a valderrama playdate in pittsburgh

We met up with Pixie & Co. at Robinson Mall in Pittsburgh. Lucas, Dylan, Isabel and Fallon all got to play together in the play pit. I can't believe how big the kids are getting (and #4 on the way!). Isabel has entered toddler-dom and is the cutest little thing! Their personalities are very apparent: Lucas, 5, is the independent, careful one; Dylan, 3, is the adventurous, sweet one (a middle child trait?); and Isabel, 1, is the loving, tough one. I am glad we got to spend time with them. Fallon will now remember their faces when we go through pictures. Looking forward to #4, Pix!!

fallon & santa

We took Fallon to the Fashion Show Mall to get her picture taken with Santa. She got right to the point and asked, "Where's my choo-choo train?" At least the Eloise doll comes in a close second.

SEASON'S GREENINGS

We must become the change we want to be.
– Mahatma Gandhi

Hi Everyone!
It's the Holidays again and 'tis the season to be wasteful! Over 2 billion holiday cards, excessive packaging, and wrapping are estimated to be picked up by the sanitation departments across America. That results in 6 million tons of waste during the holidays - more than any other country. As a family committed to protecting the planet, it's a painful fact for us to digest! As Americans, we are conditioned to excess - buying disposable items and not thinking about the impact that packaging has on the environment/global warming/oil/water. We are consuming more resources than the earth can produce as we rank first in offenders. If you take a look at some of the facts about global warming, you would not believe how our planet is drastically changing. Recommended documentary by Al Gore.

Even though we are becoming more aware as a nation and more corporations are thinking responsibly and reducing waste, we really need to step up and do our parts. And although it's hard to avoid for its randomness, Walmart is one of the most wasteful retailers, generating the most packaging and plastic bag waste. Despite their shady business practices, they are slowly beginning to "clean up their act" and jumping on the green bandwagon. Large and powerful corporations like Walmart need to set examples. Albeit that Whole Foods and Wild Oats are not for the budget-conscious, they carry organics which support organic farming and fair trade, purchase wind power credits and maintain eco-conscious business practices. They promote recycling within the markets and educate customers with their products. Trader Joe's carries many of the same products (under their label) and also practices being green! It makes a huge difference supporting and shopping markets such as these. Ethical eating!

Earlier this year, we repainted and redecorated our home. In doing that, we decided to create a more eco-friendly abode. The future of building is green. Realizing that it could not be as green as we wanted, we decided to build one that is. We chose cellulose insulation, solar wiring, a radiant barrier roof, xeriscape landscaping, low-flow shower heads, eco-smart toilets, sun shades, low voc paints, recycled carpeting, bamboo flooring with many more green and sustainable choices to make once finished. Many of these ideas can be implemented in any existing homes. The research has been very educational and it will enable us to lower our utilities and live in home with less toxins. It may not achieve LEED certification, but we can do our best! Buying things like hybrid cars and solar energy systems can also save on taxes, but there are lots of other ways to save with smaller, less-costly home upgrades that offer tax credits, thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

The future is green. It is reaching more people today. The problems are only getting worse, but we have the ability to make better choices everyday. Learn more about it on some of our links. We can do our part no matter how small it may seem, but it will make a difference. You may do many of the things already, but you can probably add a few more :) Think of our future and the future of our children. It's our responsibility to educate, listen and learn. You can bet we are "greening" our daughter!

As for us, we have been busier than ever! Jonathan is still plugging away with long hours at The (unstoppable) Light Group's FIX in Bellagio. They are rapidly expanding in the next 2 years, taking over and opening several restaurants. It includes a service-based hotel called Harmon, in the upcoming City Center Project - opening 2008. The Light Group has recently made the effort to go green.

Since Charlene is happily at home with Fallon, she started a small business called Plain Zane this year. Her functional and fashionable baby blanket attaches to strollers, car seats and baby carriers and a patent for it has been submitted. The simple idea became a hit in Las Vegas and after 8 shows this year, the blankets are beginning to make its way about the country. All products are made in Las Vegas and Plain Zane functions as green as possible - paperless, using recycled and reused packaging, earth-friendly detergents, while embarking on vertical integration. A sustainable blanket line is also in the works.

Fallon is 2 years and 3 months already! She has had an incredible year with activities, friends and just developing overall. She is the most talkative thing ever and prefers adults over kids...time for a sibling? In July, we took her to Sea World in San Diego with Mateo and the Ayala clan. She had a blast with Mateo being here for 2 weeks! In August, we went to Scottsdale and stayed at Hotel Valley Ho to celebrate Charlene's birthday. Fallon was in heaven at the pool, playing with her bubble gun from Uncle Bill & Aunt Rebecca. In November, we attended the beautiful wedding of Ray Mupas & Olivia Pham (Congrats!) in Anaheim where she danced all night! She also fell in love with Disneyland, home of Mickey and Minnie. Her current favorite things are: the ipod, swings, trains, Mickey Mouse, Eloise, adults, chocolate and blankets! We look forward to spending the Holidays in Ohio where Fallon can finally make snow angels:)

That is all for this year. It went too fast and we hope that things are not as crazy in 2007. We wish you all the best health, happiness and memories this Season with family and friends.

