And He's Off!

Well it actually happened today - training wheels OFF!

We went to the Homewood Ski Area parking lot for open spaces and no distractions. 

Kenzo did great and only took a few tries before he was on his own. 

He was very, very proud of himself. 

We are, in no way, ready for the open road (or even the bike path), 

but what a great start today! Fingers crossed for a long fall season to enjoy the biking!

Then to a birthday party for Kaylie, a friend from Kenzo's old day care. 

Yes, a bouncy house in the background!

Willy, Haaken, and Kenzo having some dinner. 

Little Kaylie enjoying her big day! 

Go girl!

 

September Catch Up

The day after his 4th birthday, Kenzo started at two new pre-schools!

TCNS has been a community favorite for decades and we are happy to be part of the family there. Kenzo is reunited with a lot of friends from daycare, so that's nice too. 

Our big boy on his first day.

He gets bussed over to A+ preschool in the afternoon, which makes for a very LONG day!

And enjoying the benefits of a long day of Kenzo-care...

We actually played golf! Twice in one week!

98 for me - what???!!

We also celebrated Eric's 46th birthday with friends in Truckee!

Piper and Kenzo - table for two.

Birthday wishes!

A great shot from Takemi from his visit with family - auntie Tami's tea ceremony room!

And a great shot from Kara - a cruise on the Columbia Gorge.

Hard to see, but we had over two weeks of terrible smoke in the basin from the King Fire outside of Pollock Pines. The fire was huge and very destructive. Finally, the rain came and helped control the fire.

Didn't seem to bother this one!

Kenzo and his new buddy, Cody, at school.

A little outing to the driving range. He loves it!

And then...a magic trick from our little trickster! Hilarious!!

Just a very little arrangement (one of many) for a very BIG house.

Dinner time!

Skeleton curry for our Halloween-obsessed kid!

Helped with the catering side of weddings for a change this summer - way more fun than flowers! Especially when I get to work for friends, Jen & Derek.

Jen plating up a beautiful salad course at last night's wedding.

It rained and hailed, but the tent (and cocktails) kept everyone warm and happy. 

Happy 4th Birthday!

Four years old today.

In a blink of an eye.

Not without blood, sweat, and tears, but with lots of laughs, awesome memories, and sweet, tender moments.

I would reminisce more, but we're all so exhausted from the past month.

So in love with this sweet, smart, funny, articulate boy. 

And he requested smoked salmon pasta tonight for dinner. Nice!

Monday we went to Noah's pirate birthday party - aaarrrghhh!!!

Again, just another small group, which at this age, works out PERFECTLY!

 

Happy birthday, buddy!

Last of the August Visitors

Our first tomato! 

Our two tomato plants went in the ground in late May and have finally turned out some beautiful (and delicious) fruit.

I guess the bears didn't want these, as we had two cubs break in this month while we were out. They only took - get this - nuts and berries! HAHA!

Look! We're doing something active!

What was the big occasion?... 

The Santa Cruz girls were in town!!

We did a quick hike up Eagle Rock to start off the day.

Kenzo, Maggie (7), Ava (10), me & Michelle!

Nice family portrait.

We were total tourists, strolling through Truckee, lunching, and getting treats.

The girls wanted their most favorite bear cookies. 

We ended the day with a simple picnic at Meeks Bay.

Up and at 'em!

Good thing we had extra hands around...we needed to get ready for Kenzo's birthday party! 

Never mind what went on "behind the scenes" - this is the end result!

Super hero party for our super hero kid! 

A small crowd for our lunch - beautiful, warm day too!

Then everyone put on their super hero masks and capes for the doughnut game!

This was hilarious and everyone wins!!

So so so much fun!

Supergirl Maggie
Super Birthday Boy
Super Noah
Super Chase
and Super (Tall) Ava

The boys ready for cake action.

 










Love Kenzo's expression!

Another end of the day session at Meeks Bay.
 

Burning off the sugar.

This was Kenzo the next morning.

This should be Kenzo for the next two weeks. 

The kid has had an extremely busy month! Too much fun and stimulation for too long now....and we're all paying the price.

Sleeping bag and pillow were favorites among the booty!
 

August - Alvarez Family = Grenside Family

You wouldn't know it from these tired, zoned out faces, but the buddies were happy to be together again!

Time for our annual visit from the Grenside family, all the way from London. 
 

Wrangler Kenzo leading Max on a trail ride.

 

Then it was Kenzo's turn!

The horse was named Julie. 

No joke.

Happy birthday, Jen!!

We celebrated with dinner at River Grill and NO KIDS!

Eric, Jen & Jeff. 

Me and the other Jen.

Nick and Derek.

A nice, but super windy day at the Dollar Point beach.

Nick braving the waves to entertain the kids.
 

The three amigos.
 

Nick's sunhat, made from a coffee carrier and Lola's swimsuit.

Ingenious! 

Buds.

Pretty happy kid.

Concrete day!

Kenzo and Noah showed up on the job to watch the pour and "help" Eric.

 

"Just like daddy."

We checked out the action at the Tahoe Nalu paddleboard race in Kings Beach.

Lucky for us, the shave ice truck was there!

 

Trying out the driving range...

Loved it!

Gorgeous day at Meeks Bay.
 

Scarlet has gotten so big in the 4 months since we saw her last. 

Walking, running, climbing, dancing, and scootering!
 

Tom Sr. firing up the margarita machine - yeehaw!
 

A beautiful morning for a little ski session.

Teacher Dave getting Lola ready.

Jen & Max.

Then Kenzo's turn with Captain Mommy at the helm again.
 

Thumbs up!!
 

Great job, buddy. 

Max got to drive us back to Sunnyside.

We had a quick visit to see our babysitter, Claudia, and her 6 week old baby, Ariana!

Kenzo said "I love the baby. She is so beautiful!"
 
 

And a weekend visit from Luna.

Nice to have a sweet, old dog around again.
 

Our last supper with the Grenside family :(

Max and Scarlet missed out on the oven s'smores - everyone was just too pooped!

A little "good bye" message to Max since he was sleeping when we left!

Our time with the Grenside family was, yet again, way too short. See you guys soon!