Weekend Gatherings

Last weekend, we crammed in lots of good times with friends before Jesse went back to work.  On Saturday, we celebrated Danielle's 30th birthday with a cookout at Jason and Leigh's house.  Elliott was excited to play with Colton.  Look how much they have grown since November and late December.



Checking out a whole new stash of toys.

Colton concentrating on his toys.

Hey! Have you seen this yellow thing?

Yeah, Elliott, I live here!

Have you seen these stars?

These stars are the best!

Amelia and Colton talking

On Sunday, Connor and Rhiannon came over for dinner.  We had a great meal outdoors.

Elliott has been teething for over a week now.  I sure hope something breaks through soon!

He is very excited about his new waving skills.

 

So pleased with himself

And under the tray, there are these perfect little feet.

 

Chasing brown dog and strawberries

We have been fortunate to have a very warm June this year.  There are many years where it rains for nearly the whole month so we have been taking advantage of the balmy temperatures with many weekends at the beach.  Here are some pictures from June 16th.

Happy to have a foam roller in Canada too


Elliott sometimes loses his balance but catches himself by flailing his legs. Very cute.

Elliott loves Humphrey.

Elliott crawls over to pet Humphrey.

Humphrey is less than amused and goes away.

But Elliott goes back for more . . . and so it goes on for quite some time.

Elliott tried yummy local strawberries.

A little may have gone in his mouth but most went all over his highchair, the floor, and himself.

 

Toes in Lake Erie

I was so good at taking pictures for the first eight months of Elliott's life but thought I had fallen off the wagon for June.  It turns out I have been taking pictures but left them on the camera.  So, I have to do catch up for June!

It's been unseasonably warm this month and we've taken advantage of the warm temperatures by getting up to the beach.  Here are pictures from Elliott's first warm weather trip to our beautiful beach.  He's already been up here a few times but it was cold (November and March).  

New swimming outfit


Checking out our new deck

Mama, check out my shovel!

Look at those cheeks and chins!  This doesn't even look like Elliott but I had to post because it is so funny.

We took him to the beach, sat him on the sand, and we stood at the waters' edge.

We crawled over to see Jesse . . . 

And check out the water

Made it to Daddy!

 

Hi Mama!

 

Last Day in Santa Cruz

We spent our last day in California wandering some of the great spots in and around Santa Cruz.  Here are some photo highlights.  Thanks to our wonderful tour guides, Jenny and Andrew, for making our stay so wonderful.  And thanks again to Andrew for taking pictures with my camera all day.

We started the morning by wandering around the Pleasure Point area of Santa Cruz, home to Jack O'Neill of O'Neill surf gear.


A typical cool, foggy morning

The headless Brooklyn man

This plant (Birds of Paradise) is a modest size house plant in my office building.  The blooms are so notable that an email is sent out when they appear.  Yet in Santa Cruz, the plant is enormous - about 8 feet tall, with blooms everywhere.  So cool!

A neighborhood of local . . . and they want to keep it that way.
"Welcome to Santa Cruz. Now go home."

We drove east to Capitola to see a different beach.

Doren + Ortman = The "Dortmen"  

Jenny's sister Julie owns an amazing Greek restaurant in town.  We went there for a delicious lunch.

Back at the house for the afternoon/evening.  

Looks like he's up to no good.

We loved the beautiful house we stayed in.  Elliott really like this nice gate that kept him safely on the second floor.

Okay, Mama and Dad!  I'm ready to go home!!

 

Found: small shadow

June 14: I found my shadow.  Cuteness!