An Evening at the California Living Museum

On Saturday, we enjoyed the Christmas lights at CALM with our cousin Jesse.

The 8th annual event features over two million Christmas lights, dozens of individual displays, synchronized music, and a narrow-gauge railroad .

Located near the Kern River, CALM was a bit chilly that evening.

The event is a fundraiser for CALM, which provides a home

to over 250 injured or abandoned animals native to California.

The Candy Store

We spent Sunday afternoon at the mall taking pictures

for our 2011 Christmas card.

There was a candy store conveniently located next to

the portrait studio.

Alaina was pretty happy about that.



Cold Morning in the Park

California Children's Services recently conducted a photo shoot in North Bakersfield.

This photo, along with that of several other children,

now appears as a poster in the CCS interview room.

It was a cold morning, but Alaina had a wonderful time.



Afternoon in the Park

On the weekend before Thanksgiving,

we spent the afternoon at Riverlakes Park along the Kern River.

Alaina had a great time on the playground.

Watching birds out on the lake.

Pumpkin Patch

We spent the past weekend over on the coast in the Ventura-Oxnard area.  The mornings started out foggy and damp, but then turned out nice and sunny.

 Pumpkin patch divas.

It was Alaina's first visit to a pumpkin patch.

There were a lot of pumpkins to choose from!

What's that up in the sky?

An orange balloon marked the pumpkin patch and made it easy to find.

Looking over the selection with dad.

Mom and daughter walking down the rows.

What's that?

It's a goat and it came over to see Alaina.

What about that over there?

They're Chinese geese.  If you're not careful, you could lose a finger!

Hanging out with dad.

Hanging out with mom.

How 'bout a hayride?

Alaina was ready for another ride around the farm.

Alaina & mom goofing around before we leave for lunch.

Alaina's first jack-o-lantern.

Backyard Balancing

Alaina focused on her balancing skills.

It takes a great deal of concentration.

At the Beach

A nice sunny day at the beach in Ventura, CA.

Alaina loves spotting birds and calls them out when she sees them.

There was an abundance of seagulls and other ocean birds.

Baby Dedication

Alaina was Dedicated to our Lord, Jesus Christ, on September 4, 2011.  The ceremony took place at Valley Bible Fellowship in Bakersfield, California.

Heading to church for the Dedication.

Getting ready backstage.  After announcements, we walked out on-stage with several other families.  Once out in front of everyone, separate individuals prayed over each family.

Alaina's first driving lesson at Tony's Pizza after the Dedication.

 

A quick costume change... then more driving.

 

Enjoying some cake and ice cream with Mom.

Learning to ride a motorcycle with Dad on his Bday.

Mom and friends after the Dedication.

Happy Girl

After returning from China, we would rock Alaina to sleep on this chair.

Now she climbs up on it and plays.

Ready to roll on her first tricycle.

Sitting on the couch with a friend she picked out at the store.

That's also her most favorite blanket of all time.

Coloring in the guest bedroom.

Mid-Summer Update

It's hard to believe, but we've had Alaina for over nine months now.  So much has changed... from crawling... to walking... to climbing on everything.  Alaina is growing fast and almost has a full set of baby teeth.  She speaks a few words... but has a vocal comment on just about everything.  She just turned eighteen months old and loves to watch Sprout television.  She also loves the remote... and the phone... and...  Alaina learns quickly and continues to be very curious about the world around her.  Here's an update on her summer activities. 

Me and mom relaxing in the backyard.

My first swimming pool!

One of my favorite books.  It plays songs too!

Pushing my baby around the house.

Exploring the backyard.

My favorite chair.  So many channels to choose from!

Getting ready for another social event.

My first time in the mountains.  I found a piece of wood!

Happy times on Mt. Pinos... about an hour South of our home.

Bath time gets a bit crazy.

Staying cool in the summer heat.

Watching my favorite shows on Sprout.

Primping for yet another social outing.

Ah... the life of luxury. 

Me with mom and dad.