Saturday, May 27, 2006

Jesse and Eileen's Wedding

Jesse and Eileen got married on Memorial Day weekend out on Cape Cod Massachusetts, where Eileen's family spent her summers growing up.

Rehearsal dinner at the Wicked Oyster, where Ryan and Lee punished the crowd with a re-worded rendition of "Jesse's Girl" to honor Eileen. Sample Chorus: "Should we tell her that she's Jesse's girl? How did he find a woman like that?"


Later that night at the "Land Ho!," after Grace and Alonzo arrive. Let the wedding festivities begin!

We stayed at the Cove, a wonderful hotel overlooking the bay.

The morning of the wedding: Ryan organized a game of Frisbee Golf for the Williams alumni at a local state park. The only problem? Poison Ivy all over the place. We played Frisbee in the lake instead, where Brian and I gave Jesse a little wedding day dunking despite his best efforts to evade.

The Williams Crew (+friends), enjoying a picnic on the beach at Nickerson State Park.

Now its time for business. Time to put on the bow tie and get ready for the wedding!

Lee helps Jesse with his bow tie, to no avail. We had to call out the big guns: Jesse's father, who made us all feel like little boys by whipping out 3 bow ties in 5 minutes.

Ryan, Jesse, and Lee. We know each other from our time together in New York: Jesse and Ryan were roommates, Lee and Ryan worked together, and we all became close friends through a series of excellent misadventures, starting with an all night trip to Atlantic City in a company rental car and a dawn swim in the ocean.... it was all uphill from there!

The full set of groomsmen, including Chris and Tom, Eileen's brothers. It was great to get to know Tom and his family a little over the weekend; Chris was able to make it out to Jesse's bachelor party so we already knew how fun yet charitable he could be...

The bridesmaids, looking far better than the guys: Elizabeth, Lisa, and Julie, Eileen's sisters, and Lauren, Jesse's sister. They're standing at the Wequassett, at the tip of the Cape right on the water where the wedding was held.

Ryan and Lee try to look official as they keep people on track finding their seats.

Here comes the bride, escorted down the aisle by Chris.

The forecasted rain clouds kept their distance, and the wedding site was enveloped by a magical fog for the ceremony. Just like out of a fairy tale.

The bride and groom standing under a Huppah sewn by Lauren, Jesse's sister and a frame constructed by Tom, Eileen's brother.

The deed is done. Excellent kiss!

Introducing Jesse and Eileen Brackenberry, I mean Brackenbury. :)

Best Man and Matron of Honor, following the adorable flower girls down the aisle.

The wedding party...

...and the newlyweds. Let the reception begin!

Ryan giving his best man toast... something along the lines of life with Jesse being like a self-timer. Long story. Click here to see a video of the toast, courtesy of YouTube.


Like I was saying... life with Jesse is like a self timer. Here's my first with them as a married couple!

The chair dance. Minutes before, Ryan smacked his head on a low ceiling on his way to the mens room. He was outside, bleeding into an icepack kindly provided by the bartender, when he heard the music start. Despite Eunice's protests, he threw his icepack to the side and ran to the dancefloor. He had a chair to lift!

Pregnant ladies on the dancefloor: Grace and Eunice show that you can be round and STILL get around!

The Williams Crew: Go Ephs! This was a seriously excellent reception: Jesse and Eileen hand picked all the songs played by the DJ, which meant one great song after another. Eunice was 8 months pregnant but couldn't find a song she wanted to sit out! What fun...

The next day, Eileen's family hosted everyone over to their summer home in the Cape Cod National Seashore. Its a magical place-- here we are following the trail down to the beach.

Ryan goes for a swim, despite the chilly waters. Eunice trys her hardest to avoid a soggy hug.

A giant afternoon game of capture the flag in the backyard woods, Jesse's dream post-wedding festivity. The gang gave it their all: everyone was showing off their gnarly scratched-up legs at the BBQ.

Ryan, Lee, and Jesse, out of our penguin suits.

