cheeks

The obligatory just-about-to-jump-in-the-bath-showing-off-my-many-chunky-cheeks shot that parents find endearing and kid finds mortifying later...sorry, Ale, this one's just too cute...

action...reaction

Ale lounges peacefully in her new Elmo chair, storytelling as usual......when all of a sudden....

Elmo decides to hit the eject button on poor Ale (Bye Bye OOOOO!)...nasty Elmo!

Coastal Anniversarial Galivanting

On Sept. 6 we celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary with an overnight backpacking trip to Point Reyes and stroll along the Coast Trail to Wildcat Camp, a route full of mind-boggling beauty, suave meandering trails, lush coastal lakes, and blissful breezes...

With our technique polished from our outing to Yosemite in August, we stroll along the magnificent Coast Trail with jaw-dropping ocean views at every bend.

Our little munchkin decides it's time for a few winks and takes a snooze...

Nearing camp, we pause at a viewpoint to enjoy the incredible view after a 5 mile stroll along the Coast Trail.

contemplating the expansive "lugar sin límites" of the rugged California coastline from her shoulder-top perch above big mama...I can see for miles and miles...

Ale face-painted with oceanic alpenglow...with the reflection of the sunset and her parents' love sparkling in her eyes...

We had a spectacular coastal campsite just above the beach with ocean view. Ale managed to sneak a nice bottle of merlot into our pack that we enjoyed under the lunar-lit and star-sprinkled nighttime sky. I see someone peeping out at me...let's take a closer look...

Lounging ladies...

little blue riding hood at sunset...

the Song of the Open Road picks up a new companion...

"Traveler, you must set out at dawn and wipe your feet upon the dog-nose wetness of the earth..." Wole Soyinka

Ale falls asleep on my shoulder as we check out Alamere falls that drop right down onto the beach and run into ocean...

sweaty smiles in mom's bandana as we rest in the shade near Bass Lake on the hike out...


Ale takes her first micro-dip into the ocean...wiggling her toes in the cool waters of the Pacific.


Our little gal expresses her enthusiasm for the outdoors during a beachfront stroll...doing her best seagull impersonation...

New digs

Lounging in the living room of our new space, while Ale's new Cedar friends watch over her protectively with Ent-inspired vigilance.

Goodbye Escondido Village

Ale takes her little red corvette for one last spin before saying goodbye to her first home at EV. We moved over Labor Day weekend into a flat in Menlo Park a few miles away...