Gophers and Teeth, Rubberbands and Laundry

March 26th, 2009

I know it’s a mundane subject, and a wee bit too personal, but look at the light! I love how the wind and sun are caught up! An all afternoon rubberband war between the boys and their Daddy. The sofa was sacrificed for barricade material, and Ian’s in the line of fire. I think Peter actually got some studying in between shots. :-) “Smile! You’re on Candid Camera!” He/She was eating something right outside our livingroom window where we enjoyed watching it. until it disappeared and started digging again. Here’s Jerome’s big news! He is thrilled that his big tooth is already growing in where he lost the first one. :-)

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Donna and Eden’s “Mommy and Me” Photoshoot

March 26th, 2009

Donna invited me up to her nest to photograph her two week old daughter the beginning of March, and the privilege lingers.

She’s graciously letting me share my glimpse of their new blessing. Thank you, Donna, for letting me photograph your beautiful little ones as well as yourself. I love you!

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Rest at the Beach

March 24th, 2009

Since the beach was right across the road from the trail head, and we were already there…

running to the ocean right after our six mile hike. Ah! cool waters for hot feet. woah. :-) Seth and Jerome Seth would plop down in the water when a wave washed up. He looks so small and unafraid Jerome’s…surfing? I like the feel of this one. the wide angle was good, but I wanted to zoom in to see the boys better, so I went back to get my zoom… and came back to a welcome! Seth had been asking to go to the beach now for weeks! He was so thrilled to be there experiencing the waves and sand he could hardly contain himself! this expression sums it up. While Seth was absorbed in watching and playing… and digging… Jerome was getting buried in sand! Ian tried to help but got sand in poor Jerome’s eyes. Seth enjoying the warm sand oh, so much! Our sweet dog. getting sweet loves. ha! he cracks me up. heading back to the car Ian decides he likes the beach :-) the sand, that is. He’s blowing kisses at me because we were saying goodbye to the beach. It doesn’t get much better than sand with a stick… that is, unless you like to eat it. Last look at the ocean. a beautiful end to a wonderful day!

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Point Mugu Hike

March 24th, 2009

We knew it would be a difficult hike. About five miles long in some rough terrain, and we were right. It was a beautiful, amazing, and difficult hike (with little ones, for sure) ! We were joined by Ruth (this hike was her wonderful idea!), Darrell, Nick, Alina, and their daughter. The day was overcast but warm, and we all got some sun. We want to go back and actually hike up Point Mugu Peak next time!

Chumash Trail head After hiking for only a few minutes, the view was already amazing, even with the fog! Darrell up ahead with the older kids who were RUNNING up that steep incline! Taking in the view Ian got to ride all day! See how steep it was? And Raven kept trying to go back and forth from the front of the line to the back. comin’ up goin’ up We made it to the top! summit See that reward! I love this series. Daddy looking back from where we came… Ian’s following Daddy and they look together. You think they’d be beat after that climb, but no, they wanted to explore while we rested! Thank you Ruth for taking them! munchin’ an apple silly boy Seth is being chased by girls already! Of course he doesn’t mind in the least! Nick and Alina ugh. stagnant water where monstrous mosquitos bred, and the dog enjoyed a dip. roots and a dirt wall for climbing? the tree is better climbing! eew. that tank was nasty. scary rusted, jagged metal. Of course I lagged behind snapping photos of flowers. and to wait up for Seth. On to find a picnic spot! Rest! Seth at lunch Ian looking for flowers Hi precious! Jerome gathering sticks of dead mustard plant. a game of throwing sticks :-) On the trail again Seth seemed revived… but held things up a bit. That’s better. :-) in my mind, I could see the ridges and peaks as if there were no clouds at all. the boys left the trail to cut a corner and join Darrell! happy boys :-) Seth was helped immensly by Raven’s tug. beautiful California grassland! Ian woke up very animated after his nap on Daddy’s back. He was pointing and talking and just being cute. He walked this way for a long time. At the top, right before our last descent back to the cars. Thanks for the picture, Ruth! We love you! And you have great ideas for hikes! going down After I caught up with Seth we slid together down the rest of the way to the parking lot. part of the face of Mugu Peak

Peter mapped our hike on USA Track and Field. According to that, it was
almost 6 miles.  He put water marks where we stopped for a snack and lunch:

http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=280336

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Kite Joys

March 22nd, 2009

Last week Uncle David brought two kites for the boys that had been left at a park where he works. Oh, the joy of flying a kite! It was a perfectly blustery day and we had a little daylight left after nap time so we hopped over the wall to the park.

Thank you for thinking of the boys, David!

I love the running boy, the sun flare, and the rotation of the shot (which happened accidently). Unfurling the kites! Ian running to catch up Peter getting the kite in the air for Jerome while giving instructions. Ian stopped to watch the kites and never went any closer. Jerome’s kite went really high! Look at that JOY! learning to go against the wind Seth’s turn with the bigger kite. It stayed in the air easier than the smaller one. He got his kite going pretty well, too. Seth would run every which way not really caring about the direction of the wind. and making airplane noises? :-) Ian wanted to go swing! and he wanted to sit backwards so he could watch the kites! then Seth joined us! my arms got a workout pushing them together. our view from the swings Everyone at the park enjoyed watching the kites fly. Ian decided not to go down the big slide. This one was more his size. He went down it several times squealing as he climbed up the stairs for another slide! I noticed Jerome following directly under the kite… walking in crazy circles, waving, and maybe hoping to catch it? Totally oblivious to anything but that kite. Until I called his name. :-) loved the light on this one, and how you can see the kite string. Time for a roll down the hill! Ian didn’t try it, but he walked with them. I remember trying to roll straight down a hill when I was little and being frustrated that my body always went sideways. (Ofcourse, I can’t float, either. :-) ) Ian tries so hard to communicate without words. And does pretty well, too! One last flight before going home. Almost home, Seth is picking dandylions for Mommy. :-) (Yes, I let him go out in his Power Rangers suit, he thought he was Iron Man.) He looks so small and alone, but in reality, he just had a hard time ending the fun. :-)

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