Crab Cookout 2011

Yesterday we hosted our 3rd crab cookout. Colby was a busy man cooking yellow tail wontons, crab cakes, clams, lobster and crab claws for our 40 guests. I was in charge of making the house look pretty. It was a fabulous night of great friends and great food. Here is a little recap of the night in pictures.

Colby and I
The aftermath, the next morning

What we woke up to

More leftovers

It was cold so our blankets came in handy last nigh

Wow, that's a lot to clean up!

The are only 2 of the dozen or so pots Colby used.

Our neighbors Lynn and Roland

More neighbors Josie and Wayne

John, Nickie and Allison

Good friends Matt and Sarah

Kelly, Julie and Clay

Our San Diego friends Rob and Laura

Sarah cracking a crab, I think Matt is waiting for the cracker

Fire side dining

Chris, Debbie and Amy

Curtis sat for about an hour cracking crab, Yvette and my mom were waiting for some

My dad had his share of lobster, as well as Uncle Greg

Aaron and Sarah, I gave her the mallet since we were out of crab crackers

Our neighbor Sue

Aaron, Sarah and Matt were hording the lobster

Raif is a Big Boy!

Last night was a big night for our little boy. He's no longer confined to his crib, he's officially a big boy. Well, maybe not officially since he's still in diapers, but this is the first step! He was so excited to climb in and out of his bed. However, at bedtime he was not so excited to lay down in his new big boy bed. Raif and I ended up falling asleep on his floor, and then I put him in his bed. He slept soundly until 3:30 a.m. when he rolled out of bed. We then fell asleep again, together on his floor. And then I put him back in his bed. He then slept soundly until 8:30! Not bad for the first night.

Laying on his new pillow while Daddy put together his bed.
Bailey had to get in on the picture

Very happy about climbing into bed.

He had to have his blankies in there with him.

I'm a big boy!

Cute video of Raif in his bed.

Just Another Day

No special event happened yesterday. Colby came home from work at 6:30. The kids were in a great mood and greeted him at the garage door, including the dogs. The kids gave Colby a kiss hello, including the dogs! Colby came and gave me a kiss to say hello. Dinner was about 5 minutes from being ready. The table was set by Bailey, with assistance from Raif. Everyone was great during dinner. Bailey ate all of her meal and Raif ate his yogurt and a bar. There was no goofing around during dinner. We had a civil meal and then it ended. Everyone helped clear the dinner table and we did the dishes. Afterwards we then played a game of our new Nerf guns and were laughing hysterically as we played. It's days like yesterday that I love. Just the 4 of us, laughing and having a good time. There was no big event that happened. It was just another day. The days I love the most. And, to add to my day, the kids were in picture taking moods! Here are a few of the pictures.

Before Colby got home Bailey and Raif were sitting outside playing with the Nerf guns.

They look like they are up to something.
After dinner, say Cheese!

Just being silly.

Raif was done with picture taking, but Bailey wasn't. Yes they are sitting on the counters, I was a huge counter sitter growing up and never quite grew out of it.

Daddy Day of Fishing

Colby and our good friend Curtis decided to take the kids fishing yesterday to Santa Ana Lake. The lake there is full of fish and makes for an easy place to take small kids. It is not however, inexpensive. Despite the cost, the kids and Colby had a great time and it was a fun Daddy day!

I think she has one!

Reel it in Bailey!

Raif was not so sure about fishing

Happy New Year 2011

New Year's Eve takes on a new meaning once you have children. Do you try and find a babysitter, do you eat out early to be home early, or do you just stay in and enjoy the day. Colby and I have had many exciting and fun New Year's Eve celebrations. We've partied in Avalon both at restaurants and at the black tie event at the casino. We've celebrated in downtown Honolulu. And we also rang in the new year at Times Square in New York, escorted down the media lane by a friend of ours brother who was a NYPD.

This year there was no going out. We decided to stay in with our kids, and have a small party of 4. We kept going back and forth on what to do. If we had decided to go out it would have been just for the sake of doing something. Our decision to stay home this year was a good one. It was a great time. We had a little champagne to ring in the new year, delicious food, and even movie night outside with the projector all bundled up in blankets. At 9pm we rang in the new year east coast time. We put on our party hats, shot off poppers, and blew on our horns. A great way to ring in 2011!

Delicious appetizers with a great champagne
Bailey and Raif in their party hats

Say cheese!

Raif gave up his crown so I could wear one

Raif in his version of a party hat

Raif wanted Daddy to wear the party hat

LA Zoo

Colby took the day off today and we went to the LA Zoo, along with my parents and Guyton, Colby's brother. The zoo was packed, but still so much fun. The zoo just opened up a new Asia Elephant exhibit. It was very beautiful, with 3 elephants that were once circus elephants.

Raif and Bailey by a statue
My dad, mom and us by the new Elephant exhibit

Our family

A bit too sunny for a picture

Raif loved the elephants

Bailey and my mom

The gorillas were up and about to eat leaves

The rhino was busy eating leaves as well, Raif kept calling it a hippo so we just went with it.

This beautiful tiger had just laid down after stretching its legs