California Moments, part VI

Hiking "The Dish"
at Stanford

Now you don't see cows in Manhattan everyday.

A beautiful, hilly hike with amazing views. If you ever go, please know that there are two entrances and it's kind of a long walk. Just don't get stuck, tired, hungry and alone, with children after dark while husbands run a mile to the other entrance to get the cars. Stanford University: The Dish.

Palo Alto Creamery

So, the food was nothing to write home about, but the jukebox and ice cream...FABULOUS!

California Moments, part V

Gamble Gardens
Palo Alto

Call me crazy, but I really love it when the camera captures un-posed photos. Isabella was enjoying her "time out" way too much! A true toddler & mama moment!

I love Gamble Gardens in Palo Alto! I think I've made it perfectly clear to Brian that I really, really want a garden like this someday (okay, maybe on a smaller scale). And living in Palo Alto, I could definitely handle that!

California Moments, part IV

While visiting Jon & Angela we had the opportunity to tour Jon's workplace, NASA: Ames Research Center. Brian loved the experience of flying a Boeing 747 (simulation, of course) and he did a great handling take off and landing. Now he anticipates the cinematic moment when he can stand as the flight attendant announces over the intercom, "Our captain has become incapacitated, anyone know how to fly this plane."

Before California...Design Mom

Just a few days before I headed to California I had the fantastic opportunity to do a party for Maude Blair. Her mom, Gabrielle Blair, is the amazing woman behind the popular blog, Design Mom. Gabrielle posted a fabulous bit about the party and has a ton more photos on her flickr photo stream. View the write up here. For more information about my fun science parties go to www.ScienceExplorersNY.com.

California Moments, part III

Our lovely photo shoot on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. In the mustard flowers, of course!

L to R: Jon, Sabrina, Angela & Olivia

California Moments, part II

Morning sunshine with cousin, Olivia "Baby Leeva".

Cousin Sabrina

I LOVE farmer's markets. And the one we went to in Sunnyvale with Angela (Brian's sister) & Jon did not disappoint. All the samples of delicious produce were fantastic, I don't think I've ever tasted a pomelo until then.

"Hello, my name is Kiasa, and I'm addicted to farmer's markets."

We ate a ton of delicious strawberries.

Honey!

Corn.

Oranges...so juicy.

Angela & a delicious blood orange! Yum!

Strolling with the goods.

California Moments, part I

Visiting the duck pond at one of my favorite childhood parks in Elk Grove.

Isabella LOVED wearing Aunt Alex's shoes. Alex has got style and my little girl knows it!

We ate too much ice cream! This photo is when it all started. During our long and scary night at the hospital I promised my brave little girl that after it was all over she could have some ice cream. When she woke up from the anesthesia in the hospital the first thing she asked for was ice cream. Now when she retells the story she says, "Medicine, doctor, go sleep, wake up, HAVE SOME ICE CREAM!!! Chocolate, really cold."

Celebrating my 28th birthday, again. My nephew, Silas, helps from afar.

Riding ATVs with Aunt Alex.

Getting dirty.

Throwing rocks into Folsom Lake with cousin Gillian.

Isabella getting her hair trimmed for the first time. She didn't like the process, but loved talking about it afterward.

Playing with cousin Emma and Harold, the duck.

Watching cousins Mary & Emma in their Roadshow.

Pulling the tall grass and feeding it to the horses.

Visiting the Sacramento Zoo and seeing the animals up close.
L to R: sister Anika, niece Gillian, Mom, Isabella, and nephew Silas.

Family Photos

We got home late last night and I just finished downloading all 1800+ photos off my camera from the trip. I wish I had time to sit and go through them all, but I'll have to do it in phases. I've become almost teary-eyed going through some already, so many fabulous photos! So, for today, a few of my favorite photos from a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Sunnyvale, CA. Thanks Angelina for playing photographer.