Heather, Ellis and I embarked on a short trip to Los Angeles over the MLK Weekend. We were in LA for little more than 24 hours, but we packed in enough activity for about a week. Here are some of the highlights....

Ellis with Tim Park...Tim, you look good with a kid! Really good! You should get one too!

Ellis, Heather, Christine and Tim Park @ Porto's Bakery

George with Ian and Philly Billy...@ Tep Thai

Jason and his girlfriend Debby @ Auntie Em's

Jason and Debby

Heather and Ellis with the Barnts Clan and lastly, one scary gangsta...

Ellis just got his first haircut...it was quite an adventure, as he had not had a sharp object or hair cutting equipment so close to his head. At least, not intentionally. We probably cut his hair a bit too short, but most importantly we all survived! And it will grow back some day...Here's our buzz cut buddy...

Our family was fortunate enough to reunite on New Years Day at my Uncle Bill's House in Northern California. It was great to be able to see most of our family together again, with my cousins David and Nicole in from Central Mexico, my cousin Lillian and Alexa from Indiana and Texas, as well as my brother and Sofia (Vegas) and Cousins Rick and Liz (Seattle). It was the first time in about 4 years or since our wedding that we were all in the same room together. It was a great time, and quite raucous when the New Year arrived. We were also able to witness firsthand how prolific we have all been in expanding the family with the 12 kids aged 12 and younger...Here are the photos...

New Years 2009 was spent with Robert, Sofia, Emily, Maddie, and Brookie who had returned from spending Christmas in Reno. Ellis is obviously still warming to his cousins...it was a great time hanging out with family, and unfortunately concluded with nearly every one of us contracting food poisoning...on a positive side, we were able to lose some of our holiday pounds...

Heather, Ellis and I were fortunate enough to be able to witness Bryan and Nancy's nuptials in Salem, Oregon, the weekend after Christmas. It was a great weekend, and it was also fun to share in the festivities with Nancy's daughters Stacey, Brittany, and Jamie and their families. Here are some of the photos..