Squaw Valley

This past weekend, we had hoped to drive down to Pasadena to visit with some of our treasured friends from our time at Fuller. Unfortunately, we just couldn't pull everything together to make the trip happen. But, we still felt like we needed to get away as a family - if even for just a short trip. So...we ventured over to Tahoe. It was our first visit there and we had an amazing time. We hope to go again sometime soon and even connect with some old friends that live in the area.

These pictures were taken in Squaw Valley. The boys thought it was really cool that the Olympics were held there. They also thought it was cool that there was a free Halloween scavenger hunt going on! So much fun!

Pumpkin Carving and H'orderves

A highlight from our trip was stumbling upon a FREE pumpkin carving contest! Jim spotted a little note in the local newspaper saying the Hyatt was hosting a pumpkin carving contest for little kids and it was open to the general public! We thought we'd drop by and see what it was about. What a find! They had 50 some pumpkins there for kids to carve, decorate and get creative with. There were prizes and yummy treats for everyone. Jim remarked to me..."I've never been served h'orderves while I carve pumpkins before!" To top off the night, they had S'more Kits for everyone to roast around their outdoor fire pits. Unbelievably fun!

Fishing in Truckee

Signs of Fall

Jim and a Bunch of Cyclists

I love this picture because it looks like the waves of the ocean, but it is actually a sea of clouds.

For Jim's birthday back in September, I took him on a hike in the nearby mountains. We hiked to the top of a hill where you can see views of the bay on one side and views of the ocean on the other side of the peninsula. After finishing our picnic dinner we were joined by a cyclist...and then another...and another. We couldn't help but laugh because we hadn't seen anyone all night and then there was a swarm of people joining us. They made several jokes about interrupting our date, and then ended up signing happy birthday to Jim! It was memorable and the sunset was AMAZING.

Fall Apple Picking

We had so much fun several weeks ago when we went apple picking as a family! We picked tons of apples to eat, bake pies with and make applesauce out of. One of the highlights was hearing the kids repeatedly exclaim, "Look at the apple I just picked!" They could not have been more enthusiastic about the whole adventure. The other highlight was eating apple pie at the farm's pie shop. They claim they have the best pie this side of the Rockies - and it did not disappoint. So yummy!

Eyes

We found out last week that our boy hasn't been able to see out of his left eye -probably since birth. Well, he can see - just not well. But today a whole new world opened up. Micah can see! Here he is in the new specs. Handsome as ever. I think very G.Q. The second picture is him enjoying his first chance to draw with the use of two clear eyes. How thankful we are that doctors caught it and that we live in an age and place where there is help for people with poor vision.

Two quick notes on the photos:

-Don't miss the food all around Micah's mouth. Classic Micah. Some things never change. :)

-Don't miss the open mouth in the second picture. His mouth is usually involved in all things requiring deep concentration - cutting with scissors, drawing, etc. The mouth gyrations help so much! ;)

Yay Micah on your new glasses!!

Dinosaurs

So Josh seems to play with the plastic dinos less and less, but every once in awhile Micah can spark his interest again. The boys pulled all of them outside the other day and had quite the Jurassic Park. I love having boys!

Zoropsis Spinimana (Male)

Just found this lovely little guy on our ceiling. Actually, rather huge guy. I guess they are harmless but doesn't he look like he should be poisonous? Evidently they don't build webs. They just roam around at night looking for their prey. Lovely. Don't really like to think of him roaming into our beds. Yuck!

Tying Flies

Josh and Micah have both been tying flies with their Daddy. I'm amazed that Micah can sit for such prolonged periods of time. He and Josh both make up their own flies, showing lots of creativity. This one is called "The Micah Special." Now if there were just a trout stream nearby...