Baptism

On Friday, September 19th, we loaded up the car and went to our good friends the Minke's in Watsonville (near Santa Cruz). Pastor Scott has been diagnosed with lung cancer and is currently doing well but is starting a new treatment in the next few weeks. We all decided, kind of last minute, that while he is still doing so well and feeling strong, it would be a great time to have Alexis baptized. Scott and his wonderful wife Marilyn (Laura's mom's best friend from college) put together a great sunset baptism in their living room, complete with music played on the guitar by their son in law and beautiful hymns sung by their daughter. Hope you all enjoy the pictures. Scott and Marilyn are her godparents and her aunties and uncles, her baptism sponsors.

Green beans...

If you are entertained by this type of thing it is 90 seconds of a good laugh. She really really didn't like green beans straight - you have to hide them in the oatmeal, then she will eat them (but not too willingly).

7 months and growing....

So.... Lexi was just thinkin' she wants you all to know what a big girl she is. Not sure how soon she will be crawling but, she is definitely rocking on all fours and rolls wherever she wants to go. She had a well-baby check up today and is weighing in at 17 pounds 5 ounces (50th %ile) and 26.5 inches (50th %ile) while her head is gaining it is at the 16th %ile. She is meeting all her milestones and working on solids (well pureed is a bit more accurate of a description).

Enjoying the camp

Bath in the "kitchen sink."

This walk is about 1/2 mile from our campsite! It is great to hear the ocean at night and a beautiful walk during the day.

The camping exersaucer, we borrowed from a friend, was a GREAT idea - she was happy and we could get some stuff done!

Enjoying the first morning campfire!

Just hanging around!

Baxter Camping

Baxter used to be the center of attention at our camp. While he still got lots of love and opportunities to walk the trail - he spent a lot more time in the truck bed (which we think he liked even better than being on the dirty ground - he is a bit of a prince).

"Hot Dog Beach"

She had to have her afternoon nap as soon as we got there. Brendan could barely get the beach shade set up fast enough! And of course, we had to figure out what this sandy stuff is!

After she raked herself a nice pile of sand, she decided to EAT it!

And then, she cried... guess it didn't taste so great! I know it was a mess to clean up when it came out the other end the next day!

Camping in Fort Bragg, Labor Day 2009

We had a GREAT four nights and five days in the sand, dirt, sun and fog at Fort Bragg. We are so happy to be included in the extension of family and friends that have been doing this trip for over 40 years.



It is a little different now that we are the campsite with all the kids. We share a site with Holly, Brian, Mason & Madison. Our site was dubbed "kid central" this year and brough wanderers to check out our SWEET setup. Between the two families, we brought EVERYTHING (including the kitchen sink - a play one the twins have, so we could give baths).



We were able to relax around camp, walk to the beach, have a hot dog roast over a bonfire at 10 mile beach just north of Fort Bragg, take a drive to Mendocino and have YUMMY clam chowder at North Coast Brewing Co. Our last night included a progressive dinner from campsite to campsite in leiu of the previous Abalone Feast (although we STILL had abalone)!