Scenes From Soquel: September and October

Coleman on his ninth birthday at the county fair.

Coleman in a log. Vienna Woods trail, Nisene Marks State Forest. This is "Our Hike".

Creek on Our Hike...

Same hike, Coleman, Max and Kitty.

Max and his friend Fiona on a school hike/picnic.

Max and Kylie. She's a sweet little bird.

Rainy day reading.

More rainy day reading.

Hawk Eye. She's a keeper.

Kitty in the window (with Papa's old slipper). Who could resist that face?

Max had a day off of school. We built some stuff. Had fun. You know.

A glimpse of the inside of the house.

Halloween!

Friday Max went on a field trip with his school to an organic farm. There was a wonderful pumpkin patch there. They went on tractor rides, fed horses, sheep, bunnies and chickens, picked and ate strawberries and were able to take home a wonderful pumpkin! We had a great time at the farm.

This is Max with his teacher, Ami.

Akira, Lucas, Alex and Max waiting for a turn to feed the goats.

Max, Akira and Caio.

 

 

 

 

On Sunday Max and I went out with some friends in Aptos for a trick or treat extravaganza! Max filled his pumpkin to overflowing! It must have weighed in at 10 pounds. The pictures below are from Halloween night.

On Halloween we Max and I went out with some friends for trick or treating!

 

A scene from the neighborhood we tricked n' treated in.

Another scene from the neighborhood.

Santa Cruz County Fair

Coleman's third grade class had a field trip to the Santa Cruz County Fair today. I was able to get a few shots. We saw: Racing Pigs, Many chickens, Cows, Science stuff, Lego Contest, Photography, food, K9 show...I'm sure there are many things I missed. We're going back on Sunday with the whole family! We had a great time while there. And I am hopeful this year will be a WAY better year for Coleman at school. His teacher is very observant, straight-speaking and seems kind-hearted. And I think he might "get" Coleman already. Phew.

Never Before Seen Pictures!

At the BEGINNING of the now past summer, Paul and Lisa came for a visit. Here are some shots of their visit. It was a quick one, hike in the redwoods, trip to the aquarium, etc.

Above, shot of the redwood tree growing in the middle of the "End of the Rainbow Cafe" - Sweet. The boys playing the piano at said cafe.

Nana's 70th Birthday!

Nana moves pretty good for seventy. That's what Coleman says. I think that's true, too. Nana, You're a young seventy! We made the shortest trip ever to Massachusetts this weekend to go to Nana's party. So quick, in fact we never got off west coast time. Back to Nana's birthday weekend. I can't believe how wonderful a time we had the few days we were there. The weather was sweltering, of course. We partied at Uncle Chuck and Auntie Judy's house to celebrate. MB made a great cake, just the perfect size with a tea pot full of hearts on it. Could it have been more appropriate? No, I say. We had great food and music and the kids and grown ups alike had a blast. Wish I had gotten more pictures, hope you enjoy them.

The guards-down feeling of being in a place so familiar and comfortable is something I have felt only when I come home over the past five years. Even the smells, the way the air feels, the road work(!), the people, my family, it all makes me just relax. I miss this feeling and the smells and the people. Sometimes I even miss the sweltering heat. I got my fill until next year on this brief visit. :) I feel a bit like a puzzle piece in place back east and here in California a puzzle piece sitting on the side waiting to fit somewhere. It's a great place where we live, don't get me wrong. But there is just something about New England and proximity to family that leaves me aching when I leave.

Lots and lots of love to you all!

Vancouver and Seattle Wanderings

VANCOUVER

The three boys and I just got back from a trip to visit family, friends and classmates of yore. Chris' thirty year HS reunion took place August 3rd. We made a trek north on the first of August so Chris could make a golf game with a group of folks from his graduating class for Friday morning. (Turned out to be only three of them for the game. But they had fun). Meanwhile, the boys and I hung with Grandma and then Debbie and Wallis on Friday in the city. While we were in Vancouver we spent time with the Clan and friends from Chris' childhood. The four of us were welcomed into Rosemary and Dave's home in Delta, 30 minutes from Vancouver off and on (more on than off) over the course of our stay. We are so grateful to them for their hospitality and kindness. Richard and Marilyn even made a cameo appearance at Max's sixth birthday party in the park (one of three he will have this year!). We had such a great time with everyone in Canada this visit, happy memories.

Shots from the Vancouver leg of our trip:

Max never stopped moving while we were at the creek.

Three boys above, swinging, climbing and hanging, not necessarily in that order...

SEATTLE

We were lucky enough to have some time to spend with our friends in Seattle. We certainly don't see them often enough. But I have to say, when we do see them we are bound to have a blast! It seems most of our visits are during the summer, which by definition is fun, right? Wendy's mom and dad have a home right on Lake Washington, and once again we were welcomed warmly for a visit. We had the loveliest place to stay while we were there. But it was the company that really made for a good time. There are some constants in life that make me pause and, well they get me all choked-up - with happiness or thanks or so many good things I just can't put words to it. Wendy's warmth and steady, gentle kindness is one, and Jack's whit, humor and honesty is another. I love these guys, and their kids, too.  And now that I know Wendy's dad a little more, well I'm very fond of Bob, too!

Shots from the Seattle leg of our trip: