New Glasses!

Not only is Darby losing teeth this year, her eyesight has gone too! She got her brand new glasses today and was very excited to try them out. She continually raised and lowered them to inspect the difference between vision with the corrective lenses and without. She didn't realize how much they would help until she put them on! If she didn't already seem so grown up and in second grade to me before, the addition of glasses especially these very sleek and modern frames, certainly makes me realize my baby is not a baby anymore!

Memories I'm Thankful For... Depicting the Decade Pt. 1

After reading a few of my dear friends blogs today, I began to feel nostalgic about this past decade. So many things our family has seen and done have blessed and enriched our lives beyond measure. I decided to take a trip down memory lane and post a few of my favorite moments captured on film of our family's adventures since the beginning of 2000. Some of these images speak for themselves and I will let them stand alone. There are a few however that might require subtitles, as it were, to guide you through a few of my precious gifts of time. I am very thankful for all of the many people and friendships that have accompanied these past ten years and I hope the next ten are as memorable and perhaps maybe not so quick!
Our beautiful Darbydoll!

First Halloween together.
A moment from the many Disneyland trips. This is my favorite float from the Main Street Electrical Parade.
Darby's first Christmas.
One of our first trips to Leland Meadows to sled down the hills and get cozy in the soft powder.
Fun... with a box!
I love his smile!
"These are my favorite chips mom! Want one?"
Gopher Hunting!
Big brother, Austin, takes Darby for her first ride on Indian. Grandpa and Grandma's horse that they loan out to the Sheriffs Posse.
I'm SOOOOO excited!!!! Dressed in Sunday Best!
You want me to smile?
Am I Smiling?
How 'bout now?
This time?
What? More pictures... My cheeks hurt!
Playtime!
Me and my girl!
Me and my guy!
A trip to the Oakland zoo with great friends from pre-school!
Would d'ya look at that!
You are here...
Surprise 5th birthday party for Austin!
Happy in our first home! (That we bought!)
Look ma, no teeth!
My first time skiing...
Dennis' and my first time on the slopes...
Family

Okay, as I read back over it, I had to give a caption to each and every moment. Oh well, that's me I suppose.

Christmas in California

The last two Christmases our family has called the Kona coast of Hawaii our home. This year was the first that we spent with family here in California and we found ourselves at Grandma and Grandpa's for Christmas Eve where, to the kid's shock and awe, Santa Claus arrived with a bag of toys for the kids to unwrap.
"A right jolly old elf..."
It was fun to have our special guest that evening where we spent dinner with family and friends opening gifts and enjoying company and conversation that we have missed in years past. We left around eight o'clock in order for us to get home and for the kids to settle in their beds for a long winter's nap! Santa still had things to do while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads!
The next morning the kids awoke to a wonderment of gifts. Darby shows off her new pink and purple wrapping of her leg. It should heal quickly, despite her one-legged-ness she hops around the entire house because it is faster than the use of crutches.
I awoke to breakfast in bed... which is probably one of my favorite gifts of the day! Daddy and the kids had spent the morning making bacon, eggs, sausage, biscuits and for me a cup of hot apple cider. I love my family! After breakfast we all set out to the living room to sift through the pile of gifts under the tree.
Darby began the unwrapping with the first present and she was determined not to rip the paper because it was so pretty. She really wanted to keep it. We were all to impatient at this request and let her know whether or not she ripped it, it was still headed for the garbage.
She was happy to get a few gifts to make cards with mommy, using her OWN supplies!
Dennis was surprised to find a new quick shot camera to use while we travel to Bali this spring. I was happy to receive all of my underwater camera gear for my Nikon D300 including a new fish eye lens, strobes, dome lens, macro lens and housing. I am going to be donning my new 5mm wet suit soon and diving in the pool to get used to all of the amazing work I'll be able to photograph. I just have to be familiar with all of the gadgetry and the use underwater before I make any real dives.
Austin got some new books, including one on King Tut, that he had asked for. He also received a video camera as he had been asking to make videos with his friends.
Dennis was famously displaying his "naughty" cap all day...
Darby was excited to find a lizard she named Gary from her very good friend Ru.
They opened a gift from my sister and brother which turned out to be...
no less than...
a scuba diving nutcracker! I don't know where she found that one but I'm impressed!
My stocking was stuffed with...
socks,
socks,
and more socks! I think Santa knew I was in short supply!
Dennis found himself a naughty nerd... We all had a fantastic day!




The day before Dennis and I spent the morning and afternoon making my grandmama's fudge and my mother's recipe of almond toffee. Austin got caught this evening with his hand in the "cookie" ..er.. refrigerator jar!


Yummmy! Happy Holidays!

Gigantic Gingerbread Grandeur

We made gingerbread houses this year! We had a frosting fight! And the kids helped to decorate them! It was fantastic!

Iconic Golden Gate

It is almost impossible to take a bad picture of this amazing structure. Whenever we are in the city I try to get a few shots if we are in a good place to do so. After our minor incident while climbing I asked Dennis to drive me over to a great location where I knew I'd be sure to capture the bridge in all it's splendor and he'd just wait in the car with the kids. I had to run quickly past a few gates and under and over a couple of barricades but I got to that spot and came up with these images.
The sun was just starting to seep through the foggy mass and the vibrant red of the bridge looked as if it were on fire. So with the blue skies rolling in and the sun burning off some of the fog I captured a few images of our gateway to the bay.
I turned a few into black and white compositions, however, to this day I prefer black and white film photography as opposed to digital. I suppose it is a matter of choice, but I consistently see blacker blacks and richer tones with film. Still, I think the few I changed turned out better than I anticipated.


This is probably one of my favorites as you can see the beautiful brilliant red of the bridge contrasted by the vibrant blue of the skies above the fog.

San Francisco in December

One of the kid's biggest gifts this year was a weekend trip to San Francisco. We can travel there and back in one day easily from where we live currently, but we had many plans that weekend so we decided to indulge a bit and stay at the Ritz Carlton on Stockton Street. The kids were extremely excited to be spending a few nights there. We had plans to go to the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, a venture over to the DeYoung Museum to see the traveling exhibit of King Tuthankamen, rock climbing at Planet Granite and to top it all of tickets to see the newest traveling show from Cirque Du Soleil, "Ovo."
The first evening we were there the kids were treated to an exquisite dinner at Fleur De Lys in grand style. They dressed for the occasion and were inspired to request their own three course dinners from the french cuisine offered. They enjoyed the food, ambiance and company. Their behavior was exactly what I expected, to which the owner's wife and many of the other patrons complemented how "grown up" they were and amazed the children enjoyed the food. The wonderful staff, including Marcus Garcia who is the dining room manager and sommelier, were attentive and informative. Marcus, who has children of his own and noting that our children were with us, had the bar make for the kids non alcoholic cocktails that he said he was inspired to make while his own wife was pregnant. They came in tiny martini glasses with magnificent presentation to us all. The children tried each of the three individual concoctions then tried to describe to Marcus what they tasted. He was a wonderful host as well as our server and others who waited on our every need.
It was a beautiful evening filled with complementary discussion about life, school, and of course the food. Austin tried a variety of unfamiliar ingredients to him like fois gras. He was intrigued about what it was and how it would be presented. We didn't tell him right away what it was and he happily tried it with his appetizer but wasn't impressed. I simply stated that perhaps he would enjoy it better if it were prepared another way, to which he replied, "Yeah, I'd like it more if it were seared or sauteed."

Darby also chose an assortment of dishes for her three course menu her favorite was the first course of a beautiful crab salad accompanied with caviar. She politely asked what caviar was of our server, he then described the dish in it's entirety (fish eggs included). She gave me an inquisitive look and I quickly stated that caviar was also found on all the sushi she enjoyed. She smiled happily and was sure of her decision.
During the next few days we spent strolling around town, driving from place to place, and even got a limousine to traverse the distance to and from the Cirque Du Soleil show. We all had a wonderful time. I, as always, carried my camera with me and took a few snapshots of the city from many a car window. I also took a few that I will post in it's own blog of the Golden Gate bridge because I did take a few minutes to pause along the edge of the park and compose those photos. Here are some of my favorites of our city by the bay.
The TransAmerica Skyscraper
China Town
"This ain't 'jamama's' Mazaratti!"
Driving to the climbing gym in the Presidio along the bay with the Golden Gate bridge in the distance.
The Skyline of San Francisco in all it's foggy glory with the Palace of Fine Arts in the center. We like to go there often, but didn't this particular trip.
A view of Alcatraz in the distance and beyond that the city of Oakland and Berkley.
I love how cable car lines crisscross in all directions making a spiderweb effect on some of the photos.


Amazing buildings, structures, glass, iron, steel, and architecture I love it!

Spiderman-aka- Peter Parker -aka-Austin

Austin found a home at the rock climbing gym. He is keenly aware of his age, that he will be in junior high next year, and, um... girls. So he has been interested in going to work out at the gym here in town which holds a boys strengthening and coordination class three times a week. This was his first introduction to rock climbing with our great friends, who are semi-professionals. Kyle, who helped him with his gear and set him out on his first few climbs told him little about the actual skills and allowed him to go on instinct alone this first trip. He was amazed at Austin's prowess and nimble ability to shimmy up even what is considered a more challenging climb. So along with our family's knack for giving code names, Kyle dubbed Austin, "Spiderman."




Austin was very proud of his accomplishments that day and can't wait to climb again. At least he is climbing walls now and not making me climb them with attitude or angst! Way to go my little man!

Rock Climbing... And Falling

While in San Francisco a couple of weekends ago, our dear friends took us to an amazing rock climbing facility. Planet Granite, is located in the Presidio park under the Golden Gate Bridge. We were all excited to try climbing for the first time as a family. After getting into all of our gear Kyle went over a few safety considerations and language used by climbers to help us start our adventure. Then "climb on" was announced and Darby was the first to try. She climbed next to her very best friend, a veteran of the sport and Ru helped her the entire time. She made it up about half way the first climb and got a little nervous and was belayed down. Then it was my turn... I (had the camera and didn't photograph myself... hee hee)!







Kyle, thinking he was cute, wanted to check my nerves so he announced, "Let me see your hands." I held them up thinking, "I wonder why he needs to see my hands?" They were completely still and unwavering to which he replied, "That's how I check to see how nervous you really are, cause you can say you're not nervous but shaking hands don't lie!" I laughed and said "Belay on!" (I'm not sure if I'm spelling that term correctly but I'm too tired to research it!) I surprised myself to be so self assure and steadfast because I'm really not a fan of heights, but for some reason I was not the slightest bit nervous. In fact, I found myself somewhat anticipating the climb wondering if I was strong enough to make it to the top on the first try. On the first climb I made it about two-thirds of the way and lost my grip. But the second time I found my way to the top. Everyone took turns and the climbing got more fun and more difficult.







Dennis found himself in a couple of sticky positions but had a fantastic time figuring out the wall and the climb. He made it to the top accompanied by Ru on the rope adjacent then the kids went with me to climb on the shorter boulder climbs that didn't require a rope.

See, I made it to the top! And Ru took the picture to prove it!
Well, we had a little mishap during the kids boulder climbing. Darby fell on her ankle from about ten feet high in between two mats and it twisted underneath her weight. Planet Granite was wonderful about handling the injury. Immediately they called EMS who were prompt at getting attention to Darby. The entire time she was upset about getting injured her sole voiced concern was whether or not we would be able to attend the new Cirque Du Soleil show "Ovo" to which we had tickets that evening. She was such a trooper. The paramedic wrapped her ankle we donned it with ice and she got the royal carriage of dad's arms for the rest of the weekend. She made it to the show, to dinner afterward, and despite the few minutes that she was crying in pain she ultimately decided that climbing was still fun.
Although she got injured her first time out, she says she can't wait to climb again, she'll just stick to the climbing with the ropes!

