Kidwu Journal

	12.14.03 - Yup, it's that time again, FAMILY PICTURES...the "Dentist Root Canal" of all family events. Between getting Sophia to look at the camera with her brilliant smile and having Sierra stop chasing the cats for one moment, that perfect picture manages to come together - you just have to be there with your finger on shutter ready to capture it. Here are my attempts. (Shot with the Canon 10D and Canon 70-200 f/2.8L USM / Canon 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lenses)

	12.24.03 - Christmas Eve - another Christmas has made its way across the calendar, and what better way than to spend it with family. NiNi and YeYe were in from Florida to spend the much colder California holiday with us - As such, whenever this many Chinese cooks come together, a feast was prepared (some of which is pictured here) - Mele Kalikimaka!! - (Shot with the Canon 10D and Canon 24-70 f/2.8L USM Lens)

	12.25.03 - Christmas Day - Back to the Parents place for Lunch and dinner. Grandma Wong came down from San Francisco as well as Aunt Yvonne to help cook and finish off yet another Chinese cooked dinner. (Shot with the Canon 10D and Canon 24-70 f/2.8L USM Lens)

	7.18.04 - Nancy's 60th Birthday party turned out to be a grand occasion with friends and family all joining together to help celebrate at Bamboo Gardens Restaurant in Sunnyvale. Mom has always been there to help anyone in need with a smile, words of advice, or a loving hug - therefore, there was no shortage of people that wanted to attend - Happy Birthday, Mom!!! (Shot with the Canon 10D and Canon 24-70 f/2.8L USM Lens)

	10.1.04 - All of the Wu and Lum families were in town for the marriage of Marlin and Tracey. Was a beautiful wedding set on the bluffs of Crystal Springs Golf Course in Burlingame over looking Crystal Springs Reservoir below. It was a surprise as well since we saw a good friend of ours as the wedding photographer, Phillippe Lee, who shot Susan's wedding as well. Congratulations to you, Marlin and Tracey, and look forward to a lifetime full of love and support. (Shot with the Canon 10D and 70-200 f/2.8L USM)

	9.11.05 - With Dayna looking for some pics of Patches to send off to the previous adoption parents, I decided to have a play shoot with the two rugrats. Chibi and Patches Model Shoot, 2005. (Shot with the Canon MarkII and 24-70 f/2.8L USM)

	4.30.06 - Since the Wu and Olender familes were down in Santa Barbara, we decided to head over to the Santa Barbara Zoo. Have not been to this zoo in a while, so was a nice day to check it out. Abe Olender was there to visit with us as well, so was great seeing him as well. (Shot with MarkII and 17-40 f/4.0L USM)

	5.25.08 - Happy Birthday Sean - What a great day!! Debbie arranged for a great surprise with a boat cruise around the bay aboard the San Francisco Horn blower cruise line. With the trip catered and the bar open, Debbie brought in all of Sean's friends who could make it and close famiy to share in the day. What a perfect day for a cruise through the bay as well, as the weather was perfect - and we even got back to harbor with the same number of people that we left with...I think... :) Happy birthday, Brother! (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 17-40 f/4.0L USM)
	6.27.08 - Sophia's Graduation!!!! Time to step out of the Pre-school umbrella and jump in with the big kids! Sophia dressed in her graduation best, did us proud by graduating best in her class. Okay, they probably do not rank kids at this age, but I am biased as her Uncle, so I am going ahead and making the call that she was indeed the best. Sophia's school, My Dream Academy in Sunnyvale, put on a great graduation for the kids, complete with diplomas, gifts, cake and drinks. Great work, Sophia, next stop, College!!! (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 24-70 f/2.8L USM)

	11.7.08 - Since Debbie's birthday dinner kept slipping and slipping, and Dayna's just came and passed, we decided to do a Duo Wu Bday dinner at La Fondue in Saratoga. Got to check out their new digs, and sat on their outside patio - Feasting at it's best. Happy birthday Debbie and Dayna!!! (Shot with the Canon SD40)

