D. Family Coffee Break

My sister informed me that on my blog "9 years later...", I miscalculated the time frame she and Louie were apart.  I just want to make sure everyone knows I knew I couldn't get the time frame right.  That is why I used words and phrases like, "I can't quite recall" or "about ___ years".  :) Whatever the time frame was, it was a heck of a long time! God Bless, Kat

Once upon a time I made a carrot cake...and it was GOOD. Eat your heart out, Martha Stewart! :P God Bless, Kat

These pictures are intended for the members of the RCIA program at church. I forgot to post them after the Easter Vigil. I know they're late, but at least they're in. (Oh, don't mind how blurry some of them are. They get better, I PROMISE!) There are also a couple of pictures from the presentation we had at Our Lady of Lourdes in Northridge before Easter. For those of you who just got baptized and confirmed in the Church, CONGRATS!  I know Wyatt and I both think of you as part of our family... Being presented to the entire congregation on Easter Vigil.  What a night! Myles is so excited about life here... Jim, Katty & the fam... Both couples waiting to get married in the Church...FINALLY! :) Ceremony time... We don't kiss and tell. :) DeDe, Myles & Judy... Terry & the fam... Kraig, Wendy, Wyatt, Dede & Judy...what a blessing to have these people in my life! Wyatt, Terry, Desiree, JeAnnette & Jim God Bless, Kat

This is the story of a dentist-in-waiting-nomad, Angela (a.k.a. my sister, "Ate"-[for those who don't speak Filipino, pronounced "a-teh"]) and a basketball playing of an engineer. Freshman year: boy sees girl and never speaks to her. Senior year: boy befriends girl's sister and gets his chance. A winter formal came along. Boy asked. Girl accepted. Boy meets girl's brothers (eek!), mom, and dad (EEK!). They danced. Girl moves to San Francisco, then San Jose. Boy moves to San Jose. Boy moves back to Valencia. Girl stays in San Jose. This summer, girl will move back to Valencia. Soon, boy and girl will finally be getting married! 9 years later! I have yet to express how excited I am that my sister and Louie are finally getting married. (Not that they needed to tie the knot to officially make Louie a part of our family.) For nine years, Louie has become another big brother to me and an Uncle "Looouuuwweeeee" to my nieces- always willing to d...

This morning I turned to Wyatt and said, "Babe, we've been married 200 days today, according to my Facebook meter." Wyatt responds, "Wow..." [pause. think. begins counting in head.] "...that's like 6 months and a month." I said, "Otherwise known as 7 months?" Well, I am so glad we got that figured out, babe.  He makes me laugh.  For this reason and SO MANY MORE , I am thankful for being married to him. God Bless, Kat

Well, he did it. Wyatt is officially a Catholic! Yaaaay! Last Sunday, Wyatt was confirmed in the Catholic church, in the presence of the entire congregation, his mom, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and my family. It's been quite the journey to this day and I'm so proud of him! After the confirmation, we went back to my parents' house for a celebration lunch. It was nice to finally have both families in one place, to eat, drink, laugh, and karaoke. Yes, that's right- karaoke. It wouldn't be a party at my parents' house without my dad sneakily turning on the karaoke machine. (Note to self: Do not place mic in front of Aunt Colleen and Papa or else no one else will get a chance to sing.) The Koll clan eating in the shade... We are so happy Mom was able to make it for this day. Photo "not"-op with Amanda.  I was not even ready! Waiting for someone to start/stop singing karaoke...I forget. With Mama & Mom... Red velvet cake!  Red for Pe...

Having had McKayla for about two weeks now, we've gotten a chance to really get to know her personality and she's had the chance to...umm...take over the apartment.  McKayla is quite the talker- a very pushy talker, but nonetheless, a talker.  (She must take after me.)  When we come home, before we even get a chance to step foot in the house, she sticks her face out the doorway and proceeds to yell at us.  (Gosh forbid we should be 10 minutes passed her dinnertime- 6pm!)  Like all cats, she's pretty picky when it comes to food, when you should pet her and when not to pet her.  Wyatt would highly recommend letting her come to you, but I'm all for chasing her down and making her love you. :)  McKayla has come to think of me as the paparazzi.  At first she was okay with letting me take thousands of photos of her.  Now, her only reaction is this... She is quite the drama queen. (Also must take after me.)  Maybe I should stop wi...

(Warning:  this posting will be filled with lots of sorority girl "stuff"- not sure what that entails.  I can just feel it.) This past weekend, my friend, Amanda graduated from USC, with her doctorate in Physical Therapy. She is now officially a "DR." On top of graduating, she's recently been accepted to the physical therapy residency program at USC. She was one of only seven people nationwide, accepted into the program. You might think, "This has nothing to do with Kat or Wyatt", but really, IT DOES. Our friends are such a big part of our lives and we rejoice in their own personal and professional accomplishments. So, I thought I'd take the time to write about Amanda and how we met. Once upon a time, there was a bachelorette party for my sorority sister, Erica. Erica's sister, Elyse brought her sorority sister, Amanda. (Following yet?) Before the trip Erica had prepped me and said that I would be sharing a room with Elyse and Amanda....

My mother's day was spent with these amazing couples...not too shabby.  So thankful for these people in my life.