yoshi

Oh, Yosh. I’ll never forget the first time I saw you—it’s like a Polaroid picture in my mind. It was at our house on 63^rd Street. You and Cassie were nose-to-nose in the roses next to the driveway. She was busy posturing to let you know she wasn’t down with you hanging around her house and you had that look on your face that would come to be a symbol of your personality--everybody’s friend, a lover, oblivious to the aggressions of others. I even remember the words I said when I discovered you: “What a funny looking little face”.

You had the prettiest blue eyes. You were scrawny, just a kitten, a stray. Your fur was thin and rangy. With two dogs and a cat, we had our hands full, but we took you in and fed you. I even gave you a bath which you didn’t like. We tried to find a home for you but soon found you were meant to be ours. With proper nutrition and love you grew to be a stunning cat. Everyone remarked on how pretty and sweet you were. At one of your pet visits we discovered that you were a Ragdoll.

Through the years you had your share of accidents—first a car tried to get you, then a wild animal, then you suffered from crystals in your urine that almost killed you. A few years later, you got a cataract in your eye. The doc said it was probably from your first car tangle. About a year ago, you had your eye removed. You were still our beautiful Yoshi, though, with your black mask and white chin, socked feet and white-tipped tale and we loved you. Sure you could be a pest. You loved your peeps and always wanted a lap to sit on. Let’s face it you had a lot of competition with two little boys running around. Then last night a car finally got you. I found you this morning on the neighbor’s yard. I could see something laying in the grass, but that white-tipped tale was like a bulls-eye and my heart sank as I knew it was you and I knew you were dead. At first I couldn’t believe it but I now know it is true.

To say that I am devastated by your loss is an understatement. I’ll miss you so much. I’ll miss your fur all over the clean piles of laundry. I’ll miss catching you sleeping in the sink. I’ll miss seeing most of your 16 pounds spilling over the back of the couch as you take a nap. I’ll miss seeing you run up to me in the driveway when I get home from work, seeing you laying in the chair on the front porch and I’ll miss scratching that white-dotted chin. I’ll miss a hundred other things that I don’t even know right now. I won’t know until I catch myself thinking you are there and realizing you are gone.

I’m am sorry that we couldn’t protect you this time, that we couldn’t intervene as we had all those times before and rescue you from yourself. It breaks my heart thinking, wondering what you went through. I’m sorry. Matt and I both gave you some love this morning before you left our house. We will always love you.

We decided long ago that we wouldn’t have anymore cats after you and I don’t think we will. You were the best cat ever. I don’t want another cat, I just want my Yoshi.

zorro + snow = fun day

remember this post? well this is what i was talking about. about 6 weeks ago, after locating a breeder we liked, we adopted a welsh corgi. we named him zorro, the spanish word for 'fox'. he is still with his brothers and sisters but will be coming home to us on april 2nd a we are so excited. we visited him yesterday.


since the breeder is in colfax and we were so close to the snow, we drove up the mountain a little and played in the snow for a bit.

it was a great day.

i think it's time

favorite moment | salad

One thing I have been trying to do is involve my kids in the daily cooking and making salad is a great way to introduce them to the process. Owen really enjoyed tearing up lettuce—a great task for little hands—and, now that he is old and skilled enough, Jackson loves to use the knives.

Oh, cooperation. I love it.

favorite moment | peace

pacific grove mini-break

My men and I are off for a long holiday weekend at the coast. I'm looking forward to long walks, doing some cooking, reading, maybe a couple of crafts and possibly some wine tasting. I hope you have a great weekend, too!

Photo from here.

gung hay fat choy

The Chinatown New Years street festival.

Jackson with a lucky lion at the gate into Chinatown.

Lunch at House of Nanking.*

The streets filling up with anxious parade-watchers!

Year of the Ox.

Lion dancers.

The four of us spent a beautiful day in San Francisco enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of Chinatown's New Years festival and parade. We had a blast.

*Photo by Mary Tsao.

favorite moment | playing hooky

Sometimes you just need to play hooky from work and take your boys to the beach. On the spur of the moment, Matt and I took the day off and the boys out of school and drove to my favorite place on earth--Pt. Reyes National Seashore. This is Limantour Beach, the perfect beach for long, long walks or just sitting in the sand and soaking up the sun.

There's something about chubby ankles peeking out from underneath rolled up jeans that warms my heart. And the way number one son looks like he is on a mission to do some diggin', with the little one trailing behind trying not to miss out on any important discoveries.

It was the perfect day.

a happy halloween

Prepping for the big day--tombstone making.

O was particularly into it.

And I actually finished a project. I have to say that I am pretty excited about my Happy Halloween banner!

But Halloween is all about the costumes. This photo was taken after the crazy pre-candy begging party festivities ended, so the makeup was a little worn. But he was spooky just the same.

favorite moment | disneyland

click on the image to enlarge

Okay, so some moments are as simple and everyday as a remark made in the car or an expression on someone's face and others are the moments that make memories that will last forever. We took our boys to Disneyland for the first time last week and it was truly magical. I am not the schmaltzy type. I usually don't like things that most people like. I admit it. I am a snob. But there truly is something otherworldly about Disneyland. It is like a right of passage for little kids--and parents too, apparently. I think the pictures speak for themselves.

pumpkin time

In anticipation of the Halloween bash, we worked this weekend getting the house decorated. Although we got about 8 great pumpkins from our garden this year, we decided to take a trip up to Apple Hill for some more pumpkins, indian corn and, of course, apples. It was a great day, although Matt and I were pooped from our late night at the reunion (more on that, later).


Apparently, searching for the perfect pumpkin for their room was altogether too taxing for the boys!


But a little pony ridin' perked them back up. It was Owen's first time!

very own ice cream...yum!

After a Sunday evening picnic, we took the kids for ice cream. Owen got his own this time. He liked it, as you can see. Ooof...

jackson's special gift

My brother Mike gave Jackson the most wonderful gift for his birthday...the gift of his time. My nephew Zack and my older brother spent a whole day and night with Jackson doing everything from having breakfast at the airport to riding the kiddy rides at Funderland. You name it, they did it...ice cream, pizza, movies, the whole schbang. My bro sent me these pics midway through the day. I know Jackson had a blast, but it means more than I can say that the two of them did this for him. Memories that will last forever. Thanks, guys. I love you both very much!

Zoo faces.

Jack + Zack on the merry-go-round.

Teacup madness.

Flume smile. (I love this one!)

The dragon.

Ice cream wave.

jackson turns 6

Jackson's birthday (a mine, too) was on Thursday, May 29th; he turned six. We had a birthday party for him on Saturday, the first time he had a party with friends. We invited his entire kinder class and got a pretty great turn out. All of the kids and their parents are so nice. He had a great time. I rented an Incredibles jump house and the kids bounced their brains out.

Can't believe he's six...

the buds

Jackson + Owen gettin' their bounce on.

fun day

The four of us spent the afternoon at Fairytale Town and had a great time. Jackson took this picture of Owen coming down one of the slides and I just love it. Really sums up our day.