Video - Pumpkin Playtime

This video is from September, but I'm just getting around to posting it. We'll be posting more in the next few days, since she's getting so big now, and learning lots of tricks.

Smokey but not Burned

We made it back home this morning, after passing by the fire on Camp Pendelton. Thanks to David and Vriseyda for letting us stay at their place these last couple of days. They were great hosts... we kept calling it "Honeymoon, Jr."

Lowell was great, too, and Pumpkin will never forget Ulan, the very large German Shepard (aka. her 1st boyfriend).

We just barely posted some pictures, and we thank everyone for their concerns... a lot of our friends and co-workers aren't out of the woods yet, so we'll be thinking about them as we get our stuff together back home.

Evacuation Notice Lifted

Laetitia and I got the good news this morning that the Mayor lifted the evacuation order on our community. Laetitia’s parents were required to leave yesterday, and they headed north and to Palm Springs. Laetitia’s grandparents did not have to leave, but there was a separate fire in their area that was eventually controlled.

The I-5 was closed until just a few minutes ago because of another fire at Camp Pendelton, so we were blocked from going home from Orange County. We’ll probably wait to see what happens with traffic before heading home. Our prayers are with all those people that have lost their homes :’(

Above the Flames

So, we're still in Dana Point, watching the news and worrying about our friends. Thanks to all for emails, calls, and concerns. Our jobs are closed today, and we hope everyone stays safe and healthy. Here's a pretty useful map to monitor the fires:

We're Evacuated

Laetitia and I have taken Pumpkin out of San Diego, since we're inside the southwestern region of the mandatory evacuation zone. Rachel graciously set us up with her generous mother in Dana Point, where we'll be watching the news and monitoring the fire situation. We hope everyone is okay and we'll be praying for the safety of our family, friends, co-workers, and their homes.

Our Wedding Portraits

We've posted the wedding portraits from our photographer, so we hope you enjoy them :-)

Video - Hawaii Star Ball

Here's the video clips of us dancing at the 2007 Hawaii Star Ball, held at the Sheraton Waikiki. We were competing just days before our wedding :-)

Our Growing Girl

Pumpkin was noticeably bigger after our 2 weeks away in Hawaii. She was very excited to see us, and we're really happy Kristin was able to take care of her. Laetitia had some time to bond with her today, since she doesn't go back to work till next week. In order for me to get some Pumpkin time, Laetitia brought her for a lunch date. Luckily, we had the camera and an array of pumpkins nearby, and photos have been placed in the Baby Pumpkin gallery.

We're Back!

We got back last night and were greeted by Baby Pumpkin!!! Kristin was kind enough to pick us up and bring the baby along with her. I just uploaded the last batch of Maui pictures. After we do some sorting, we'll be posting the official wedding pictures from the photographer soon. Meanwhile, we'll enjoy our tans while we still have them.

Hanging at the Hyatt

Today, we hung around the Hyatt most of the day, since it was our last full day here before we checkout and go to Wailea. We went swimming in the really cool pool here, which had tunnels and waterfalls. We have to wait for pictures of the fun pictures we took with the submersible camera, but for now we have posted the digital pictures of the other fun things around the hotel. We had dinner at Giovani's around the corner before calling it a night.

Sailing to Lanai

Today, Laetitia and I sailed to Lanai, where we did the best snorkeling of our lives (that was our 2nd time ever). We had the option to take a van tour of the island, but we headed straight for the beach, so it was practically all ours since almost everyone went on the van tour. Laetitia did very well... she floated horizontally and kept away from all the sharp things. We had a submersible camera with us, but that'll have to be developed when we get home, but we brought our digital camera for the above-water pictures.

A Maui Honeymoon

Bye to Oahu - Hello Maui - Swimming at Kapalua beach, Napili Bay...

Celebrity Sighting

We drove Rachel and Lowell to the Honolulu airport yesterday morning, and right after we said our good-byes and I was about to pull the car out, I felt like I "knew" the guy getting out of the SUV in front of us... turns out, it was "Ben Linus" from Lost. Laetitia was able to snag a shot with her camera. We decided not to bug him, but the picture looks almost like something eerie from the TV show, huh?

We're Married!

So we pulled it off... we're married! We've posted the pictures from Olivier's, Caroline's, and our cameras... we'll bunch in any other candid photos from the event in this album as well. And soon we'll have the official photos done by the photographer. Thanks to all for your warm wishes and now let the honeymoon begin!

Photos - Luau on Oahu

So tonight was the night our group got together to enjoy a Luau at the Royal Hawaiian next door. It was lots of food, singing, dancing, and entertainment. It was nice to spend time with everyone casually, before the big day tomorrow. Laetitia and I finished up the table favors tonight, and just ironed our outfits. She's got an early hair appointment, and it'll all be over before we know it, right? :'( Well, at least we have the pictures to remember it!

Iced Cream

Caught our first sunset since we've been here tonight, with some Baskin Robbins, following last year's tradition. I had Maui Brownie Madness, despite being on Oahu. It felt hypocritical. But it was still good.

This evening's poolside entertainment was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on an inflatable screen. We had crab legs and the pie sampler. The determination is that banana cream pie is awesome. Key lime: eh.

More arrivals: Rachel and Lowell made it, their luggage didn't. The French coterie arrived late this evening, so they will wake up to a spectacular view tomorrow!

Photos - Hiking Diamond Head

So today, after getting some wedding stuff done, we got to see Laetitia's and my respective parents... the family is rolling in :-) We also managed to squeeze in a hike up Diamond Head, and we have the pictures to prove it. It was really quite a bit of exercise, and well worth the risk we took given it was supposed to rain. There's a chance we may close the night off with some Salsa dancing at Planet Hollywood next door, but we're getting pretty sleepy... hopefully more pictures and news to be posted tomorrow.

Dancing Update

So we danced our first round around 3:30pm and got 3rd place... we thought we only had about three hours till our second round of dancing, so we went to the pool to rest and enjoy the view. Then, we got ready to dance again and were down by the ballroom where we warmed up and got ready to go. When the 6:50 call time got closer, we noticed nobody seemed to be getting ready to dance... turns out, we got scheduled for 9:30 and nobody told us!!! So, we skulked back up to our room, where we picked at Fritos since we still didn't want to eat too much before we dance. We got to watch that new show Pushing Daisies... it was pretty good. I guess I better start getting suited up for the final round here.

Photos - Oahu Days 1 & 2

We've posted the pictures from the first couples of days here in Oahu. The first day we really didn't do much... we found the nearest "Foodland" and stocked up our fridge with sodas, water, and snacks. Day 2, we explored the East side of the island up to the North Shore, since last year we had hit up the other side. It drizzled off and on, as we made our way to Turtle Bay and Kualoa Ranch. Tomorrow we dance, so we're going to practice in a little bit... countdown to the "big day" continues!

Bon Voyage!

We're all packed and heading to our last night's sleep before the big trip, but I can't help but feel like we're forgetting something... We've put Pumpkin to bed. Francoise will be taking us to the airport in the morning. We'll do our best to post pictures and clips here as much as we can. We'll miss you all, especially Pumpkin, who will be in the care of Kristin.