Orange you glad...

H and J celebrate our bounty.

One of the amazing things about our little home is the abundance of fruit in the backyard. We have an orange tree, lemon tree, fig tree, pear tree, apple tree, apricot tree, cherry tree, and a quince tree. I love the fact that H can go out in the backyard and pick an orange and eat it. I did not grow up in a climate where that was possible and so it seems completely magical to me. H really enjoyed the time he got to spend with J this August. Much time was spent enjoying the wonderful outdoors in our yard, neigborhood, and city.

Family Portrait

H needed a family portrait for his classroom and our wonderful and kind neighbor took a few photos for us. So, for those of you who haven't seen us in a little while, here are a few photos to keep you up-to-date.

To Come Home to Yourself

May all that is unforgiven in you
Be released.


May your fears yield
Their deepest tranquilities.


May all that is unlived in you
Blossom into a future
Graced with love.

~John O'Donohue

Tahoe!

My first experience with Tahoe happened many years ago now and it involved a long journey, a very tired pick-up truck and an unexpected pit stop in Truckee. I swore I would never return. But lo and behold, after J took a fishing trip this spring swearing it was a stunning place worth revisiting, we took our first family vacation. Armed with some great locations from a Tahoe veteran we spent our wedding anniversary enjoying beautiful lodgings and the amazing outdoors. Thank you to each of you who helped us have such a wonderful family adventure. We really needed one.

Daddy goes fishing

We picnic while daddy is fishing

Trying to keep ourselves interested as the fishing continues

Just loungin'

What a cool park on the edge of Lake Tahoe

An unexpected dip in the lake

H loves the water

And has no sense of self preservation when it comes to water

Geese!

Donner Lake in the morning - cold but fun

Exploring with Daddy

These pinecones are amazing. And there are so many of them!

So beautiful

Figuring out how to use a straw

Last bit of fun before we head home.

Blues Boy

Sunflowers

Badminton and weddings

A couple of our friends got married at a park recently and H, J, and I were excited and in attendance. The event was beautiful and casual and much fun.  Of course, these sorts of things are largely influenced by H. He was behaving like a little cherub which allows J and I to really be present and enjoy the festivities.

One of the activities at the wedding was badminton. J and a friend began a pick-up game and as soon as H saw what was going on he headed out onto the field. He marched right out there, grabbed a raquet (which he had never seen or held before) and went to join J. It is amazing to see a little person who has no knowledge of something go to join in without hesitation. It was as if H thought, "If daddy is out there, then it must be worthwile and I want to try."

Beautiful cake with white chocolate portrait of the handsome couple

The blushing bride

The game is in full swing

Nothing a little water can't fix

"You call this a racquet? It is very interesting."