Bits of this and that

Here are a few random shots of summer.

Our first and last good ear of corn...

Swimming at a friend's house...

Exploring the Oakland Zoo...

Feeling camera shy on the carousel...

Aidan, eating yet again...

1st Day of 1st Grade

The requisite first day of school photos...

Conner checking out his new big-kid playground...

And meeting his new teacher...

They both had a great day and loved their teachers. It probably helps that their is no homework the first week of school!

The last days of summer vacation...

The last few weeks of summer vacation have whizzed by. What did we do? A lot and not much.

The boys had some sleepovers with Auntie Kim and then Papa (thanks Auntie Kim and Papa. Apparently, the experience proved to Auntie Kim that her only child is enough.)

We did some swimming, some hanging around the house.

We saw the King Tut exhibit at the de Young. Aidan thought it was cool (except when I lost him in the crowds for about 30 seconds.) Conner was a little freaked out by the dark rooms.

Conner lost four teeth in the last month. It's a wonder he's still able to eat.

We also did one last trip to Discovery Kingdom...

Aidan getting a really cool dragon tattoo...

All of us on the riding Valerie, the elephant...

It was a very nice summer. School started today. The kids and I are all ready for a little change and structure in our lives!

over the river and through the woods...

to grandmother's house we go! The boys and I spent a few days visiting Gram and Grandpa H in Washington State. It was kid heaven.


Playing on the dock, watching the boats go by...and very excited when it was time for their own boat ride...
Blackberry picking. Aidan ate most of his blackberries. Conner had a plan for his...(note the deer in the upper right corner)

Gram's birthday cake, decorated by Conner...

The finish of a lovely birthday dinner celebration...

Exploring the local nature center...

Lots and lots of treasure collecting...(managed to talk them out of bringing anything that still had eyes on it home in the suitcase)

Another boat ride and a lesson on fire building with Grandpa Howard. This was followed by marshmallow roasting. Conner "accidentally" burned most of his. Aidan learned the fine art of removing the crispy, yummy outer layer to reveal the smooth insides...

Thanks Gram and Grandpa H. for a wonderful visit...

Coronado Island Part 3: Goodbye

A few parting shots from Coronado Island. Including the view from our room...

The Boys and The Girls

As you know, we have a huge Princess fan in our family. So while at Disneyland, we dined with some princesses and stopped by Pixie Hollow to meet some fairies. The Fairies were fantastic. We were some of the first people to see them that day and I think the boys being boys (and not girls) were a novelty for them. They spent tons of time with them. Especially coaxing Aidan out from behind a leaf. He was feeling quite shy...

Dinner at Ariel's Grotto. With our hostess...

And the others...

With their favorite princess of all...

The Birthday Boy

Euan recently turned the big 41!

We had a mellow celebration with friends...

And cheesecake...

Balloon entertainment provided by the kids...

Euan, tell us how you really feel about turning 41...