Rock City

We just learned about Rock City, a sandstone climbing area near Mt. Diablo. 

We went straightaway. The boys were in total bliss.

Avery took the job of protecting Zeal very seriously.

These are called "Wind Caves." Rain mixes with carbon dioxide and breaks down the quartz sandstone. Many were part of a larger network, all connected inside.

Lunching in a cave:

How 'bout Halloween

We were lucky to have Lauren and Tommy here for Halloween weekend! 

Here are some highlights:

Erika and baby Maya, the chick

So realistic. Our neighbor had a hard time placing what was different about Tommy.

Chris was told by an elderly lady that he made a "sexy nun!"

This looks like it could be a home alarm system ad. "Thieves come in all shapes and sizes. So protect your home with ADT today!"

Adolescent Owl with Auntie Owl

By far, the spookiest house in the hood

Avery spent over an hour eagerly greeting trick-or-treaters at our door (as an elf ready for bed)

Tahoe with the Savilles

Each October, for the past 4 years, we've gone to Tahoe with Adam, Yve, Jude, and Tula Saville. We do the Shirley Falls hike and watch the kids gill scramble, strip, and dip in the freezing water. This year, we made apple pie, roasted cheesey pumpkins whole, and drank hot cocoa. It's the first true cold weather we get so we take full culinary advantage of the season.

Also, you will notice that Zeal got a buzz cut. After months of watching him pull out his own hair so he can suck on the hairs (along with his fingers), we decided it was time to save those follicles and drop that bad habit. His first comment after the buzz was "it's not working."  Our intention exactly. Sorry, baby. But at least he looks super cute and not unlike his Opa at that age.

What a great head shape he turns out to have!

Then we went on beaver search. And we found lots of evidence: dams, chewed branches, and beaver paths in the tall grass. 

A beaver dam

Squaw Valley

Zeal's expression we call the "furrowed Brow-nohler"