Chloé Soleil and Finnley William

Starbright

2012-02-12T18:29:00.001-08:00

The Park on a Sunday

2012-02-12T11:50:00.001-08:00

Catching Up with Friends

2012-02-12T10:22:00.001-08:00

Sister and Brother

2012-02-12T10:13:00.001-08:00

Chloe and Finn in our old neighborhood.

Guard Dog

2012-02-12T06:54:00.001-08:00

Finnley

2012-02-12T06:51:00.001-08:00

One More Month

2012-02-12T06:42:00.001-08:00

Winter 2012

2012-02-02T21:18:00.001-08:00

Sunday Brunch

2012-02-02T21:16:00.000-08:00

Sister and Brother

2012-02-02T21:13:00.000-08:00

Finnley (20 Months)

2012-02-02T21:08:00.000-08:00

2012-02-02T20:58:00.000-08:00

2012-02-02T20:54:00.000-08:00

Memento

2012-02-02T20:49:00.000-08:00

Chloe made this for me to take on my work trip to remember her.

Baby Angel #3

2012-01-26T21:20:00.000-08:00

Our third angel has posed nicely for some pictures! We saw some thick hair, full Cliffe lips, and open eyes (apparently a rare sight to see!). We love you baby and can't wait to meet you in person!

Those lips are back!

2012-01-26T21:04:00.000-08:00

Jams

2011-12-10T09:59:00.000-08:00

"I love beats Daddy."

514

2011-12-10T09:47:00.000-08:00

Drums

2011-12-10T09:43:00.000-08:00

NOPA life

2011-12-10T09:36:00.000-08:00

Finnley

2011-12-10T09:32:00.000-08:00

Winter in the City

2011-12-10T09:28:00.000-08:00

Random shots around the house

2011-11-29T21:30:00.000-08:00

Our new creative art studio courtesy of Josh

2011-11-29T21:22:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Josh, we have a new studio in our garden for artwork, making videos, and making mudpies.

Leaf collecting in the rain for Rainbow Dolphins

2011-11-29T21:06:00.001-08:00

We had a great time collecting moss, leaves and sticks for the Rainbow Dolphins class. They keep them on a try in the classroom for the kids to touch and explore with there little fingers.

It's Visit Daddy at Work Day!

2011-11-29T20:59:00.000-08:00

Tatiana and FInnley!

2011-11-29T20:56:00.001-08:00

We love our TaTa! She comes every morning to take care of little Finnley while Mom works. They go to the park every day, have lunch and then it's nap time. The kids love her and Mom and Dad love how well she takes care of the kiddos.

A day and a life with my little boy...L.O.V.E

2011-10-30T22:29:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, my Mom took my sister and I to Paris on holiday...I remember a moment looking out the window of a bus and seeing a woman walking her dog. I thought..."she lives here, people actually live in this amazing place." That was a defining moment for me, I vowed to live somewhere I felt was truly amazing too. And here we are...;)

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-30T22:27:00.000-07:00

Love, Koala!

Live Life...!

2011-10-30T22:13:00.000-07:00

Spent an amazing day with my kiddos today. Just 1 day away from leaving for a 6 day work trip. The longest I've ever been away from either of them. I'm trying not to panic too much...

Chloe, Finn and I played on the beach in the sunshine, loving life!

Grammy Cliffe as a Little Girl

2011-10-27T18:29:00.000-07:00

Here is an actual retro picture.

Wonder

2011-10-23T21:59:00.001-07:00

Neighborhood

2011-10-23T21:53:00.000-07:00

Baker and Grove

2011-10-23T21:50:00.000-07:00

The Kids

2011-10-23T21:45:00.000-07:00

Little Artist

2011-10-23T21:40:00.000-07:00

Backyard

2011-10-23T21:37:00.000-07:00

"All denim, Dad?!? Are you serious?"

