starbucks pit stop on the long drive home

brunch with uncle derek and auntie catherine

loving my auntie melly

family hike at snake river

happy thanksgiving

first course: baby stew

so excited to see daddy

cutie pie

kisses from uncle tyler

finally getting to play with uncle derek

ready to play in the snow

reading the paper with grandpa

Lukey's Trip to Connecticut October 2010

Lukey, Grandpa Bill and I went to Connecticut to visit Grandma.  This adventure entailed Lukey's first airplane ride (he's now been on 4 planes), his first look at fall foliage, meeting his great-grandma and his great aunts and uncles, and hanging out with his favorite auntie Melly.

We decided to brave a red-eye flight thinking that Lucas is usually asleep at that time anyway so he would sleep both flights and not be too cranky. He slept the whole way to the airport but he woke up going through security. After that he was not interested in sleeping and started fussing. While we waited to taxi (which took forever) he screamed on the plane but as soon as we took off he was out.  He slept the whole flight, but unfortunately mommy didn't because it was the most uncomfortable plane ever. He was a bit more cranky on the second flight but fortunately it was only a two hour flight and then we were in beautiful Connecticut. We arrived to rain but that only lasted the first day and the rest of the time we were there it was sunny and beautiful.

Lukey was very excited to meet his great-grandma and her new puppy, Oliver Bear.  Lukey and Oli were both three months old.  

We went on a lot of walks by the river, on the Appalachian Trail, in the woods and around grandma's house.  Lukey played with Melly and her boyfriend James. He got to cuddle with his great grandma and had lots of play time with his grandpa.














We had large family dinners.





We even went apple picking.








It was a good first vacation for the little guy and I'm glad we got his first flights under his belt. Thank you Grandma for letting us come visit. 

Here is a little video of Lukey hanging out with Grandma.

another one with great grandma

around the world baby style

catching a quick nap in between hikes

lukey's first vacation - bolinas, california

We went on Lukey's first vacation this past week. As a gift a friend from work gave us the use of her home in Bolinas. I begged my sister Melanie to come with Lucas and I and keep us company. She flew down on Monday and we headed out over the Golden Gate Bridge up Highway 1 to Bolinas. This was the first time Melanie got to meet Lukey. 

On the walk to the lighthouse.

We woke up Tuesday morning and headed off to Point Reyes. Our first stop was the town of Point Reyes Station for some much needed gas and coffee for Melly. We then headed into Point Reyes National Seashore. Our first stop was the Point Reyes Lighthouse. It was super foggy on the coast. After we made the 1/4 mile hike to the lighthouse we could barely see it through the fog. We also couldn't walk down to it due to it being closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Who knew? We took some photos not that you can tell where we are.

Looking down on the lighthouse.







Snoozing through his first look at a lighthouse.

Pretty Melly.

Melly loved the whale vertebra seat.

Our next stop was a hike to Chimney Rock. In the guidebook it was rated a 10 for scenic beauty. It was beautiful. We saw deer, elephant seals and a butterfly. It was a regular nature walk. Lucas managed to sleep through most of it. When we got to chimney walk he woke up and started screaming. He just wanted to let everyone know that he had just completed his first hike. He fell back asleep and we walked back to check out the elephant seals.

Chimney rock we think.









Pointing the way to the elephant seals.

Melly and Drake's Bay.

Our final stop of the day was the beach. It was around 3:30 and the fog finally cleared away for a dazzling sunny day. We went to Limantour beach and sat in the sand. We took a few more pictures and Lukey had a meal on the beach. We spotted a dolphin in the surf and Melanie tried to get some video of it. We had a great day and after an early dinner we headed back to the house to soak in the hot tub and veg out. (Lukey did not partake in the hot tub. He watched from his car seat.)

Mom! Stop you're embarrassing me.

On Wednesday we woke up a bit later and were planning on heading home in the afternoon. We started the day again at Point Reyes Station so Melly could do a little book shopping. We had a yummy lunch and then headed out to Samuel P. Taylor State Park to introduce Lukey to the redwood trees. It was a pretty drive from the coast inland to the redwood forest. We went on a hike through the redwoods. It was a beautiful sunny day. Lucas again slept through much of it. He woke up and we sat at some picnic tables so he could have some lunch.

A nice first little vacation for Lucas. Next up is Connecticut in October. Thanks to Melly for coming and spending time with us. Lukey can't stop talking about you.