Change is in the Air

So it seems that the only thing consistent around here is change. Ben has decided to postpone school and stay on with Personal Pathways for 10 months until they are up and running. He is excited about it and it is an opportunity we couldn't pass up. However it means life is a little less certain for the next year. We may possibly need to move to Washington DC the first of the year for 3-6 months.

We had a lot of fun in California, but our place was empty and with the dreaded year mark approaching we decided to leave early so we could be in Utah over August 16th. I am glad we did this because it was nice to be with family and to have Grandma babysit so Ben and I could be in the temple that day. However now we are in Utah and we don't have anywhere to live. We have been trying to decide if we should buy a place, and after much back and forth and frustration we have decided to patiently wait until Ben's uncles place is available (hopefully early October).

Ben's parents are kindly letting us stay in their basement and now that I have relaxed about buying a place things are going well. We are just trying to enjoy this time with family. Josh is really loving all the attention from his grandparents, aunts, and uncles. I cannot believe how fast he is growing up. He is a wiggle worm and likes to wrestle. He is fast and coordinated with his hands, and really enjoys pulling hair. He just sprouted his 3rd tooth (the top one). I will post some pictures of him soon....

SWEET CAMERON BOY

Thinking about our little buddy Cameron, and how much we miss him...

We miss you Cameron and hope you feel and understand how much we love you, and how special you are in our family.

MY CUTE BABY BOY

Joshua is such a fun cute little guy. His personality is really starting to show. He is a pretty mellow baby and loves to watch everything around him. He studies people and seems to stare right into your soul. It reminds me again that he knows his big brother and is probably very aware of Cameron's presence in our lives.

Josh watching the sharks swim over his head at the aquarium. This is the expression that remained on his face the whole time.
"Hi Mom"


YEAH!! I finally got a picture of his cute little teeth. They are razor sharp and good for biting noses, especially Dad's.

Joshua has a very mischevious grin and knows when to use it.

Just swinging.

"High to the Moon"

Monterey and Carmel

PEBBLE BEACH GOLF COURSE
Josh isn't sure if he likes the grass or not. The Pebble Beach Lodge is in the background. Any guesses on how much it cost to golf 18 holes? Whatever you are thinking is probably way too low guess again...It is really gorgeous, and makes golfing look like the ideal sport and so very relaxing.

Ok here is the answer... 475 dollars! Needless to say we didn't do any golfing.

The Lone Cypress. This tree has been here for over 250 years.

Josh getting his diaper changed in the front seat. After the 1st blowout we started changing him in the trunk of the car.

Favorite things of the day: Joshua's top 5

5. Tame birds and squirrels at Bird Rock

4. Flirting with the girls at the Pebble Beach T-shop

3. Dad's hoodie strings

2. Getting his diaper changed again and laughing at mom and dad scrambling to contain it

1. Being home and OUT of his car seat...finally

Getting so Big...

Josh continues to be our Mr. Brown Eyes. He is often mistaken for a girl even though nearly every outfit he owns has balls on it. I am sure it is because his eyes are so pretty and his lashes are enough to make any girl jealous.

Eating rice cereal. He just has to hold the spoon by himself, it becomes kind of messy.

In the stroller at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. He looks pretty tiny in the big stroller, but also big sitting in it without his car seat. Everybody always tries to explain away his serious scowl look--"it must be my glasses", "I have a funny hat", "I'm wearing bright colors". Really he just stares everybody down even Mom and Dad. Some people start to get uncomfortable after a few minutes and try to escape his gaze.

Joshua just sitting up, which he does all the time now. He also dives nose first for stuff out of reach. He is scooting himself around but with his bum in the air and his face planted into the ground, not the most effective way to move. I'm sure he'll figure this crawling thing out soon, maybe when we get to Utah and he can watch his cousin Carlee.

Sometimes after I take these pictures I recognize how much Josh looks like Cameron--especially when the pictures are black and white and you can't see the different colorings.

MUIR WOODS and the REDWOODS

To get to Muir Woods you drive down into this canyon on some very windy roads. You can't see any big Redwood trees. I was getting disapointed, and Ben was laughing at me. Then we saw a sign that said Redwood groves. I was pretty excited. Here is Ben and Josh getting ready for the "hike". Turns out we could have brought the stroller because it is all boardwalk. Josh loves ties and drawstrings-so he especially loves his new hat.

These Redwoods are huge and so amazing to see in person. I can't believe they are still not as big as some I've seen in pictures. These trees are unique in that they reproduce not only from seeds, but also from degenerating trees. They form a family circle around an old deceased tree.

A favorite quote we heard a teenager say to her dad, "I am not impressed with these trees."

But we sure were!

THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE and SAUSALITO

I look forward to Saturdays all week. There is so much to see and do, and every Saturday I feel like we are on vacation. Last Saturday we went to Sausalito, and took a long way across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was worth it because the views were amazing, and once again the weather couldn't get any nicer.

I think this may be the only picture of Joshua looking at the camera. We were standing on this pier with people fishing and riding bikes. Josh was very interested in all the people.

Mom and Josh with a view of San Francisco in the background.

Sausalito is this pretty little town across the bay from San Francisco. It is right on the water and cute little shops line the streets.

It reminds me a little bit of Italy and the coastal cities.