2011-10-23T21:35:00.000-07:00

Warm San Francisco Weekend

2011-10-23T21:26:00.000-07:00

Chloe Soleil

2011-10-23T21:17:00.000-07:00

Morning Coffee

2011-10-21T12:11:00.001-07:00

Baby Cliffe #3...18 week sonogram

2011-10-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

We went for our 18 week sonogram today! All looks great with the baby and the results of our genetic testing are in...excellent reports on all fronts. It was a great day. Both Josh and I thought the baby looked a lot like Chloe did in her sonogram...those lips! Due date is still set for March 8th/9th. Just 4 more months until we find out the results of the tie breaker...boy or girl?! Finnley came with on the visit. He was a good boy, more into his books than the baby ;). Chloe was at school but we are planning to do another "fun" sonogram in a few weeks which Chloe will be at. She'll love it! The last sonogram she went on (around 12 weeks) she said, "Yay, I finally get to see inside Mama's tummy!"

We are in love with Flora Grubb!

2011-10-03T20:28:00.000-07:00

Flora Grubb is an awesome nursery south of SF where you can get lost in a plant maze, plant your own succulents, sip yummy coffee from their cafe, and even listen to Wilco play on the garden speakers. We heart Flora Grubb. Thank you Pacific Primary for having your event there and showing us how special it is!

Finnley, a natural hipster at the Bluegrass Festival

2011-10-03T20:26:00.000-07:00

More pics from our walk in beautiful SF Sept summer weather!

2011-10-03T20:21:00.000-07:00

Finnley was fascinated by the sculpture and his new fascination...trees!

Finnley and Mom spend a casual day in the GG Park

2011-10-03T20:18:00.000-07:00

Finnley's Finished Room

2011-10-03T20:14:00.000-07:00

Inspired by vintage carnivals, and vintage prints from his Great Gran Gran!

Hanging around the hood...

2011-10-03T20:08:00.000-07:00

He's a little snapshot of a day and a life of our fun life around our Nopa hood. We love our home!

Little Reader

2011-09-19T22:15:00.000-07:00

Chloe's First Day at Pacific Primary Preschool

2011-09-09T17:17:00.000-07:00

We are in love with Chloe's new school, and most of all Chloe LOVES it! It's a full day program geared towards working parents, but is a great school and right across the street so we decided to send Chloe there and pick her up around 3pm instead of the end of the day. The first day Chloe told me I came too soon. The next day I came later, apparently still too soon...So today I am picking her up at 5:30pm, we will see if Chloe approves! Finnley and I are loving not having to pack up the car twice a day for pick ups and drop offs. We are enjoying having time together for strolls through the park, feeding the ducks and checking out the fish at CA Academy of Sciences. We miss Chloe but are so happy she's happy. Off to pick her up now!

What better way to end a hike through the Blue Mountains...?

2011-09-09T17:08:00.000-07:00

Last stop, Hawg Wild BBQ, for a traditional North Carolina BBQ. Mmmmm...only regret, not ordering a second round of hush puppies.

Josh and Jeanine have a date day hiking the Blue Ridge Appalacian Trail

2011-09-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

Grammy and Pop Pop were super nice and watched the kids all day while Josh and I went for a day long hike. It was beautiful and so nice to be together just the two of us.

Our Summer Trip to North Carolina

2011-09-07T11:12:00.000-07:00

We had a great time visiting Grammy and PopPop Allpress in North Carolina last week! The week flew by with a ton of activities including slip and slide for Chloe, a blow up pool in the yard, ice cream at Ms. Piggy's Ice Cream Shop, a stroll thru the Apple Festival in Hendersonville, crepes at the French Creperie in Asheville, followed by a street fair (which would rival any of San Francisco's, including the fire show, live music, costumes and street performances) and of course....Apple picking, one of the best days we had! Chloe loved it. She had a full basket in no time which Grammy turned into Apple crumble with ice cream when we got home. Finn was in heaven munching on his juicy apple in the orchard. But, he preferred to stick to the paved path, as his little legs are still a touch unstable for the hilly grass. Thank you Grammy and PopPop for a wonderful trip which we will remember forever!

Finn hits the playground with Mom

2011-08-27T21:55:00.000-07:00

Chloe hits the dentist and gets glowing reviews

2011-08-27T21:48:00.000-07:00

Chloe did great at the dentist. She went in by herself, got x-ray photos and had glowing reviews regarding her sparkling teeth. She looked pretty hip in her shades too. Finn had his first trip to the dentist as well and did great!

