Opsware Halloween Party

Farmer Colin and Princess Kathryn trick-or-treated their way through various cubes at my office, enjoyed some pizza while watching Monsters Inc., and generally had a fabulous time with all the other kids at the company's annual Halloween party. It's fun watching everyone's kids grow up before our eyes. 

Happy Halloween!

The girls (that's cousin Leann there on the left) got into their Halloween costumes for their Picture People portrait. Colin has yet to decide what he wants to be this year. Our office is throwing a Halloween party tomorrow, so hopefully he'll figure it out by then.

Our office Halloween party is one of the most anticipated events of the year for them -- they started talking about it a few weeks ago. I have this sneaking suspicion that they think work is just one unending string of Halloween parties for me. I'll let them hang onto that childhood fantasy for a few more years... 

Reason 108 you know you have young children

Reason 108 you know you have young children: you know where your local Picture People franchises are located.

We've had a pretty good experience with our local franchise. Colin and Katie needed a little bit of coaxing in their early years to smile for the camera, but Cameron is the family's natural smiler. 

The hair-eating hat

Poor Cameron is losing his baby hair, and many of the hairs seem to be ending up in his various hats. Luckily he doesn't seem to mind. In general, he's been a very mellow baby overall so far, for which we are very thankful. We've had to drag him many more places than his siblings at this age since they've got lots of scheduled activities. Ah, the life of the youngest child. 

Ready for the party

The kids had a fabulous time at Brian and So Yong's birthday celebration even though it wasn't a kid's birthday party.

As you can see, Colin has not quite mastered the art of natural smiling yet. Well, at least we do get him to stand still every now and then.

Kitty jumping through a balloon heart

It took a bit of coaxing to get Katie interested in the balloon guy, but it was worth it. The balloon guy was energetic, creative, and made great balloon, um, things. Here's a kitty cat jumping through a heart. 

Katie and mom enjoy a moment together

A quiet moment before the face painting and balloon animal frenzy. 

Happy birthday, Brian and So Yong!

The entire family had a fabulous time at Brian and So Yong's 40th birthday bash -- a very stylish affair at the Los Altos Historical Musuem. The kids enjoyed the tasty juice, chicken, pizza, fish, and -- of course, the cake! Though I have to confess their favorite food item might have been the sugar crystal sticks they commandeered from the coffee and tea table. 

Dreaming of touchdowns

After an exhausting afternoon of lunch and playing tickle-time with his grandparents, Cameron's enjoying a well-earned nap. He looks like he's dreaming of touchdowns; after all, it is football season. 

That's funny, grandma!

Cameron is just about to bust out laughing any day now. He regularly grins at people -- even complete strangers. All it takes is a grin and maybe a strategic poke to the tummy or armpits. Here he enjoys a game of "tip my cap up" -- which he also found amusing -- with his grandma. 

The first field trip

Two of the three Fox kindergarten classes (Colin's among them) had their first field trip, and it was a good one: they visisted the local file department, meeting with the firefighters, climbing aboard the fire engines, and even spraying water from the hoses. Despite what it looks like, Colin had a great time. 

Pumpkins everywhere

Here's Katie with a pumpkin "just her size." Thanks to Christine for the picture! 

The cool wedding favors

Here is the very stylish wedding favor from Tony and Marissa's wedding. We debated whether or not bring it home, because coming to our house is a virtually guaranteed death sentence for plants of any variety. This is why we have no pets. In the end, we decided to give it a try.

Apparently, all you need to do is make sure the plant has its water replaced once a week. I give it 30 days before we manage the kill the thing. 

Congratulations to Tony and Marissa!

We were honored to attend Tony and Marissa's reception at Ming's in Palo Alto. It was one of the biggest weddings we've ever attended -- just shy of 500 people! Ming's is big, but even Ming's couldn't put all the guests in a single room, so the wedding party cleverly broadcast proceedings from the main room into the satellite room (which must have had more than 200 people of its own!).

Here's the happy couple thanking everyone for coming. Hurrah for digital projectors!

Thanks and congratulations to the new husband and wife. 

Halloween already?!

Wow: how can it be Halloween already? Here is the Little Lambs Preschool -- this year without Colin but with Katie as an official student -- at the Lemos Farm pumpkin patch. (Last year, she went to the pumpkin patch too, but as a visitor rather than a student.)

Just like last year, Katie was delighted with the baby pumpkin she got to bring home. And just like last year, she found the tiny ponies too terrifying to ride. Well, I guess she'll content herself playing with her (growing) collection of My Little Pony ponies.

Me, me, me!

Here's Colin in his kindegarten classroom. "I know a B-word, pick me, pick me!" 

A beautiful day in the city

I was in San Francisco yesterday, and it was one of those gorgeous Indian summer days. We've had a pretty cool summer overall, and our Indian summer came late this year.

My eye doctor says that I'm ready for my followup LASIK procedure, so I'm scheduled for early November. Hurrah: only a few more weeks to 20/20 vision without glasses. (I'm currently 20/30 or 20/40, depending on the eye -- fine for using the computer or driving, but not great for reading the whiteboard from far away or hunting for house numbers while driving.)

While I was in the city, I had lunch with Alison at the Soluna Cafe. The food was unremarkable, but what was remarkable was that I've known Alison since junior high but haven't seen for just about 20 (!) years. That's definitely an all time record for "gap between actual sightings." It was great to catch up, and hopefully it won't take another 20 years for our next outing.

Like a dope, I forgot to take a picture of us having lunch, so I had to settle for consolation photos of nearby San Francisco City Hall.

Reflecting on long arcs of our lives from the mid 1980s to today got me thinking about the Big Questions. Am I doing what I love? Am I living where I'd like? Is my family pointed in the direction I want it to be? Am I being the kind of dad I should be? (Coincidentally -- or maybe not so coincidentally -- I'm writing this entry while listening to the Big Hits of the 80s station on Yahoo Music.)

Obviously these questions are too big for this blog, but let me simply say that I am grateful for friendships that can span decades and God's many blessings on me and our family.

The sheep

This floppy sheep, a relative newcomer to the animal menagerie, is Katie's new favorite. Here, Cameron gives her the ol' stare down (as is his habit nowadays -- he likes staring at things and people).

The chief engineer

Here's Colin with Spencer the "most powerful engine on the Island of Sodor". He's getting creative with his train layouts -- check out the double height bridge, an invention of his very own. Just to the right of the picture, he's laid down trees and houses simulating the results of powerful storms and floods.

We've been talking about the hurricanes in the Gulf Coast, and how God wants us to be generous with those of who have lost everything in the floods. A few weeks ago, we packed a bunch of his toys to donate (a local school was coordinating donations specifically for kids). And last week, he asked for "more money" (coins) for his piggy bank so that when it was filled, he could send it to the people there so they could rebuild their houses. We're grateful that God seems to have blessed Colin with a generous heart.