San Mateo Central Park Music Festival

Each summer, the city of San Mateo hosts a series of free weekly outdoor music concerts in Central Park. This Thursday evening, we headed to the park with some wine, appetizers, and a picnic blanket to stake out a spot on the lawn to listen to "Tempest," a Celtic/folk/rock band which kicked off the summer music series.


We were joined by some of Ryan's work friends, including Conrad, Wendy, and their two sons (Tillman and William), as well as Dieter who was in town for the week from Germany.


Spencer kept himself happily occupied while listening to the music.


Spencer and Ryan out on the dance floor for the final song of the evening...

Eunice's 32nd Birthday

After the crazy festivities surrounding Spencer's one-year birthday party, we decided to celebrate Eunice's 32nd birthday a week later in a more relaxing environment...


Ryan took the day off, so we dropped Spencer off at daycare and hit the road heading south on an absolutely gorgeous drive down Route 1 to Big Sur. Ryan surprised Eunice with a morning at Esalen Institute, a non-profit spa and educational center located right on the coast featuring a series of natural mineral hot springs and an open-air pavilion for massages built right on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. The combination of relaxing massages, spring-fed hot tubs, and unparalleled views made for an unforgettable experience. On our way home, we grabbed a late lunch at Nepenthe, a restaurant with equally impressive views perched on a cliff overlooking the coast. All in all, a fantastic birthday! Click here for full slideshow.

Spencer's Birthday Party at Day Care

Spencer's caregivers threw a wonderful birthday party for him the Monday after 4th of July.


Festivities included lots of kids and grandmas, an eclectic mix of lovingly prepared food, birthday gifts for Spencer, and even some disco dancing! Click here for full slideshow and a video.

Phil's Belated Birthday Party

Nikki orchestrated a surprise party for Phil's 31st birthday. Click here for full slideshow.


The guys whisked Phil off on a bike ride while the gals got dinner ready. To expedite getting the kids fed, bathed, and asleep by 8pm, we threw Spencer, Theo, and Gaby into the bathtub together for 20 minutes of bathtime mayhem.


With the kids finally asleep, our late-night steak dinner was made even better by fine French wine and fun conversation. Happy belated birthday, Phil!

Day Trip to Santa Cruz

After dropping Susan and Jim off at the San Jose Airport, we continued south to Santa Cruz to join Adam, Rachel, and Michael for some beach time, a stroll downtown, and a nice Italian dinner.


Adam and Rachel pose with Spencer in his pajamas before Eunice puts him to sleep in the carseat in the Xterra. We were able to grab a beer and some late-night conversation outside at this sidewalk cafe, literally 4 feet away from our sleeping Spencer!

Susan and Jim's 4th of July Visit

Susan and Jim came out for a long weekend to help us celebrate Spencer's one-year birthday.


We spent most of the time hanging out in San Mateo, soaking in the sunshine, catching up with Adam, Rachel and the Hills, enjoying Spencer's new-found walking skills, and installing a swing in our backyard. Click here for full slideshow.

Spencer's First Birthday

Spencer celebrated his first birthday in style this fourth of July, partying with friends and family over BBQ and fireworks at Grandpa Nic's place in the Marina. You made it through the first year Spencer... and so did Mom and Dad!


We were lucky to have so many friends and family come from all over to celebrate with us on the 4th, including Adam and Rachel, who flew in from New York, Susan and Jim, who flew up from San Diego, and 40 other adults and 10 other kids from all over the Bay Area. You're a lucky dude, Spencer...

Click here for a slideshow...

There have never been so many children (and childish adults) at Mike's place. In this collage, we have pictured Aunt Kathy with Spencer, Phil & Nikki with Gaby, Merry Jean & Rob with Gardner, Jon & Jane with Joey, Nancy & Aunt Donna, Alonzo & Rob with Theo & Gardner, SAPers Amy and Sabine with ex-SAPer Karl, Sarah & David with Charlie, and Owen & Jenny with Owen Jr. And we didn't even get a picture with everyone!


Spencer did pretty well overall--he freaked out when Mom strapped on a birthday hat and everyone started singing, but calmed down enough to enjoy a handful of cake later inside. He definitely needed mom and dad's help blowing out the candle. Thanks to Nancy and Nikki for such tasty cakes.


The last baby standing-- Spencer is old hat at watching fireworks at this point, and was very content watching the show from Eunice's lap. Adam led a crew off for a post-party on Chestnut street, but we were ready to crash. What a party... thanks for hosting, Grandpa Nic, and happy birthday, Spencer!

Adam and Rachel's Wine Country Engagement Party

To celebrate Adam and Rachel's engagement, Nancy planned an epic day in wine country for family and friends.


The morning started with a "party bus" picking family and friends up in San Francisco and Marin before heading up to Pezzi King for a private wine tasting on a veranda with spectacular views overlooking the vineyards of Dry Creek. After a delicious lunch at Barndiva in Healdsburg, we moved on to Bella Vineyards in Calistoga where we sampled wine in the cool shade of wine caves, listened to live music out on the lawn, enjoyed some delicious cake, and were wowed by cousin Michelle, Helen and Mimsy's hula hoop skills. Thanks, Adam and Rachel, for giving us such a great reason to celebrate! Click here for full slideshow.