	6.28.09 - With the day reaching hot levels, Debbie and Sophia invited us over to spend the afternoon at their heated pool at their apartment complex. They are not kidding when they say heated as the water was just about the same temperature as the outside air. Sean spent most of the afternoon working on the kitchen, so it was me, Debbie, Dayna, and Sophia getting the pool all to ourselves. And of course, Debbie was sure to provide cheese and crackers as well...(Shot with the Canon SD40)

	8.1.09 - Family BBQ over at the Lums (Man, I don't even remember the last time that pool was ever used!) - also served as the first time we saw extended family with our baby announcement! Poor Grace got stung by a bee (her first) so that also added to the number of firsts that night! (Shot with the Canon SD40)

	8.23.09 - Okay, time for the upcoming parents to put together the crib. The dogs were on hand as well to help with the task, but honestly, I think they were more curious as to why we were building such a nice crate for them to use - if they only knew the real story on what was going to occupy this one though! Crib looks great, but too bad we have to disassemble the thing when we want to move it out of the bedroom! Oh, and who in their right mind made the call to create an assembly kit that uses 3" screws and 3.25" inch screws - you can guess what happened - lame. (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 17-40 f/4.0L USM)

	8.22.09 - A very second trimester pregnant Dayna, myself, Sophia, and Mom headed up to San Francisco to go to the Academy of Sciences. What better way to start education than in utero! Always a great day up at the museum, although we missed out on the Planetarium - must get there early! Dad was off hitting the links :) (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 24-70 f/2.8L USM)

	9.19.09 - While out in O'ahu for one last trip before the baby is born, Mom, Karyle and Susan threw us a baby shower. It was supposed to be a surprise party, but since we had to cancel our original travel plans, the party organizers decided to have it at Petra's house, and pulled everything together last minute. With Susan due pretty soon, it was a great chance to get the two moms together as well. Dayna and I were just glad that we were able to pull together a trip after all that happened (Kidney Stone adventure), so still being able to have everyone get together was great! Thanks to Karyle for all the games she helped organize, and yes, in case you are wondering, those are condoms on those dixie cups there - you had to be there! Guest shooter for these shots was Dale and his trusty his Nikon (I don't hold it against em)

	10.17.09 - Dayna and I decided to get away for the afternoon, so called up Mom to head up with us to hang out in San Francisco for a bit. We found ourselves eating at Louie's for breakfast and enjoy the sun by hiking around the Land's End area. Was an awesome day with perfect weather. We even headed down to the beach down there as the tide was out. Baby Wu coming soon, so impromptu trips like this are numbered for a while!! (Shot with the Canon SD40)

	10.25.09 - This time it was the Wu family baby shower at my parent's place. Thanks to Debbie who pulled together some friends and family to help send Dayna and I into the world of parenthood - toys, clothes, blankets, breast pump supplies, oh my. Thanks to all that could come! Celine and Kevin's awesome diaper arrangement stole the show and sure to provide plenty of poop catching for days to come. Covered by guest shooter, Sean Kilbride - thanks! Man, this baby thing is really happening!!! (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 24-70 f/2.8L USM)

	4.4.10 - Elizabeth, Edward, and Aunt Yvonne came over for Easter lunch. Fun times with these folks that we don't get together with nearly enough. Sierra was looking extra sharp with Ed's glasses as you can see. (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 24-70 f/2.8L USM)

	4.22.10 - Sophia's school had an open house so decided to join them to see her work and meet her teachers and classmates. She's a big hit with the kids in her class and all her teachers had nothing but good things to say - guess they don't know her as well as I do, huh? juuuust joking Sophia - thanks for inviting me! (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 24-70 f/2.8L USM)

	10.24.10 - Went to the parents place armed with pumpkins and our carving tools for some Halloween carvings. This year's batch was appropriately represented with a cheer for the SF Giants who are on their way to the pennant win and then off to the World Series - fingers crossed. We also had a Jack Skellington, Mickey, and Jack Monster on display. Props to Sean for his labor intensive wood carving pattern, and Mom's absolute spot on representation of Cameron on a pumpkin. Toasted Pumpkin seeds anyone? I'm sick of em already. (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 24-70 f/2.8L USM)

