Autumn's Bounty

Squash are one of the many reasons fall is my favorite time of year. Thank you Chris for growing and harvesting all this lovely deliciousness for us!

Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving with Chris' family this year and it was delicious. A big thank you to VV and Pop for cooking up a scrumptious turkey dinner and hosting a lovely family gathering. Here is the gang -- post turkey.

Jane really enjoyed the turkey, but the big hit of the day was vanilla ice cream (who needs pie?)

Jane and Cousin Laura

Uncle Matt and Jane (with ice cream)

A big hug for VV.

Lovely Phoebe

Phoebe, Vanessa, and Valen

Van Laanen Ladies - Laura, Phoebe, Vanessa, and Valen

After dinner walk with Dad.

Always stop to pick and smell the flowers.

Passing out blossoms to everyone.

Uncle Steve poses with his posies from Jane.

Pre-Thanksgiving Trip to Mariposa

Jane and I made a little trip up to Mariposa just before Thanksgiving to spend a little time with Meme, Babu, Bridget and Nuh (that is what Jane calls Ben). It was wonderful to see everyone and Jane had such a blast collecting eggs, coloring with Meme and Babu, exploring around the property, and just hanging out with the fam. The picture above is of Ben and Bridget's dog, Dusty.

Coloring with Meme and drawing "Happy Bears" with Babu.

The neighbors' horses.

Lily

One of the dogs scattered the chickens, we found this one perched high in a tree.

Ruby Roo

Jane and Babu

Kitchen sink = tub....sorry there are so many pictures in this sequence, I just couldn't decide which ones I liked the best.

Jane had such a fun bath, she wanted to hang out in the sink even after I put her PJs on.

Shelling and eating pine nuts with B and B.

Halloween

Jane was snazzy zookeeper/Jane Goodall/Higgins (from Magnum P.I.) for Halloween this year.

Lovely picture of Jane Goodall.

Magnum and Higgins with "the lads."

Day Hike

A few weeks ago we took a lovely hike on the Vulcan Mountain Preserve near Julian. Jane had done a couple small hikes while in Mariposa last spring and I was anxious to see how she would do on more substantial hike. I thought I had timed it so she would sleep on the ride up there, but she didn't so she was good and tired when we arrived and crashed as soon we started up the hill...so I got a good workout! Even though I was carrying 30 extra pounds, it was great to be in the mountains and hiking for an afternoon.

Jane woke up right as we got back to the car. Fortunately there was an apple tree next to the car so we had some fun showing Jane how apples grow and then poaching a few.

Visits to Nanny and Papa's and Phoebe's

Nanny and Papa recently moved from Mariposa to Escondido and while we will miss seeing them when we are up in Mariposa, we are thrilled to have them closer to us. Jane and I visited them one rainy Sunday afternoon while Chris was at the farmer's market. Auntie Marcy was able to join us, which made the afternoon even more memorable. Jane was thrilled because Papa can read a story like it's nobody's business and Nanny made bacon (and Jane ate five strips!)

Papa reads Jane, Little Bear, while Nanny and Auntie Marcy look on.

We also were able to visit Chris' grandma, Phoebe, who is such a wonderful and talented lady. I always enjoy spending time with her. Phoebe is an amazing artist who has gifted us with so many beautiful paintings which we treasure and display proudly on our walls at home.

Jane took this picture of Phoebe, and I think it turned out pretty well.

Phoebe also has a rad set of stairs in her house on which Jane executed many stunts and daring feats.