Easter 2008

We traveled to my folk's place for Easter. I took a number of photos, but the camera was set for some funky thing and few of the photos turned out. The family:

Here is one of Laurie going through her Easter basket (finding a photo of Laurie without hair covering her face these days is nearly impossible -- my apologies, but it is "the style").

Traveling is tiring (Laurie is actually awake and smiling).

St.Pat's Day 2008

I was (and usually always am) spoiled with love on my birthday. In addition to the spa day Jeanette and I had on Saturday, and her watching Ander and Laurie for a few hours that night so Shane and I could go out on a date. Aunt Hazel also came down the Saturday before and treated me to lunch and a day at the Heard Museum, which I will be visiting again and highly recommend. My friend Julie (and Jeanette, too) baked me a cake that was DEE-licious!

Mimicking Da

Ander is doing so much mimicking these days. He is learning lots of new sign language and other behaviors. I wonder where he got this one from?

Moto Intro

Sonny days

The weather has gotten warmer and both of the boys can go shirtless outside.

Ander's 1st birthday

With so many family and friends nearby, Ander's first birthday turned into quite a party with about 20 guests -- though you wouldn't know it because the few pictures that were taken were of Ander (These are courtesy of Jeanette.).

We had a box of hats that guests could choose to wear with Ander wearing the crown as "King of the day." I made frog cupcakes for everyone, which made Ander giggle when he saw them all on the table. He was mostly interested in squishing the frosting through his fingers and ate very little. In fact, I'm a little disappointed he didn't get more messy, but we have plenty of years to look forward to for that.


He received some fun toys, like this one where the balls go in the top, travel some switchbacks and come out the bottom. He also got a Rockin' Pony (in the photo on the left side) that he loves to climb on and rock back and forth (from Great Grandpa Bill and Shirley). He also got some new clothes, and his first computer game with an accompanying child's keyboard, a tricycle for kids his size, and a toy that blows balls in the air and scares the very intriqued Ander each time.

Stressed out Metros

So here is one more reason confirming that the move to Arizona was a good lifestyle choice -- less stress. Check out the "Stress Rankings for Top 50 U.S. Metros" -- San Francisco/Oakland is 11th, Phoenix is 48th.

Check it out... 30% of folks in SF/OAK pay a mortgage of more than $3,000 (only 5% of Phoenicians)! Crikey!