1st sushi experience

We took Connor to Ichiban a local sushi restaurant in Santa Barbara. Surprisingly he loved it! It was great, they gave him chop sticks that were attached so they we more like tongs and he knew what to do with them right away. He tried and tried to pick things up with them but no success. Maybe next time. He loved the orange row so much that we ordered a small dish of it for him and he gobbled it up like candy. We told him the tuna sashimi was a fish cookie and he gobbled that up to. He was not a fan of the tempura veggies but oh well. He also loved the teriyaki chicken and edamame. It was our 1st time at dinner with him in a while. He was so good, he sat happily in his chair for the whole meal. It was such a treat. Thanks Connor :-)

Inauguration with Connor

Connor and I watched the inauguration this morning. This being such an important event in history during his lifetime I thought he should watch. The cutest thing was he clapped after Obama's speech. I realize that he was clapping because everyone on tv was clapping but I thought it was very symbolic. I can't help but think the little guy is somehow aware of the magnitude of this event. But he also clapped for Aretha Franklin & the helicopter :-)

Someone likes lattes

I crack myself up!

Oh What A Busy Weekend

Friday night Chris and I attended the annual NHR New Year kickoff Party. It was held at Stateside Restaurant and Bar. Which from what I understand is going out of business, too bad it was a pretty cool venue. It was great to see all the familiar faces and visit with the folks from Amsterdam, New York, London and Singapore offices. Many of those folks started in SB then transferred out. You never get so spend enough time with anyone at these events,
there are so many people about 300 or so.

It was fun to get dressed up with Chris for a night out.
Yes we are both in gray - my bad.

Then Saturday morning we took Connor to the farmers market.
This was the 1st time we went with out a stroller.
Can you say "Big Boy" :-(

It was fun to watch Connor try the samples of the
fresh fruit and run around smelling all the flowers.

He loves rough housing and being swung around.
Surprisingly it's mom that gets a little too rough at times,
but I just can't help myself it makes him laugh so much.

Farmers market has the best herb focaccia bread around!!!! We ate the entire loaf that afternoon. They also had Zucchini blossoms. My friend Marina had put a delicious sounding recipe on her blog and I had to try it. They were as delicious as they sounded.

Sunday Morning Breakfast

We were lucky enough to have breakfast with our friends the Wheeler's who moved to the east coast last June. They told us it's zero degrees there right now. OUCH! We were also joined by the Ferrones who are expecting a baby girl the end of this month & the Komikos who are also expecting a baby girl in about 2 months.


Picture taken by Connor Stone


Picture taken by Connor Stone

Could these two be any cuter.


After a wonderful breakfast at Tupelo Junction we took the kids to
Chicken Little for a little crazyness.

Cambria, CA. Jan 2009

Our 1st trip of the year was perfect.
Cambria is a short drive from S.B., a little over two hrs.
We stopped for dinner at a cute little seafood restaurant in Cayucos. They had a wood burning fireplace in the center of the small dining room it was very cozy. We got to our hotel and settled in just before bedtime. Last trip Connor did not sleep so well but this trip he had no problem and stayed on his schedule. Total Miracle!!!

Connor making some phone calls before he realizes

he couldn't walk across the room with this phone... Bummer

In the mornings after breakfast we'd
walk across the street to Moonstone beach.
Which is absolutely beautiful. Such a northern California beach.
Big surf (I was glad Chris was not out there) & the sand
is made up of tumbled smooth stone
& it feels great on your hands and feet.

There is a wonderful wooden boardwalk that Connor enjoyed pushing his stroller down.

See ya buddy.

We all enjoyed the pool and spa.

The afternoon was drizzly and cold.
Perfect weather for viewing elephant seals.
There were lots of seal pups laying with their mommies.
It was quite a sight.

We saw lots of wild life on this trip: horses, cows, zebras, harbor seals,

elephant seals and of course Connor's favorite doggies.


Connor took this pic of Mommy and Daddy.
He took lots of good pictures on our trip.
Connor has become quite a little shutterbug.
One morning we heard him laughing in the bedroom,
when I looked in he was taking pictures of himself in the mirror.

New Year 2009

Midnight - East Coast Time

We had such a blast celebrating the New Year with
the Paskin family and the Fallon family. We let the kids stay up
and ring in the new year with us. Chris and I have rang in the
new year east coast time for several years. We are old and lame ;-)

Many many cupcakes were devoured by the kids.

And much wine and champagne were devoured by the adults
along with bacon wrapped scallops and grilled filet on
french bread toast with spicy red pepper mayo & roasted cherry tomatoes.

Connor took this artsy picture of some new years decorations.
Want more . . . check out the Paskin's blog for great new years pix.