"Who's motorcycle is this?"

"It's not a motorcycle baby...it's a chopper..."

There's another new addition to the family.

Yes, Ana and I have a new baby.

It's loud - boy does she have some pipes on her.

It needs to be cleaned up after being out all day - and we are stocking ultra-soft cloth diapers now.

It attracts people, who want to look at it, and make faces at it - mostly shock and awe.

And both of us want our turn to hug her and hang on tight - forever.

Most of all of you know that I've had a want to ride motorcycles for a long time. And last year I took my riding course, tested, passed(of course), and earned my license to ride. I purchased an old beater bike - a '88 Kawasaki Ninja, that just HAD to be the same as the one Tom Cruise rode in Top Gun - so that I could get a feel for riding, learning the ins-and-outs of the road, and the feel of a cycle.

I fell in love immediately, and Ana encouraged me quite often to get out and ride more. I mostly took the bike on rides around Anthem, running errands, going to meet by buddy Tracy for coffee, and took Ana out a few times as well on short runs.

Back at the beginning of April, when Ana and I came out for Ava's birthday party in Fresno, then to Disneyland for Ana's birthday, we stopped by our friend Devin's shop in Orange County. I told him that I was ready to throw down on a bike, and would love it if he could help me out. I didn't hear from him as quick as I expected. Those of you that know me, know that I have very little patience to 'wait and buy'. I have to go and 'get it now', while the money's burning a hole in my pocket. Although over the years, I've grown to practice a bit more patience, and taking my time researching and looking, I still couldn't wait to hear from Devin.

Weeks turned into months and the 'fire went away', and it was in the back of my mind. Until two weeks ago, and I get a message from Devin while I was traveling. It was short, brief, and to the point: "Bob...Devin...how you doin' buddy? I just took a bike in here about a half-hour ago, and it's the one." He said he'd send some pictures over, look at it, and give him a call, but assured me that this is the bike.

Ana and I planned a trip to come out to California the same weekend as Father Day, the weekend of Mom's birthday, and a family gathering on Saturday, and to check out the box and finalize the deal if it was indeed, 'the one'.

Well, we pulled up Saturday morning, and Rod(Dev's guy) was out front cleaning up. We parked the Prius, walked on up, looked at each other and smiled, and knew - she's the one.

So here she is. Hope you enjoy the shots. While we enjoy the ride.

What we've been up to...

Yes, I know it's been quite awhile since we posted...but there's too much now to get you all caught up on, which is just a blantent reminder that I should be doing this more.

Life has thrown some curve-balls to us this past month in a half, and we've pushed through them with the help of our close friends and family. With the passing of Ana's aunt being on the top of our minds, it's been hard to focus on other things around here. Ana was very close to her aunt and her passing made it really hard, as you could imagine.

Being out in California for the wake and the funeral, and spending time with her family, I can tell you there is a lot of love in her family. Her cousins, remaining aunts and uncles and mother and brother were all there to tender their support and also be a pleasent distraction for what could have been a harder time. But since they were nearby, including Ana, I was able to see a beautiful legacy her aunt left behind. She was a great woman and it reflects all to well in her daughters and her son.

Work for the both of us has been a bit up and down. Ana is busy preparing for holiday - yes! Christmas at her office is in full effect. And I have new managers and new challenges each and every day and week.

Below I posted a couple more updates and pic and video.

OH! And this is the place where we are set to have our reception. It's the Norris Pavillion in Rancho Palos Verdes. It has PLENTY of room for all of our guests to get down and party with us when we get married! Whoo hoo!

Gettin' a smile out of Riley

We discovered that Riley likes to do this 'thing' when she gets excited...smile!

Most people when they first see her do it that don't 'know' Riley get a little freaked out, and who can blame them when they have a 70lb Golden-monster with a slobbering tongue and mouth like that!

Take a look at this video that Ana shot at work, while her friend Gilbert busily coaxes Riley to flash that million dollar smile it takes a little but then...HILARIOUS!

Take THAT big oil!

HA!

We bought a hybrid.

Yea, it's kewl! And everyone wants a ride...

Between the gas prices and the dollar amount for the services to keep the Audi going on all the trips to the stores I do for work, something needed to be considered. Ana and I have been talking about getting a hybrid for some time now, and we knew that something had to be done soon. She's wanted a Toyota Highlander Hybrid, but right now they are REALLY expensive, and since I was the one more in need of something, we settled on a Prius.

