Playing Catch Up

I know you can hardly contain yourself...

but the blog is back!!! After more than a month hiatus (I will not be winning any blogger of the year awards) we've got some long overdue pics of the last few weeks. Here's Emery and her mother beginning the Thanksgiving holiday by cooking some yummy cinnamon rolls. Emery made the frosting from scratch.

We had a house full of Haydens, Smalls and Gonzales' for the holiday. The house was filled with young and old (not that old mind you) and lots of love. Here Grandma is relaying her personal experience of being incarcerated in hopes of dissuading Ryan from future corporate fraud.

Here are Aunty Lisa and cousin Michael. Unbelievably, Michael just downed a gallon of milk in record time seconds before this picture was taken. Thus the wet shirt and the attempt to catch his breath.

As evidenced by this picture, here is my wife doing all she can to ensure that Emery is a "girly girl".

The sisters and Michael relaxing with a bottle while Emery attempts to get "The Fonz" look just right. "Heyyyyyyy"...

Someone ever take your picture when your least expecting it? Ask Emery how that feels.
Tracy and I are trying to teach Ryan that pointing at big noses is impolite. Proud Grandpa and Grandma with their growing family...
Hands down, Emery's favorite toy is this maraca that was given to us by the Carney's. I think it was supposed to be a joke gift because the toy speaks in English and Spanish and probably has more Spanish words than I know. But Emery is fascinated with the music, colors, and voices. It's our "go-to" when nothing else seems to make her happy. Whatever you spent John, I owe you double...
Mom doing her part to introduce Emery to the benefits of a cold beer. She loves to look at the bottles.

Em has moved to her crib over the past month and her parents have mixed feelings. We love that she is getting to be a big girl and can sleep on her own. At the same time, I miss opening my eyes on a lazy Sunday morning and watching as my two girls are sleeping next to me. Here's our little girl tucked in bed, wanting to delay starting the day for just a few more minutes.




Sorry for the poor orientation but this vid is about the audio anyway. Em is finally starting to giggle for her mom and dad and we couldn't be more delighted.

Another fun vid of Em finding her own voice...

This picture makes your daddy's heart melt Em...

Election night

I'm not gonna write it.

No.

I refuse to type the words.

It's too easy, but still,

I

Can't

Help

Myself.... YES WE CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Em and Trace wearing their support. Tracy took Em this day to look at some day care options. One of the places she looked at had McCain/Palin signs on the front yard. Tracy said she saw the couple stare at her shirt countless times, but they never commented. I don't think they'll be accepting Emery for their day care.


Em looking patriotic in her red white and blue.

An Open Letter to President-Elect Obama:

President Elect-Obama--

Your historic achievement still reverberates two nights later. The media is still buzzing. I can still hear your name when I walk by the watercooler talk. On the drive to work today, I saw two people with Obama bumper stickers give each other the thumbs up at a stoplight. My wife was watching Oprah tonight and you'd think that she will be moving into the White House with you. (She's not going to be, is she?)

I'm happy for you and for your family. Your win in this election means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. For some, your win is the final act in a triumphant play, erasing the stain of our nation's greatest sin. For others, your win is reclamation, replacing an "every man" with a "once-in-a-generation" in our nation's highest office. And yet we can't forget that nearly half the county is disappointed in your victory and wishes the country were not in your hands.

My happiness for your win is different. My generation cares less and less about race and does not identify you first and foremost as a black man. Sure, I'm happy about new leadership in the White House but not because the country is more blue than red. We've seen politics will always have periodic shifts of power and it's only a matter of time before the country grows tired of those whom sip the champagne of victory now.

You see, my wife and I are new parents to a beautiful baby girl. The two girls asleep in the next room mean everything to me. I have many friends who are proud new parents or will be parents soon. We all want the same thing for our children. I want her to grow up and be anything she wants to be. When she gets sick, I want to take her to the doctor and not have to worry about how much it will hurt my bank account that month. I want her to go to college and not have to stress for twenty years about how her mom and I will be able to afford it. I want to raise her in this home and not lose sleep wondering about what the future holds for my mortgage. I don't need much. A little money in savings, a few dollars to take my girls for an ice cream from time to time. What they don't have in "things", I promise to shower on them with love and kisses.

There will be many presidents in my lifetime. More in my daughters. There is something though about you and your vision for America that is unlike anything I've seen in my short time on this earth. The cynics will say its the media that has named you "The Chosen One" and the lemmings follow along. They are blinded by their politics. I know you'll make mistakes. You'll make choices that I won't be happy with.

But I'll trust you.


And I'll support you.


I can't imagine the job you have before you. I wouldn't want it. You couldn't pay me enough. But in our nation's depths, great leaders have always pulled us to new heights. I am still buzzing after this election because I see in you greatness, in your words, in your pragmatism, in your judgement.


