Here’s the elevator story. We were staying at the Hyatt in Long Beach a couple weekends ago and were headed to the elevator to go out on Saturday evening. Brianna was ahead of us and stepped inside right ahead of us, we were trying to get the stroller and our stuff too. The elevator was older and the doors started closing, Bibi put her foot between the doors so they would open but they didn’t. Then Jeremy stepped in and tried very hard to keep the metal doors open and was barely managing to. Brianna was crying out inside and a lady from housekeeping helped us call Security. Another guy from one of the other elevators also tried to help Jeremy hold the door open and create a space big enough for Brianna to get out but to no avail. Brianna also tried to open the doors from the inside but the doors didn't respond.The assistant director of security came, a GREAT man named John. He had a book and crayons brought in for Brianna and managed to calm her down for about 30-40 minutes until firefighters came to release the door. He not only held the door open (resisting the great force of metal doors) but kept Brianna entertained by talking about Disney, princesses and a bunch of other things. Hotel maintenance came before the firefighters but were told not to intervene due to liability reasons. Finally firefighters came, released the door and helped Bri stepped out. Once she came out she cried for a while but we believe she was excited to see firefighters come and rescue her. They gave her a sticker and praised her for doing so well for so long inside the elevator by herself. The hotel arranged for Brianna to have some ice-cream of her choice and sent some goodies to our room too. Our stay ended up being free of charge. It was stressful but thank God nothing bad happened. Later on we went to eat Ethiopian food and Brianna was back to her old self, socializing with everybody and making new friends. We felt very blessed!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Come sit down and enjoy our latest adventures
Please click on the TV screen to enlarge pictures. Enjoy!
Here’s the elevator story. We were staying at the Hyatt in Long Beach a couple weekends ago and were headed to the elevator to go out on Saturday evening. Brianna was ahead of us and stepped inside right ahead of us, we were trying to get the stroller and our stuff too. The elevator was older and the doors started closing, Bibi put her foot between the doors so they would open but they didn’t. Then Jeremy stepped in and tried very hard to keep the metal doors open and was barely managing to. Brianna was crying out inside and a lady from housekeeping helped us call Security. Another guy from one of the other elevators also tried to help Jeremy hold the door open and create a space big enough for Brianna to get out but to no avail. Brianna also tried to open the doors from the inside but the doors didn't respond.The assistant director of security came, a GREAT man named John. He had a book and crayons brought in for Brianna and managed to calm her down for about 30-40 minutes until firefighters came to release the door. He not only held the door open (resisting the great force of metal doors) but kept Brianna entertained by talking about Disney, princesses and a bunch of other things. Hotel maintenance came before the firefighters but were told not to intervene due to liability reasons. Finally firefighters came, released the door and helped Bri stepped out. Once she came out she cried for a while but we believe she was excited to see firefighters come and rescue her. They gave her a sticker and praised her for doing so well for so long inside the elevator by herself. The hotel arranged for Brianna to have some ice-cream of her choice and sent some goodies to our room too. Our stay ended up being free of charge. It was stressful but thank God nothing bad happened. Later on we went to eat Ethiopian food and Brianna was back to her old self, socializing with everybody and making new friends. We felt very blessed!
Here’s the elevator story. We were staying at the Hyatt in Long Beach a couple weekends ago and were headed to the elevator to go out on Saturday evening. Brianna was ahead of us and stepped inside right ahead of us, we were trying to get the stroller and our stuff too. The elevator was older and the doors started closing, Bibi put her foot between the doors so they would open but they didn’t. Then Jeremy stepped in and tried very hard to keep the metal doors open and was barely managing to. Brianna was crying out inside and a lady from housekeeping helped us call Security. Another guy from one of the other elevators also tried to help Jeremy hold the door open and create a space big enough for Brianna to get out but to no avail. Brianna also tried to open the doors from the inside but the doors didn't respond.The assistant director of security came, a GREAT man named John. He had a book and crayons brought in for Brianna and managed to calm her down for about 30-40 minutes until firefighters came to release the door. He not only held the door open (resisting the great force of metal doors) but kept Brianna entertained by talking about Disney, princesses and a bunch of other things. Hotel maintenance came before the firefighters but were told not to intervene due to liability reasons. Finally firefighters came, released the door and helped Bri stepped out. Once she came out she cried for a while but we believe she was excited to see firefighters come and rescue her. They gave her a sticker and praised her for doing so well for so long inside the elevator by herself. The hotel arranged for Brianna to have some ice-cream of her choice and sent some goodies to our room too. Our stay ended up being free of charge. It was stressful but thank God nothing bad happened. Later on we went to eat Ethiopian food and Brianna was back to her old self, socializing with everybody and making new friends. We felt very blessed!
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
A brush with Greatness...
Brianna and Jeremy had the privilege of having dinner tonight with Ruben Gonzalez, thee time Olympian, motivational speaker and author. He has an amazing story of triumph.
In 1984, at the age of 21, Ruben decided he wanted to compete in the Olympics and started training to compete in the Luge at the 1988 Calgary Olympic Games. And he made it!
Then he qualified again for the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, and again for the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Games.
He is now in the process of qualifying for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancuver, Canada, and if he makes it he will be the first person in history to participate in the Winter Olympics in 4 different decades.
Here is a video of one of his motivational talks.
In 1984, at the age of 21, Ruben decided he wanted to compete in the Olympics and started training to compete in the Luge at the 1988 Calgary Olympic Games. And he made it!