We totally love it! It totally rocks!

And with me using it for work, and get the mileage checks - the thing practically pays for itself.

Here's a pic with me with 'The Bubble Maker' - a nickname we so aptly stuck to it.

how good it is to be a kid...

This is Ava.

She is my brothers daughter, whom he and his wife, Michelle, first started their beautiful family upon Ava's birth, just over two years ago. This pic was taken at her recent birthday bash, where others may have a 'bounce-house', she got a 'Bounce-Castle'! A standing legion of a playful lot, her and her cousins, close friends, mum and dad, g-mas, g-pas, and even Uncle Ducky bounced around for some good 'ole fashioned body-slammin' fun!

I love this picture that Ana took. It captures the innocence of youth when all of life's surroundings are completely lost, and for a period of time, the focus is one thing.

It's almost surreal to think about how much more Ava has to experience in her life: school, making new friends, a new dog, a new cat, a new brother or sister(coming soon), her first trip to Disneyland, playing with the waves at the beach, horses, snow-globes, family trips, seeing snow and making snow-angels...don't eat the yellow-snow Ava.

Mix in: a scraped up knee, the big scary dog down the street, the jungle gym, staying out past dark, learning to ride a bike, another scraped knee, getting lost for the first time, homework, exams, finals, first-choices, final-decisions, first love and loss, first airplane ride, a job, car-payments, insurance, rent, top-ramen and mac-n-cheese only, more tests and exams, college, more tests and exams and more ramen and chili-mac, dating, more college, a career, deadlines, love and marriage, a house payment, a family, and the loss of a loved one or long time friend.

The list can go on and on for the many things that she will experience that will impact and forever remain as memories in her life. All the things in life that make for decisions who lead her to be who she is.

And between them all, never should any of them be taken away. They make you who you are Ava Helene Serrato. These things develop your mind, your soul, your body...your place in this big old world where all these things are taken for granted and sometimes left behind. Don't forget to jump and smile, and fall, and get back up, and live life.

After all...this world is just one big Bounce-House.

The check is in the mail...

And our date is officially:

September 12, 2009

We sent our check in to lock in the chapel on that date and we'll soon be locking in the reception venue as well. Ana had heard from a dear friend of hers at work, who passed away recently, about this place, and it's just awesome!

The 'pre-lock' happened(when we knew it just had to be) was when I went there on my own about a month ago while I was in town for business, and none other than Kat Von D and Nicky Sixx - whom we all know Ana is and has been forever a HUGE fan of - came walking across the lawn, and were there themselves for a friends wedding. I called Ana, and she screamed, and said, 'it's a sign, we're getting married there!'
And that was that!

We're really excited and cannot wait to lock in other details that are the biggies...food/catering, honeymoon, photographer, etc.

The only one not excited is Mr. Checkbook!

Check out the website for the link to the Chapel and see more photos of the spot too!

http://www.wayfarerschapel.org/

Episode #1: First Blog

Blogging.

After some urging from my little sister, I found myself over the last week or so contemplating this idea, and decided, 'well, the heck with it.' So here we are.

I've heard of some funny postings. I've read some. I've even responded to quite a few, or posted my comments on friends sites, but never had my own. My perception has always been that the idea of not picking up a phone, or even putting pen to paper - the classics - should remain a constant, but then looking at how often I actually do those things, led me to this. Blogging.

You won't find me on myspace or facebook, for sure. Seems to me to be too much work. Post pics, profile updates, links to bandsd. Add a friend, delete a friend, request a friend. I have friends. And I don't have a dire need to reach out to those that I need to have back as friends. Most of the people that have come and gone in my life, I would still consider friends, but people grow apart, and for various reasons, touch base again, and then move on. Plus there's, 'okay, I sent/received a notify/contact/friend request, now what do I talk about with a person I haven't said a word to for ten-years-ago?'

So after Christi pointed out that this would be a good idea to post pics, and update the peeps on stuff, and it's not the same thing, and pretty simple, I jumped in.

Ana will, I'm sure, urge me to post more and more, and we'll stay on it as best we can. So let's see where this goes...