mahala's 7th bday party

we had a movie party for mahala's 7th birthday party. the kids joined us for 'kiki's delivery service' and ice cream sundaes...along with plenty of running around the house chasing each other!

wild otters in monterey bay

amazing moments watching sea otters in monterey bay. we saw a single otter as well as an entire raft of otters.a big highlight for all of us!

monterrey weekend

we went away for veteran's day and spent a night in what now is one of our favorite vacation spots - monterey. we saw the monarchs clustering in trees for the winter, the aquarium, went to the beach where the kids went tidepooling, saw some wild seals and otters in the bay and, as usual, the kids were thrilled to stay in a hotel. We cozied up to the fire and played games on our rainy evening stay.

the witch and the cat

they came up with their own ideas this year and with a little help from my glue gun and some store-bought accessories, i had the easiest costumes to make!

pumpkin time

we went to petaluma to pick pumpkins and the day before halloween, brady came with emeline and a friend to carve with us. as usual, mahala was the only kid to stay with it!

napping buddies

a peter-frank in a pear tree

douglas gets the top of the pear tree from our 2nd story window and the kids in our own "american gothic"