Chloe and Finn playing at the DeYoung

2011-08-27T21:47:00.000-07:00

Chloe and Mom's Pink Bunny

2011-08-27T21:44:00.000-07:00

Chloe is taking great care of Mom's special pink bunny.

Score!! A gold star balloon!

2011-08-27T21:41:00.000-07:00

Finn's current addictions...balls and balloons. He found this gold star in the cafe which he was obsessed with. He looked so cute poddling around the cafe with a balloon bigger than him.

Chloe's Art Projects - Summer 2011

2011-08-27T21:38:00.000-07:00

Chloe went to art camp for a week this summer and made some great projects. Mom and Chloe also had fun making a fairy garden together.

This is why I love San Francisco...

2011-08-27T21:35:00.000-07:00

a walking through the park, you'll can come up upon a line of turtles sunbathing. Even better, today on a walk, I saw a huge crawfish (or mini lobster) on the walking path. Now that's a cool city.

Chloe Camping in Tahoe with Daddy

2011-08-27T21:26:00.000-07:00

Josh took Chloe to Tahoe this weekend for some camping and met up with Emily, Breaks, cousin Sophie and Maggie. They had a great time at the lake. Josh texted me this..."Had a moment last night when I took her to this clearing and had her look up at the stars. Thousands of them, very clear. She gasped." There's nothing better than that!

I'm obsessed with this song...thank you My Morning Jacket.

2011-08-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

"Wonderful (The Way I Feel)"

It matters to me
Took a long time to get here
If it would have been easy
I would not have cared

Like a tropical forest
Like a cop on the beat
When all is order
You get lost in the heat

I feel so wonderful, wonderful, wonderful the way I feel

Doesn't matter to me
I could take it or leave it
I could learn from way back when
And still live right now

With the sun on my shoulder
And the wind in my back
I will never grow older
At least not in my mind

So wonderful, wonderful the way I feel
I feel so wonderful, wonderful, wonderful the way I feel

I'm going where there ain't no fear
I'm going where the spirit is near
I'm going where the living is easy
And the people are kind
A new state of mind

I'm going where there ain't no police
I'm going where there ain't no disease
I'm going where there ain't no need
To escape from what is
Only spirits at ease

Finnley at 15 months

2011-08-18T19:35:00.000-07:00

Finnley had his 15 month appt this week. 20lbs, 30 inches. All looks good. He had his first dentist appt too. Teeth looking perfect. The front crooked tooth is apparently an "extra tooth" the welded to the front tooth or it split in utero and half came in side ways. Either way, it will fall out naturally when he looses his baby teeth. We love his extra tooth!

My Baby Boy...not so baby anymore

2011-08-18T19:31:00.000-07:00

We had our 15 month appointment this week and were given the potty training handout...already?! Where is the time going? He's my baby still right??...right??

Our morning hike on Lands End

2011-08-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

Ball

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Daddy's the BEST!

2011-08-18T19:23:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the start of summer

2011-08-18T19:16:00.000-07:00

Finn in nature

2011-08-18T19:13:00.000-07:00

Fun times at our park

2011-08-18T19:07:00.000-07:00

Chloe's Summer

2011-08-18T18:54:00.000-07:00

So having two kids has definitely slowed down the monthly posts but we manage to get a few shots in from time to time. Here we have Chloe out on a rare sunny SF day. The summer has been especially foggy this year, feels worse than others but then again...I say that every year. Looking forward to a September summer!

Chloe has spent some weeks in camp and some weeks with Mom. Camps included Adventure camp, the Rec Parks Camp and the JCC. Given the weather, I've struggled a bit to keep the little ones occupied all day but we're making it. Just 3 weeks until school starts. Chloe will be heading to Pacific Primary this year where she'll be in "Rainbow Dolphins" and more importantly, the school is across the street from our house, SO EXCITED.

