Summer in So Cal

It is hot and sunny here in Riverside. Too hot for my taste, and the sun is intense. But it does make for some very summery weather and activities. My favorite photo:

and another couple of fun ones.

A Trip North

We flew to Seattle and then spent a week driving North into Canada, around the Olympic Peninsula and back to Seattle. A few highlights:

• Seeing Great Grandad
• Walking through Washington Park Arboretum
• Visit to Vancouver
• Vancouver Island, hiking and camping
• Exploring Victoria (the Bug Zoo, Little Farm, Gardens)
• Many ferry rides
• Seattle and an early birthday party with Grandma and Grandad

Big Brother and Baby

Elliot loves to sing. He can actually carry a tune quite well. His repertoire is a bit limited, but recognizable. Here he is singing an ABC/Twinkle Twinkle Little Star medley and a No More Monkeys/Baa Baa Black Sheep medley. Serenading the baby, who is enamored by her brother's voice.

   

Baa Baa Monkey

 ABC Twinkle 

Welcome, Calliope!

Calliope (Poppy)

Born 17 January 2014

She weighed in at 6lbs 12oz, and was 21inches long.

Who's new?

Soon to be the newest addition to the family . . .
a baby girl!

20 weeks

Fun with Fiona (or A Visit to Ventura)

We spend part of the long weekend visiting good friends in Ventura, where Elliot had a blast playing with Fiona ("Fu-ona"), and we got some delightful adult time while the kids played well together.
some photos:

At the beach, where E spent most of the time trying to avoid the waves.

He didn't eat all day, then decided to try deep fried octopus for lunch. Hmm. Weird kid.

Elliot at Two

Elliot turned two a month ago. He is a joy. Funny, talkative, outgoing, silly, happy, friendly, energetic. He loves to read, ride his bike, ride in the bike trailer, take walks, play in water. His favorite toys are animal figurines, dinosaurs, books, crayons, and cars/trains. But he will happily play with almost anything and anyone. He loves to talk, describing everything around him (mostly in his own language, but with more and more real vocabulary emerging everyday). He is still a very picky eater, refusing all fruits and vegetables unless in squeezy pouch form, or dried fruits. But he happily eats nuts/seeds, meat, cheese, grains, yogurt, and sometimes tofu. And he loves his milk.
Here are a few photos: