No Complaints

After realizing I really didn't want to give up sweets or coffee, and giving up alcohol wouldn't really count since I haven't had any in like 16 months anyway, I decided to give up complaining for lent. It's hard! (Uh-oh, does that count?) I knew I'd slip so I made complaint jars for work and home. Each time I complain I throw in a quarter. We're on day three and, well, quarter three. But I certainly am complaining less, and that feels good. I haven't decided what I'll do with the money at the end, but it'll probably go to Pumpkin's piggy bank. It kind of defeats the purpose if I use it to get something for myself ... like a coffee ... or a sweet.

Happy Valentine's Day!

with love,

Pumpkin & Scoop

February Photo a Day

The other day, I happened on this February Photo Challenge and on a whim decided to participate. I won't be posting all of them here, but if you'd like to follow along, I'm tamgab on Instagram and @tmkg on Twitter.

Day 1: Your view today

Day 2: Words

Day 3: Hands

A long overdue congratulations

My sister Mena met her boyfriend Miguel when she was going to Berkeley and they worked together at Ned's Bookstore. They became friends, and then began dating. That was in 2001. They have spent most of their adult lives together, shared some of their biggest moments both happy and sad, and lived together in Beirut while my sister pursued her master's degree. It's hard to imagine one without the other, and I think of Miguel like a brother. In the fall, as they celebrated 10 years together, Miguel proposed and Mena accepted. We are so happy for them, and can't wait for the wedding!

At the Plumas County Fair, 2002

Beirut, Christmas Eve, 2005

The Bay, summer 2006

Our wedding rehearsal, 2008

Lake Tahoe, 2009

Six months!

Our little Pumpkin turned six months old while we were in Michigan! At her six-month check up on Monday, she weighed in at 15 lbs., 6 oz. (50th percentile) and measured 27 inches (97th percentile). Her doctor said she moves as much as most 9-month-olds.

She is getting to be so big and is even sitting up! She can't get there on her own yet, but if we sit her down she stays for quite a while.
Just before Christmas she started eating solid foods, and seems to enjoy everything. So far she's had carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli and spinach.

It is so much fun (and a little sad as the time seems to fly by so fast) to watch her grow from a baby into a little girl. She is so happy and such a joy.

The Mitten

A couple weeks ago, Team Gabel headed to Michigan for a wedding and Pumpkin's first (six) flight(s)! Chris's cousin Brad, who lives in our 'hood, was marrying Linda, who hails from Michigan, and so off we went!

Pumpkin was great on all of our flights. We changed planes in Oakland and thought we were flying straight to Detroit until the pilot informed us we would be stopping in Phoenix. This wasn't on our itinerary as it wasn't a plane change, but the even bigger surprise was that Rita was getting on the plane with us! It was fun to have Grandma on the flight to help keep Pumpkin entertained. We discovered the best toys are empty plastic cups and cardboard coffee cup sleeves.

This is maybe my favorite picture from the trip. Pumpkin enjoys looking at the mirror, but usually we have to hold her up on the sink - in the hotel, the mirror came all the way down to the floor - what fun!

The little charmer was pretty adorable (as she always is) in her little dress and bonnet for the rehearsal dinner. She met all kinds of new aunts, uncles and cousins over the weekend.

The wedding was in the evening and the ceremony and reception were beautiful. Here are the official new Mr. and Mrs!

Here we are with Alison and Rita at the wedding reception. We had lots of fun during our trip, and even found time to have some Middle Eastern food in Dearborn - a delicious excursion! It was really great to see the extended family and share in a beautiful wedding.

Buddies

Earlier this month, we enjoyed a visit from Jeremy and Andrea who came from D.C. for a late holiday visit with family and friends. We were pretty excited that they brought Pumpkin's little prom date with them - their new addition was born in September but is is quickly catching up to Pumpkin, he's such a cutie and very strong!

This is their first meeting, at Jeremy's mom's house.

The next morning, we hosted brunch at our house and Kat and Matt, college friends of Andrea who have now become friends of ours, joined with their little one, who is already 14 months!

The adults had a great time visiting and catching up, and the kiddos had fun getting to play together. We look forward to many more of these gatherings.