We're back!

We've had some computer problems lately and couldn't post for a while ... but we were busy nonetheless! All three of us made our first cake of 2009, a Vegan Blueberry Coffee Cheesecake. Brianna loved helping out!

Top chefs

The finished product ... super delicious!

Happy New Year!! - ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

We pray 2009 will bring new opportunities, true happiness and heavenly blessings to all.

Oramos que 2009 les trae nuevas oportunidades, felicidad verdadera y bendiciones del cielo a todos.

Love,

Jeremy, Bibi, Brianna & Kiara

The Monterey Bay Aquarium

On Sunday we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and had LOTS of fun learning about otters, penguins, anemones, etc. The aquarium is very kid friendly and has lots of hands-on stations for little kids to crawl, play, draw and learn. Here, the requisite picture with the pirate, across the street from the aquarium

Looking out into the ocean from the aquarium

Bri, again, smiling by the beach

Making "chipas," traditional Paraguayan cheese breads and also a family favorite. Brianna was very eager to help make them and anxious to eat them in the morning with homemade hot chocolate.

We loved our short but fun filled days in Carmel. Can't wait to go back soon!

The last weekend of 2008 in Carmel-by-the-Sea

We spent last weekend in Carmel and were blessed to have an amazing time, beautiful sunny days, good food and many great things to do. Here Bri is smiling for Daddy

Bri, the photographer (she took this picture all by herself)

Getting close to the beach on a beautiful day

The gorgeous home we enjoyed for 3 days. Thank you, Hansons!

Christmas with the Veiss'

On the 26th, we had a Christmas brunch with Victor, Suzana and the girls. The little ones got a chance to open presents and play with them. Brianna got a "Princess Chest" full of dress up stuff. Needless to say, it was a hit! She wants to wear this lavender dress everywhere now! (and has little shoes to match too!)

Mia started walking! She got a pair of bath slippers and a fun book

The girls having fun being princesses

A yummy all-American breakfast for us all.

Christmas Day 2008

Christmas Day started with Brianna waking up to her new Bicycle that she asked "Santa" to bring. Of course she also got the necessary helmet and arm and leg protection.


















Jeremy was very surprised to receive an iPod Touch from Bibi... something he's wanted but never splurged on...
Bibi got the promise of a gift that will come in January...

Our thoughts and prayers are with the rest of the Pierson gang as they enjoy a warm, exotic Christmas in Bali with the Ordelheides and Guttchusses (see links to the right for their updates).

Bibi and I have been inspired by watching the Bravo TV show Top Chef (which we download from Amazon.com using Unbox. It's very cool). So our Christmas dinner was a real treat!

We started with a unexpectedly delicious Apple Kalamata Olive Salad with roasted corn, tomatoes and a light Balsamic vinaigrette. I, Jeremy, had to have seconds!

The next course was Pan Fried Portobello & Cremini Mushroom Ravioli with a vegan Smoked Double Cheese sauce. All made from scratch. What an amazing complexity of flavors!

Per Brianna's request, we had to have Ice-Cream for desert. Here we are toasting our Ice-Cream Sandwiches for a wonderful Christmas!

Yes, we had an amazing family Christmas... Life is good!

Our GREAT Family Christmas

This is a Christmas of firsts... Our first Christmas ever with just our little family... Our first Christmas spent in Visalia... Our first Christmas in our own home... and our first Chritmas with a family of 3 1/2 people!

We feel incredibly blessed... in all areas of our life!

Christmas Eve is when Bibi's family have traditionally celebrated Christmas. So we celebrated with an awesome Thai meal. Bibi made an amazing salad with Tangerine and Pomogranate. An amazing contrast of flavors and textures. Then we had home-made Tom Ka Khai Soup. A rich Coconut creamyness offset by tart Lemon-grass and finished off with a nip of Chili. The main course was Pad Thai noodles, perfectly cooked and seasoned leaving Jeremy going back for more. To add more texture (and vegtables) to the meal, Bibi made some battered stir-fried veggies made into little "bird nests".

Of course we were all the smiles before digging in ...

Daddy's Little Girls

Tio Jaison, Daddy, Cascade and Brianna enjoying a fun play date in the jacuzzi ... on a cold, cold, day

Needless to say, everyone had a blast!

Lots of hugs and kisses and underwater funny faces

Loving the water!

Much love to you this Christmas season!

Oh Little child so near the tree
The precious view you clearly see

Adorned in white, a glistened sight
A chilling warmth, it’s nearly night

Excitement grows within each eye
A splendid match, so bright yet shy

You make each wish, each secret part
A ray with God, so fills your heart

Your wants are small, unselfish child
Not to be wrapped, branded or styled

A world of hope, filled full of peace
A caring call, let love increase

Next year this child so wants to be
Back out to watch, this growing tree

What of our wants as time goes by
Will hope and peace and love climb high

©2001Roger J. Robicheau

Merry Christmas to you all!

Love,

Jeremy, Bibi, Brianna & Kiara (ETA 4/11/09)

The Pierson Family Christmas

This past Monday we celebrated Christmas at Ampee & Amee's house. First we enjoyed a delicious meal ...

and then Brianna was anxious to get things rolling by opening gifts. Was she ever excited by what "Santa" brought her this year!!! A "Mommy and Me" set complete with a little stroller, crib and car seat. Now Brianna will be expert help Mommy once baby sis comes along. And this was just one of many great surprises awaiting her!

Bri stealing the show again! She seems to get more and more precious by the minute!