Summer, So Far

I don't think it gets any cuter than this (thanks for this photo Bernadette).

Jane has been enjoying "coffee" (hot, er, warm chocolate) with us on weekend mornings. It's kinda a big deal.

Our dear dear friends Rick and Bernadette had a beautiful cake sent to us on our anniversary (R and B are the most genuine, thoughtful and generous people we know). I am not sure I can describe the sheer joy and excitement Jane felt over a surprise cake arriving at her door. She could barely contain herself.

Art project! One afternoon Jane and I made block prints with some linocuts and finger paints. Jane was an absolute pro and I am so excited to do more art projects with her.

Here she is rolling the paint on the linoleum with a brayer.

Gently putting the paper down.

Patting down the newsprint.

Time for a new color!

Happy Girls!

Surprise!

It was a surprise birthday for my brother Ben (or Uncle Gna, according to Jane) this year! Bridget orchestrated an awesome shin dig at my folks' place and Joe/Aja, and Chris/Jane/me all drove in late the night before Ben's birthday and then surprised him in the morning. However, the biggest surprise came when my brother Danny and his girlfriend Katie (who live in Bellingham, Washington) pulled into the drive way 1/2 hour before the actual party started. They had decided the night before to hop in the car and make the 16+ hour drive from Bellingham to Mariposa. A great surprise for us all! By Sunday afternoon we were all making our way back home, but not before we went for a dip at one of our old swimming holes...so much fun.

Jane enjoying a little time with Dusty, pre-party!

H A P P Y C A K E T I M E ! ! !

Early in the evening, the party took a wild turn.

Another awesome surprise, my cousin Hayley was able to make it to the party. Hayley is spending the summer working at a law firm in Fresno and Joe and Aja picked her up on their way up the hill. It was great to see Hayley, and I know Jane really enjoyed getting to know her.

Playing with Uncle Danny.

Relaxing at Hornet.

Late Summer

In addition to celebrating my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary, visiting with family, and just enjoying summer, this September I got a job with the Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA), www.mopa.org. For the past year I had been working as a contract educator for the Museum, teaching a variety of photography classes for their youth programs, but I have happily come on board as a staff member now in the Education Department. I am leading MoPAss 5th grade School in the Park program (www.schoolinthepark.org) and I am helping develop, coordinate, and teach the Museum's senior programs. I am now three months into the job and I couldn't be more thrilled about it.

Work stuff aside, here are some pictures from the later part of summer. Starting with a lovely sunset walk at Sunset Cliffs during a super low tide -- perfect late summer/early fall outing.

Lovely VV

Chris, Jane, VV, and Pop enjoying some time together.

Pop and Jane scope out the nursery while Chris researches sheet mulching options for our "garden".

This nursery is awesome...it has swings. Actually, the nursery, City Farmers Nursery, is really awesome, if you are in San Diego and into gardening, etc., check it out, (www.cityfarmersnursery.com).

Cuddling with VV at Chris' birthday BBQ.

Morning snuggle and story.

Playdate with Dylan. These two couldn't be any cuter together. Things keep getting more fun!

D-Man and P-Bass kickin' it

Popsicle!

Cozy with VV and Pop

For his birthday I gave Chris a brew kit and he has been brewing up a storm since then. We are still waiting on the early batches, but I am totally stoked to enjoy all the brewskies he's got stored away...hopefully by Christmas. Here is his first batch bubbling away in the carboy.

Trip to Washington

About two years ago my youngest brother, Danny, moved to Bellingham, Washington where he now works as an engineer and recently bought a house. This August we finally made it up there and had a fantastic visit.

Waiting for the ferry. We spent a lot of time on Washington's ferries, which are great and allowed to travel all over the Puget Sound.

Here are Danny, Katie, and Jane on the ferry going to Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula.

Port Townsend, Washington

Port Townsend, Washington

Trip to Olympic National Park with the Olympics in the background...stunning.

Playing hard-to-get with Uncle Danny.

The Olympics

Katie, Jane, and Cara on the ferry back to Bellingham

Chris and Jane quietly reflecting along Bellingham's beautiful waterfront.

We headed down to Seattle for a few days to see some of Chris' old friends and re-explore the city. It was really great to see Regina and Matt (wish we had gotten a few pictures of them) and catch up.

Near Seattle's Waterfront Park

Seattle Aquarium -- starfish,

and jellyfish,

and an octopus,

and more fish.

A kiss for Daddy.

Romping and Stomping

Then we were off on a long day trip to the San Juan Islands...primarily because it was a pretty day and I wanted to spend the bulk of the day on the ferry's outside deck enjoying the beautiful scenery. I think that is Mount Baker in the distance.

Back in Bellingham and enjoying a lovely happy hour outside.

Cuddling with Katie.

Danny and Katie took an afternoon off and drove us up to see Mount Baker.

Jane got to play in snow for the first time...she also learned how to say "Cold Snow!"

A big thanks to Danny and Katie for so graciously hosting us. We had such a wonderful time. You live in a spectacular place and we can't wait to visit again.