It's my hope that 25, 50 years from now, I'll be able to tell my daughter with pride that I took her into the voting booth and cast my ballot for you, and in doing so, for her.


With hope,

Marcos

So cute its scary

The shirt says it all...

Happy Halloween!! I didn't think I'd have this much fun on Halloween with our little girl. After all, she's not even trick-or-treating yet, but as you'll see in these pics, her mom and I enjoyed all the festive outfits. She didn't seem to mind all the outfit changes.

My first halloween bib!

My first dorky halloween hat!
My second dorky halloween hat.
"Really? You're going to take a picture of me with this outfit? Have you no shame?"
This was her "actual" halloween outfit in case that's not clear. Tracy said it was a bunny rabbit. I think she's a pink ewok. This outfit was made for dressing up in North Dakota in October, not San Diego. I think Emery lost two pounds of water weight after being in this for an hour.


Here's Emery's friend Liam as a dinosaur.
We walked around the block and went trick-or-treating... kinda... I guess. The moms loved it though.

Some other picks of Em...

Learning to sit in her bop...

Dad and Em playing

By the time I get to Arizona...

What do you mean you're leaving me for the weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thankfully, we were able to talk my parents into staying with their Grandaughter for the weekend. Free babysitting! Thanks again Mom and Dad.

Our friends the Campbells had planned a trip back to their alma mater, University of Arizona, in Tucson. The Wildcats were playing my Cal Bears in October, so it seemed like the pefect opportunity to check out the southwest and watch as the Bears disappointed my fine friends. A road trip ensued...

Our road trip crew...Tracy and I in the front, Scott, Christy, and Anne in the back.

All smiles as we start the road trip. Needless to say, Sunday morning smiles weren't as easy to come by.
As we started our trip on Anne's birthday, we thought we'd stop at the Indian casino to test our luck. After all, it's not everyday that your friend is having a birthday. After pooling money we let it all ride on one hand of blackjack. Let's just say that next time, birthday or not, I'm in charge of hitting or staying. Gotta hit the 12 when the dealer is showing a face card Anne. We were in and out in less than 5 minutes, and the trip was off to an auspicious beginning...

Finally in Tucson and enjoying lunch and brews with friends, as Adam ruins the picture with his U of A colors.
Tracy and Anne no longer remember why we are in Tucson at this point...

I tried to get the Mrs. to wear some Cal gear to support me. On second thought, I'm glad she didn't. Look how cute the momma looks!

Kevin Campbell and Rocco walking to the Buffet, a real happening bar in Tucson. I love that the barbed wire section seen behind them is part of the Iron Horse Historic Neighborhood.
Only in Tucson??

One of the last times I smiled at Scott this day...

As the sun set on our trip, my Bears blew a golden opportunity but all was not lost. We saw a new part of the world with experienced tour guides, but can't say that we'll be piling Em in the car anytime soon. Coming back to our little girl after a weekend away was arguably the best part of the trip.

SLO Reunion

Earlier in October we met up with college friends in San Luis Obispo for a weekend of catching up, meeting new family members and enjoying the little town that we all spent a number of years. It made us all nostalgic, some of us talking about retiring to this little Central Coast treasure--until we realized that at this current rate, no one will be retiring.

Here, John, Vince and I enjoy some post-golf Gus'. In case you're wondering, Team Carney-Gonzo enjoyed free sandwiches and free beer courtesy of Gillmore and Vince. Thanks for flying out Vince and next time bring your better half...

Dave, Tony and I partaking in some early afternoon wine tasting with the group.

The fam hanging out in the lobby for its free beer and liquor. Yes, I said free. Emery had her first sips of wine when her mother was exclaiming, "Drinks are on me!" We pride ourselves in teaching our daughter to never pass up free drinks.

Basem holding Emery

Jen was trying to share with Emery the secrets to business success, but Emery was more interested in the ceiling fan.

Denise and Joey. Joey is that kind of pissed when he knows that his next meal of breast milk will be tasting of wine. I think the exact look he's sending is, "Do you know what wine does to baby reflux? It's not helping me sleep Mom, quit fooling yourself."

Our entire group of eleven adults and three kids dared to go out to dinner together at Giuseppes. I wish I could say Emery was sleeping the entire time.

Kayden and Nicole bringing smiles to dinner.

It was a fun trip to reconnect. There were whispers of making it an annual trip. Who knows as the families grow how easy it will be. For now, I appreciated the golf, the laughs, the tri-tip sandwich at Firestone grill, the opportunity to see everyone healthy and happy. Worth the 6 hour drive from San Diego, no doubt...