An Historic Day

I imagine this is no surprised to anyone, today was inauguration day in the US. I had to work so I setup the machines to record everything... figuring I'd be up half the night watching what I missed. Fredrica and I were big Obama supporters from the beginning.

Much to my amazement when I got to work they had setup the whole cafe with seats and balloons. There was coffee and free breakfast. About 300 Intuit employees came in to watch Obama's speech. It was really am amazing moment to get in a large group really captured by being together for this historic event.

I asked a colleague who had been at Intuit since the early days whether anything like this had ever happened at work (Intuit has been around for 25 years so that is about 5 inaugurations). This was a first.

Just a small part of the group watching... I got a seat in the front row!

I suppose had I been paying attention I would have seen this in the elevators at work :-)

A picture from my front row seat!

Fredrica also had an interesting story. She was really dissapointed to have had an acupuncture appointment during Obama's speech. When she arrived, there was Jackie with a tear in her eye watching the events unfold. Fredrica sat down next to each other and together they watched his speech.



I feel these pictures capture some of the impact of the day on people.

What a weekend

This was a long weekend in the US... Monday was Martin Luther King day. Work and day care were closed so we decided to make a weekend of it. We booked a room on Saturday night at La Costa Spa and Resort. We got the idea from a friend who shared that he booked a room for Saturday night, but took his family up early Sat and left late Sunday enjoying all the facilities.

What a great idea that was! Because it is winter, prices were 50% reduced! But the weather was like summer... it was 75-80F. The place has so much to offer, a major golf course (not for us)... a great spa, an amazing Yoga center (the Chopra Center), and an amazing setup for kids including water slides, pools with integrated beaches and a whole play area for kids. Fredrica and I both booked massages which were amazing and Fredrica got a yoga class in Sunday morning.

Isabella was fearless... she loves the water. To the right was a small beach and Isabella loved playing in the beach sand and running into the pool

Mainly just something fun to look at outside "Kids-topia" a whole entertainment center for kids (Isabella was a little young). No parents allowed... just kids (I guess so parents can golf, go to the spa, etc.)

Isabella pushing her stroller around the grounds.

Here is the spa... boy were we pampered

On our way back we stopped at a park and someone had a huge parakeet

Isabella was just fascinated

Isabella loves seesaws.

Weee!

Daddy braved up the rock face... OK it was only 2 meters high :-)

I can self!!!!

Those sweet words all parents long to hear....NOT!  I really love the stage Isabella is in right now, she is growing and developing so much and fast. We communications is great, in English, Swedish and some Spanish. They only thing we have some problem with is the "can self". She wants to EVERYTHING her self, even the things she can't. This is a problem when you are late for work. But we have decided not to let this stress us out. If anything this should teach us about patience. Now I just wish she would learn about it too. 

New Years Weekend

O.k so we're little bit late but life has been busy and adding some computer problems, well there you go. But we had a great time. Fredrica flew up to San Francisco the day before for a little girls night out with Alexandra and James and Isabella came next day. New Years eve was great with good food (cooked by Alexandra and Fredrica) and plenty of wine (brought by Mark), entertainment (by Isabella). In the past 2 years (since Isabella) we have not made in to midnight. What can we say? Sleep deprivation makes you sleep when ever you get a chance. This year We made it, almost. James went to sleep at 11:30pm but Fredrica made it to a whopping 12:30pm.

Having appetisers in the living room.

The drinking did not effect the food (too much)

Isabella learned french (almost)

The face does not tell you all, she soooo enjoyed Alexandra's appetisers

Working off some calories before the big dinner

They have some really nice fall colors in the Bay area but boy it was cold for us San Diegions

We did not miss the opportunity to have breakfast at our favorite place, The Creamery. The name tells you all. Their specialty is home made ice cream and shakes ...mmmm

Isabella and daddy excited on the prospect of a creamery breakfast

And oh yeah they also have great cookies...giant and great cookies