The Great American Pony Ride

and how!

Lilah's first pony ride

she's a natural

at the animal fair

confidently milking a goat

loving it!

baby goats are so so so so so cute

playing some games, riding some rides

Lilah is brave

she is also part monkey

and sea captain?

you can ring that be... eh... ell..

ring the bell

doo, doo doo, dooh

California State Fair, part 1

in true Sacramento style, on a not-so-sweltering July afternoon (in the high 80s, rather than the 100s)

we went to the animal fair

the birds and the bees were there

the old baboon, by the light of the moon

was combing her auburn hair

the funniest was the monk...

he climbed up the elephant's trunk

the elephant sneezed, and fell on his knees,

and that was the end of the monk!

sunscreen? check.

sunglasses? check.

hat?  check.

california girl?  check!

Papa Jon and Lilah are BFFs.

early stages of Nonnie's edible garden

tomatoes, herbs, aloe vera...

yellow squash, butternut squash, eggplant, zucchini, okra, strawberries...

amazing use of vintage wine barrels

now home to lemon, lime, and other citrus trees

Nonnie and Papa Jon have the best place to come and eat... I mean stay...

Lilah's Sleeve

Nonnie and Papa Jon took Lilah out to a very, very cool Farmer's Market 

where she was able to get a beautiful arm tattoo

Lilah sits patiently, like a statue, for the art to dry

what a sparkly tattoo!

one satisfied customer

back to california for the wedding of the year

This Friday, 11 November, 2011, my dearest, most beautiful sister is getting married to the man of her dreams.  Steven, Lilah, and I are in Sacramento getting ready for the festivities...

(Lilah is over the moon about "her" wedding)

This week, we are putting the finishing touches on dress alterations, flower arrangements, and a well deserved, highly pampering Bridal Shower overnight in Calistoga at the Indian Hot Springs.  It's a hard life, the life of a bride-to-be.

In the meantime, while the Scots readjust to PST, and Lilah and I are up at 3 in the morning, I thought I'd take a moment and update the blog with pictures from our Summer visit this year... Since there wasn't time when we were actually here in July, because we were just so busy swimming!

(Just keep swimming, just keep swimming)