REY & ELLA SIASOCO

Ella Really Loves Star Wars

2012-02-17T18:10:00.001-08:00

Mango Shakes!

2012-02-17T17:19:00.001-08:00

New Coat

2012-02-17T10:27:00.000-08:00

Now she really is The Bear, a polar bear.

Get Use to It

2012-02-16T06:44:00.000-08:00

"Dad, Ella is bothering me!!!"

Diaper Dandy

2012-02-15T10:18:00.001-08:00

I wish she knew how to change her own diaper.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T15:32:00.001-08:00

Lego Mania

2012-02-14T09:47:00.000-08:00

Rey has really been into legos lately (especially Star Wars legos), so we made the trek to the Lego store at the Mall of America. Their selection is insane. Rey was super excited and Ella had a great time taking legos of one color and placing them in a different colored bin. I'm sure the employees loved us.

Legos!

2012-02-13T17:17:00.001-08:00

Made by rey....cars!

Who pooped....

2012-02-13T17:12:00.001-08:00

On the toilet? Yep...Ella! It'll probably be another 6 months before she goes again. Everyone still gave her a high 5!

Aunt Reva!

2012-02-12T07:38:00.000-08:00

New Drawings

2012-02-12T07:36:00.001-08:00

Lunch w/ Jared

2012-02-10T09:17:00.001-08:00

2012-02-07T16:57:00.001-08:00

I am donating 10 inches to locks of love.

In A Galaxy Far Away...

2012-02-07T16:29:00.001-08:00

...kids still listen to Star Wars on records.

Sick Day Art Projects

2012-02-01T12:49:00.000-08:00

Both Rey and Ella have been at home recovering from upper respiratory infections. I told Rey that he couldn't sit around and watch tv all day, so we painted for a good hunk of the day. Even though Ella can hold the marker, she loves scribbling on the page (and her hands and face!).

Art Shanty Projects with the Nassifs

2012-01-30T07:21:00.000-08:00

We didn't get a chance to check out everything at the Art Shanty Projects on opening weekend, so we visited again this weekend.

Here's Ella and Sarah dressing up in the Sashay Shanty.

Jo and Rey are good buddies.

They taunted the Robot.

The Robot won.

Jake and I got some time to shoot some hooops. only in Minnesota would you being playing basketball on a frozen lake in the middle of winter.

We also played Snoquet, croquet on ice.

Indian food warmed us up after a couple hours in the cold.

Bubble bath

2012-01-26T15:56:00.001-08:00

Rey was stacking bubbles on her head.

Peek-A-Boo

2012-01-24T18:34:00.001-08:00

Sledding B-Day Party

2012-01-23T09:29:00.000-08:00

We had a great time yesterday sledding with all of Rey's friends.

Here's the Nassifs.

Up, up and away!

Here's the beautiful cake that Holly and Ann made.

We had 13 kids there.

The cake was a big hit.

Ella loved it.

Here's the crew.

Ella played the villain most of the afternoon.

Rey got a ton of cool stuff. Good times!

Cake Eaters

2012-01-22T06:48:00.000-08:00

Anne came over yesterday to help Holly with Rey's b-day cake. Look at the the awesome confectionary sculpture that they created!

Of course, Ella had her share.

Thanks Ann!

Happy Belated B-day (Video)

2012-01-21T15:10:00.000-08:00

I didn't get a chance to post this on Rey's b-day, but now you we can relive the memories online.

The Rest of MLK day

2012-01-20T08:23:00.000-08:00

On Monday we watched Jo and went to the Kern's house for a playdate, but the fun didn't stop there. It's finally been cold enough for the ice to form, so we took the kids ice skating.

Ella was sleeping, but Holly tok her skating anyway.

Both of the kids can skate, but they insisted on using folding chairs.

The chairs were used as training wheels, but mostly used for sitting.

After we met Jake at Sen Yai Sen Lek. I don't miss the work, but I miss the people.

Somsook loves Ella.

Another fun filled day.

Playdate at Charlie and Molly's

2012-01-17T07:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, our neighbors Charlie and Molly invited us to their house for a playdate. We were watching Jo for the day and were babysitting Theo (Rey's best friend at school) and his sister, so it was a big kid party!

Here's the girls getting girly on Ella.

Here's the girls getting girly on me.

Theo and Ella jammed on some instruments.

and Rey rocked out by doing a guitar solo.

Of course they found out that Rey was ticklish!

They Love Their Mom.

