It's ashing

No, not snowing, ashing. Eery looking sky with thick brown cloud over us making everything look warm and orangey. The air smells like a woodfire (duh) and it's very HOT. We are not in danger from this fire but once again, I am reminded that we really need an emergency plan...

Stay tuned, we are experiencing severe computer troubles and cannot download photos. The thing shuts down intermittently and we currently have to open it in VGA mode. I don't know what that means other than text is viewable (and VERY LARGE) but all graphics and pictures are messed up. Anyway, we had a great first camping trip with the girls and I will post some photos as soon as we get our new computer.

Here Maia is wondering if there is a Cheerio in her hand. She couldn't quite get them into her mouth from her hand but we're working on it. I got some great video of her first taste of Cheerio - I wouldn't call it a real hit.  

We went to Coco's 3rd birthday party. There was a bouncy, a pool, and The Hollow Trees (www.thehollowtrees.com).  

Tipped over and decided to hang out there for a while. 

Mmmm, spoon. 

We had a nice visit from Grandma and Granddad and a nice walk at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. For a cute, feel good movie (slightly "chick") rent Bend It Like Beckham. 

The latest - Maia has two or three teeth coming through on the bottom, but she seems to be her mostly cheery self. She is pulling herself up on whatever she can get her hands on and she is scooting herself around on her belly. She is especially effective with bare toes on the wood floor. Changing by leaps and bounds daily. 

Kiss! 

Peekaboo! 

A Beginning

First day of preschool - everything seems to have gone well. The head teacher said she did great. I spent the whole morning wondering what she was doing at that precise moment. I suppose that feeling will lessen.

Our Vacation Up North - scroll down to start

Erin brought Tom to meet the family... all 46,000 of us...

Auntie Noel meets Maia. 

Bitchin' car Grandpa, but where's your red one? says Sofia.

It was nice to visit with so much family. 

Sleepy baby. 

We got to swim a lot while up north and the weather was beautiful. Sofia got to go to Fairyland with Grandma, Shelden and Shealyn and we all went to visit the Jelly Belly factory. Sofia had a great time.

Logan and Laurel are totally cool.  

Maia enjoyed meeting Valentine. She also met most of the Shea family, Aunt Bitty and Uncle Bill, and Aunt Noel for the first time.

The three little people. 

Still a very beautiful place. 

Chimney Rock: 10 years after. We had a very nice time visiting the winery. We tasted everything they had and brought home a nice bottle to enjoy when I'm drinking more than a half a glass at a time.