Haunted House

Last night Lucas experienced his first Haunted House (and me too, I think!). We drove by it last week on our way to a birthday party. Lucas saw the sign and asked repeatedly if we could go. Looking at their website, discovered last night was "kids night", not so spooky. Ok, we can go. Man, I'd hate to see it on a "regular" night. A local theatre group puts on the annual show; they did a great job. Lucas loved it! Hopefully, I didn't scar Frances for life!

Lucas wanted to be a ghost.

Outside the doors

Inside waiting for our group to be called.

It was a great evening, the tour took about 30 minutes! I was very impressed - again - don't think I would've been able to do it on a regular night!! Lucas, maybe. (He takes after his Aunt Jana)

Baby girl at Toddler Time

Harvest Festival at Miracle Ranch

This afternoon was spent in the cold rain at Miracle Ranch, which is a wonderful place on Horseshoe Lake. The festival was a fundraiser for the Ranch - they host camps for foster kids and kids with disabilities - it really is a beautiful place, even in the rain. We spent 4 hours there! In the cold rain! We ate hot dogs and caramel apples, drank fresh apple cider, went down to the lake, painted a pumpkin, hay rides, played games, and did the usual farm stuff. I didn't take very many pictures cuz it was wet - I didn't want to take my phone out very often.   

At the petting barn - there are two tiny gray kittens hiding in the hay.

These fire logs were placed throughout, and they included stuff to make s'mores! They were the best thing, according to me.

Lucas the jockey.

Hay bale maze.

You got to move it, move it...

Little Pumpkins

Redwood Reunion

We left the Pacific Northwest for the Redwood Coast last Thursday for a mini vacation and a mini Humboldt State reunion with the Rhoads' and the Beard's. We rented a beach house and settled in for a long weekend of strolling down memory lane. It was like being home again.  

Our first stop was Simpson Reed grove in Jed Smith State Park. Lucas climbing on top of a fallen Redwood - about 10 + feet high.



Walking the length of the fallen tree.

Frances was really enjoying the tall trees - every picture her head is tilted back.

Big trees

with big roots

The beach below the rental house - Agate beach

Lucas and Brayden chasing the surf

The first day we just hung out, walked the beach, and relaxed. No one wanted back in the car.

Fairlight and Brayden - Everyone else was up at the house sleeping while we combed the beach.

cliff jumping!

Perfect afternoon for playing with the hose in the front yard.

Most of the kids :)

My babies

This is a carved cedar tree about 4 feet off the ground.

The Beard's in Lady Bird Johnson Grove

The girls

Half of the Burbank's  - the other half stayed behind at the house cuz someone had an upset tummy :(

Fern Canyon - I really wanted Lucas to see this - he really loves his dinosaurs. This is where Jurassic Park was filmed.

Roosevelt Elk at Gold Bluffs Beach

The Samoa Cookhouse. I love Randy's face in this one.

Redwood Park



The Rhoads'

It was a beautiful day

Riding the Zebra

The Alumni - and future alumni?



The Campus Apartments - where Susan and I lived...

...and Kevin too.

Humboldt Hunnies

The gang

As a Park Ranger I never condoned this - as a parent - it was totally cool!

See ya later Redwoods! Until next time...