Green

After we visited John Muir's house, we drove over to the coast to check out Muir Woods. I don't know if John Muir had anything to do with the woods directly, but if you go to his house first and bring your receipt, you get in free.

Yay for free!



These woods are beautiful. Tall. Grand. And green!

I've been there lots of times before, but always in the summer. I had no idea everything would be covered in beautiful green moss. This tree was so moss covered and damp, little ferns could live on it.


The kids were especially good. Abby didn't nap all day, and she was still fantastic.


We could have fit our entire family in this tree. This section shows what was going on in history through out it's life.


And now for some craptastic landscape photography!

Have I ever mentioned how bad I am at landscape photography? Well, I am.
































And that was our day at Muir Woods. I'm sure you can see just how pretty it is, despite my very marginal pictures.

And yes, I'll stick to photographing people.

John Muir. Lots and lots of John Muir.

We went on a little day-cation with out friends Trent, Kristyn and Sammy. It was tons of fun and I think we should do something like this every weekend.

But Nathan disagrees.

With the every weekend part, not the it was so much fun part.

We started our day by driving over the hill to John Muir's house. I LOVE old houses. I want to live in one. One that has new plumbing and electrical and central heating and air. Is that too much to ask?


It had been raining for days before this. Can you tell my kids aren't use to sunlight?



Isn't it pretty? And look at the top...it's a bell tower! The kids ventured up the long steep stairs in the attic and rang the bell.


And this is why I love old houses.

Character! Details! Stuff that makes you say, Wow, look at that! This is the door between the kitchen and dining room.

These are the people.

He's scary ;o)

This is Sam.

She's adorable.

This is my kid.

He has chapped lips.

This is my big girl.

She is the King of Legendary.

I don't know what that means either.

And this is my baby girl. (And me too.)

She is nothing but sweet.

And these are the grounds. They raised fruit trees on the property and apparently did very well in that department. I didn't catch exactly what kind of fruit because I had to take the baby out before the intro movie ended at the beginning of our tour.




And these are playful squirrels. Or maybe they were fighting.


Any which way, they made a very loud ruckus chasing each other around.



I believe this was the winner of the game/fight.





This path leads down to the carriage shed...



...past some pretty trees...



And on to an adobe house on the other side of the property.


Because my kids are kids, they needed a potty break. Nathan took them while the rest of us enjoyed the first day of sunshine in weeks.




Then we were united again.


Remember my goal of taking more pictures of me with my kids? Well, I've added an addendum to that. I will take (or have other people take) more pictures of me with my kids and us as a whole entire family.










Goodbye John Muir's old house. We think you're great!

Up next...Muir Woods.

Awards and Report Cards

Jared had an awards assembly at school.

I realize it's only kindergarten, but I had the proudest mommy moment when Jared got awards for perfect attendance and being responsible.

I am so happy that he is working hard and loving school!

Nathan went in late to work that day so he could come see. Here he is with Abby waiting to get started.


Getting his award!


That's his teacher in the background.


I can't believe I have a kid in school! How did he get so old so fast!?!


Jared could probably care less that he got an award, but I think he was happy to see me so happy with him.


In fact, he just got his report card and didn't even tell me he brought it home in his Friday Folder. I had to dig though it to find it, and when I told him he got super good grades, he just smiled, shrugged his shoulders, and went back to playing.


Good job Jared!

My Babies Ears

Madie only wants me to take her picture when I'm trying to take a picture of someone else.

For example, my friend Kristyn pierced Abby's ears! ...so of course I was trying to get some pictures of her and her new little sparklies and Madie came over and asked me to take pictures of her too.

So I tried to take the opportunity to get some pictures of both of my girls together, but because it involved another person, Madie was only half into it.

Madie does that silly look with her lips all the time and it makes me smile.


Abby chill'n with a cracker.


She's my always happy child.


See Madie there, hanging out on the side, considering being involved in picture taking.


Then they really just ignored me and played with each other. I love it when my kids get along.


Abby just looked at me and smiled when I told her to look to the side so I could take a picture of her earrings, so I switched to the snap your fingers where you want the baby to look method.

It worked with moderately good results.

But mostly she looked at me like this.

Pure adorableness.

And then suddenly we were playing a spontaneous game of peek-a-boo!



I think she is looking super cute with her new earrings and pony tail and constant smiles.

Love her!