The Baja Crew, reunited for another beautiful sunset, on the Atlantic coast this time around!

Sparklers and an oceanside bonfire, the perfect end to a beautiful day on the beach.

Definitely NOT a good idea: running into the frigid May Atlantic waters in your only pair of boxers. Good thing we had a roaring fire to get warm again!

A little late night swing dancing back at the Wilde house.
Here's the gang, closing down the wedding festivities. An unbeleivable wedding weekend. Well done Jesse and Eileen, and best wishes for a lifetime together.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Mothers Day Weekend


What better way to kick off mother's day weekend than with a wonderful baby shower thrown by a close group of friends! Here are Phil, Nikki, Gaby, Ryan and Eunice, Heidi and Marty, Grace and Alonzo, Mac and Steph (in spirit!), Jesse and Eileen, and Pete, Marie, and Stephen, and Adam and Abby (en route to Berkeley). What a party... thanks to our hosts!



Stephen and Gaby make friends (Says Mom: "get your hands off my daughter!!! No hand-holding until she is Thirty Five!")


Here are Mac, Ryan, and Jesse, working on the grill at the scenic Junipero Serra Park, overlooking the bay.


After the baby shower, we crashed an IDEO party (Thanks Grace!) right on a pier under the bay bridge to watch an amazing fireworks show put on by KFOG Kaboom.


An unbelievable fireworks show (California's largest) synchronized to great classic rock from KFOG played at top volume by the IDEO DJ. Hello purple haze?


The Grand Finale... what a show!


Almost-Mother's Day for Eunice... look at that belly!


Ryan with 2 mothers-to-be at Cafe Riace....


Happy mother's day, Eunice and Grace!

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Mimi's Birthday


Mimi's birthday celebration at the new Baron pad up in Marin: Michael, Nancy, Eunice, Michelle, Donna, Tom, Carrie, Owen, Tom, and Ryan. (If Ryan is looking a little bleary eyed, its because he just landed a couple of hours ago from Germany!). Happy birthday, Mimi!

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Work Weekend in Alsace


The really tough side of Ryan's life at work: a late Friday meeting forced a Saturday stayover in Germany, just when Ryan's childhood friend Spencer _happened_ to be in Heidelberg doing scientific collaboraiton with a colleague at the local university.... what a coincidence! We decided to enjoy our day together doing some wine tasting in the Alsace region of France with my colleagues Mike and Deepak. Here we are in Alsace at last: Mike, Deepak, Ryan, and Spencer in the town square of Ribeauville, our first town along Rue de Vin in Alsace.



We couldn't find any wineries! We followed a sign down a side road in Ribeauville with grapes on it, and found a lady in an office to whom we tried to convey our interest in drinking wine. It ends up she was a nun. She called one of her sisters, however, who showed us to the nunneries undergound cellar, where we had a private, English-free tasting of Alsace's wonderful white wines.

At the gate of the walled city of Kaysersberg, with our friend "3pac" (note the hand signal), so named for his #3 position on SAP's "most expensive traveler list"...plus his amazing skills at busting a rhyme. Let's hear it to 3pac and the Algo-rhythms....

Lunch in Alsace: a bottle of Riesling and Torte de Tres Fromage in a sun-drenched restaurant patio

The double-walled gate of Kayersberg.

Ryan and Spencer... our continent #3 for hanging out together!

Time for a hike: we found a wonderful road winding its way up the hills through the vineyard, and filled a messenger bag with bread, cheese, and wine to sustain us for the journey.

3pac enjoying a baguette overlooking Kayersberg.

The hills are capped with ancient casltes... nothing like that in Napa...huh boys?

The grand finale: dinner under the cathedral of Strasbourg. Ryan had to head home early, but tried to make up for a lost day hanging out with Spencer by keeping him up all night back in Heidelberg... we weren't completely successful (thanks to a hotel employee who wouldn't open the hot tub extra-early), but suffice it to say that Ryan slept very well on his 12 hour flight back to San Francisco.... What a fantastic day!

Saturday, April 29, 2006

House Projects with Fran


Francis came up for the wekeend, but this was no pleasure trip... we put this man to work! First trip was Home Depot to bulk up on supplies for a weekend full of projects.


Gum on tire... try to do this on purpose!

Rewiring the ONE room in the entire house that didn't have a dimmer... the TV room!

Now for the REALLY fun stuff... reseating the toilent. The previous owners had put it down wrong, resulting in a nasty leak. Does Fran's facial expression give you a hint as to what he's looking at?

Trying not to make the same mistake ourselves.

Now its time for some fun-- Jesse came over after a long day of C4C sporting events, but was still game for some late night hearts.... just like old times down in Escondido.

Final tally for the weekend:
2 newly installed ceiling speakers
1 reseated toilet
1 regrouted sink
2 rewired kitchen lights
1 rewired dimmer switch
3 mounted cabinets in the garage
1 new thermostat and dining room paint job
1 set of discovered knob and tube wiring
.. and 5 more projects well underway... Thanks Fran!

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Family Baby Shower Weekend


Eunice's college roommate Kristin flew in from Indianapolis late Thursday night for the weekend. On Friday, after grabbing a bite to eat at Coppenhagen Bakery in Burlingame, they headed into San Francisco to check out the new De Young Museum. Kristin espeically liked the "beanbag ladies" in the sculpture garden!


Saturday was a momentus day - Eunice's first baby shower, hosted by Nancy. Here, Nancy poses with Auntie Pak, Eunice's mom, and Cousin Danielle.




Aunt Donna and Jan prepare materials for an old-fashioned quilting circle, the central activity of the shower.



Each woman was given a square cloth to decorate using thread or paint. Stencils were provided for those requiring a little creative kick-start. :)



Betsy and Kristin work diligently on their piece of the quilt.



Aunt Donna and Eunice take a short break to pose for the camera.



Grandma Mimi - soon to be great-grandma - participates in the quilting project as well.



Eunice's first attempt at embroidery. Let's hope "Nichols, Jr." appreciates mom's efforts!



By the time the baby is born, these pieces of cloth will be woven into a very special quilt for the baby's room.



White tulips, jellybean-filled baby booties and miniature rattles added just the right touch to the brunch table.



A mimosa toast to the mom-to-be from Eunice's mom, Aunt Pak, Counsin Danielle, college friend Kristin, Ryan's step-mother Nancy, Aunt Donna, Grandma Mimi, and family friends Betsy, Mimsy, Jeffrey, and Jan.



No meal is complete without dessert. Nancy went all out, providing not one - but two - absolutely delicious cakes.



In addition to a baby photo frame, Nancy's gift for the baby was an adorable animal-themed sheet/blanket set...complete with crib! We think this is Nancy's way of hinting it's time to get the nursery set up. :)



Cute animal-themed baby clothes - perfect for a tall baby!



Eunice's mom's gift was a special gold necklace that was given to her when she was born 60 years ago.



Kristin gave us our first children's book (cow-themed, of course), a bib Eunice might be tempted to wear herself, and a collection of practical items complete with medical tips. Thanks, Dr. Hem!



Donna bought us a fabulous Peg-Perego stroller and car seat. Ryan's going to like the handles that adjust for taller people.



Parting shot before heading back to San Mateo, car trunk filled with goodies for the baby. (Back row, left to right: Auntie Pak, Eunice's mom, Eunice, Michael. Front row, left to right: Aunt Donna, Cousin Danielle, Kristin, Nancy)



On Sunday, we went for a walk along the reservoir by Crystal Springs Road. All in all, a special weekend with family and friends.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Tummy Shot


Here is the long awaited tummy shot: a very pregnant Eunice in her 6th month.... doc tells her she's only half-way there in terms of weight gain, and that she'd better bulk up!
Wider Two Column Modification courtesy of The Blogger Guide