you know that your town is in trouble when...

The Today Show is broadcasting from within a few minutes of your house.

We are all fine. We have no idea if the house we are renting is still there. The area where we live is under mandatory evacuation We high-tailed it out of the area when the voluntary evacuation started yesterday am. For now, we're camped in a motel in Desert Hot Springs, about 100 miles from our house.

The current weather forecast calls for the Santa Ana winds which have fueled these fires to wind down on Thursday. Until then, the planes we rely on to extinguish wildfires are largely grounded. Firefighters are waiting by the thousands to pounce on the fires when the winds die down.

From everything we can piece together, thousands of homes will be lost.

I'll keep posting on the blog as things develop.

but what about the parents?

more from Italy

OK, sorry it's been so long...

With things as hectic as they have been over the last few weeks, we've been completely remiss in posting the blog. Finally, here are a few new pictures from this month's trip to Italy. More to come soon...

An Easter note from Luca's mom

Happy Easter from the Rondinellis!

How in the World can it be April already? The little man arrived about eleven weeks ago and it feels like we have slipped into a time vaccuum here. To put it simply, Luca is AMAZING! He has changed our lives in every conceivable way and we love it!

This past week was a wonderful whirlwind. My sister Kelly flew out from Washington state and met her brilliant nephew for the first time. We so enjoyed having her here and will miss her loving energy and helpful hands. Suki met Kelly, Luca and me for dinner at Shun Lee in Manhattan (right by Lincoln Center) on Monday night. Two fellow diners couldn't keep their eyes and hands off Luca -- it was one of those fantatic, unexpected moments of social warmth in the Big Apple. A proverbial "second cherry" to top off our wonderful evening. Seeing Suki was lovely -- she's happier than I've seen her in some time and I think there's a man behind it all -- wink, nod!

Chris and Richard are visiting tomorrow and I can't wait to see them see Luca. He weighs roughly twice what he did when they saw him last and is cooing up a storm! Jim will be on the West Coast for work so I'll be sure to capture some great memorable moments by camera.

Much love everyone!!!


Toni

P.S. Has anyone seen Luca's blue fuzzy sock? The binkie we keep in the car? What about his mommy's brain? If so, please let me know!!!

Aunt Kelly Visits Luca!

What a great week with the Rondinellis Kelly has had! The little guy is absolutely incredible! I believed Toni, but the proof is really in holding him. He is a very happy little boy (most of the time ;o). Even the pups are understanding who's really boss around here now. What a lucky boy to have such wonderful parents! I'll miss this bunch terribly, so I'll sign off and kiss on 'em some more before I get on the plane .
-kb 4/6/07

NOW OVER 12 LBS.!

I guess it's easy to believe if you look at the pictures below. Especially the bottom one.

Jim