I finally found all the camera cables (everything disappears when you move!) and uploaded all the pictures off the camera. To my surprise, they went back before Thanksgiving. So, for those who want the more thorough tour, visit our Flickr site. Otherwise, here are the highlights:

Wayne joined us for our annual Thanksgiving party. He has come every year for the past 8 years. He and Ella had a ball playing in her toy chest.

This year we ordered a Heritage turkey from a local farm up in Point Reyes. We ordered before we had a confirmed headcount for dinner, and this happened to be a small year but a big bird. Somehow we decided since I was taking the day before Thanksgiving off, it would be a fun family outing to drive up to Point Reyes to pick up the turkey. But no one else could come with me — so I drove 4 hours round trip by myself. But the turkey was delicious, and well worth all the extra effort.

After the “Big Move” (and it was — so it deserves caps and quotes, believe me). We decided to do something Christmasy. We hadn’t decorated the old flat – because we were moving, and it didn’t make sense to decorate the new falat because we were traveling to SLC for the holiday. So one Saturday we decided to take the bus downtown, and hop on a cable car. Ella had never been on a cable car – despite living in San Francisco her whole life. I guess we don’t have many new visitors anymore… Anyway, she loved it. She was entranced with the break man, and could hardly peel her eyes from him to enjoy the amazing views.

Then we walked down to Union Square to check out the Christmas tree and the ice skating rink. Elle will have to wait another year or two to try skating, but she loves to watch the kids go by.

Before we left for SLC we had to open presents from Meme and Papa, since we wouldn’t be seeing them for Christmas. Ella was very excited, and opened all the presents — even those that weren’t for her.

The next morning we set out for our 12 hour drive to SLC. As soon as we got there, we had to pack it up and drive over to Ann and Lon’s house for the annual family party. They even had a Santa! Ella’s last experience a week or two before with a neighborhood Santa had not gone well, so we figured she would not be excited to see this one. We were so wrong. We kept having to pry her off his lap so another kid could have a turn.

After Santa, and a huge buffet dinner there was the annual nativity play. We haven’t been to SLC in about 7 years for Christmas, and had no idea how the production had evolved. Costumes were sewn – no more bring your own bathrobe! All the grandchildren were sheep. Yep… Elle was the only black sheep. Oh, but she loved it. She ran up to me, in costume and said “Mama! I’m a sheep! Baaaaaaa”

Christmas morning at Grandma and Grandpa’s house

We had a wonderful time, but are glad to be back home, settling into our new house and enjoying the new year.

The entire month of December was one bit of craziness on top of another. The big news – we moved! We bought a flat in the Central Richmond district of San Francisco. The timing fell that we were packing up right after Thanksgiving and moved in before we left for SLC for Christmas. It was incredibly hectic, but we’re all moved now and loving it.

We drove out (dog and child buckled in tight) to SLC for Christmas with Alex’s family. We had a fabulous time, and Ella loved playing with her cousin Gray. Eventually I’ll pull all the photos off our camera and upload.

Things are back to normal now. Ella has graduated to a twin size bed leaving her crib behind with the old house. She’s taken to the change remarkably well, and hasn’t looked back. We’re deep into potty training, and she is doing very well – even testing the waters with training pants! Our next challenge is researching a preschool for her come Fall.

Ella talks up a storm. Her favorite things are to ask you “what happened?,” “you okay, Mommy?,” and “como estas?” Alex has also taught her to count to 10 in German — which she does usually by shouting the numbers. Her favorite being “fumpf!” She loves to help in the kitchen, and enjoys doing dishes.

Amidst all the folks who talk about how bad 2009 was, it was a great year for us. Alex stayed very busy at work, as did I. And Ella is growing and amazing us day after day. 2010 looks to be even more eventful and exciting. Can’t wait.

About a month ago a work friend of Alex’s was in town. While he was here they took Ella down to the DeYoung sculpture garden, and Eddie shot a few pictures. They came out amazing, and thought we’d share.

