Garrett's First Birthday Party

Our little monkey! The party spread

My little guy is one!

So cute!

Aaah, this food is so goood, bring on the cake!

Ellie and Autumn, practicing their skillz

Mmmmm. Carrot cake muffins are good.

Heath showing Garrett how to play with his new toy from Heath.

The gang helping Garrett play with his toys (left to right: Lukas, Heath, Garrett, Autumn, Ellie)

Visit to Amah Mar and Baba Mike's House

In early September, the kids and I went to visit Amah Mar and Baba Mike. We spent a lovely Saturday afternoon at the Huntington Library and Gardens. Their children's garden is wonderful but you have to bring a change of clothes. Ellie and Amah Mar, cool shades

Garrett and Baba Mike, cool dudes

I love this stuff man! (Forget keeping them clean or dry)

Ellie and Garrett practice their rock skills

Strawberry Icecream girl. A well deserved treat after working so hard to play in the water garden and the rainbow tunnel.

The gang's all here

Ellie and her friends having a tea party

Moooooooommmmmm!!! We went over to Drake's house (my friend John Abdelshehid's son) for an afternoon to play. Drake is a month younger than Garrett.

The Potholes were conquered

The Three Amigos begin their sojourn

The trout were plentiful. Don't worry, they all lived to tell the tale of their encounter with the great hunter, Michael Crane

King of the Hill

The biggest pothole. This one looked good for swimming for humans

Yosemite back country is a beautiful place

First Day of School

The Cubby!

"There's Autumn, my friend Autumn"

Ellie was very excited for her first day of preschool. She wore her backpack for at least a half hour prior to leaving for school. All reports were that she had a good time, she "climbed up the stairs, crossed the bridge, crossed back over the bridge and climbed down the stairs" on the playground. She also told me she "fell into the toilet and a little boy laughed" and then Ellie laughed when telling me that story. I have no idea what that really means, but I have decided not to worry about it. Now I have to figure out how to make creative lunches and bring tasty snacks for her room.

Oh, the life of children

Why mother? Why do you block my way into the kitchen with a dirty babygate? I must throw myself at it so I can get back to the business of climbing up my sister's stepstool onto the kitchen counter and trying to eat salt and grab knives. Why would you stop me? I just want to eat paper and climb on the couch and knock the speakers over. I'm just trying to be me. Oh man, sister. I cannot believe you dressed me up like this. I am so going to get you back some day. On the other hand, I love the attention.

Dog Days of Summer, well, really just one of the first hot days

Ellie and Batty try to beat the heat but we decide we should just join it What's that you say, slip and slide? Man I wish I was older

What, a shark, how terrifying, where?

We head over to Autumn and Lukas' back yard where the slip and slide is set up. Lots and lots of sunscreen
Connor decides to sit this one out with Kokoma (that's his name for Kristie)

Lukas and Sydney (Connor's sister, age 5) are prepped and ready

Autumn resting in the shade of the tree, contemplative

Ellie setting out her towel. It was very important, which towel she had, very important

"I can't wait to see my friend Autumn"

Blast from the past

This was my dress. There are pictures of me in it when I was 33 months old. Here is Ellie at 31 months. When I wore it, it was near the floor. Ellie's a bit taller than I am. She was chasing the camera around and I got this shot. I love it.

Another of my former outfits, this one for tennis from Grandma Delpha Crane, Grammy.

"We playing tennis mommy, just like Baba Mike"