2012-01-17T05:50:00.000-08:00

More From Madrid

2012-01-15T05:44:00.000-08:00

We have so many more photos and videos to post from Spain, I just need to get them all in one place. Anyway, here's some photos from our last day in Madrid. The family was nice enough to go on a skatepark hunt with me. Good for them because on our way we found a zip line!

Epic Day

2012-01-14T20:37:00.000-08:00

This morning we went out to the Art Shanty Projects. I have been working my a** off the last couple weeks designing stuff for the them, so it was really rewarding to see all of the artists and projects on the ice.

Here's Rey in the Monsters Under The Bed Shanty.

Hanging out in a hammock.

and a giant robot.

This was a shanty dedicated to Norwegian culture. You could dress as the three billy goat gruff, Norwegian in origin, and learn some of the language.

I guess I'm the troll.

Here's a shanty that is dedicated to bikes. They had all varieties to ride, so Rey chose the trike and rode it all around.

This is a shanty all about bureaucracy, so we had to fill out paperwork. Sometimes, I just don't get what people's art is about, and that's okay.

Another bureaucracy-focused shanty. I think we are seeing a new trend in contemporary art.

At least this one had a stamp for the kids.

We finished up at the Art Shanty and headed over to Diego's birthday at a massive indoor playground called the Adventure Peak.

There was a huge playground, but Rey was much more interested in the clear plates.

Here's Rey and the birthday boy.

You thought our day was finished. Nope. Our friends Paul and Linda came over for dinner. We wanted to thank them for taking care of our pets and house.

Linda and Paul are expecting a little one. Judging by the way Rey and Ella reacted to them, they are going to be great parents.

Rey almost beat Paul, but Paul cheated. Whew, I'm exhausted just writing about the day. Put this one in the awesome category.

Morning Reading

2012-01-12T05:54:00.000-08:00

They are like an old married couple.

Happy Birthday Toots!

2012-01-08T18:09:00.000-08:00

Jetlag + the excitement of opening birthday presents = 3:30 am wake up time.

Rey's birthday present was so cool that Ella wanted to wear it.

Aunt Sarah and Will came by to wish Rey a happy birthday.

They brought Ella a soccer ball that she totally loved.

And Rey showed Sarah how well he is reading these days.

It doesn't take much to satisfy this 6 year old - pizza for lunch, presents, mac and cheese for dinner, and America's Funniest Home videos before bed. Pretty mellow day, but we all loved hanging out at the house today. We love you Rey!

Last Days in Madrid

2012-01-08T16:35:00.000-08:00

We are back at home reminiscing on our wonderful trip to Spain. Tita Yanni showed us what an awesome place Spain is. We miss you already Yanni!

The Royal Palace

Walking in the Huertas neighborhood.

Here's the tree that's in Puerta Del Sol, the heart and literal center of Madrid.

Inside the Reina Sofia, Spain's national Modern and Contemporary Art Museum. This is directly across the street from Yanni's apartment.

Roscon de Reyes, a traditional cake to be ate during the holidays.

Day trip in Espana

2012-01-07T08:23:00.001-08:00

Roman aquaduct in Segovia. There is also a wall around the city.

Castle in segovia that was used by the royal family. King Alfredo the 13th used it for vacationing. It was a prison for 2 years. Walt Disney used it as his inspiration for cinderella's castle. This is 1/4 of the castle.

Location:Segovia, Spain

City of Gaudi

2012-01-03T09:31:00.000-08:00

We spent most of the days in Barcelona walking around the city looking for buildings designed by Gaudi. Here's the family standing in front of Casa Batllo.

On our last day we went to Casa Mila, one of Gaudi's crowning achievements.

The roof top was worth the price of admission.

2012-01-01T03:07:00.000-08:00

We made it to Barcelona and figured out the internet on our last day. Barcelona Day 1: La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's lifetime masterpiece. Here's the church from every angle possible.

Hear's the first appearance of Trevor, Yanni's boyfriend. He's been a great tour guide and family photographer. Our trip wouldn't have been as educated without him. ¡Gracias Trevor!

Parque Guell, Gaudi's Park. Yanni and Rey giving senior picture poses.

Gaudi's signature mosaic work.

In front of Park Guell's Gaudi Museum.

The view from Parque Guell.

We have had some wonderful meals at the home base. ¡Chocolate y churros!

Chocolate mostachios.

Clothes pin fun!

Day two: Paella y la playa (the beach).

Playa de Barceloneta, a beach made for the '92 Olympics. The Olympics basically created the modern day Barcelona.

We have had an incredible trip. More to come.

New Year's dinner - roast chicken, patatas, membrillo (fruit spread) on baguettes, and pomegranate and cucumber salad.

