Light Parades and Light Sabers

I am starting to get the hang of my new camera. It can be tedious shooting with a DSLR (it's an awkward shape for shooting video) but it allows me to get shots I couldn't otherwise get with another camera. This is part 1 of a Christmas montage that I will continue to add to. This segment features footage from last weekend's Christmas parade in downtown Pleasanton. We (Mel, Tate, and I) watched the parade from the street in the 30 degree weather and then went to the Moog's house and had pizza. Tate and Addie had a light saber battle that Addie ultimately won. It was a fun evening.

Christmas Time (Part 1) from dan bowen on Vimeo.

On Monday I will be shooting a Christmas movie with the help of world reknown actors Alex Rapine, my brother, Deej, Kyle Clark and more. Look for it to hit a web browser near you, by Christmas.

You might as well keep smoking...

I was feeding Tate lunch today and a football game was on TV in the background. I wasn't really paying attention until I heard this commercial. This is not a joke. This is not from SNL. This is a real drug and the real side affects. I think I would rather keep smoking.

Willie!

Here is a video from a couple months ago that I made for school. It's ridiculous.

MSM Christmas Caroling

The MSM went Christmas caroling last night at a

senior center in Danville.

What we lacked in singing ability,

we more than made up for in enthusiastic

yule tide cheer.

Sure, we didn't know the

words but we had heart.

Team Scattante!

tBen Foster and I went to the bike shop yesterday after church. We had just eaten lunch with some folks (wife, Tate, Lyla, Allison, Charlie, Sarah) and he said he wanted to check out some bikes. Long story short, they were having a crazy sale and I have been saving for a road bike for a while and Mel-Bo gave me the go ahead to purchase it (after we got home). Ben got one too. I am so excited to ride it! Unfortunately it freaking snowed today so that didn't really work out. So here's to tomorrow and the Wildflower Triathlon (May 2 - Olympic Course), which I will be competing in this May (by competing I mean attempting to finish).

The Princess and the Tate

Tate loves the vintage fire truck at Uncle Chris and Auntie Ashley's house. It's the first thing he asks about when he finds out we are going to the canyon. Here is the proof.

Tate & the Vintage Fire Truck from dan bowen on Vimeo.

Lyla is much more sociable than Tate was at the same age. She smiles and even laughs on a regular basis. She's adorable!

Lyla & Mommy Snippet from dan bowen on Vimeo.

Cheese and Agility

Here are a couple entertaining videos of Tate that I took right after I got my new camera.

I shot this when I was putting Tate to sleep (read: put to bed, not euthanized) the other night. The "cheese" was priceless.

Bed Time for Tate (CHEESE!) from dan bowen on Vimeo.

Unfortunately for Tate, his gene pool is not one known for agility or athletic grace. Here, he tries to stand on one foot. Sadly, this may be the best he will ever do.

Tate Standing on One Foot from dan bowen on Vimeo.

Tate's Quotes of the Month

Tate, at 2 years old, is quite possibly one of the funniest and most talkative chaps I know. Here are some of his latest gems...

"Uh oh, what did my do? What did my do? (running around the living room naked after his bath) My drop a ducey. (pronounced - doo-see; definition - poop) I went poopoo on my blocks." Just for fun, I let Tate run around without his diaper after his bath the other night. Subsequently Tate decided to exercise his new found freedom by doing what any normal naked person would do - poop on their toys. It was gross and hilarious.

"It's ok baby Wywa. Don't cry. Don't be sad. I'm right here." - Tate talking to a very sad, crying Lyla on our way home from the canyon on Thanksgiving. Adorable.

"Cuz. Cuz. Cuz. Umm. Cuz. Cuz." (Daddy says "Because why?) "Cuz. Cuz I wanna go play with my cars." - Tate's response to being asked why he was not taking a nap. He had just gotten some new toy cars and felt they needed to be played with en lieu of napping.

"What's up, mommy?" - His favorite colloquialism.

"Mommy, my nose is like a rhino." - In reference to his stuffy nose. He confused his congestion with the size of a rhino's nose. He said his nose felt big.

"Watch me." (Said while waving his hands at whoever he is talking to) - He likes to perform and will say this at least 10 times in a row before he demonstrates his latest talent.

"Uh oh. Tate went poopoo. It's ok, when you get home daddy will change you and put diaper cream on and make you feel better." Tate consoling himself after realizing he had a poopy diaper in the grocery story. He said that whole phrase to me without pausing. Hilarious.

Cut a Tree for Your Tomorrow

I sorta miss blogging. As impersonal as it is, I feel it is a bit more intimate than something like Facebook. I suppose a good old fashion face to face conversation is still the way to go though. I go back to work tomorrow after a week off. I enjoy my job but it has been a nice respite to be at home with the fam. We went to Frosty Farms Christmas Tree (place?) in Sebastopol yesterday as you can see below.

First Annual Christmas Tree Cutting from dan bowen on Vimeo.

It was a lot of fun. My family and Mel's enjoyed the experience. Both kids have been fighting sickness and it seems like I have been sick for the month of November. It seems like this because I have. I got antibotics yesterday and am feeling better now, but the illnesses were an unwelcome guest at our first annual tenenbaum slaughter. Life continues to be blessed for us. Mel reluctantly goes back to work on Wednesday. She too enjoys her job as a teacher, but much prefers her job as mommy. Below you will see another video. I wanted to capture the bizarre spectacle that takes place on a regular basis in our home. That would be Tate eating entire tomatoes. Whole. He is the first person (and likely last) I have ever seen do this. Enjoy.

Tate eats a whole tomato from dan bowen on Vimeo.

If you are looking for any good books, Mel and I both read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller (his latest book) last week and loved it. I have already purchased 3 copies to give away as gifts. I bought The Road by Cormac McCarthy on Friday at 8pm and finished it tonight. It was really dark and depressing, but amazing. I can't wait to see the movie. I am in the middle of several books right now (Peace Like a River and Friday Night Lights) but The Road sucked me in (plus I was sick so I had a ton of time on my hands) and took precedence over the other books I was reading. Enough trying to sound smart. Off to bed (yes it's like 9:20!). I will try to be more on top of this blog like the good old days. Christmas pictures and more video coming soon. I love my new camera!

New Camera - Canon 7D

Mel, Tate & Lyla (Canon 7D test footage) from dan bowen on Vimeo.

Here is some test footage that I put together. I just got a Canon 7D (the camera they use for the SNL digital shorts) and I love it. Enjoy.

Halloween and Hiking

Well November is here and that means only one more month before I return to work on Dec. 2 :-( I have so enjoyed this time off with my precious kids and I'm very thankful to have had this time! This past weekend was an eventful one, as we celebrated Halloween. Tate was a puppy and Lyla was a kitty. They looked very cute as you can see in the pictures. Tate actually had a great time trick or treating. Dan took all of his candy to school to give to the High school students :-) Next year we might not be able to make the candy disappear quiet as easy. I'm sure Tate will inquire about his candy next year! On Sunday we decided to take advantage of a beautiful day and went hiking. Our new house is only two minutes away from a hiking trail that turned out to be really beautiful! We are enjoying our new home and all that Dublin has to offer!

Our Pellet Stove Works!!

Thanks to my dad, our Pellet stove is now working! He found it on Craig's list for us and spent the weekend installing it. It is so nice to have a handy father who lives only three minutes away! After Dan took these pictures, I made my dad wear glasses and a shirt as a mask! He was very dirty!! Thanks again dad! The stove works great!

Happy Halloween

Here is some Halloween advice from Tate. We will add some pictures shortly. Enjoy.

Sweety Face and First Smiles