(horseshoe lake?.... more like pond i guess)

a couple of sundays ago mikey and i finally got off our butts and went to upper bidwell park.... which is right in chico..... i think everyone in chico would admit that they should go more often.... i definitely will....

nature pictures for mom....

big chico creek.....
yahi trail in upper bidwell park.... easy trail right along the river...
representin'..... when y'all come visit again be sure to remind me that there's a beautiful and super easy trial that we can hike... i sometimes forget....

Lil' Bro.....

i can't believe my little brother, ethan, is all grown up.... he'll be leaving on december 16th to go on a mission for his church..... for two years! i'm excited for him and very proud of the man he's becoming..... my mixed feelings about what he's actually goign to be doing are really beside the point.....

the fact that he gets to go and live in slovenia and croatia for two years is an experience that is both rewarding and enriching..... and knowing that he truly believes in what he's doing is all that really matters.... i respect him and his beliefs....

i feel extremely fortunate to have a big wonderful family.... one that has been truly blessed with love and respect for each other.....

i'm so excited to see everyone on thanksgiving.... hoping everyone can make it....

i'll miss you ethan!

tomatoes...... they are definitely my spirit fruit..... my power "vegetable".... i'm pretty sure i couldn't live without them...

some photos of a few of the many tomatoes harvested from the garden i helped plant at my friend erin's house....

we've enjoyed immense amounts of zucchini.... we have to eat it everyday..... cantaloupe, yellow squash, tomatillos, and eggplant.....

for our first real attempt, we're very proud and know that it can only get better every year.... everything sort of got a little cross-pollinated or something..... the colors got all mixed up..... a bit cramped, but we had no idea the plants would get so huge!

someday i hope to have a place for a garden at my house.... i think we would have to move.... where though?

sunflowers....

planted sunflowers... watched them struggle and grow.... along the side of the house.... just barely enough sun... they sure don't last long enough though you know?

we have some really dark red ones open now.... these are all wilted now....

wish i was here.... this is it... my first attempt while listening to pretty lights.... thanks to a facebook link from my bro-in-law mike shelbo....

clear lake would clear things up maybe...

three day weekend is underway.... making sure i'm making the best it can be.... but in reality i've just been staring at a computer screen for hours... drinking coffee... now onto the iced variety.... wondering who will be interested....