It's a Spanish New Year's Eve tradition to swallow 12 grapes at midnight. Feliz Año Nuevo!

¡Hola Madrid!

2011-12-28T04:32:00.000-08:00

Our first meal in Spain was incredible. Croquettes - you can't go wrong with fried potatoes and meat.

Our first full day was off to a late start. Everyone fought off the jetlag by sleeping in til noon.

...Ella continued napping throughout the day.

We took a stroll through the Caixa Forum, a fabulous modern/contemporary art museum.

Here's Ella doing two things that museums love - running and screaming.

Outside of the museum they had a beautiful living wall.

After we had lunch.

And walked to Retiro Park, Madrid's Central Park.

We also visited the Prado where we saw works by Goya, Rembrandt, and El Greco. Unfortunately photography isn't allowed.

More Spain adventures soon.

¡Hola Espana!

2011-12-26T08:53:00.000-08:00

Made it to Madrid safe and sound! Everyone is trying to shake off the jet lag with small siestas.

Both Ella and Rey were fantastic on the plane ride. Ella slept for a long time. Rey had 8 kids movies to choose from on the long plane ride. He watched Zookeeper, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and finished Pirates of the...#4 with me. We feel lucky they were so great on the ride.

Layover #1 on our way to Spain

2011-12-25T11:53:00.001-08:00

Rey and Ella slept from DES moines to Detroit. We are now on a layover in Detroit before we head to Europe. At most airports there is a designated kid zone.

This is detroit's. Hmmm...reminds me of my backyard toys. A little disappointing for the parents, but rey and Ella seemed to enjoy it.

Maybe they should take it off the map of the airport.

Merry Christmas!

Hella Busy

2011-12-09T07:23:00.000-08:00

Wow. I just noticed that we haven't posted in a week. It's been crazy busy in the house - I started a new job at The Canvas (a teen arts space in Saint Paul), Ella started part-time daycare, we scrambling to get our ducks in a row to go to Spain, and Holly and Rey have been sewing away to get presents together for the Holidays (I would love to share a photo of what they are making, but it's TOP SECRET).

Anyway, we (excluding myself), decorated the house with Holiday cheer. Looking forward to seeing friends and family and taking a break from our frantic schedule.

Bathtub night

2011-11-30T16:54:00.001-08:00

He sounded out the sentence "my nam is rey" all by himself

Literacy night at Marcy

2011-11-29T16:08:00.001-08:00

Sound bingo

Million dollar reader

Book walk

2011-11-26T08:23:00.001-08:00

Happy thanksgiving

2011-11-26T08:19:00.001-08:00

Putting up the Christmas tree with lolo and Lola.

We made rockets at the science museum. Lala and chris would be proud.

Pancit!

2011-11-23T15:47:00.001-08:00

Ella loves Lola's pancit.

And Lolo and Rey loves wishbones.

Gobble Gobble Gobble!

2011-11-18T11:15:00.000-08:00

We are super excited about Thanksgiving next week as demonstrated by Rey.

Belated B-day Photo

2011-11-16T06:45:00.000-08:00

Marcy Performance

2011-11-15T12:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Rey's class invited parents to come to Marcy and participate in their dance performance. It was great to see and meet the kids that Rey talks about everyday.

Here's Rey's buddies Diego and Jonas.

I even got to eat lunch with Jo!

Rake It In.

2011-11-15T06:52:00.000-08:00

Tooth fairy money

2011-11-14T16:59:00.001-08:00

Star wars Lego fighter plane....big boy choice...took over an hour to put together.

Diego and Nate

2011-11-13T10:51:00.001-08:00

Diego is Rey's friend from school. His dad Nate and he came over the other night for dinner. We made a puzzle and the boys kissed it. Weirdos.

Tooth Fairy's Cash

2011-11-10T06:42:00.000-08:00

Rey is loving the tooth fairy. I screwed up and put a $10 bill in his pillow.

By the way, thanks to Holly (Hance's daughter) for sewing the tooth fairy's pillow. I can't imagine how hard it would be to sneak into his room to find a tiny tooth in the dark. This made it easy.

First Steps!

2011-11-08T18:31:00.000-08:00

Ella's DES moines party

2011-11-05T13:00:00.001-07:00

She's 1! Her cousins Sophie and ahna made her an honorary tutu so she could be part of their club.

Eating cake

And Rey's tooth came out! First tooth.

Happy Birthday Ella!

2011-11-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

Halloween!

2011-11-01T17:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went trick or treating with Rey's buddy from school Jonas at the Johnson Street businesses.

We stopped by the firehouse.

and a haunted house!

Ella had her share of the candy.