	10.29.10 - We needed more carving subjects, so time for Cameron's First Pumpkin Patch visit - somewhat late in the season, so the pumpkin offerings were slight at best - we ended up walking away empty handed other than these images captured here. Although I rectified the situation with a stop at Safeway where we picked up 5 gourds for carving later in the evening :) (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 24-70 f/2.8L USM)

	10.31.10 - Halloween time! We joined Calvin and Leslie and their friends (Debbie/Sean and Sophia too) for a trick or treat run of their neighborhood. We had in our mix, a pumpkin, a vampire, a couple princesses, 9, and two pilots - what fun since I can't even remember the last time I have gone out trick/treating. The Giants were busy dealing with the Rangers this evening in game 4 of the World Series, so getting regular score updates as we went from house to house was awesome, Go Giants! (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 24-70 f/2.8L USM)

	11.25.10 - Time to reflect on a wonderful year with family and new friends. It's been a whirlwind 2010, and my growing Wu branch would surely have had to struggle if it was not for the love and support of my family, so for them, I am truly thankful. The Wu/Olender family got together at my parents place for the standard fixings this year, no poker game this year, but was a blast cooking, talking stories, and making fun of Tofurkey - New this year, a potato bar, the aforementioned tofurkey for Sean, and oh, I guess worth mentioning, Cameron! Let's say that the first encounter with Turkey was met with mixed review as she spit it out, but I am sure she'll be over that by next year :) - Mom's friend Bobbie also joined us for dinner making for a wonderful evening as she mentioned we have a great family, guess she got us on a good night, hahaha. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!! (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 24-70 f/2.8L USM)

	11.11.10 - Papa Olender Abe was in town, so Debbie and Sean invited us over for some breakfast. Pancakes, omelets, salmon, and Canon 85 1.8L! I had rented the mythical lens for the weekend, and it sure did not disappoint - just razor razor sharp! After breakfast, Sophia and I finally got around to assembling her Harry Mantis Piperoid as well that has been sitting in tube form for some time now - her first Piperoid, and she did an awesome job. Later on in the afternoon, everyone came over to our place for cookie decorating (I think I am still scraping random icing from walls and floors). Fun weekend with the family...and the 85 too, man, I think I am in love with this lens (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 85mm f/1.2L USM)

	12.23.10 - With her birthday around the corner, we decided to sit down and put together Cameron's Red Wagon, sure to be used extensively at Farmer Market and Zoo trips in the coming years. Cameron was quick to take point on laying out the necessary components, throwing the instructions to the side, and letting her Dad make all the mistakes. (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 24-70 f/2.8L USM)

	12.24.10 - Happy Birthday Cameron! We had a small party for Cameron's birthday complete with family and friends to help celebrate the most amazing 365 days we have ever experienced. Complete with Cameron trivia games, prizes, laughs, and an amazing Barn Yard Dance theme cake from Studio Cake (http://www.studiocake.com/) - Cameron's favorite book. Cameron continues to be surrounded with friends and family everywhere she goes - now if she could just learn to smile a bit more to show that appreciation :) Thanks for everyone that came by to help celebrate our little girl's birthday - She definitely had a blast going to town on the cake once we let her loose! And look, the wagon is already coming in really handy to bring home her haul of gifts. Lance wins the award with the dual occasion wrapping job - well done, Sir, I bow to your skills. Happy Birthday to a great baby - (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 85mm f/1.2L USM)

	12.25.10 - Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, (Happy or Merry) Kwanza, Happy Feast Day, and a Blessed Constitution Day - those last two I had to look up. We celebrated Christmas with family this year again over at my parent's place. Technically Cameron's second Christmas, although last year it was tough to celebrate from the hospital room :) Grandma got her Cameron picture for her house, Mom for her grandkids picture for her wall, Dad got his 94+ rated wine, Sophia got legos, Sean got Legos, and Susan got puzzles - that's just to name a few of the items that were unwrapped this afternoon. Hope everyone shared the day with the ones you love - I definitely did. (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 85mm f/1.2L USM)

	1.29.11 - Happy Birthday Sophia!!! In celebration of her big "Ocho," she had a party at the Young Chefs Academy (http://www.youngchefsacademy.com/index.php). Was fun seeing all the little chef friends of Sophia cooking their pizzas - Sophia's had pineapple on hers, oh, the horror :) - The birthday girl had a blast. (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 24-70 f/2.8L USM

