Welcome to the HK Family Blog

Turly and LVMH

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:38:10 -0700

How sad is it that my cousin Sarah knows about new ad campaigns with Christy before I do. Wow am I behind! Paley and I did a day trip over to Aptos last Thursday to visit cousin Sarah and Aunt/Uncle at the beach house we grew up going to back in the 80s and 90s. And I hear that Christy is in a new campaign with Louis Vuitton. Now Christy is one of Marc Jacobs go to models since the 80’s. But this campaign is pretty awesome. As you can see from the photo above its really simple Christy along with Karen Elson and Natalia Vodianova posing in a small set based on dressing room at a theater. Thank you Sarah for bringing this to my attention....

posted by Brian

Gotta Love Bathtime

Wed, 4 Aug 2010 12:50:40 -0700

I’ve added two new photo galleries, I have some catching up to do with them. Two of Paley’s favorite things to do at home is take a bath (our little water girl) and dress up (especially in dad’s scooter gear). Enjoy both!

posted by Brian

Horizons: Somber Drive Home in 09

Tue, 3 Aug 2010 23:02:11 -0700

I took this photo back on February 6th 2009. I was driving home on 680 from my mom’s house. I spent many days out there to visit with my mom. My dad had passed only 7 days prior. Yes I took it while driving - don’t worry I point and shoot, no need to focus.

posted by Brian

“The View” is Out of Control

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 09:17:22 -0700

While they did have President Obama on the program this week (Yes, the first President to be on day time television) Elizabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepard are on Right Wing stampede against any thing non-republic or non-christian. The attacks over the past couple of weeks range from the LGBT community (mostly notable Sherpard’s attack on black gay men and Hasselbeck’s vendetta on middle age lesbians) to the President to the sad attempt against Kathy Griffin. The women of the view are out of control for sure. Luckily over the past couple weeks Joy Behar has come to our rescue but sadly not Whoopi Goldberg. To date the women have refused to offer an apology on the grieves attacks or even offer a correction to their false statements or statistics. Right now I am in the process of writing a complaint letter to Whoopi Goldberg and her lack of back bone these recent weeks except for defending Mel Gibson. Sad to see a show i like to watch just go to the dumps. I miss Rosie!!!!!!! This BS would never happen on her watch.

You can write a letter to:

ABC Studios
Attn: Whoopi Goldberg
320 W 66th St
New York, NY 10023

posted by Brian

Late Night Jumpy Movie and New Photos

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:52:33 -0700

I am finally adding a few more photos and getting around to making some movies with the hundreds of movies we are taking with our new iphones. Don’t get me started on the new phone. I love it to death but I am also having issues with it at the same time. The two new photo galleries are photos we took last weekend out our friend Tom G’s birthday dinner at EOS in SF. That restaurant has the most amazing dessert platter. First I must say his Banana Cream Pie from Tartine was one of the lightest I’ve ever eaten. But the dessert platter that EOD provided before the pie was to die for. The Molten cake was yummy but the Chocolate Ganache and Carmel torte was heaven. Don't even get me started on their Salty Carmel Ice Cream, uber yummy! The night was also special because it was uncle Chris’s (clem’s brother) first time babysitting Paley in the evening. He’s babysat her during the day but

The second set of photos are photos we took up at the Charles Schultz (Snoopy) Museum in Santa Rosa. First, the building is really beautiful but really small. The only other complaint I had was the movie is not kid sensitive. But! Paley still had a blast running around to all the characters and called them by name, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus. Sadly there weren’t too many snoopy sculptures. And lastly I made a movie of Paley playing in her jumpy house last friend while we had our neighbors over for dinner. Her little buddies Lorenzo and Marcus had such a blast playing together. Towards the end of the evening the kids had dessert late resulting in the kids getting out of the jumpy house around 930. Sugar high!!! but the burned it off and slept like angles. There was also a little nip of something else in their dessert that added to the lateness. The video was taken out right before they goy out of the house. Twice Paley and Lorenzo were jumping hand in hand resulting in a head butt, I stopped them the third repetitive time to prevent further head injury.

posted by Brian

Back Home After A Quick Trip

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 06:27:35 -0700

Paley took a quick trip up to Eugene on Sunday to wish Ama a Happy 70th Birthday and to visit with Grandpa who is still getting back onto his feet. Sadly he developed a nasty infection after the bypass surgery but he was able to kick it but it mean’t he was in the hospital our whole visit. Paley did get to see him and he looked great. We did celebrate Ama’s birthday in the hospital but I think she was just happy we were all together. It reminded me of my mom’s 60th birthday a few years back, my dad was also in hospital and we all got together. I certainly use see a pattern with my dad and his hospital visits, they always seem to happen before big family events or holidays. As I am older now, I understand why, the stress of it can put anyone in the hospital.

