Esmerelda Basin Hike

Summer has resisted coming to the Pacific Northwest, but we managed to get out for a hike on the Fourth of July weekend avoiding the rain, if not the clouds. The aim of the hike was wildflowers, mountain scenery and, once Cara saw distant patches of snow, snow to play on. The hike up to Esmerelda Basin satisfied everyone. Our friend Kathy joined us, adding to the fun.

Mountain scenery.

Wildflowers - we saw fields of these beautiful shooting stars.

It was a small patch of snow, but big enough for almost sliding.

Cherries add to any occasion.

Walking downhill is much easier.

Unless you are very tired.

We still need to look up what type of bird this is. You see lots more on the trail going slow!

Goodbye Grandma

To our sorrow, C's mom passed away ten days ago. It's been a sad time for all of us. She will be greatly missed.

Cutting the wedding cake.

Newly married.

First days as a mom.

Tying C's shoes.

Merry Christmas!

Holding Cara.

Family Day 2010

It is hard to believe three years have passed since Cara Hsiu-Wen joined our family. Three amazing years...

We let Cara choice the family event this year and her vote was for a hike. Probably mostly because she wanted a bar (she gets a Clif bar when we go hiking, and only then), but then she did seem to have a lot of fun once we were there. The weather wasn't exactly wonderful, so we stuck fairly close to home in case a rapid retreat was necessary, with a visit to the much loved St. Edwards Park. Cara was able to enjoy the hike more than ever, despite the cold drizzle. She ran down part of the trail, splashed in the water by the lake, ran back up much of the trail and still had energy for the playground at the top. Wow!

The other big thing for the day - C has a new camera lens. Yes, it got lots of exercise!

There she goes, bar power!

Speeding across the bridge...

Feet don't even touch the ground.

Hanging out by the lake.

Water...

and sand...

is happiness.

Enough energy left to run up the hill.

And try

catching

a ring.

April Visit to Monterey

C had a meeting in Monterey in April, and we thought we all go down to the Bay Area to visit Grandma and Grandpa at their house the weekend before the meeting. But once they found the C's destination, Grandma and Grandpa thought a trip to Monterey sounded like a grand idea. So we all headed down for a weekend get-a-way.

The weather wasn't exactly cooperative, but we still managed to find a dry beach for Cara to explore, a not-so dry beach to watch surfers from and lots of yummy food. The aquarium wasn't as big a hit with Cara as we hoped. Maybe next time! Best of all was getting to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa.

Playing with friends on the airplane.

Yummy chocolate and banana crepe.

Big Grandma hug!

Yummy lollipop from Grandma and Grandpa.

A long wait at the San Joes Airport goes quickly when you dance with your friends.

Easter

Cara enjoyed her first Easter egg hunt this year. On Saturday she and Mom decorated some blown eggs (had to switch to white eggs that week) and on Sunday while Cara was napping the Easter bunny hid the decorated eggs and a dozen plastic ones in the backyard. Cara was quick to find them, needing only a few hints from Mom and Dad.

The first egg was obvious!

Cara places the eggs carefully in the basket.

But why does this egg rattle?

Jelly beans!

The flamingo laid an egg.

Springtime Play

The weather for most of March was amazingly spring-like and dry, providing many opportunities to run around and play outside. The main exception was the week Cara's grandparents visited from Maine, and brought winter back with them. So no photos from that visit, but there will be plenty when we head east in August.

Cara can hang from rings for increasingly spans of time.

Swinging remains a popular pass-time, and she's working on learning to pump her legs. But having someone push is so much more fun!

And she's a great climber.

It's hard to swing like this, though.

Sunny afternoons on the deck - time for the hanging swing!

Cherry Blossoms

With all the warm weather the cherry blossoms bloomed early this year. We made our annual pilgrimage on a sunny Saturday morning.

Any outing must involve careful timing of snacks.

No shoes!

Cara has a bit of energy to run off.

Can't quite reach those blossoms.

Unless Dad helps out!

Busy Weekend

The second weekend of February was jam-packed for Cara. On Saturday Ms. A invited her over for a Valentine's Day lunch on Saturday, and they baked cookies together and decorated heart-shaped boxes. Then Sunday was the Lunar New Year, with a trip to the International District to see Lion Dances and buy some ingredients for a special dinner. Finally, Monday was President's Day, and Mom took Cara up to the snow to play some more while Dad finished putting together Cara's new big kid bed. We were all pretty tired by the time Tuesday rolled around.

Baking Cookies with Ms. A

Ms. A arranges the best art projects! She helped Cara make this beautiful box.

Cara gets a new dress - a tradition for the Lunar New Year.

Peaking out of a snow cave.

Climbing way up high on the snow, Cara learns to step-kick. We'll have to find an ice-axe for her soon!

Building a snow person.

What a great new bed!