July 2014 – beakatude

home cooking

By beakatude
on Jul 26, 2014
in yum

We’ve been trying to eat at home more often and this week Jes made some pretty tasty dinners.

pork chops with rice pilaf and brocollini

pan-seared steak with mashed potato, mushrooms, and haricot verts

Vivian & Family

By beakatude
on Jul 21, 2014
in babies, friends, photosbynina

Right after my visit to Ranee’s, I headed down the street to meet up with Steph, Nathan, and Vivian for her 1st birthday portraits. This red two-piece was from the Bahamas and has been worn by her older cousins when they were her size and passed down to her.

The second outfit was a birthday gift and the purple in the dress really complimented her skin color.

Baby Avia & Family

By beakatude
on Jul 21, 2014
in babies, friends, photosbynina

DSC_5203a

I went to Ranee’s house on Sunday morning to take some portraits of Avia. She’s 3 weeks old now and has grown so much already! DSC_5209a

Sunday in Golden Gate Park

By beakatude
on Jul 14, 2014
in kumquat, outings, yum

On Sunday, we went to the Cal Academy for the members-only hour. I can’t believe our membership will expire this month. Seems like we just joined. Glad we got to go more than enough to make up the cost.

Afterward, we visited the Japanese Tea Garden for the first time. It’s just across the street and it’s a lot bigger inside than I expected.

They have an actual tea house inside where we had some tea and tako yaki.

The garden is beautifully manicured and there were lots of nooks and crannies to explore. The koi pond is probably the coolest part.

The little bridges were the most nerve-racking for parents of a toddler.

Other than that there was plenty of room for Kumquat to roam.

FYI: Admission is $7/adult. SF residents get in for $5.

Vivian’s 1st Birthday

By beakatude
on Jul 12, 2014
in babies, friends, holidays, outings

Little Vivian turned One last week and we celebrated this afternoon at a park in Walnut Creek. The weather was warm with a nice breeze and Stephanie had a great spot in the shade and in between the two playground structures.

Vivian really enjoyed her birthday cake: angel food cake with whipped cream and strawberry.

Henry didn’t get any cake but he really loves his aunties and his newly-introduced puffs.

It was nice seeing the kids together and Vivian has really grown so much. Hard to believe she’s not a baby anymore.

Pretty soon she’ll be walking, talking, and blowing bubbles like this kid I know.

Hopkins Family

By beakatude
on Jul 07, 2014
in babies, friends, photosbynina

Henry turned 6 months last week and Teresa wanted photos of him. So, they came over on Sunday morning and we headed out to Brannan Street Wharf for a quick photoshoot. Henry was so smiley and in a great mood.