This blog has been a bit under the weather — but I think we have things fixed up. So here’s a recap of Halloween. We decided to take Ella down to Belvedere Street, where they close off 3-4 blocks and the whole neighborhood turns into a Halloweeen wonderland. The most fun we’ve had on Halloween in years! On the walk over we ran into our neighbors – Dee, Mike and a superhero tiger, Dexter. So, we all rode the Muni train together.

Ella wasn’t sure how the whole “trick or treat” worked at first.

But after the first house she yelled “Trick or Treat!” – like, I get it!!! This is awesome.

Occasionally she and Dex would need to stop to check out their loot.

Some houses went all out. This one had dancing animals from the Madagascar movie.

Ella wanted to dance along…

It was kind of a madhouse


But a lot of fun. Ella went all the way up one side of the street — and that was enough. Maybe more next year…

Welcome to the world Finn. We love you already…

Two years old today. Time flies so quickly. Hard to believe that it was that long ago that Alex and I travelled to Alabama, spent time with her amazing birthmother Tiffany, and met our daughter.

Ella is such a bright and happy child. She loves to sing, and usually wakes us up in the morning to one of her favorite songs. She loves her puppy “Milo-bug.” She is always asking “how are you?” and wants to help when you’re in the kitchen cooking. Her favorite movie is “Babies” ie: Happy Feet and asks to watch it at least 10 times a day. She loves ice cream and playing with her toys. She is an amazing child and brings such joy to our family.

Happy Birthday baby.

Yesterday Ella had her second birthday party. Her actual birthday is not until next week, but Grandma and Grandpa B. were in town, so we had our celebration a bit early. Here are a few pictures from the party:

The party was a fish theme. The cake was kind of a disaster (melty frosting, crumbly cake, etc), but it all turned out okay.

We had the party at Golden Gate park between the carousel and the playground. Before all the guests arrived Ella and Grandpa rode the carousel together.

When time came to cut the cake, I realized that our lighter was out of fuel — so we just sang. And Ella enjoyed her piece of cake with lots of frosting.

Loved the frosting so much, she dipped her salami in it. The food was all of Ella’s favorites, which included Cowgirl cheese, salami and mortadella from Boccalone, and lots of veggies with “sauce” (ranch dip).

Lots of her friends came. She and Audrey are very huggy.

The most exciting gift came from our friend Gail. It was a horsey. LOVED the horsey. It even had a button in it’s ear when you pressed it it made galloping and naaying sounds.

Mom and Dad’s big present was a bike. She liked it when I helped… but is still an inch or two small to ride by herself. I think this will be a big hit in a month or two.

We opened the rest of family gifts today.

But the horsey was still the favorite…

Grandma got her a Mr Potato Head. The glasses were small, but not small enough..

We recently bought the Beatles edition of Rock Band. We let Ella try the microphone, and she loves being the star.

The weekdays are for hard core playing, but the weekends are for breaking out all the pretty clothes.

Weekends are our favorite time. We usually don’t do much, and love it. Every Saturday morning we pack up and go to the Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market then off to Rainbow Co-op to get our shopping done for the week. After lunch and a nap (sometimes for all of us!) we usually take Milo with us and walk down to the park. This weekend he found a frisbee that was left on the ground. He loved it, but it was a bit big for him to fetch.

But Sundays are a bit more free. Last week we took Milo with us and went to Stowe Lake to feed the ducks. Milo was not happy that he had to stay with the stroller, and not swim with the ducks.

Then walking back home.

This Sunday we took Ella to the carousel at Golden Gate Park. She loves, it but gets so serious, and will not smile or laugh while she’s on the horse.


Then off to Ebisu (newly remodeled – yeay!) for lunch. They gave Ella “training” chopsticks, which made her fork truly undesirable.



She loved the edamame and crab cakes. And started getting a little greedy with Mama’s salmon nigiri. Although she spit out the rice, so she’s a bit more of a sashimi girl.

Weekends are fun… just time for the three of us to hang out, play with Milo, eat great food and spend time together.