Montana II

Trail Riding

A crystal clear day, 15 degrees below, trail riding with Jason up the track behind their house. We jumped the creek, then trekked up through the Gallatin Ranges - it was awesome.

Thanksgiving

Michelle prepared a wonderful meal today for Thanksgiving - roast turkey with all the trimmings. I can see why Thanksgiving is everyone's favourite holiday, it was a very special time, sharing a meal with the Veitch's and their good friends Steph, Tyler (aka The Real Cowboy), Mike (The Hunter), Bucky Perlstein and Katrina. We ate and drank, then tobogganed down their front driveway - crazy! 

Montana I

The Veitch's cabin in the Montana woods, Big Bear Road! Snow had been falling for the two days prior to our arrival so all around is blanketed in glorious white. The boys are beside themselves spotting white tail deer in the front garden and riding the all terrain vehicles up to feed the horses in the paddocks. Winter wonderland! Forecast for clear skies and sub zero temperatures for Thanksgiving tomorrow - more happiness :)

Tooth Fairy

Well, the Tooth Fairy paid Jack a visit last night... losing his first tooth - don't know who was more emotional, mother or son! We even did a deal with TF and arranged for the original tooth back for my treasure box. Mario did the deed after school and yanked the tiny critter out. Mario put it in a special tooth container for Jack to slip under his pillow... reaping a dividend of a whole US$3 - wow! I hear you, "when I was a child, all I got was..." yadda yadda that's inflation for you!

Sammy

"...friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life; and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things, the greater part of life is sunshine." Thomas Jefferson

Baltimore Canyon Hike

David and I took Teak on a hike today to Baltimore Canyon whilst Claire looked after the boys. The first really drizzly day, but it was beautiful. Winding trail with wonderful views over Larkspur and Kentfield Woodlands and all only about 10mins away.

Kelli's Birthday

21 today, and feeling every year!! Got home this afternoon and could hardly get in the door for several beautiful bunches of flowers – thanks to everyone, they are really lovely. We had a great day, ‘Le Petit Dejeuner’ at tres chic Café de la Presse - a french cafe in the city (what is it with SF and the French?) then leisurely strolled around the city. Very lucky to score a Canon EOS (Digital Rebel XTi) digital SLR - and no doubt this blog will bear the fruits of my labor very soon… once I have worked out how to use it! Went out for dinner to the newly discovered local 'pub' down the hill. Here’s to an exciting new year and to being thankful for our precious gifts of life, love, friends and family x

Fun in the Sun

Thought we'd get out and about and enjoy the last of this lovely fall weather!! Never knew we had so many friends - everyone tooted their horns to say hello, Californians are just so friendly :)

Angel Island

We took the ferry from Tiburon to Angel Island today - sunny and warm. The views across Raccoon Straits over the San Francisco skyline, the bridges, Sausalito, Tiburon, San Rafael and the Marin Headlands was hazy yet amazing. Angel Island was once an immigration station, and is now home to lots of flora and fauna including deer (saw 3) and raccoon (sadly saw none despite some build up). With bikes as the only transport, the gently undulating 6km track around the island was just strenuous enough for Jack to handle, and for David to tow Sam in the hired buggy! There is just a basic cafe and a bike hire shop (Rottnest Island without the crowds), but we enjoyed a lovely BYO picnic overlooking the East Bay and then returned for a paddle and crab catching in gorgeous Ayala Cove. Sensational!

Stow Lake

Old fashioned carousel ride and a boat trip on Stow Lake, in the Golden Gate Park (the lake that featured in Stuart Little!). Lots of turtles, ducks and more squirrels. Teak even came along for the ride!

Teak

Teak's usual position on the deck!