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Sunday, September 18, 2011

Oxalis tuberosa.....


I moved to the United States over twenty years ago.
At first, it was not forever.
It was a temporary excursion, for study.
Well, you know how the story goes, 
girl meets boy........
Maybe it still won't be forever.
Only time will tell, I guess.

Now don't get me all wrong.....I love living here.
But, there are just some things that are a part of me.
Things that just aren't here.
Things that I can only find at home.

Or so I thought......

Meet Oxclis tuberosa
also known as the New Zealand Yam.

I found them......
I planted them......



and I am hoping like crazy that in four months,
I will be enjoying them.


And just so you know,
I won't share.
I have 20 years of yam eating to do.

Well, I will share with the boy,
since he scouted them out
for his kiwi girl.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Forever and Ever 4

Last weekend, we celebrated four years together as a family.

We celebrated four years since we crossed the threshold of our front door
into the uncharted waters of being parents.
 
We celebrated four years of this sweet, crazy, sassy girl,
who has made our lives complete.


We celebrated by doing nothing special,
and yet everything that is special to us.

Just being together with the ones we love (Kiwi family in our hearts),
and the ones that love us.

Of course a favorite day MUST include
playing Sofia cannonball.



She read books with Grandma Jean.


And played crazy with Papa.




And finished off a wonderful dinner with a Tres Leches cake
made with Sofia's help.


Yeah.....the grins on our faces pretty much sum it up.


Happy Forever and Ever Day, Chica Bella!!
We love you with all of our hearts.

Monday, September 5, 2011

The Ranch

 This weekend, we scored an invitation to "The Ranch".
Situated hilltop in the beautiful Sonoma Valley,
it was an invitation impossible to refuse.

And of course, being where we were,
and who we were with,
it is practically inconceivable to blog without photos of the food and wine that we consumed.

Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of the goodies that we enjoyed wholeheartedly at the Bouchon Bakery,
but you should trust me when I tell you that there was not a crumb left behind.
The birds that hung out under our bench were very disappointed.

LUNCH!


After lunch, a stroll up to the chicken coop.
Here chook, chook, chook , chook!


Come out, come out, wherever you are!


GOTCHA! 
According to Sofia, hers was the golden egg.
(we've been watching a lot of Willie Wonka lately)


And, you've gotta have a pair of boots to fully enjoy all The Ranch has to offer.


Hold onto your socks....
the view from the top of the property.


Okay, so maybe these two smiles can top that.


Put them together,
and it's picture perfect!


Our mode of transportation to the top of the hill.
Now that was a blast.


The property has a hugemungous slide into a swimming pond.
Only two were willing to brave the slide.....


Sofia......
(well she may have been given a gentle push at the top :-)
She doesn't look all that happy about the situation,
and the truth is......
it didn't end well.


and Daddy.....
who managed to completely drown my camera, and me, in pursuit of the perfect shot
This was taken from my vantage point on the FAR side of the lake.


The back patio, where we spent most of our time.


Watching a pre-dinner movie outside.


The table is set......


A quick game of bocce....
(the rules of this particular game were a bit iffy,
but it does seem that Sofia and Jake are in agreement over perfect Bocce stance).


Ahhhhhh.....DINNER!


After dinner, we walked out to the point to watch the sun set.
I am not a photographer,
you just have to take my word,
that the sunset was a billion times more spectacular than these photos give it credit for.
It was breathtaking!





 





Couldn't pass up a swing.


And then,
as we left this morning,
to drive down the hill
back to reality.......

this is the sight that greeted us.

I felt like I was standing on top of the world.
BEAUTIFUL!!!







Friday, September 2, 2011

First Day of School

This is the official shot of Sofia's first day at school.
She agreed to let me take her picture!


She did NOT agree to be serious about it.
She has taken to striking poses that she thinks are quite splendid
and making crazy faces.


And two days in, she is doing really well.
She loves all of her new teachers and is making lots of new friends.
She is also dog tired at the end of each day
which means that Mum and Dad are getting a little peace and quiet at the end of the day.