Elise's Baptism

Today was Elise's big baptism day in Berkeley, and the relatives were en masse.

After the baptism, where Elise was dipped naked into a tub of water and held up for the congregation to welcome, we gathered for a delicious lunch and tasty pies and cakes at Tiffany and Bennett's.

We also enjoyed meeting Elise's godparents--Tiffany and Bennett's grad school friends Debbie and Matt. Bennett had to leave early for his flight to Germany, where he'll be involved with Tesla's crash testing.

Yosemite with Uncle Mark

Park and Palo Alto Zoo

After meeting up with Mom for church this morning, we met Mary, Aaron, and Kate at the park next to the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo. Aaron and Michael rolled the Jelly Belly dodgeball down the slides while Kate showed us how she could turn over on the picnic blanket.

When it was time for Aaron's naptime, Michael and I checked out the little zoo. Mike was slightly frightened by the snakes and thought the ferrets were cute. He especially liked the funnel where he let metal disks go round and round until they would fall into the center.

Now we are home and waiting for Nick and Patrick to arrive after their camping weekend with Uncle Mark at Yosemite.

Climbing at Castle Rock (Nick and Patrick)

Today Uncle Mark went to Castle Rock with us. We climbed 3 different cliffs. We also learned how to belay each other. It was cold but very fun and exciting.

by Nick

Michael's Reading Party

This is my 3rd cupcake party. This time I got a hamburger cake. It lasted five days because it was so sweet and big. I read ten Berenstain Bear books in English to earn the party. My grandmother, brothers and California aunts, uncles, and cousins were all there.

by Michael

Saturday Evening with Extended Family

After a busy day at Nick's cross-country meet in Daly City, was nice to unwind with extended family. We enjoyed getting to see Mark's parents again, sitting outdoors, chatting until dusk while eating Mark's delicious grilled hamburgers and corn-on-the-cob.

Patrick's Math Cupcake Party

Patrick had a small cupcake party to celebrate his practicing American math before the start of school and his top grades in his math class.

A nice side effect was that Uncle Mark fixed Michael's handlebars, the middle shower, which was down to a slow drip, and the kitchen TV, which only had sound and no picture.

District 9

Today I went to see District 9 with Uncle Mark in the movie theatre. The movie is about aliens, and I really enjoyed the special effects.

Nick

In-n-Out with Uncle Al and Aunt Charlotte

Uncle Al and Aunt Charlotte's last day in the Bay Area was yesterday. Their entire trip they have been wanting to go to In-n-Out Burgers, so last night they treated the gang to old-fashioned milk shakes, burgers, and fries. Obviously we had a good time.

Afterwards we had cupcakes for Aaron's Completely Potty Trained Cupcake Party and chatted on the sofas until Michael actually asked to go to bed because he was so tired!

Pizza Party

Mary organized a get-together for us with her colleague who has a daughter who'll be in Patrick's grade at Hillview and a nephew who goes to Nick's high school, so the boys could get the inside scoop onthe schools and have a few familiar faces when school starts.

Great company, clear blue skies, and good fun in Mary's colleague's pool made it a perfect afternoon. Her colleague was quite the Water Monster, so all the kids had fun attacking him with squirt guns.

Camping at Lake Tahoe with Uncle Mark

Cousins!

The boys have been so sweet as older cousins: Nick holding Little Kate

Patrick lifting Aaron in his skates for a jump

Michael amusing Kate

We are looking forward to having cousins Sam and Elise back in the area as well.