Dinner with the Kagimoto's

Last weekend we ate at our favorite Japanese restaurant (that we eat at almost weekly) with the Kagimoto's. Alyssa got to see her grandparents, great grandma, Auntie Robin, Uncle Derek, and Betty. We sat in our own little private tatami room which made it easier for us since Alyssa is always on the move. Afer dinner, everyone came over to have dessert and to play with Alyssa. She happily showed everyone all of her toys and impressed them with her crawling skills. It was a fun evening and Alyssa can't wait to everyone again soon...

Sitting in the tatami room waiting for our food

Always the center of attention

Grandma, Auntie Robin & Great Grandma

"You're so funny Auntie Robin!"

Showing Uncle Derek & Betty her toys

My mommy & me!

Telling Great Grandma about her octopus toy

My little Choopy

Some yummy pastries from Betty

More yummy dessert

"Watch me play everyone!"

Great Grandma & Alyssa

Having fun with Betty

Graduated to Level 2!!

Alyssa has officially graduated to the next level in her Gymboree class, as she's now in Level 2. I take her at least once, sometimes twice a week, and she loves it! In Level 2 the babies are much more active, which is perfect for Alyssa, since she can't seem to sit still these days. She has become quite the social butterfly and likes to show her indepedence by going to the middle of the mat with a couple of her new Gymboree buddies. It's so amazing to watch your baby crawl AWAY from you when you're so used to her wanting to be by your side ALL the time. I can't imagine what it will be like (for both she and I) on her first day of school...yikes!


"I LOVE Gymboree time!!!"

"Hi Kayla, wanna play?"

"Hey John, that's MY Gymbo!"

"Like this guys!"

Checking out the tunnel tube...

Daddy's Girl

Every Friday night we have "family fun night" which means Daniel, Alyssa, and I go out to eat together(usually in less than an hour). We first started doing this when Alyssa was just 8 weeks old. Back then she would sleep through the entire dinner so Daniel and I could actually taste the food we were eating. Not so easy anymore...especially since she's getting to the age where she likes to "explore". But as she gets older we feel this is a good way to instill the importance of family.

Daniel and Alyssa also get to spend quality time together during the weekends. Daniel is such a sweet husband (and awesome daddy) that he lets me "sleep in" while he watches Alyssa. (Sleeping in these days means waking up at 7:30 instead of 6:00. Big difference from when I used to sleep in until 11:00 every weekend!) This gives them a chance to spend time together and play. Daniel is so cute with Alyssa and she just adores him. She's definitely "Daddy's Little Girl."

This past weekend we took one of our many outings to South Coast Plaza. Alyssa was a bit fussy on the car ride there so we thought we'd let her watch her favorite show on the back seat DVD player. Poor thing had to watch it through her monkey mirror and not the actual screen, since she's still in her rear facing car seat. She didn't mind one bit and we were a much happier family by the time we arrived at the mall. For lunch, we decided to try something different and ate at The Rainforest Cafe. It was GREAT!! For one thing, it is entirely kid friendly. There's so much going on there that it would be impossible for any child or baby to get restless while eating. Also, and very important to us, it is LOUD! The place is so loud that if a baby cries at it's loudest, noone would even notice. Alyssa seemed to enjoy it and even sat in a highchair for a little while. This is one restaurant we will be visiting frequently!

Watching Oswald in her monkey mirror

"Must touch Oswald..."

The Rainforest Cafe...reminded me of Disneyland

They even had a fish tank there

Daddy with his little angel. He bought Alyssa her first balloon. She liked the balloon...she LOVED the ribbon it was attached to!

Always watching...

Traci and Alyssa are connected in a way that can't be described. Traci's such a great mom. She never leaves Alyssa's side and is always watching out for her well being. Alyssa is truly lucky...

Lobster Lovers!

Here's an old pic of Traci and I when we were a family of two. She took me to one of my favorite restaurants in Vegas to treat me to a lobster dinner. They let us go into the kitchen to take a picture of one of their larger lobsters. I didn't eat this one...I ate one that was 3-4 pounds...this one was over 14 pounds....both of us miss Vegas....we're planning to go back soon!

Alyssa's new friend

A couple of weeks ago, Alyssa made a new friend with her cousin Lisa's dog. After close inspection, they became good friends.

Past and Present...

Here are some fun pics of unusual things.....This past week, Alyssa had a temp of 99-101 degrees for 2 days...stressful, but the doc said not to worry. Other than that, not much else has gone on for the past couple of weeks.

Dad had a huge Maine Lobster for his retirement party a few months ago at the Palm. The lobster claw was bigger than his head.

Our crazy cat Aurea(aka Hitler) this past X-mas...he sits like this all the time...weird

Traci's favorite cat Smores...this pic was when we first got him...

At a wedding in Carmel....

Alyssa in Maui...nice hair Choopy!

Maui Photos

Here are a bunch of Maui photos...no particular order...we miss the island lifestyle....Alyssa has adjusted well to west coast time again...she's eating a bunch of solids now.



Traci and Alyssa always have this amazing bond....she's a great mom...

Alyssa loves to read...she got that from Traci

Isabella is the happiest kid around

Alyssa's not amused...proof that we were in Maui

She's got the purse and is ready to shop

Adrian's so cute...he's growing up so quickly...they're one month apart...he's older

My crazy sisters and crazy wife @Long's Drugs after seeing a show in Maui...when you get older, these type of outings are exciting

Always smiling

Mr. Turtle

Alyssa cruising on her new ride. I actually pushed her around without holding on to her and she managed to stay on....(Mommy wasn't looking...thank god)

Mommy and Alyssa

Karin and Z

Grandma and Alyssa

Having a great time in Maui

We celebrated Traci's 31st birthday in Maui...they bought her a lei and we all went to dinner.

Here's Adrian...he's always so calm and we hope he'll watch after Alyssa when they get older....he's built like a "tank"


Auntie Kris has the magic touch to put Alyssa to sleep.

cute pic of Bella and Zoe checking out the horses and goats

hangin' out on one of Mom's friends farm