It's a family of giraffes!

Neighborhood Pumpkin Carving Party

2011-10-31T06:47:00.000-07:00

Bath time

2011-10-30T17:16:00.001-07:00

Basketball

2011-10-29T10:58:00.001-07:00

Before Reys basketball game. Rey in his NE basketball gear from tita sue and Angela. Ella is her pretty dress that her cousins ahna and Sophie used to wear.

Basketball with Diego and Jonas!

Rey

Ella at the park after the game

The Tooth Fairy is Coming

2011-10-27T08:41:00.001-07:00

new teeth

2011-10-26T17:34:00.000-07:00

Whose teething? Ella....

and Rey.....yes its loose! Can you see the adult tooth. They are getting teeth in at the same time in the same spot!

Halloween outfits mostly done

2011-10-22T20:47:00.001-07:00

Giraffe PJ
With
Wild kratts vest
The vest comes with special powers to unlock the power of the animal...in this case the power of the giraffe

One of rey's new favorite tv shows...on PBS:)

Ella is the baby giraffe

Oh and baby giraffe has learned how to climb on top of things! Daring baby! Oh Ella and rey are amazing with unique personalities!

Welcome baby Harry!

2011-10-22T20:42:00.001-07:00

We love you!

At the park....nice fall day

2011-10-20T14:28:00.001-07:00

Fall leaves

2011-10-15T14:23:00.001-07:00

2011-10-13T18:30:00.001-07:00

Location:Missing summer

2011-10-13T17:15:00.001-07:00

Spaghetti...mmmm

Clown wig at target

2011-10-08T20:20:00.001-07:00

Ella traveled with me to DES moines on Thursday. I am lucky to have amazing parents and in-laws who are around to love my children and family.

Lucky girl- she's 1/2 Filipino, 1/8 Danish, 1/8 dutch and a bunch of other things. Check out her cute shirt.

Open mouth kiss for lolo

Lola's girl!

Location:Ella in DES moines

2011-10-08T10:51:00.001-07:00

We found Jasper too!

Location:Pumpkin carving at NE farmers market

Marcy Open House

2011-09-29T06:34:00.001-07:00

Apple Picking with Lala

2011-09-26T06:24:00.000-07:00

Neighborhood Kids

2011-09-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

We had a bunch of the kids from the neighborhood over to the house yesterday. In the back by the fridge is Liam. Behind Rey is Molly and at the table is her sister Charley. Charley goes to Marcy with Rey and rides the bus with him.

Holly and Rey made some Rice Crispy treats. Yum.

They played outside, but the paparazzi was nowhere to be found.

Skype with Lolo and Lola

2011-09-21T06:52:00.000-07:00

Lola and Lolo got a new tv, so they wanted to see our faces enlarged up to 57 in.

Passport Photoshoot

2011-09-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Just in case we need to travel internationally.

Jo's Birthday Party

2011-09-20T06:49:00.000-07:00

After seeing these photos, I am bummed that I missed the party. Stupid school, stupid work.

Anyway, looks like Holly, Rey, and Ella had a great time. Thanks for the party Nassifs!

Pin the horn on the unicorn.

Musical chairs.

Goalie

2011-09-17T08:51:00.001-07:00

Just stopped a goal from going in! Yeah rey!

He's wearing the crazy purple hat

Soccer

2011-09-17T08:48:00.001-07:00

It's a little cold

Location:At rey's soccer game

Happy Birthday Sen Yai Sen Lek!

2011-09-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went to the restaurant to celebrate its 3 year anniversary. Cheers to Joe and Holly, the owners, on creating not only a great restaurant, but a gathering place for our neighborhood. Over the past year I have developed so many new friendships through the Sen Yai and by working there have seen my community in a different light.

Here's Freya, Joe and Holly's daughter. Freya and her brother Jasper go to Marcy Open, Rey's school.

Here's Ella with Somsak, Sen Yai's Ambassador of Delectable Thai Food.

and Rey with his neighborhood bus stop friends Molly and Charley.

Squeezing the Last Bit of Juice Out of Summer

2011-09-12T09:50:00.001-07:00

New Neighborhood Friends!

2011-09-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

Lately we have been running into our neighbors, Brad and Autumn, all over the place. They have two kids Molly and Charley (Rey's classmate at Marcy), so we got together for a play date at their house.

Molly loves Ella and Ella loves Alice the dog.

Rey, Charley, and Molly had a lot of fun wrestling over a ball.

...and inevitably, everyone got wet.