Then he qualified again for the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, and again for the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Games.
He is now in the process of qualifying for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancuver, Canada, and if he makes it he will be the first person in history to participate in the Winter Olympics in 4 different decades.Here is a video of one of his motivational talks.
I followed him on stage in Memphis this past weekend and it was a privilege to share the stage with such an awesome winner. It just happened that he was talking at some local schools in Visalia this week so we were able to meet for dinner tonight.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Kiara's first Swim
Today Kiara had her first swim at 33 days old. We warmed up the jacuzzi to about 92ยบ F to see what she thought.
And she loved it!! She floated all by herself with Daddy only holding her head for support.
Brianna loved having little sis in the pool with her. This was a totally new experience.
There will be many many years of great memories made here...
And she loved it!! She floated all by herself with Daddy only holding her head for support.
Brianna loved having little sis in the pool with her. This was a totally new experience.
There will be many many years of great memories made here...
1 month old!!!
Kiara turned 1 month old this past Sabbath. Our church had a rose for her, commemorating her birth, as well as an announcement in the bulletin. Pr. Chad had Bibi stand up and show off Kiara to the congregation. It is a neat ritual our church does for all babies born to members.
Sistersfor a month and going strong! Brianna is a wonderful big sis. She's doing much better about being gentle with baby Kiara and loves to hug her and give her kisses. Kiara keeps on eating well and gaining weight and has smiled a few times. Her neck is very strong and she is very alert. She's already looking around and staying awake for longer periods of time. We ARE LOVING having two girls!!!
Sisters
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
April 15th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEST DADDY IN THE WHOLE WORLD!!!
Mommy treated the whole family to dinner at our fave spot in the area. We had very yummy food that J&C particularly enjoyed (all amazing veggie meat dishes). Daddy and Bri blowing the candle on a vegan piece of vanilla cake.
Big sis showering Kiara with love
Not so little anymore! Kiara is gaining weight at record speed! She was all dressed up for Daddy too.
Mommy treated the whole family to dinner at our fave spot in the area. We had very yummy food that J&C particularly enjoyed (all amazing veggie meat dishes). Daddy and Bri blowing the candle on a vegan piece of vanilla cake.
Big sis showering Kiara with love
Not so little anymore! Kiara is gaining weight at record speed! She was all dressed up for Daddy too.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Keeping up the celebration ...
Marina, Brianna and Mateo enjoying some yummy pasta
Ready to blow the candles yet again. Thank you, Suzana for the out-of-this-world Croatian cake. Too good!!!
Kiara is getting chunky! She's started to look at Mommy attentively for a while now ...
Our friends Matt, Roxana and the kids brought us a very delicious dinner that we all shared to celebrate Jer's birthday. We had asparagus soup, pasta with bolognese sauce, a green salad, garlic bread and Croatian cake for dessert. Best of all, of course, was the time we spent together. Great memories!
Ready to blow the candles yet again. Thank you, Suzana for the out-of-this-world Croatian cake. Too good!!!
Kiara is getting chunky! She's started to look at Mommy attentively for a while now ...
Our friends Matt, Roxana and the kids brought us a very delicious dinner that we all shared to celebrate Jer's birthday. We had asparagus soup, pasta with bolognese sauce, a green salad, garlic bread and Croatian cake for dessert. Best of all, of course, was the time we spent together. Great memories!
Jeremy's "HAPY" birthday celebration
Though his actual birthday is tomorrow, April 15th, Jeremy celebrated his special day with the staff today.
Balloon and colorful leis made the occasion extra special
A very yummy chocolate cake with non-dairy frosting
Char holding Kiara. This was Kiara's first visit to the office. The girls were all over her!
The old man (he'll be turning 34) with his new baby
Balloon and colorful leis made the occasion extra special
A very yummy chocolate cake with non-dairy frosting
Char holding Kiara. This was Kiara's first visit to the office. The girls were all over her!
The old man (he'll be turning 34) with his new baby
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Daddy's Girls
We found some pictures of Bibi when she was Brianna's age... and this will make you smile! Here's Bibi when she was 3 year old.
Here's another picture of Bibi when she was around 2 & a half years old.
Like Mother, Like Daughter... Well, we'll see what we're saying about Kiara in the next few years.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
United Tour Concert
This Friday evening we ventured out to our first concert after baby. Our friends (from left to right) Matt & Roxana and David & Sherri (and us three) attended a United Tour Concert. Michael W Smith with Steven Curtis Chapman put on an awesome show. It was definitely a blessing to start a great Easter Weekend. We were particularly blessed by Steven's testimony of his family's journey of the last 11 months following his little girl Maria's passing in an unfortunate accident in their driveway.
It's a little blurry but Michael and Steven packed a full house and rocked old favorites and new ones mixed with powerful words of faith and wisdom. Mommy and Kiara enjoyed the concert right outside the venue so the loud music wouldn't hurt the little ears. We had a tv right in front of us and our friends took turns visiting and chatting. Great times!
It's a little blurry but Michael and Steven packed a full house and rocked old favorites and new ones mixed with powerful words of faith and wisdom. Mommy and Kiara enjoyed the concert right outside the venue so the loud music wouldn't hurt the little ears. We had a tv right in front of us and our friends took turns visiting and chatting. Great times!
A happy girl after a feeding
Mommy and K at church on Easter Weekend
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