With Love,
Jonathan, Charlene & Fallon
(and our crazy pups, Panda & Poncho)

green ideas

" In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact
of our decisions on the next seven generations."
- from the Great Law of the Iriquois Confederacy

• You can get bag refunds (usually .05 per bag) at grocery stores if you bring your own bags! When mall shopping, avoid collecting an armful of bags or any bags! Don't be afraid to put all your items in one bag -- or BYOB.

• Buying natural/organic foods is more healthy for many reasons. See "Why Organic?" link at right.

• You don't need to plastic bag all your produce when picking them out! You wash them when you get home, don't you?

• Change out your bulbs to CFL (Compact Fluorescent Bulbs). They can last 5 years or more and saves $$.

• Download all your music/movies on iPod and say bye to CD and DVD cases.

• LCD vs. Plasma:
Though plasma technology wins over LCD technology in color, contrast and brightness, LCD wins hands down when it comes to the functionality. LCD TVs have greater longevity. Most LCD TVs can last up to twice the lifetime of a plasma TV. LCD TVs are also better suited to usage at higher altitudes or while traveling, because LCD technology does not use any gases, and is not subjected to air pressure. LCD TVs are also energy efficient, as they require less voltage. This helps in reducing electricity bills.

• Got room in your backyard for a composter? It saves on trash bags, disposing in the sink and it saves the earth!

• Find out about recycling your computer parts, catridges & electronics by googling: hp recycling, cartidge recycling, computer recycling.

• Teach your kids the basics of recycling at an early age - make it a fun learning project! See Leo's site for kids>>

• Reduce, reuse, & recycle... and refuse & upcycle!

• Be smart about your purchases.

congrats to nurse charmaine inomata!

Congratulations to Charmaine Inomata upon her recent graduation from nursing school -and valedictorian at that! She is a mother of 2 very happy, well-adjusted girls, wife, great friend and now R.N! We are very proud of her as she accomplished this in such a short time and at a later time in life - something that most people would never find the time or energy to do. She is very inspiring to me as a mother as well as her dedication to family, committment and hard work. You have always been so conscious of others and others doings and we want nothing more than to let you know we admire and love you so very much! Congratulations as you begin your work as a nurse in the ICU at Trinity Hospital.

Plain Zane @ Bleu Gourmet

Plain Zane is now selling @ Bleu Gourmet in the retail section! Love that place - great food, great wine, great atmosphere :)

farewell, our brother max

Max Ayala, our shih tzu, passed away in his sleep at the vet on Thursday, December 7, 2006. He was our family dog for 17 years! He knew dad had planned to put him to sleep before leaving for the Philippines. Max had not been doing well the past year. Everytime mom and dad leave for the winter, he takes it personally and it takes a toll on his health. This year, he knew the time was nearing and whatever sickness he had been harboring took over him quick! Max was a joy to our family. He was nicknamed "Dr. Max" by patients as he was the Urology Group's mascot at my dad's office for many years. He put smiles on faces and made the stress of a hard day go away. He was well-traveled, enjoyed countless leftover filet mignon's from all the golfers at the country club and lived like a king! My dad always said, "In my next life, I want to be Max." He was defintely a member of the family - remembered as the little brother that we never had and was truly my mom and dad's best friend.

we have a winner!

Jon's cardinal vest won "Best Sweater" at Ashley & Brent's "Tacky Sweater Party!" Is that really something to be proud of? Anyway, I didn't even come close!

turkey day!

Outside Whole Foods to pick up the Turkey!

Gobble gobble!! The three of us did a quick Thanksgiving together in the afternoon. So quick - we ordered our meal in advance at Whole Foods!! Laziness is convenient. Then Fallon and I went to Christina's parents house where Fallon partook in yet another (tiny) glass of wine. It seems be her own tradition now. Their fantasic meal was from Bellagio...shhh!

important reading

- An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore
It was a very shocking read and I just watched the film. If you are not even aware of the our climate crisis, this will definitely get you to really think about your actions in everyday life. This got standing ovations at Sundance. READ IT or SEE IT!

- Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart
The writers of this book are industrial designers that call for a new kind of ecological consciousness and a new approach they've dubbed "eco-effectiveness:" designing from the ground up for both eco-safety and cost efficiency. I call it eco-design. It's not so much about recycling, but about upcycling. I found i a bit complex to read and you have to have a decent knowledge of environmentalism. I definitely agree with many of their points and with a design background, I put more thought into how I will execute a project (and the consequences of it).

- Natural Capitalism by Paul Hawken
This book gave me a rounded understanding of eco-business. It's based on the principle that business can be good for the environment. They show how leading-edge companies are practicing "a new type of industrialism" that is more efficient and profitable while saving the environment and creating jobs. It is also a very detailed analysis of sustainability.

fallon's wedding dance

Fallon gets down with Jerome and Julius at the Pham/Mupas wedding in Anaheim, CA.

"i love you teo!"

That's all Fallon said for 2 weeks! Mateo & Fallon had the best time during his vacation in Vegas for 2 weeks. We went to Sea World in San Diego...what a blast! We stayed on the beach, but the vacation was too short to enjoy it all!