	3.20.11 - We were all excited to meet Kai as he and the New York Wu's were passing through California on their way back from China - what a happy joyous guy who seems full of energy and laughs. We are all looking forward and exciting to continue to watch him grow. Cameron had a great time with him, well, that is til he tried to get Cameron to join him on the piano, "不要哭" (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 24-70 f/2.8L USM

	5.13.11 - Sophia's dance recital was the culmination of weeks of dance class at her school. As a member of the four-troupe she did not disappoint as she jumped, hopped, sashayed, and boogied to the beats! Thanks for the show, Sophia!!!! Bravo! Bravo! (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 85 f/1.2L USM)

	5.27.11 - Back down to Santa Barbara with the family. This time we decided to rent a house in the Santa Barbara Riviera area of downtown, and what a place. Perfectly situated to have quick access to all that Santa Barbara has to offer - Arigato's, Paseo, beaches are all within view. And as luck would have it, the I Mondonnari (http://www.imadonnarifestival.com/) festival was going on as well, the same festival that Dayna had to miss last year due to pregnancy related pains (thank you very much Cameron!). Was a great weekend with family - You just can't go wrong with a stay in Santa Barbara. (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 85 f/1.2L USM)

	10.29.11 - Los Gatos Bocce with the family (http://www.campodibocce.com/) (Shot with MarkII and 17-40 f/4.0L USM)

	11.23.11 - Dayna got the family tickets to go to the Bay Area Discovery Museum (http://www.baykidsmuseum.org) up at Fort Baker, within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It was a fun (although chilly) day up in San Francisco with lots of hands on exhibits that even kept the slightly older kids, Sophia (and Sean) entertained. Sean, I still love the new look! The museum also has some great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, so be sure to take that in as well. The afternoon was capped off with a lunch at Hillstone (previously named Houston's). (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 85 f/1.2L USM)

	11.24.11 - Happy Thanksgiving! Time to celebrate with family for health, prosperity, good times, laughs, and plenty of turkey to last through the end of the year. We had Tday celebrations at Mom's house again, complete with all the fixings. This year Grandma joined us for dinner as well, so always a joy to have a wonderful family to surround yourself with each year. Although the dogs got to partake in what pieces flew off the bird while we were carving, do not feel too badly, they were treated to their own turkey dog dinner at home. (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 85 f/1.2L USM)

	12.24.11 - Happy Birdday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birdday to Cameron, Happy Birthday to you! Yup, before we can even start to think about Christmas, it's Cameron's birthday celebration - the Big Deuce, Numero Dos, Number 2. Not that the holidays are busy enough, lil Cameron deserves her special day as well. Cameron continues to amaze and enrich our lives each and every day, so we are sure that we pay her back 10 fold when her birthday comes around. This year we again were hosted by the generosity of my parents to open their home to all of Cameron's guests (age 0-90!). Dayna did the lion's share of the planning and didn't pull any punches as she went all out again for this celebration. Complete with a wonderful cake by Nothing Bundt Cakes (http://www.nothingbundtcakes.com/) and entertainment from Happy Birds (http://www.happybirds.com/). Ed and Julie brought 8 birds with them to entertain the guests - it was a blast as we really got an opportunity to see them showcase some wonderful birds and get really close to the action. Thanks to everyone that was able to attend (Christmas Eve is a tough time, we know!) and Cameron had a great time sharing her day with you. (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 85 f/1.2L USM, 17-40 f/4.0L USM)

	12.25.11 - Merry Christmas to all, and to all a busy busy day. Celebrations for Christmas day continued once again at Mom and Dad's house. After celebrating the morning with gifts and more gifts, several family members retired to the respective couches around the house for a nap. Later in the evening, cousin Alice and her family (our first time to meet Dylan and Riley), Aunt Nancy and Uncle Peter, came to visit for dinner and afterwards Uncle Alan and family came as well for the after party. Was a great celebration to help cap off 2011. It's just great to have family so close at hand for the holidays. (Shot with the Canon MarkIII and 85 f/1.2L USM)