Mt. Lassen by Moonlight

Now we know what a "moonshadow" is (besides a Cat Stevens song). Hiking adventure number two was WAY past Madison's bedtime. As we approached Mount Lassen National Forest, so did a thunder storm. After anxiously waiting it out for an hour, we met up with the Robinson's and began hiking at 7:30 pm and began our trek up the moonlit slope of Mount Lassen. Madison squealed with delight the entire journey, and turned into a snuggle bug at the top. It couldn't have been a more beautiful night with the full moon rising up through the clouds. It was, as Emily's aunt put it so perfectly, "dramatic."

With a water bottle of red wine making its way from friend to friend, and the cool crisp air of late summer on our face, we couldn't ask for a more wonderful evening (well except for the fact that Emily was feeling ill).

We made it back down the rock at 11 ish and were snuggled up in bed by 2am.

I love when God's creation is enjoyed in unusual and spontaneous ways.

The County Fair

Ah, there is nothing like delicious junk food, Brian's dad's band playing vintage rock & blues, and the smell of fresh (and not so fresh) saw dust. Especially when you are enjoying it for the first time with an 8 month old!



Maddie's first county fair was a delightful experience. (It was three weeks ago, but we'll pretend it was yesterday). The animals were the greatest thing since bananas in Madison's opinion. The goats and sheep were among the favorites. We even spotted one of "Lamby's" relatives.

Crawling!

Madison has been trying to get around for the past two weeks. She had both parts of crawling down...just not together. Today she took about three strides for Grandad Scott! Time to baby proof.

Maddie has teeth!

The sweet toothless smile that melts us every time, is no more...beautiful pearly whites here we come. Madison just adopted a new step to her nightly and morning routine. She brushes her six new teeth (all in a weeks time) twice daily as recommended by dentists. Mommy brushes and Madison laughs between sucking the toothpaste and trying to hold the brush on her own.