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.

Jane's 2nd Birthday

On January 16th, Jane turned 2! I can hardly believe it!!! Chris and I are so blessed to have Jane in our lives now. She is such a joy. To celebrate her 2nd birthday we had a little family party, generously hosted by my Aunt Lisa and Uncle Steve.

Happy Birthday Jane!

Meme and Babu drove down from up north to celebrate with us.

Grandma and Grandpa taking in all the action.

Presents!

Awesome new, pink bike!

Jane thought all her new toys were swell, but mostly she enjoyed playing with the balloon and riding on Grandma's walker :-)

Jane and Nanny on the porch swing.

Just catching up with Grandma.

Drawing "Happy Bears" with Uncle Steve.

Birthday cake with Meme.

Now this is fun!

The after-party with Babu.

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.