Harvest Festival at Ardenwood

Last weekend we made the short trip south to Ardenwood Farm to check out their Harvest Festival. We met up with our friends Carlos and Emily and their daughter Elena. Josie loved walking through the pumpkin patch and trying to lift up all the pumpkins, no matter how big they were. We found a couple small ones just her size to take home. She climbed the straw pyramid, met the farm animals (ponies, turkeys, chickens, sheep, pigs, cows), saw a tractor-powered flour mill, picked and shucked indian corn, and danced to some old-time banjo music. We arrived early, but the place filled up quickly with families all looking to experience the old-time farming days. Next time we'll be sure to get in line for the free old-fashion pumpkin ice cream, cookies and not forget to do the train ride. We'll definitely go back again!

 

 

 

 

Adventure in the Presidio

We had a fun day in San Francisco on Sunday. First, we paid a visit to Dan's friends in Bernal Heights, who have done an amazing job remodeling their little home and who have an adorable 2-month old baby girl. Josie seemed to be more interested in the cool ladder staircase than the baby, but I guess that's about right for her age.

We then headed over to the Presidio to see the "Habitats" landscape installation art exhibit. We didn't have much time, so we saw the exhibition pavilion, played at a playground and ate lunch, and then saw the new Andy Goldsworthy piece "wood line". We didn't actually see any of the Habitat installations. Oh well!

Temporary exhibition pavilion made from 3 shipping containers.

Inside the pavilion building.

Cool deck chairs - and nice view!

 

Bumpy ride over the bark and grass at the playground.

"Dada- seet dare!" Sure is a tiny horse for poor Dada.

View of "Wood Line" by Andy Goldsworthy

Walking the line...

I love Boppa!

Cousins at the Little Farm

Always chasing after Colin....

Taking turns riding the "kitty" at the Education Center.

Artist!

Sacramento Zoo

We went to Sacramento last weekend to visit Papa, Gma and Auntie Suz, and our visit included a trip to the Sacramento Zoo. Colin and Josie had a great time. Maybe next time we'll check out Fairytale Town, right across the street from the zoo. We also set up a swing at Papa and Gma's house, in the same wisteria arbor where Lisa and Andrew used to swing when they were little.

Check out pictures from our trip online:

https://picasaweb.google.com/danjoh99/Sacramento92411?authkey=Gv1sRgCNbJ5a-r6Y6LhQE

Music in the Park

Kathryn joined us for a free night of bluegrass music at Memorial Park a couple weeks ago. The park was packed with families and babies and kids dancing and having a good time. People laid out blankets and lawn chair and noshed on take out pizza and burritos. Josie wasn't sure why we were at the park but not going to the playground, so eventually Dan took her to the toddler playground which was completely overrun with kids. I guess our community is bigger than we thought! We love Albany!

Eating dinner during the concert.

Checking out Kathryn's animal noise guessing-game phone app.

Cooking!

We got a great new play stove at the consignment toy store down the street. It's not that big, but does the trick. She uses the cardboard box under the table for the oven. We also got some more wooden bowls, tea cups, and pots/pans for serving and mixing. Josie loves to pretend cook and now she finally has her own "range." Soup and eggs are her specialty, but she has also been know to make hot water, pasta (perhaps related to the hot water?), rice, and pancakes. Here she's posing by the new kitchen area, and she's showing the animal lineup how tasty her tea is.

West Office Picnic in Grass Valley

We joined the West Office folks at the company picnic at Andy's ranch in Grass Valley a few weeks ago. It was wonderfully warm and Josie was in heaven with all the dogs, sheep, and cattle.

We finally got around to posting some pictures. See link below:

https://picasaweb.google.com/danjoh99/WestOfficePicnic2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCJzdoIbB0o33uAE

Racing Cars with Uli