Tito Jeff and Tita Amber

2011-09-09T06:56:00.000-07:00

Last weekend my cousins Jeff and Amber came to Minneapolis for a visit, so we took them to Minnehaha Falls and had dinner at Sea Salt.

Ella loved Jeff's hair.

We are trying to teach Rey how to pee without pulling his pants down all the way. Judging from this picture, it's not going very well. I'm glad Jeff is related to me - I think any other person would be weirded out that I took photos in a public restroom.

Good times!

Ella's First Haircut

2011-09-08T17:24:00.000-07:00

More School Photos

2011-09-07T12:45:00.000-07:00

I forgot to post these, but here are some photos from the night of Marcy's Open House. I still can't believe that these two are this big.

Giraffe!

2011-09-06T08:43:00.001-07:00

Everybody Dance Now

2011-09-05T12:02:00.001-07:00

The Lost Phone Photos

2011-09-04T07:18:00.000-07:00

So I finally loaded the photos from my phone. Here are days that you might have witnessed via the blog and some days that we missed. Some are probably the photos, just from a different angle.

Here's National Night Out. Ella playing with our neighbor Henry.

Lala with Rey and Ella at Hazel's.

Yanni, Rey, Holly playing Wii.

Iowa State Fair Photos.

Butter-on-a-Stick. Disgusting.

Another Twins photo.

and another.

We got to run on the field this day, so here's a part of Target Field that we don't have a photo of.

Rey touching home plate.

During Holly's first week back at school, the kids and I visited her for lunch. Anne made an awesome cake!

Another Science Museum trip.

Rey the photographer.

The Children's Museum.

2011-09-03T16:38:00.001-07:00

Ella emptied the Tupperware cupboard then climbed in. I got to reorganize after she was done playing. :)

Location:Ella in the cupboard

Minnesota State Fair

2011-09-02T06:29:00.000-07:00

Tuesday was Rey's last day of summer, so Ella and I took him to the Fair. We have been going to sine he was born (photos to prove it).

We met Jo and Sarah for a bit and watched the parade.

...and checked out the giant pumpkins.

Ella wasn't all that impressed. Regardless, it was a great a way to end the summer.

Rey's Thoughts About the 1st Day of School

2011-08-31T16:04:00.001-07:00

Untitled from Witt on Vimeo.

First Day of School

2011-08-31T08:53:00.000-07:00

My son is growing too fast.

2011-08-28T11:12:00.001-07:00

I was only allowed to help with the edges. Rey put the other 85 pieces together. I think he's ready for school!

Location:Puzzle morning

Found Photos!

2011-08-24T06:56:00.000-07:00

More Pizza Farm photos (featuring the birthday girl Holly!).

Jo Sleepover

2011-08-24T06:41:00.000-07:00

Here's some more photos from a couple weeks back when Jo came over for a sleepover. Aside from making a lemonade stand, we went to the Como Park Zoo and Como Town. Ella had her first snowcone!

Birthday Party at the Pizza Farm

2011-08-23T05:59:00.000-07:00

For Holly's Birthday, we drove to Pizza Farm in Stockholm, Wisconsin. At the farm they make pizzas made with ingredients from their own fields and pasture. There are 2 more pizza farms in the area and we are looking forward to checking them out.

Even though it was Holly's birthday, we didn't get a photo of her. Sorry honey.

Get Well Lolo Amado

2011-08-22T10:23:00.000-07:00

A couple days ago Lolo Amado was released from the hospital. We are happy to hear that he is on the road to recovery!

Inside the Park Home Run

2011-08-21T19:29:00.000-07:00

The Twins have really been sucking this year, but watching Rey run on the field made our tickets worthwhile today.

Untitled from Witt on Vimeo.

Family Photo

2011-08-21T10:49:00.000-07:00

Lola, you can find larger image sizes here (these are better to print from).

Tiger Style

2011-08-20T14:36:00.000-07:00

Jayanthi and the Crybabies had a show at Jackson Square that featured music, hula hooping, and facepainting. Obviously Rey participated in all of the above.

Young Entrepreneurs

2011-08-20T06:44:00.000-07:00

Jo came over a couple weeks ago for a sleep over. Rey and she hosted their first lemonade stand and turned a $1.50 profit!

Blank Park Zoo

2011-08-18T19:55:00.000-07:00

Iowa State Fair!

2011-08-16T20:32:00.000-07:00

Siasoco Family Reunion

2011-08-16T05:43:00.000-07:00

A Series of Right Turns

2011-07-24T18:47:00.000-07:00

Ella is crawling

2011-07-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

Untitled from Witt on Vimeo.

Ella started crawling today. The other day she started standing on her own too. Big girl.