Paley had such a great time playing at Ama and Grandpa’s house, everything from a big yard to run around in and chickens chase. We also visited several playgrounds in Eugene, one of the most best playgrounds we’ve seen so far was the RiverPlay Playground at the Skinner Butte Park which is along the Willamette River.

(today i’ve posted a video of Paley playing in Ama & Grandpa’s backyard)

posted by Brian

After Watching “Motherhood”……

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 21:29:25 -0700

I want to SLAP every family hating single/childless couple on this planet. I see why “Motherhood” staring Uma Therman was not a huge success at the box office. It only caters to a certain audience. Parents! Thank you Jodie Foster for making a rare cameo! The movie is brilliantly written and Uma was perfect for the role. The craziness and madness of being a parent in an hour and half long movie, genius. Validity comes to mind! It’s not just me! It’s not just living in California! It’s not just living in the burbs!

Whether you’re a stay at home or working parent this movie really does speak to you or maybe give you hope that you really aren’t alone in this journey you’ve undertaken. It also needs to be watched by every clueless working spouse to take for granted what the stay at home parent has to do everyday. Personally I think all those childless singles and couples should be forced to watch this movie and realize that they are the rude arrogant person in those awkward and questionable situations where parents clearly cannot make the right decision or do the right thing. I will admit back in my single days I had my moments of frustration with parents and their kids. Mainly screaming kids in supermarkets but now I get it.

Now for all you guys, this movie is kind of a chick film but it really does have some kick and a lot of heart in it. On a side note, I wished Minnie Driver had a few more scenes, I think she’s one of the most under-appreciated actresses of my generation. She was pregnant during the filming of the movie so that may be another reason why she only had a handful of scenes. Luv u Minnie! Such a cool name!

Also, one of my favorite scenes is when Uma’s daughter is having “I am have” fight over whose birthdays are cooler. The rich girl almost had me but when she said she had to have Serendipity deliver her food rather than being able to host her party at Serendipity, she lost in my “book”.

posted by Brian

Potty Success

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 14:14:10 -0700

Paley had her first potty success. How crazy is it that our lives are inspired by moments such as this. Why are these moments of successes? Because they’re a sign of validity for a parent. There are so many times you feel like a bad parent (like when your kid falls off the bed) that when little achievements like this make you feel like a good parent again. The truth of this situation is kids are going to fall wether or not you are there and they’re going to pee in the pot eventually.

I know, I know her first pee moment is only just the beginning of a year long adventure. Last weekend we were in Saint Helena visiting family and enjoying spa visit. While eating some yummy grilled cream cheese pizzas, Auntie F. shared her technique in potty training her sons who are about 20 months apart (they’re grown men today). She adopted the bathroom lockdown technique, 24 hours locked in the bathroom with your child, food, pillows, change of clothes and plenty of books and magazines (everything you can possibly need in 24 hours). For her it was a great achievement, sadly I don’t think I have the patience to sit in one room for more than a few hours. I’d go nuts. She is a brave woman and I am not that brave.

I have to get out of the house. As I thought about the lockdown technique I realized today that I really have to get out of the house at least once a day. Yesterday was almost a the first shut in day in a long, long time (I was trying to get all of our refinance paperwork together) but I managed to get a few walks in and work in the yard. So for now I am very happy that our little girl made a big step.

(another great shot of Paley swimming at her cousins graduation party)

posted by Brian

Horizons: 4th of July Night Sky

Fri, 9 Jul 2010 20:17:33 -0700

This photo was taken at Athen Downs Park in San Ramon, California. Paley had a grand time frolicking in the dark. The shot was taken with my new iphone 4.

posted by Brian