Spring 2011

2011-07-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Grammy Cliffe

2011-07-17T10:33:00.000-07:00

Chloes 4th Birthday

2011-07-16T09:32:00.000-07:00

Garden

2011-07-11T08:47:00.000-07:00

Mom Finally Gets Her Camera Fixed

2011-07-03T21:30:00.000-07:00

So this is the photoshoot spree I went on after finally getting my camera fixed! I felt I had a lot of making up to do. Those iPhone shots just weren't cutting it!

Finnley

2011-07-03T21:28:00.000-07:00

Chloe has fun spinning and soon builds up the confidence to put her legs thru the hole!

2011-07-03T21:22:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh...a boat that doubles as a bed, perfect!

2011-07-03T21:20:00.000-07:00

Finnley's Nemo Boat...Loving it!

2011-07-03T21:11:00.000-07:00

A quick trip to Santa Cruz for the night

2011-07-03T21:03:00.000-07:00

Finnley's Room...a work in progress but almost complete

2011-07-03T20:15:00.000-07:00

A HUGE thank you to PopPop Allpress for helping to put up Finnley's letters! It was a tedious task, but he did it with a smile! The ink prints hanging in Finn's room were either PopPop's or my Gran's from when she was a baby. Judging from the copyright date and a little research, we think these were from when PopPop Allpress was a baby! We have a few more finishing touches to do but the 1 year old toddler room is almost complete!

Chloe's Second Ballet Recital

2011-07-03T20:13:00.000-07:00

I is the end of the year and we have to say good-bye to Gimel...;(

2011-07-03T20:04:00.000-07:00

Chloe's last day of the JCC - Gimel class was on June 5th. We had an end of year party at the park where we said our good byes to Marnie and Twonda...the BEST teachers we could ever wish for! They will be greatly missed! Next year, Chloe will be switching schools and joining Pacific Primary where she''ll be a "Rainbow Dolphin" and is across the street from our house! We are so excited, it's a great school and even better location...;). We will miss the JCC though, and will be back for visits.

Farewell NYC, it was nice to be back...

2011-07-03T20:01:00.000-07:00

until next time!

When looking for the perfect cafe...

2011-07-03T07:43:00.000-07:00

When strolling thru a city, and looking for the perfect cafe...follow the path to the art and the cafe will come. Siting in the sun, with my latte, lunch, and book before my flight home. Ahhh...a perfect ending to a perfect weekend!

Congrats David James! What a great wedding!

2011-07-02T22:30:00.000-07:00

My old, dear friend, David James got married in NYC over the same weekend. Dave and I became friends in 6th grade and were best buds growing up. It was an amazing wedding, and so fun catching up with the old crew! Congrats Dave and Dana. xo P.S. Yes, even the Deacon from Wake Forest showed up!

We found a secret garden!

2011-07-02T22:24:00.000-07:00

Mom's Trip to NYC, what a great getaway!

2011-07-02T22:15:00.000-07:00

I spent two days shopping and walking around the city with one of my favorite girls, Marisa! We had a fabulous girls weekend catching up! Thanks for meeting me Maris, LOVE YOU TO BITS! xoxo

Finnley Standing

2011-06-25T09:37:00.000-07:00

Another Song

2011-06-23T14:09:00.000-07:00

Chloe, Mom and Pop Pop Check out the Balenciaga Event

2011-06-12T22:27:00.000-07:00

Chloe LOVED all of the amazing dresses and we had a great time with Pop Pop.

The Shabbat Song

2011-06-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

Chloe Searching for Treasure at Logan's Party

2011-06-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at Logan's 4th birthday party! Hard to believe these guys were once infants together. TIme flies!

Finn and Dad at Logan's Party

2011-06-10T12:43:00.000-07:00

Carousel

2011-06-07T21:43:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite project, Chloe has called it "Carousel".

Chloe's End of Year Art Show

2011-06-07T21:35:00.000-07:00

Chloe's preschool had an end of year art show where the kids projects were displayed in the classroom for a fun family evening.
A major theme for the kids this year was puppet making. These are some of the photos of her creations.

Chloe decides she wants a little sister

2011-06-07T21:19:00.000-07:00

Singing in the Rain

2011-06-07T21:11:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Murals in SF

2011-06-07T21:04:00.000-07:00

Allies in San Fran...every corner holds another surprise.