Daktari

Daktari, RuBoy, Tao Tao, Shisharo, just to list a few of his names. This is our first cat. We got him when Jared and I first moved out together in 1996. Jared always wanted an orange cat and I didn't have a preference of what type of cat, so orange it was. I grew up with a dog and really wasn't around cats that much, so Daktari is my first true cat experience. He is now 14 years old and isn't in the best of health. I have enjoyed all the years of love and frustration this cat has brought me.

Three things about Daktari...

Daktari hung out with another orange cat that looked just like him when we lived downtown San Jose. We were driving home and saw this orange cat on the corner and I hopped out of the car so fast because we thought it was Daktari. (who was never outside unless we were home) Nope, it was his twin. They would hang out in the hallway in front of our door.

Daktari has been on the welcoming committee for 4 other animals that have joined the family. But by all means, he is not the MVP of the committee. He normally would just sit outside the front door and just stare at us with a mad face. He wouldn't come in though. He just wanted to give us the mean eye. Even if that meant he stood in the rain.

Daktari is and always will be a great part of our family.

Pictures: October 1996 with Daktari at our first apartment and Daktari in Campbell.

Trick or Treat?

Treat! Well it was bound to happen at some point. Rocco had his first piece of candy thanks to dad. Thank goodness it was just a little dum-dum sucker. I think they are the smallest candies out there. Rocco might not know it yet, but Dad is his sucker. Jared thinks he is tough, but really he is a sweet sucker for his boy Rocco.

Here is Rocco enjoying his first candy.

Thomas the Train - Stop Two

My work had a Halloween party that was the second stop for Rocco and Thomas. There was around 20 kids there and Rocco had a great time dancing, decorating pumpkins and taking a picture with famous pumpkin carver Mike Valladao, a co-work of mine.

And The Oscar Goes To...

Here is Rocco trying to put on a sad face so I would give him the camera. I love these, they are classic.

Nice try Rocco. But Mommy is working on her stern voice, not playing eyes and not laughing when you are just too cute but are in trouble. Unfortunately there is no script in life. You have to learn as you go and figure out what works best for you and your family. But what is great is that you learn so much about each other and yourself in the process.

Thomas the Train - Stop One

Mimi and Pop got Rocco this years Halloween costume. The first time we tried to get it on him, it was a no go. But two days ago we went for another fitting. Well, lets just say he grabbed his real Thomas the Train and off they went to stop number one. No candy stops during this ride, but Thomas did get a ride outside.

Note to all train riders, this train will not be making any candy stops this year. But there will be more stops. I wonder if this train will stop by the ice cream store for mommy. More stop details to come.

Advice For Rocco

I didn't notice this on the fridge till after my mom left. It made me smile because I knew she felt she didn't get enough hugs in.

Rocco, we are so going to work on this.

No Peddling Around Here

Rocco received a wonderful gift from the O'Neill's that till this point hasn't been used. But calling all helmets, pads and brakes. Rocco's feet can touch the ground. This bike is the bikes of all bikes. It is one that has no peddles or training wheels. All the work is with the feet and the ground. It teaches kids to learn without training wheels. Not to mention it has a pirate themed seat, super cool.

I know I might be a little biased, but I would say Rocco is a natural. Daddy, get that helmet ASAP.

I want to be a...

I want to be a fireman when I grow up.

We went to the Campbell Octoberfest last weekend and Rocco got to get hands on with a fire truck.

Generations In Toys and Smiles

This truck was made by Rocco's Great Papa Lloyd, Jared's papa. Mimi brought this back from her last visit. Rocco really enjoys playing with it. He is really into playing with his cars lately. I know he doesn't know it yet, but this truck is so much more than a truck. I enjoy watching him get so much enjoyment from it, because to me this truck is so much more than a truck.

Father Like Son

I am so grateful that Rocco has a loving, compassionate, committed and totally rad dad. FYI...Jared's favorite holiday is Halloween.

What Come First - The Chicken or the Egg?

We went to the Glaum Egg Ranch in Santa Cruz with Mimi and Pop on October 3rd. It was so cute. You put your money into the machine and Bam! your eggs are delivered and the chickens come to life. We watched the show three times in a row. Rocco really enjoyed it. He knows all about chickens since Jill has chickens and he loves eggs!

Movie, Battery and Grandma

My mom came into town last weekend. We had a great visit eating yummy sandwiches, building terrariums, watching kids movies and trying to connivence Rocco that it is ok to snuggle Grandma.

Rocco didn't give too many snuggles, but he did give Grandma an ear full of the words "movie, battery and mama." I don't think we could of counted how many times these words were said.

Sorry you didn't get all the snuggles in that you wanted Mom. We love you and we're so grateful for you.

I'm Crafty

I finally did it, I finally refinished my first dresser. I found the white beauty below on the neighborhood corner for free a few months ago. Free means if it doesn't turn out, it's ok because I didn't spend that much money on it. Well... not to shabby if I say so myself.

I also finally did a terrarium! Not just one, but two. I got the bird house one from my friend Katie for my birthday. (only took me 10 months) I have been talking and wanting to do a terrarium for years. They came together really easy and I can't wait to make more. There is a special touch in the bird house one. A yellow bird from my Grandma Shelley. She collected these figurines and each grandchild got a few of them when she passed.

I know the style I like, I just don't have a great design eye. I need to give more time to mastering this skill. I know it is in there somewhere, I think. Or my mother-in-law and Mariana can come over and tell me where to put things, that works too.

Couple Time

These pictures are from 2007. It is a little glimpse into "couple time" even thought it might look more like crazy time. I put on some funky make-up on and took some pictures of myself in some of my Grandma Shelley's dress items. Just having a little fun playing dress-up. Little did Jared know what was going on until I came out to include him in this photo shoot.

I think it is important to take pictures and document life as it happens. I don't have a lot of pictures of my early 20's and I wish I had pictures to look back on and even laugh at. I enjoy taking pictures of me in a normal day, I want to remember what I look like at different stages, ages and enjoy reliving those moments.

Thanks Grandma for your wonderful fashion style. The gloves below are hand made by my Grandma and the hat was one she rocked and I so wish I had a picture of her wearing it.