edmond) as a missionary. We did cash in on his services a few times too:)

A funny note about dinner: for an appetizer we ordered the mushu pork. Edmond tried it and said, "this is good. Is it what you call Mexican?"

Yes, Americanized Chinese food is that foreign to a legit Hong Kongian.

And if you are wondering how my language skills are holding up... they are not so great. Surprisingly, however, Edmond's wife (who speaks very little English) understood what I was saying more frequently than Edmond; but both thought the things I said and the way I said them were, "very cute." So maybe I should update my resume and take out the 2nd language part:).

BYU & Baker Beach

Grandma Susie sent Ella this BYU cheerleader outfit.

Go mighty Cougars!

Where are my pom-poms?

Yesterday was a beautiful day... clear skies, sunny, and relatively warm.

We went on a family walk and had a KFC picnic on Baker Beach.

Ella loves the sand... and will inch her way to the edge of the blanket to creep her fingers in the sand while Daddy is not looking:)

She also loves feeding the birds Gerber finger puffs... too bad I didn't catch that one on camera!

Trick or Treat

Ella has narrowed her Halloween costume search to two adorable outfits.

The pink octopus (we call her the Ellapus)

and the gold fish.

Now the only question is which one should she be for Halloween?

Neighborly

One reason why we love living here is because we love our neighbors. They have two really fun, creative and smart boys who love Ella. This afternoon Ella and I were able to tend them for a couple of hours in between their parents work schedules. We made spider hats, ghosts and skeletons.

Last weekend these same neighbors watched Ella so we could go to dinner. We had a great evening at the Slanted Door; the coolest, most hip restaurant I have ever been to. Everyone there was cool- cool hair, cool clothes, cool jackets, cool shoes, cool everything... I felt like I was in the "SF In Crowd" for the night; not to mention it was great food.

And in other news, Benj, Ella and I have seen the Champions of Justice in their glory. The COJ are old guys who wear speedos and swim in the nasty SF Bay. There are corporate benefits that we get to take advantage of through friends... like the Genentech lunch... and the COJ swim right by there.

I'm a big proponent of the American small business model, don't get me wrong, but a cafeteria filled with all types of gourmet food, every day, is definitely a feather in the cap that the corporate world has going for them.
Now we just need an in at Google to see how their catering compares:)

Tuesdays with Ella

If Morrie had a book about Tuesdays, I figure Ella at least deserves a post.

Tuesdays are one of my favorite days of the week.

We go walking with our walking friends on the beautiful San Francisco Bay,

and then to the Burlingame Library for story time

After lunch with Benj and a nap/homework time we run 'fun' errands:) or do a play date.

All in all, Tuesday's are great days and we feel blessed to have great friends to share them with in a beautiful area.

The good news is that in 6 more days we get another Tuesday!