California, here we come!

In case my last post was too cryptic for you, let me state it plainly:

We are moving back to California this summer.

Marino accepted a position in San Francisco and will begin his new job next week. The kids and I will join him after Cece graduates from kindergarten and we sell (or rent out) our house here. We expect to be in the CA no later than early August.

We are happy to get to come "home" to the Bay Area and all our family and friends there, but are heartbroken to leave the home we've made (and love!) here in northern VA. Virginia has been good to us, and we will definitely miss everyone here -- especially our wonderful neighbors, who have truly become a second family to us.

So, it is with heavy, yet joyful, hearts that we prepare to return to the west coast. But we remain optimistic that this will be a terrific opportunity for Marino and that we will soon feel at home back in California. As we've learned so many times before ... Make new friends, but keep the old -- one is silver and the other gold -- right? :)

See all you west coasters soon!

PST ... Pacific Sing-along Time

All you Californians, sing along with the montage:



So if Marino is Mr. Kotter, I guess that makes me Julie. Just don't expect me to wear those hideous glasses!

Love,
Jen, Marino, Cece & Nico "Kotter" ... coming back to a California town near you, Summer 2008.
(I think we should petition the court to have our last name changed to Zigzag.)

Picture Overload

Since I clearly can't find the time these days for a proper post, here are some pics to catch you up on the first few months of 2008 in our household ... I tried to keep them in chronological order, but that fell apart. Blogger isn't the easiest when it comes to uploading large numbers of pics. But you get the idea.

Dustin & Steph: Not deemed suitable for a wedding rehearsal

But they managed to pull off the ceremony without any major mishaps

Cece, Nico & their cousin Andy

Coloring our vernal equinox eggs

The bunny brought some cool treats (and enjoyed the carrot & water we left for him).

Me & the kids

Me & Brandy

Nico & Grandpa Marc

Grandpa Marc & Cece

Two devious dudes

Cece - Rockefeller Center, NYC

Buying her first roasted almonds from a NYC street vendor

Cece & Mom atop the Empire State Building

Shonjoy, Nico & Cece - spring picture day in kindergarten - and one more opportunity for Nico to try on his big sister's snow boots

Are you noticing a trend yet?



Mom & Cece after the show

Sunrise from our hotel room

Her parents' old 'hood

Where Marino & I lived, once upon a time

Nobody does it better than Noodle Pudding!

Stuffed & happy after dinner at Noodle Pudding

My pretty girl in the rain, Central Park - NYC

The Met


Pooped. You were right -- the Met IS big, Mom!

Playing on the "Big" piano in FAO Schwarz, NYC

Cece in Times Square ... she'll be back!

Cece & Jen, Alice's Tea Cup - NYC

Our corner table ... the perfect place for tea & scones on a rainy NYC morning

Relaxing in our hotel room

Dinner with Uncle Michael at Ruby Foo's before going to see Wicked

All geared up for show!

Just a little more sugar ...

Perfect!

Painting at school

Her first carriage ride through Central Park

Strawberry Field

Sweetie pie

Trying on her flower girl dress


Modeling his ring bearer outfit

A book & a firetruck -- recipe for Nico bliss!

Parents' Day at Cece's school





Valentine's Day cinnamon toast


Goofin' upstairs

Like my outfit?


Proud of his haircut

Nico modeling Mom's shoes; Cece modeling her wedding attire

Playin' trains

YOU want ME to take a picture?

Here's a smile for ya.


One more? Here ya go.

Daddy, Cece & Nico

Nico is the backyard


Look, Mom! I found some DIRT!


Beauty


Heading out for her first-ever sleepover

She made these cupcakes entirely by herself.

Too cool. Dig the wand & "murse" Nico's got! :)

Love the shades, kids.


Coloring a picture for Grandpa Marc's 60th birthday


Taking a break from coloring a pic for Grandpa Marc ... 'cause, ya know, climbing on stuff is totally zen for many people ...