Upon returning home from that weekend and her foot and ankle became more swollen and bruised, we took her to see Austin's podiatrist and our good friend and radiologist. She is now in a cast due to the fact that she is unable to put any weight on her left leg and there is a chance that she fractured a growth plate or tore a ligament or tendon. Although the images were not conclusive as to where or what. She has a great pink and purple striped cast to wear for the next four weeks.

Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree!

I know I haven't written anything that our family has been doing for the past few months and despite the lack of posts we have had a whirlwind end to the year! I thought I'd start to back track by posting the beautiful tree that will be laden with gifts tomorrow evening, many from friends and family that we have been able to visit these past few months. Right after Thanksgiving, and I do mean, right after our meal, I began to labor about the house decorating everything I could possibly get my hands on. Because for the past two years we have spent our Christmases in Kona, Hawaii with the kids, I haven't put the tree up or decorated the interior of our home because we were gone. This year we knew we would be staying home for a change and with that we would try to accomplish many of the traditions our family began before we started a yearly trek to Hawaii. The first of which being the decor. It really sets the mood of our home for the holidays and it is something that, if I'm going to set the time aside to accomplish, I want to see it for as long as possible! So here are some photos of our home, in all of the Christmas cheer we set out to bring in!
Of Course, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a beautiful new Nativity. I found this one recently and couldn't resist it's glorious colors and depictions of love on the faces.
Our tree got a makeover this year, as the one we have used in years past gave up it's last light, so we donated it to the church Christmas party and got a new one in it's stead and decorated it in all matching ornaments of red and green blown glass.

I love receiving cards from friends and family, especially when they contain letters or pictures!
We hung the stockings with some new stocking holders that, in the evening, glow different colors from the LED lights within. Our stockings are one of a kind for each of us as great grandma Asay has knitted Dennis', mine, and Austin's and grandma Asay was able to knit Darby's upon her arrival into the family. They are a tradition that many of my siblings are requesting Grandma to make for them as well. I'm not sure if I'll get this assignment in my future, but if I do I'll need to learn to knit!
Ever since I was a little girl I have loved the "Nutcracker." As each year passes I add a nutcracker to my growing collection that have found their display atop my kitchen cabinets.

This creche was made by my dad's cousin especially for Dennis and I during our first Christmas together. It is beautifully displayed in the dining room on the built in cabinets and looks very festive with our table set and waiting for Christmas dinner to be served. I was able to use great grandma Ancell's sterling silverware and silver candlesticks to dress it up even a bit more.


Santa sits by the front staircase taking note of children being bad or good!
Our entry got two more trees to flank the front door. But,...
My favorite thing this year is our new tree and it's beautiful decorations.

As always, I add my collection of goose egg ornaments that are each one of a kind. When I can I like to give these away as gifts for ornament exchanges and such because they are so unique. Most people don't even realize that they are real eggs! This is one of my favorites.


From our house to yours I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Yes, it Snowed in Sunny California!

California Winter Wonderland from Dennis Schmidt on Vimeo.

What a wonderful way to start December. The kids woke up yesterday morning with a chill in the air and snow falling in clumps from the sky. It was too warm on the ground for it to "stick" but they were excited non-the-less. Dennis added my gingerbread house that I made a couple of years ago to the video, I'm hoping to make more this year, including some to give to good friends. So far, all the product to make said gingerbread houses is still sitting in grocery bags on the floor of my kitchen! Enjoy the fun video where it hardly ever snows, in fact the last time it did, according to the news, was in 1976!