Mike, Jill, Lucy, & Wubie!

Going to the Snow from Mike C on Vimeo.

We spent the weekend in Grass Valley with Lucy’s grandparents. Lucy had been looking forward to the trip all week, especially our Saturday trek to Soda Springs where she’d be able to play in the snow.

Lucy got her first taste of snow last year. However, she wasn’t really prepared for that encounter. Her excitement dissipated quickly once she realized how cold and wet snow could be.

However, this year was very different. Lucy’s three now, a grizzled veteran compared to the two year old rookie we plopped into the snow last year. This time she had a much better idea of what to expect. We also planned things a bit better, making sure to bring along a snow sled for the kid.

In this video you’ll see us all having a great time in the snow. Lucy’s excitement can be quite infectious that way. Also, if you watch the whole video, you just might catch a special moment where Lucy and her Gpa cut the rug together. Fun stuff.

Last week we went to see the daffodil hill at Filoli…it’s a great place to run around!

Grandmommy loved the daffodils…we imagined her enjoying them with us, just like we did when Lucy was a baby.

We went to Grandma’s last week and played in her green and blossoming garden. You may noticed a little red gnome frolicking in these pics…

Lucy is a great fan of her cousins. She talks about them, refers to Wubert and most of her toys as her cousins, and really looks forward to seeing them at family get togethers. She loves to hang out with the big kids.

Here are some pics of her being a big girl with her cousins at grandma’s for Thanksgiving.

“everybody play blocks!” Lucy said…and they did!

having lumpia…just one of the big kids

playing cards

Lucy had a hard time leaving her big cousins to go home…but happily proclaimed ’see you at Christmas!’

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

Lucy visited her Grandma Karen and Grandpa Tom this weekend, and had lots of fun.

Below are some pics from our visit.

Lucy and Gma share a secret…

Wheeling the “quad” around the kitchen…after this she opened every cupboard and drawer, took out pots and pans to play with, and measuring cups to sort.

She loves playing with the great variety of toys at their house, courtesy of her bigger cousin, especially the quad (above) and the drum. She wheeled all over the house and the yard, and serenaded us with drumming each morning.

At the park on the slide with Daddy; Gpa poses by the double helix ladder.

Lucy got to see her first riverbed up close…

and wade in the water.

She also got to touch a tiny toad…and a much bigger one.

Unfortunately my camera fell in the water just after this small toad, so the big toad will just have to wait for Mike’s fabulous video footage!

Thanks to Gma and Gpa for their generous hospitality and a wonderful weekend!

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.

Today was Gma Vita’s birthday party, combined with a going away party for Auntie Nina and Uncle Larry.

In addition to her aunts and uncles and the birthday Gma, Lucy got to see a big chunk of her cousins. She loves to hang out with the big kids!

She was very happy to be included in their hide-and-seek game, and hid very well (without her usual “I’m in here!” shouts to give her away).

When we got home (and after a sufficiently refreshing nap) she proudly told us her cousins were all big girls, and that she was a big girl too.

p.s. Good luck in your new home, Nina and Larry! We’ll miss you!