Spencer's First Halloween

Spencer invited a few friends over to help celebrate his first Halloween... the kids were a little too young to go out trick-or-treating this year, so we hung out in the living room instead and let the costumed neighboorhood kids bring the party to us!


Here, Spencer hangs out in his swiderweb outfit before his miraculous transformation into...


...Bat Baby!


Spencer loves hanging out with dad.


Especially when dad helps him to fly!


Ryan with his bat baby.


Theo's first halloween outfit, before his miraculous transformation into...


...a cute teddy bear. :)


Grace poses with Theo.


Phil arrives with Gaby, the purple dragon.


The photo shoot begins...


Theo isn't too happy with the photo shoot...


Eunice, Grace, and Phil try to coax a smile out of Theo.


Aidan, spiffed up as a tuxedo penguin, makes his grand entrance.


...cuddling with his mom, Michelle.


Michelle and Aidan look on as Gaby investigates the bowl of Halloween candy.


Undeterred by clumsy dragon hands, Gaby starts "bobbing" for chocolates instead.


Success!!!


Spencer, world's most mellow bat, hangs out on the sofa.


Whitman, master photographer, captured this great photo of Spencer and Ryan.


Jerome, Ryan's colleague from SAP, and Janelle, came over to join us for our Halloween festivities.


Post-dinner group photo with pumpkin rum punch...


Happy Halloween!!!

Susan's Fall Visit

Ryan's mom Susan came up for a weekend visit from San Diego-- perfect timing to help us take care of Spencer during his very first cold :( . We spent most of our timing hanging around the house, but did manage to take Susan out for her very first Vietnamese meal and have Dad down from the city for a BBQ. And best of all, the two of us were able to sneak out of the house for a late night movie!


Boy has he changed since last time you came up, hasn't he?


Here we are at Saigon City... perfect day for a little pho and bun.


We stopped by the San Mateo Library on the way home, and took Spencer for a virtual racing tour through the southwest. Don't sleep through all the pretty scenery, Spencer!


Spencer shows off all of his cool stuffed animals for his Nai Nai... one of these days he'll actually play with them.


Thanks for coming up, Susan!

Relaxing in San Mateo's Central Park

We spent a sunny Sunday afternoon out on the grass in San Mateo's Central Park eating dim sum and relaxing in the sun.


Like father, like son...


"Tummy time" is starting to pay off. Look at that head control!


Starting to look tired... That's a lot of cheek to hold up!


Time for a family nap!

Hiking in the Marin Headlands

With such fabulous weather in the Bay Area, we decided to head up to Marin for a 4-hour hike with Michael and Abby.




Putting Spencer in a frame backpack for the first time...


With Spencer at 20 pounds, this is much better than the front carrier!


View from our first lookout point.


Climbing higher...


...to more fabulous views.


Spencer looks pretty cozy in there...


Breathtaking blue-green water as far as the eye can see.


We stop for lunch - salami, fruit, and crackers. Mmmm...


Ryan and Spencer relax in the sun.


Grandpa Mike shares a special moment with Spencer.


Back on the trail!


Our final destination, with views of the lagoon, beach, and ocean in the late afternoon sun.


Back at the beach.


We make one last stop for a photo shoot in front of the Golden Gate Bridge.


Eunice and Spencer


Abby's turn...


We couldn't have asked for a more perfect afternoon!

Spencer's First Shades

Spencer gets his first pair of shades. Now he just needs motorcycle leathers to complete the outfit...