Among the Redwoods and Elk

Today we drove some of the Avenue of the Giants just south of Eureka, CA. We did some exploring and walking among the massive Redwoods. We tried to reschedule our hotel reservations we had pre-booked that were a couple hundred miles north to try and squeeze in another day but were unable to. So we were only able to spend about 1/2 the day there. But it was a very enjoyable and fun place. Another one added to the list to re-visit some day.

Another cheezy smile, always the character.


For now, just putting up some highlights. We took alot of pictures and they needing weeding down. Not all, but most of these were taken at Founders Grove.

A group pic in front of the Dyerville Giant.


Em looking up at the tree tops.


Mom helping out with the adventuring.


Em on daddys shoulders ontop an fallen tree.


Em asleep on dads back hugging Founders tree.


Then one of the things we were looking for and farward to was Elk. Due to some flooding to alot of recent rain, we were unable to get to some of the spots where the herds are often hanging out. But we found a couple eating peacefully. Any sudden noises (like peeing behind bushes and a tree in the distance, but we would not do that) and they would lookup and stare at you. Would not want those antlers running at you with the 1200+'s behind it.

2 elk in the distance grazing on grass.


Ember always signing, here she is signing deer her way.

Heading Up the Coast through the Redwoods

So xmas is over (will post date and add that stuff in later and there is a bunch) and we are slowly making our way back home up the coast. On the road, we stopped for lunch in a park we found somewhere in the north bay. It was funny, when we had Em blow on some dandelion's, she would get some stuck on her toungue and start batting them off.

Collage thrown together after having spent many hours in the car. Notice the little seeds stuck on her tongue and her then swatting them off.


Later, further up 101, we got a glimpse at some of the redwoods when we stopped at the Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree, pictures of that below. Felt like the mirrors were about to hit the inside when driving through, was a weird feeling. Strange thing people do but the tree is still living strong.

Mom and Em inside the drive through tree. That is them dwarfed in front of the tree.




Em and daddy cheesing it up.


Then once in the gift shop Ember saw a little horse. She thought it would be a good idea to sit on it (and no this was not prompted by mommy or daddy). Luckily we had camera already in hand.

Em squeezing her large behind onto the little bitty horsie.

Catching up on old pic Posting

Adding some pics to some older posts and ons that just had not gotten a chance to put up. Direct links below to the previous months.

Some November pics
Xmas Pics
Brunch At Cousins
Visiting at Granda D's

Added bunch of pics to Octobers Aquarium pics.

Teddy Bears for Xmas

Ember got to visit yesterday from her Grandpa and Peggy. Once she woke up more after an afternoon nap she opened up her xmas presant from them. Once she ripped into the wrapping, she found a huge fluffy teddy bear. She is loving going between hugging and kissing it. And we are loving posing him around in different poses.



Em going between the hugging and kissing.




Somehow not in any other photos (was playing camera man most of the time), here seen is grandpa stealing a drink of em's milk


Em caught in a pose

Heading South for the Winter Just in Time

So we were going to head to California for an Xmas vacation. The recent storm and ice had chain
requirements for going through the mountain passes on Friday morning and some of the previous days. We were going to leave the next morning, but we were afraid the next storm that sounded like it was going to be large, would make the drive even worse. So daddy left work early on Friday afternoon and rushed home to finish packing and load up the car. By the time we were
ready to hit the road at 5:30 and it was already dark.

Ember fell asleep not too soon after hitting the road and was out cold and could not be awoken. Ended up driving to Roseburg, OR and stopping for the night at about 9 pm to stay the night. Ember was up pretty late that night due to the weird late nap and had to be walked around the hotel halls by mamma and watch some signing time on the laptop. Think she was up until 1:30 or 2 that night.

The next days drive went well, we had good timing between storms. The road was pretty clear and there was no need for chains. If we ended up leaving Portland as planned, the drive would not have been as pleasant. It dumped a bunch of snow and ice. Later that day there were chain requirements just for driving around town in the Portland area.

Later on Saturday when we got to Redding and we went to visit with Great Grandma Robbins. We visited with her for that night and the next morning over breakfast and then continued on with our drive.

Great Grandma Robbins
Great Grandma and Em about to get a big hug.


Em wearing Grandmas glasses. Me thinks they look pretty good on Ember.


Em and Grandma having some face to face time.


Ember playing with the coins that Grandma gave her (yes worried Grandmas, she is supervised). She loved playing with them, stacking them, putting back into the jar and a dish, into her pockets etc.

Happy Early Xmas

Happy Early Xmas all, Ember, Seth & Ericka.
It will be nice to wish all the family in person in a week.

Snow Day - Yipee

It has been a while since we posted an update, probably a little too long. With the Xmas break upcoming and us visiting family, hopefully will be able to catch up on the backlog of pictures and updates.

Ember is doing very well after her surgery and has healed up very well.

There was an arctic cold front that moved through today. It snowed all day starting at about 8am with some cold temps in the 20's up to the low 30's. We ventured out and played with Ember in the snow. She enjoyed this much more then last December when we went to Mt Hood.

Right out of the door all bundled up, she was loving it already. She had been looking at it all day out the window since it started. She was saying "Shnow" when you asked her what was out there.


Em sticking her tongue out, licking up the snow flakes up.


She was having loads of fun running all around, picking up the show and trying to throw it up in the air (ended up just dropping it due to being all wrapped up).


After being outside for a while, she looks miserable, but she was having a good time. Don't worry grandmas, we went in a few minutes later with her practically kicking and screaming because she did not want to go in.


Later this evening, talking to Grandma Jan. She ended up putting the phone down facing out so Grandma could see the snow.


Then later in the evening Daddy was surprised to get an email that there was no work at all tomorrow. So Daddy gets a snow day at home with Ember.