Halloween 2012

This year's costumes: Nate is a Ringwraith (from Lord of the Rings) and Julie is Athena, Goddess of Wisdom. Whatever happened to simply being a fireman or a ghost? With the weather forecast, they might both be wishing they dressed up as umbrellas.

Pumpkin Carving Party

 

 

With our neighborhood kids, complete with pumpkins, eyeball punch, and decorated sugar cookies.

Lafayette Reservoir Run

 

 

 

 

This year it was a family affair, all four of us running (and sometimes walking) the two miles down the main boulevard of Lafayette to the end & back. Nate was on a tear, dashing ahead after seeing we were too slow for him, and Julie did great the entire way, despite her being short of breath. Later, we grabbed balloons and bagels, then went home to get ready for our pumpkin carving party.

Palm at San Francisco Golden Gate park

 

We're ready for Halloween!

 

Field Trip - Columbia State Park

 

 

 

 

Tootsie

On a drive home from downtown Lafayette last week, we saw a tiny chihuahua with a pink collar shirking along the road, and since she had no tags, we took her home. Despite all our postings online and posters placed along the trail, we still couldn't find her owners. So at 9pm, we took her to our local vet and had her scanned -- they found a name and a disconnected phone number, which gave us enough to start Googling and calling late that night. As it turns out, the original owner died a few months ago and her new owners, who live a block away and apparently don't turn on their computer, eventually saw our posters and claimed her. Tootsie was a great guest, very happy, and a sound sleeper -- never thought I'd be sad to see a chihuahua go!

Eyerman Family Visit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some photos from our visit with Kelly, Tristan & Meagan, who came all the way from New Zealand to spend time with family and friends on the west coast. Thanks also to Michelle & Veronica for staying in Lafayette to help spend time with the kids -- you're welcome back anytime!

Point Reyes Hostel

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last weekend we spent one night at the Point Reyes Hostel in Marin. We had heard about the new family units -- two bunkbeds in a private room with a shared bath with one other family. It wasn't as scenic as our stay at the Alpine Inn on Mt. Tam, but it was probably more remote and quiet. So quiet, we ended up having an outdoor dinner in Point Reyes Station and then the next day we rode our bikes about two miles down a dirt road to a remote beach where we built sandcastles, mermaids, and played in the surf. After checking out, we did our annual visit to a pumpkin patch in Nicasio, picking out four big pumpkins to be carved out later. (Nate guest-blogger submission: "I picked out the biggest pumpkin, but I didn't mean to. I just wanted it." Julie guest-blogger submission: "I love pumpkin patches!")

Oktoberfest in SF

 

 

 

Again this year we joined friends in San Francisco to make Oktoberfest, and again it coincided with Fleet Week. We took off extra early expecting clogged freeways, but found ourselves breezing into the City. The kids saw the stealth bomber flying overhead, the Blue Angels, and a few other stunt planes before we went on a hike through the "Black Forest" (a large nearby park) while collecting specimens, and then on the hill to watch the end of the air show. Afterwards, it was sausages, beer, sauerkraut, and lots of silly plays put on by four beany kids.