Mommy's little helper...

On a sunny Friday afternoon in January, Mommy's little assistant marched outside to help with the gardening. Dylan was a big help in the garden, although it was more work for Mommy to clean him up after he was done! But hey, it's the thought that counts! We just hope that he'll be this helpful when he grows up :)

Remembering Mark...

A week ago, I got a text message that floored me, and I still find it difficult to read to this day. I couldn't believe it at first, but the next day, it was evident -- my friend, Mark de Ocampo, is gone.

It's been quite a few years since we last saw each other, as life has led us to very different paths. But it only took a moment before all the memories started flooding in. All the funny moments we shared with friends from way back when. All the crazy times that defined us as we struggled to make do with our new life as immigrants in a new world. We were young yet mature, happy yet conflicted, grounded yet lost... I'd like to think that the years that followed have brought more meaning, but I know that there are still many questions left unanswered.

What comforts me when I think of Mark is knowing that he's in a better place. For all the struggles that he went through in his young life, he always kept his head up, and he always offered a helping hand to others even when he himself could use the help. Above all, he was a joy to be with and an understanding friend. Our time with him may have been too short, but we will always remember him for the laughter he shared with all of us. Mark, wherever you are, we will miss you dearly.

       

The RD2 Yearbook 2008 is done!

After a laborious effort over the holiday vacation, the RD2 Yearbook 2008 is done! Mommy spent many weekend hours organizing thousands of pictures and paring them down to 144 photobook pages.

This yearbook was prepared with lots of thought and love, and we hope it gives you a glimpse of the wonderful year we had, especially with Dylan around! We hope you'll spare some time to check it out on our Flickr site at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronanddawne

Pianissimo...

After years of saying we were going to get a piano, we finally made good on that promise! We just thought it would be a great gift for the little guy, and for the parents too! Mom found a great deal on a used piano on eBay -- it's a little old, or should we say "well-loved", but it's well worth the price. Daddy and Dylan have already tried it out a few times and it looks like it's a keeper!

RD2 rings in 2009!

For the past 5 years, we've been out and about celebrating the New Year. So this year, we decided to do things differently -- we put our itchy feet to rest and stayed home to ring in 2009! It was a quiet and cozy evening with the Dygmeister, just enjoying the piano, some freshly baked goodies Mom made and a 2004 Esterlina Reserve Pinot Noir (to jumpstart our year-long celebration of Mom and Dad's 5th wedding anniversary :) -- none for Dyg though!)

But even with just 3 people in the house, we made sure we made enough noise as we bade farewell to 2008 and welcomed 2009. As we watched the ball drop in Times Square, we shook our pockets full of coins, banged on Dylan's toys drums, clunked our wine glasses and greeted each other a happy new year! May you have a blessed 2009 everyone!