Bye-Bye, CA

Awesome pictures from Grand Tod of Ava and reflections on either side of the glass pane on the door. Left CA early Sunday morning to head back to NJ for the move to MD.  Fitting that Ava has nearly mastered the use of "bye-bye" as we bid farewell to our West Coast summer.

Enjoying the Peninsula

Munching down Monterey Bay squid and spotted prawn:

Despite not getting a picture in which she smiles, Ava did enjoy a recent hike in Garland Park:

Garden exploration (must involve pointing):

Sampling the wild fennel blossoms at Elkhorn Slough, after Mommy and Daddy went kayaking while she hung out with Ima.

Wild buckwheat blooming on the dunes:

Fun on Monterey Beach:

Corn on the cob is a big hit:

Typical Dinner

Pleasant outside dinner tonight in Carmel Valley.  Ava was typically animated.  Wonderful pictures from Grand Tod.

She did eat quite a bit of food:

She has recently introduced the double wave to her repertoire:

Classic single wave:

Ava  is considering writing a baby's etiquette guide.  Here she demonstrates the polite practice of dumping one's plate over to indicate that one is nearly, but not quite, done eating the meal.

Something is funny and should be pointed at.

The double point. An advanced move.

Drinking and smiling and waving at the same time:

Drinking and waving:

Emphatic point:

A little more double wave:

And more pointing:

Helping Ima

Helping Ima pick plums:

aerate the birdbath:

entertain and hug Odie dog:

dress the salad:

work on the computer (actually, in a shockingly fast, few short keystrokes, helped Ima delete all of her newspaper broswer bookmarks.  The youth these days!):

and choose strawberries (still in hand) at the farmers' market:

Call and response

New fun game.

"Bye-bye, Go'"

Nevada County Fair, rice carnage at a Thai restaurant in Nevada City and a lovely hike in Tahoe National Forest (Lonely Meadow) before leaving Grass Valley and driving to Carmel Valley.

Lots of standing practice at Ima (Grandm Randi) and Grand Tod's house in Carmel Valley:

Climbed onto the dishwasher herself:

Yesterday began incorporating raspberry kisses into her standing practice:

Munching on a raw zucchini from Ima's garden with Odie dog.  Shortly after this was taken we accompanied Ima to take the goats from their grazing pasture to their small night pen, and we told Ava to wave and say "Bye-bye, goats!"  And she did!  She distinctly--once--said "Bye-bye, go'!"

Jeremiah and Katie's wedding

Moscow, ID.

Ava and Lana are good buddies, at the rehearsal:

Yoga break/standing practice:

Beautiful wheat and canola fields:

Cleaned up for the big event:

Social calls during the reception:

Dancing with Daddy, Mommy and Lana:

We like the Palouse country: