Introducing Henry Oliver Cole Masuda

Yes, I am finally posting about our new family member. Henry came to us by way of the wonderful Festival of Trees. This year's festival featured a puppy themed tree called, Happy Howlidays. It was a beautiful flocked tree with a tartan plaid and black color scheme. Very sophisticated. The tree came with wonderful gifts such as dog obedience lessons, food, toys, vaccinations and check-ups for a year, etc. Oh, did I mention it also came with an adorable puppy?! Taro and I ducked out of the Gala to take a sneak peek of the puppy before the auction got underway and we couldn't resist his cuteness and puppy breath, we had to have him. It was a very excting auction and I became so confused but my wonderful husband would not be outbid! That's my man, I love auctions! Henry is adjusting fine to our home. He is such a good, well-behaved puppy. The best part is that he was already potty trained. Henry's gets his beauty from his mother who is a Golden Retriever and his father who is a Black Labrador. A hybrid dog, how progressive of us.

Goood Morning America!

Yawn! Boy am I beat! Would you believe it if I told you I woke up at 2:30am this morning? Two friends and myself braved the snow and cold (with Starbucks) and drove to Leavenworth to watch a taping of Good Morning America. Hoping to be discovered, we chased down cameramen and shoved our way past kids with signs. I Tivo'ed the whole thing and if you have high-def t.v. you may be able to see a sliver of us.
If you look real close in the photo above, right below the sign that reads, "Hi Katie, Katie Liz, etc.", in the green brimmed hat, is my friend Brianne, thats MY head she is talking to. ah, well, I'm going to bed. you can see more photos here.

Vacation

I am finally posting about our fantastic family vacation that we took in October.

This year we returned to the gorgeous Mexican Caribbean. We had such a great time at this resort last year so we booked it again. Normally when Taro and I have traveled we like to explore the location and do things on our own. Traveling with a child is another story and I feel that all-inclusive is the only way to do it. The best thing about this place is that childcare is also inclusive and boy did we use it. With Reagan's skin and his allergies the hot, humid weather didn't agree with him and it turned out he was the only child being cared for that week. So he was able to have two wonderful gals look after him and burn of some energy during the day. In the late afternoon we would bring him back to our palapa by the pool and munch on snacks or take naps. Ah, the life.

Set your Tivo!

I know, I know. I promised details about our new family member and I'll get right to it as soon as I get the energy.
In the meantime, some girlfriends of mine and I will be headed to Leavenworth at the early hour of 3am in hopes to get on camera while Good Morning America is being taped. Tivo GMA for this Thursday!

The Masuda Family Grew by One

Details to come...

Vacation, here we come

Originally uploaded by Haute Momma.

Countdown to Friday evening has begun! Friday evening the three of us depart to Mexico. We are staying at the same fantastic place as last year. Yes, the one with childcare included!
I have so, so much to do before our trip. This evening I have two volunteer meeting with another one tomorrow evening. Yikes, I am not in freak out mode yet, that will probably happen at about 10pm Thursday night.
This is a picture of Reagan slumbering under a palapa last year.

This is me

This is me. The past 48 hours I have felt like the cat in this photo and i have nobody to blame but myself. Once again I have bit off more than I can chew and overcommitted myself to too much responsibility and volunteer work. The real secret is that I kind of get off on it.
October and November are usually my busy months then comes December and the stresses of all that comes with that month. At least I have January to look forward to and celebrating my birthday with family and good friends.
I am involved with our valleys Festival of Trees which is held the weekend before Thanksgiving. I am the co-chair for the decorated trees, the whole reason for the event! I feel that I owe so much to the Festival, not only because it supports our Performing Arts Center but because this is where I have made great and wonderful friendships. My favorite part of the Festival is the Gala and Dinner Auction. I love auctions, live ones, silent ones, it don't matta'! The day after the Festival is over I fall into a bit of a funk because it has ended. But then it's full swing again come May.
I am also a member of a valley Guild here in town. It is made up of 50 amazing women where we support needy children and families in our community. Each October we sell live wreaths and garlands to raise money for a chosen charity. We are also planning a 60th anniversary gala in March and I have volunteered for the invitation and guests committee.
Recently a friend introduced me to another friend of hers who started a toybrary in Philadelphia (website comming soon). She plans on opening one up here and is looking for a committee. Taro is going to kill me. No, really, he is very supportive. He also enjoys telling me, "I told you so" when I am working until the early morning because my deadline was yesterday and I begged for an extension and I am still late turning in my designer profiles to the printer!

Eskimo Pie

Today is my favorite older sister's birthday. She is almost 10 years older than but we have a very close and awesome relationship. Most siblings with such a huge age difference have more of a motherly type relationship but Ingrid and I are true sista's! I have the greatest childhood memories because of her. I went everywhere with her when I was a little girl and had always thought I had the coolest sister never knowing that she was really babysitting me, I just thought I was special and that she and her friends wanted to hang out with me. You can all thank Ingrid for my smooth dance moves too. I can't help but think of Ingrid and me dancing in her room every time I hear Funkytown.
The older we get the deeper and closer our relationship has become. We are now both wives and mothers and and I don't really see her as "older" than me anymore. She has a young spirit and I pray she never lets go of that. Ingrid, thank you for being such a wonderful sister and keeping me sane and in-check when I need it. I love you, happy 42!

New Video camera

Here is the first video taken from our new camera, the Flip!

Chi Chi Chi Le Le Le Viva Chile!

Today is Fiestas Patrias in Chile (independence day). I have been trying to call my parents for the past two days to see how they are celebrating. I guess they are either too drunk or hungover to pick up the phone.