Mike, Jill, Lucy, & Wubie!

This weekend we hosted a birthday party for Auntie and Grandpa…our annual August birthday bash.

It was a lovely day so we all decided to have a picnic in the park, then come back home for cupcakes. It was so relaxing in the park, I forgot to take any pictures, so we’ll have to start with the cupcakes Lucy and I made…

the gang’s all here…

about to sing the birthday song…

partygoers and birthday celebrants. Happy Birthday Grandpa and Auntie!

“Shhh…I’m baking.”
— Lucy, while making banana bread with her mom (and wearing apron and chef’s hat.)

Part 2 of the summer pic series…more beach, boating on the lake, painting with auntie, and playing at the park.

We were lucky to spend this Father’s Day with family at one of our favorite places, Filoli. Lucy got to romp around, dance and sing with her grandparents, and cause a ruckus in the café. We had a wonderful time. Here are some of our adventures.

The tree house…a room made by hanging branches

Trying out cameras…she sure has some trusting relatives!

lounging by the pool…phew it was a hot day.

(Anyone else notice how much auntie resembles G’Mommy these days…almost thought it was her in some of these pics. maybe it’s the hair…)

dancing in the ballroom with grandpa

cavorting in the café

Well that was fast. April is now in the books and 2010 is officially one third over with! Below is a collage made exclusively with pictures taken from April.

Notable happenings from the past month:

• Celebrating Jill’s birthday in SF (too bad John couldn’t make it!)
• Easter Egg Hunt at Gma Vita’s place
• BJ Penn Book Signing
• Getting together with old friends, including Kelly

Stuff I’ve watched/read this month:

Movies & Books

Auntie Laura took us to a park a few weeks back which overlooks the city of San Francisco. It was an interesting, sometimes harrowing ride up to the park, which is level with some big tower at the top of a hill (auntie can tell us which).

The beautiful park is open to dogs, so Luna came along, and met up with other dogs big and small.

It’s wooded in places, hilly and meadowy in others, and it felt like we were in the middle of a forest, rather than a city. (It also reminded me of Hitchcock’s Vertigo.)

Here are some of the breathtaking views:

That green strip is Golden Gate Park.

Toward the Sunset, you can see the beach:

Auntie points out her house:

Luna having fun.

Auntie, Luna and Lucy wander down a path.

Lucy chasing the ‘piglet’ doggie:

We hope to visit again soon.

Seeing Lucy sitting on the floor reading at my house reminded me of a couple of my favorite pictures of myself when I was about her age, way back in the olden days of 1971. I think Lucy wins the fashion competition, but our sitting/reading styles are quite similar!

Auntie Laura

A Message for Aunt Janie from Mike C on Vimeo.

This is a special message for Lucy’s Auntie Janie, taken during our visit to Gma and Gpa’s house…

Hi Auntie Janie! love from Lucy and all of us!

Grass Valley Visit from Mike C on Vimeo.

We spent last weekend with Tom and Karen in Grass Valley. This is the (25 minute!) video. Some highlights:

• Lucy playing in the “ladybug pool”
• Lucy, Tom, and Karen putting on a talent show
• Lucy saying “Hi” to her Auntie Janie
• Lucy finding frogs while exploring a creek

For pics, please refer to Jill’s post.

Music:

• ‘”Mose Rager Blues” from Country Guitar Thunder by Merle Travis & Joe Maphis
• “Words Unspoken” and “Tin Roof” from The Crow—New Songs For The 5-String Banjo by Steve Martin
• “Gone” from Guitar Country by Chet Atkins
• “Understand Your Man, “Catch the Wind“, and “Blowin’ in the Wind” from More of That Guitar Country by Chet Atkins
• “Ground Speed” from Foggy Mountain Banjo by Flatt & Scruggs
• “Black Mountain Rag” from The Essential Chet Atkins by Chet Atkins

Oregon Visit from Mike C on Vimeo.

We spent Sept 16 – 21 in Oregon. Here’s a (16 minute HD) video of our time there, including a get-together with my brother and his family.

The majority of the video was taken around Corvallis. We didn’t really get any Portland footage this time, so we’ll have to address that the next time we go back.

For more info, check out Jill’s earlier post about our trip.

Music:

• “Someday My Prince Will Come” from Someday My Prince Will Come by Miles Davis
• “Little Wing” from The Sky Is Crying by Stevie Ray Vaughan

We visited family in Oregon recently, and had a wonderful time.

Once we all converged there were aunties, uncle, cousins and grandma, and Lucy loved having a full house to entertain…she regaled them with songs over and over. I think she already misses the attention!

Here are some pics from our trip…thanks so much for having us!

p.s. this may end up being part one of a two-parter, stay tuned.

Our hosts…and the birthday boy.

relaxing on the patio

playing in the fountain along the river in downtown Corvallis

dandelion hunting in the park

three generations explore a new store…and local wildlife in a yard

One downside to the lush greenery…it’s a rich habitat for spiders. Eww.