Summer's coming!

Summer is almost in full swing here, but it's been a lovely, sunny Spring with many great outings and milestones already.

One child is happy. The other is not.

Henry at 11 months! (Serena included for scale)

Getting ready for CicLAvia on Mommy's birthday! (Note: both helmets were corrected before departing!)

Our first trip to Disneyland as a family of 4!

Two very happy girls

Full tummy, happy baby

Henry felt a bit wary about petting a sleeping goat, but was eventually excited for the chance to pull some hair without being growled at.

Train!

Henry turns 1!

Big boy Henry pulling up all over the place at his 1st birthday party.

Caught in the act: Father-Son dancing!

Serena still prefers being passenger. Good thing Jake is such a safe driver!

Henry was not excited about the impending cake presentation and singing...

but he was happy afterwards

Serena is developing her fashion sense.

Henry, looking very thoughtful, probably composing a followup to Walden.

Serena, very proud of having climbed a tree, all by herself.

No sleep til NorCal*!

* Please don't interpret this title as my acceptance of the phrase "NorCal."

We had a fantastic trip to northern California for Spring Break. Serena loved staying in hotels with good carpeting, Henry enjoyed having lots of quality time with mommy, daddy, and big sister. We enjoyed discovering that there are indeed Michelin star restaurants that have children's menus. A wonderful time was had by all.

Serena making her "seahorse face" at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Fisch for the passes!

Henry, mesmerized by the jellies.

Dennis the Menace Park...one of the greatest playgrounds in the country.

One of my happiest parts of the trip...snuggling and enjoying the view at the fire pit in Monterey.

Daddy finally gets to visit Lagunitas brewery.

Decked out in easter gear, ready to see some animals at Safari West wildlife preserve.

After her basket was half full, Serena declared "I'm done. I have enough."Maybe she needs more of a challenge!

Henry's first easter!

Henry, charming the camera, at Solage resort.

Solage.

Serena's first castle visit may have forever altered her perception of their purpose.

"What do they do in castles, Serena?" "They make wine."

Gorgeous morning in Napa.

Daddy, happy and relieved after surviving a goose attack.

Maybe the best family portrait ever taken by a passing stranger. Frog's Leap.

First time on the cable car!

Bye-bye, SF!

2013 adventures: Part 1

It has been a busy year...hence the delay in updates. Here are some highlights from the first part of the year!

Maybe the happiest day of Alex's life...

a little less so for Serena.

But she got into it...

did a bit of swooshing...

and came back strutting! Her favorite part: "When Daddy carried me on his shoulders."

Getting the garden ready for spring.

Maxxx helped.

Let the princess phase officially commence.

The view from the back of the shopping cart is pretty sweet!

Cousins, hanging out at Downtown Disney.

Having fun at the Wild Animal Park.

Somebody's starting solid foods!

Cheering Daddy on at the Chesebro Canyon half marathon.

Helping mommy and daddy celebrate their 6/16th anniversary.

Twas the season

Henry's first holidays were a blast and a blur. Serena was especially sad to say goodbye to Christmas this year but luckily for her, every day is a holiday!

6 months!

It's hard to appreciate the novelty of seeing a space shuttle in the street when you have never heard of one in the first place. But Serena was amused nonetheless by the spectacle.

Awww...baby's first trip to South Central LA

Henry's 1st Halloween!

Littlest Lion! Sure is ferocious.

Lion, Tiger, and Bears

Henry's 1st Thanksgiving. Serena's 4th. Neither one wanted any part of the turkey.

Dressed up in their fancy holiday duds.

Disneyland with Uncle Tom

Henry's first time at the Tiki room!

I've never seen a child crying "I'm tired and I want to go home" at Disneyland but that's what preceded this.

Happy Chanukah! It took all 8 nights for Serena to find the courage to light the menorah. 

Entranced by millions of lights at Candy Cane Lane

Happy 2013! Our own little Baby New Year.

Serena wants in on the Baby New Year action. Henry's not excited about sharing the spotlight.

The official end of the holidays: the destruction of the gingerbread house.