A rainy day

The first rainy day of the season occurred this week...and it was a decent bit of rain. Throughout the night, puddles were formed, the gutters were filled...and Bix immediately wanted out to enjoy the water when we awoke the next morning.

Big puddle...here I come

YAY...water!

Discovering the gutter spout

A day of hay, pumpkins, and fire engines.

Last Monday we took a trip to the Avila Barn for some good old fashioned fall fun. There was a hay maze, tractor rides, and pumpkins. We met up with Koben, Marta, Lila, and Melissa. The kiddos had a great time running around, climbing, and eating some fresh apples. We then headed over to the Shell Beach fire station where Josh, Koben's daddy, works as a firefighter! We were surprised by an extra special treat and got to ride around the block in the fire engine....they even turned the lights and siren on for us!

 In the hay maze

How do we get out of here?

On the tractor waiting for our ride

Sitting with Mr. Scarecrow

Boy time with Koben

Apple eating

Driving the fire engine

The new crew with Josh

El Cap - Fall 2011

The annual fall season El Capitan trip was last weekend. It was a great time as always. Bix especially liked the tide pools this year, sticking his fingers and toes in the sea anemones and splashing in the little pools of water left behind by the receding tide. Nana Gwen, Grandad Oscar, Uncle Bill, and Uncle Alex joined us on Saturday and Bix had fun having tea with Nana Gwen and playing football with the big boys. But his favorite was jumping the waves with Daddy....nothing compared! Not even the trains outdid wave jumping with Daddy this year...although they came in a close second.

Playing in the waves with Daddy

Tea with Nana Gwen

Football with Uncle Alex...notice he cute hands waiting to catch the ball.

Trainspotting....

...which deserved a little disco style celebration

Move waves with Daddy

Looking at the tide pool creatures

Yosemite 2011!

 
Yes...it was off to Yosemite again for our annual week of tent camping and relaxation int eh beautiful Yosemite Valley. This time we took some friend along to share in the fun and excitement. Melissa, David, and Lila came along and we had a great time splashing in the river, sipping cocktails at the Awahnee, and touring the valley floor on bikes. I, of course, took way to many pictures as usual...so here are the highlights...

Hey Bix...wanna go for a hike?

The Shlunden crew

 

A hike to Yosemite Falls...goofballs and all!

 

Bix fell asleep a lot during our hikes.

 

Biking it to the Awahnee

Fun on he Awahnee lawn...the kiddos spent a lot of time here running off their extra energy.

Cloud gazing...

...rolling around...

...and flying on knees.

A hike to Mirror Lake....Bix insisted on the stroller since Lila was in hers.

 

Just down stream from the main attraction - shallow enough for kiddo splashing.

"hello Melissa?"...meaning....look at me, not at the camera!

Future Baywatch beauty practicing her emergence from the water.

 Two cuties in the sand

 

Dads and kids, relaxing by the shore

Exploring with Daddy

Fun with the stroller...this kept them occupied for a good while!

Bix caught on pretty quickly by observing others...when you stand in teh bus, you hold on to the grab bar. We are off to the Awahnee again.

Bixby's grand entrance to the hotel

 On the lawn....

 

 Off on a hike to Vernal Falls

 Bix was not too happy to be confined to a backpack...

...but we made it up eventually....of course Bix fell asleep and missed the view.

 We headed down the mule trail through the trees.

 Brain took his annual dip in the Merced...yup...still cold! Bix had no issue following him in though...I guess there are two polar bear swimmers in the family.

 

 David hiding behind a tree...peek-a-boo!

 Cuties in a field

 

 Bix asleep in the tent cabin....this was the first and most restful night. The last night we ended up in the bus for fear of waking up the entirety of Curry Village....but he looks so peaceful here??

Outside numero ocho..the Gleason cabin

Bye-Bye until next year!