Damien Does Easter

Damien decided to host his first Easter brunch this year. He had a great turn out. Grandpa Yum Yum and Grandma Lo Lo came from Reno, Cousins Mariano and Alma and Uncle Jordan and Aunt Izabel came, as well as Sam, Jane, Gideon, Bruce and Christian. And to top it off, his girlfriends Juna and Adeline came over for an Easter egg hunt. D didn't know what to make of the hunt, he was more interested in removing eggs from other people's baskets to dump or throw then to collect them. But, he enjoyed all the company as he usually does. He also played the brut to Marino as per usual, taking every single toy he would pick up. Toward the end of the day, Mariano would see D charge for him and he would just hand over the toy. We hope D learns to play nicely with his sweet cousin soon. It was a lovely day and a great bunch! Thanks so much to the cooks, William, Sam, Jane and Locey.

Surveying the scene intensely.

D preferred to play with dirt over the easter eggs.

The kiddos and their eggs.

At least Mariano snagged D's juice behind his back!

Starting to get the hang of things.

The girls examine their loot.

The Easter Bunny brought lots of happiness.

The marvelous couple Sam and Jane.

Lo Lo, Yum Yum, Jordan and Papa

Bruce, Lo Lo and Gideon.

Mariano digs the fruit!

The packed table, creatively set by Lo Lo on some seriously limited decor.

Damien Does Reno

Damien's Grandpa Yum Yum and Grandma LoLo are/have moved to Reno so Yum Yum can work at a clinic as a Dr. We are all super excited that they are a mere 3.5 hour drive away - rather than a plane ride to Chicago (although we loved visiting them in Chicago!). We took a last minute trip to visit them in their new place, which hasn't been furnished yet (movers were on the way with some stuff!). D loved the place, his own personal soccer palace. He also loved getting to see his grandparents. D was a champ on the drive out there - mostly cause he watched Elmo on Mommy's portable DVD player - and was a total sweet, well behaved boy all day. He slept peacefully on the drive home. We can't wait to go back.

Indoor soccer.

Lunch on the floor!

Enjoying a stroll to lunch in the nice weather.

Story time on one of the only pieces of furniture in the place!

Amazing dinner with friends where D got to run around!

Our tired boy snuggles with Daddy.

Damien Has a Special Birthday Lunch with Grandparents

Continuing his birthday celebrations, Damien hosted some of his grandparents for lunch on Friday afternoon. Well, it was supposed to be most of his grandparents (Grandpa Richard had a work retreat unfortunately). But, momma screwed up and accidentally reversed the airports when booking Grandma Linda's flight, so she booked a ticket from Oakland to Ontario instead of vice versa. With $200 to change the flight at that last minute, Grandma agreed to come the following weekend when she could have little D all to herself. And Grandma Lo Lo got sick and couldn't make it. But Grandma Colette and Grandpa William and Maurice were there. And boy was it a nice sunny day. It was a nice time to celebrate Damien in the calm before the birthday party storm.

Enjoying his new walker that godmother Auburn got him.

Enjoying his water table that Maurice made him.

Loving Maurice.

Giggles with Grandpa and Daddy

A riviting game of peek-a-boo with William

An overtired but sweet little boy.

Damien Celebrates Grandma LoLo Birthday

Grandma LoLo came to San Francisco to celebrate her birthday with Opera and family. Sam and Jane hosted a delicious dinner at their gorgeous house on Sunday evening. D dressed up in his Sunday's best. He had a great time seeing their chickens, ducks, and goats. And D loved playing with his cousins. The party animal got to stay up way past his bedtime!

Happy to see Grandpa William again.

What do you think about the menu?

Feeding the chickens with Jane.

The Craig boys.

Damien tackles Mariano (out of love!).

Damien takes it all in.

Damien smootches his cousin Alma.

Damien and Mariano - what cuties.

William and Mathias entertain the cousins.

Damien Does Visalia

In between Sonora and Mineral King, Damien stopped in Visalia, California, to stock up on provisions for Mineral King and to enjoy the blazing hot weather and visit with Grandma Lolo's cousin Carol Sonier and her family. D got to spend some more time with Grandpa William who took him walking a lot (which D loves), got to stay up late at a delicious dinner party hosted by the Soniers (and LOVED Carol's gazpacho), got to go swimming with Papa, and got to eat his first Mexican food. D enjoyed the pit stop.

Walking with William - he did not want to walk on the grass!

Just chillin!

Damien brought his fish to the pool.

Swimmin with Papa with his cool shades (that he now will barely tolerate).

This is my road trip game face.

Dining alfresco, practically naked because of the heat (D hates to be hot), and enjoying Mexican food (he loved the guacamole - he's daddy's little boy).