Summer Lovin', Happened So Fast

Well I must say, this summer is going by faster than you can say "call me maybe"! There has been so much going on lately, I feel like the entire month of July was jam-packed, and the coming months don't offer much relief. While there have been lots of downs lately, there have also been plenty of ups. Here are just some of the awesome things that have been going down:

A's game with Mended Little Hearts

More A's games

The San Francisco "Breast Fest" beer festival

So many beer sample, so little time

Swim lessons for Joaquin

Little monkey man

 Celebrating Holly and Jon's impending arrival



Spending time with besties

Taking tons of pics of this little guy (of course)

Heart Walk 2012

On Saturday June 9th, Jose, Joaquin and I participated in the Congenital Heart Walk. The walk, put on by the Adult Congenital Heart Association, took place in Oakland and was a 5K that took us all the way around Lake Merritt. Not only was this a fun event, it was a great way to spend a Saturday morning, and the weather could not have been more perfect!
Our team from Mended Little Hearts of Silicon Valley was definitely the largest there, and I am so proud to say we raised over $16,000 for congenital heart research! There were plenty of other teams there as well, overall it was so wonderful to see so many people come out to walk and support CHD research and awareness.

Our team!

Co-coordinators: Myself, and "Heart Mom" Heather <3

My little man, modeling our lovely shirts

Speaking on behalf of our team before the race starts. Cue the nerves!!

So happy to always have my little family by my side :)

Memorial Weekend Outings

One of the reasons I love living in the Bay Area is there is always something to do... Whether it be an event, museum, theme park, sight-seeing, you name it... and being able to enjoy it through the eyes of a child makes just everything that much sweeter (even if it is a huge production just to get out the door when an 18 month old is involved).
On May 27th, the Golden Gate Bridge turned 75 years old. Naturally, there was a big festival thrown so Joaquin and I met up with Heather and Rob, and headed down to Fort Mason/Crissy Field to say "Happy Birthday" in person.

I am slightly obsessed with the "toy camera" effect on my new Canon

Soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Batzloff

Go Niners! (even though I am forever surrounded by Raiders fans!)

Me and my little man at the Golden Gate Bridge :)

The following day, we were lucky to have a day to spend with Jose, and decided to check out the San Ramon Wind Festival. Growing up, the Wind Festival was one of my mom's favorite events, and we used to go every year. I was very excited to share this little tradition with my own family.

Train ride #1

Big Slide!! The boys went on this ride as well

Train ride #2 (that little girl talked my ear off the whole time. So cute:) )

xxoooxxoo

Mother's Day at the Chalet

I think this Mother's Day was the first year I really celebrated as a Mother. Last year, Joaquin was only 5 months old and we had just gotten back from a long trip to North Carolina, so I'm pretty sure we both slept all day. This year, however I knew I wanted to do something special but low-key. The morning started with a visit to Jose's Abuelita's house for some coffee and delish pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread). Then, we made our way to The Lake Chalet on Lake Merritt in Oakland. I had never been here before but had heard some great things, and it did not disappoint! Great atmosphere, and the scenery is gorgeous! It used to be a boathouse, so it is right on the lake. Apparently they also have gondola rides that you can take around the lake, we will definitely have to go for that next time (perhaps sans baby). Brunch was amazing, I devoured my "breakfast corn dog" (sausage dipped in pancake with powdered sugar and syrup), and savored every bite of my crab and asparagus omelet. Wash it down with a couple mimosas I was one happy mama!

The rest of the day was spent shopping, relaxing, visiting with friends and family, and some In-N-Out for dinner, since I didn't feel like cooking. All and all, a very Happy Mother's Day to me! xxoo

Family Photo Fun Time

We took these pics with Jose's iPhone the other day at the zoo while waiting for the train. xxoo

Koo in the Zoo

On Tuesday Jose and I took Joaquin on a trip to the Oakland Zoo for the first time. I should note that it was also my first trip to this particular zoo, and I loved it! It's quiet and small enough to get through in a few hours, yet they have a great variety of animals and things to do. And the habitats are BEAUTIFUL! Who would've thought there was such a perfect home for lions, tigers and bears in the Oakland Hills?! There will definitely be many more trips in the coming months (and years), it will be fun to see Joaquin's reaction to all the animals as he gets older. This time, he was very happy to visit everyone and loved to wave and say "Hiiiii" to each animal he saw. :) xxoo



Take Me Out to the A's Game

This weekend we headed to O.co Coliseum in Oakland watch the A's play for the first time this season. Last year, despite Joaquin being only 4-9 months old, we managed to make it out to about 5 games which is pretty good... hopefully this year we'll get to even more.
Since Joaquin was so young last season, this was the first game he's been to where I think he has truly been able to enjoy himself. He got to walk around the parking lot before the game, making friends with his fellow A's tailgaters, explore the ballpark and browse the Team Store. He even made friends with the people sitting behind us. They were such big fans of him, he ended up sitting with them for a couple of innings, and he loved it! I am really looking forward to taking him to more games this season, and hitting up his first fireworks game! xxoo