May - June Photo Slideshow

Yes, I realize that I should have posted these pictures quite some time ago, but better late than never, right? Included in this album: Our trip to Santa Barbara, visit from Jen Keune, 5K run, beach trips, Randy & Katie's wedding, trip to Seattle and, of course, lots of pictures of Gabby! Just click here to start the slideshow.

P.S. A July through August slideshow is coming soon....

Gabby's First Steps!

Now we are really in trouble. Gabby is steadily gaining more mobility. She is no longer confined to scaling walls and furniture when she is walking. Her first steps arrived about a week before she turned 10 months. It was a picture-perfect moment. She took several steps from Mommy toward Daddy, who had his arms outstretched. Unfortunately, we didn't actually get that on camera. Nor did we get several other successful strides recorded (she tends to do better when she is not aware of what she is doing). Her current record is 10 steps in a row, but she is still pretty wobbly. Here is what we got on video:

Hawaii

Ah, Hawaii... need I really elaborate? We took advantage of the rare opportunity of Jason being in between jobs and spent a week in paradise. It was a celebration trip for Jason finishing his 14 years of medical training - I think he may have deserved it. It was also a very belated 3rd anniversary vacation (with Gabby in tow). We began on O'ahu and then headed to Kaua'i. O'ahu was beautiful, Kaua'i was indescribable. Here are some clips:

Jason takes some surfing lessons at Waikiki.

He looked great out there riding the waves!

We went to a luau and show at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

(Gabby is happy here because she is simultaneously pulling out a large chunk of my hair.)

Jason went running one morning and got caught in the middle of quite the Hawaiian storm.

The view of waterfalls we had from our villa in Kaua'i.

Mountains on one side, beach on the other. It was breath-taking.

Gabby LOVES the sand.

She was covered from head to toe (and some crevices in between).

Hiking on Kaua'i.

Stopping for a bottle break on our hike. And to give Gabby a break from Daddy's fountain of perspiration. (It was just a bit hot and humid out.)

Postcard scenes everywhere we went.

Just another snack break.

Seattlites

Our amazing year living near the beach in Santa Monica has come to an end. On August 1st we departed for new territory: Seattle. Actually, it is not new territory at all to me. Because not only did we move to Seattle, but we moved to the suburb of Kirkland, where I grew up. After living in so many other cities and countries around the world (including France, Zimbabwe, & Ghana) and being perfectly content if I were to settle abroad, it was not meant to be. Jason's perfect job happened to be connected to the hospital that I used to work at 12 years ago. And so, here we are. Home sweet home. Don't get me wrong - I am happy to be living here - but seriously, what are the chances? It still boggles my mind.

Oh, yes, enough brain babble. What you really would like to see are pictures of the trip up the West Coast. So here are some sample pics until I get them organized in an album:

The Redwood Forest

Jason driving through a tree. Naturally.

Jen & Gabby dwarfed by another tree.

SuperDad clearing the trail for us.

Gabby's reaction when she found out that not only were we only half way there, but Daddy discovered a country music station on the radio.

A beautiful view along the Oregon coast.

To Blog or Not to Blog?

Well here we go. An attempt to keep an updated blog. Or at least a semi-updated blog (let's not get too over-zealous here). I have been told by a close friend that if I fail to have a blog she will no longer care about what goes on in my life now that we have moved. She may not have said it exactly in those words, but I am sure that is what she meant when she said, "You should start a blog." So this entry is for you, Sarah. Please don't cut me off. :)

Just so you have fair warning, this blog will pretty much be all about Gabby and whatever other little munchkins come along in the future. Now that I am home full-time, what else can I write about? Jason might get a mention or two, but he really isn't as interesting as little Gabbers. I will also keep our photos albums coming and post a link whenever a new one is ready for viewing.

Wish me luck!