Escondido Falls

Yesterday we went back to Malibu and visited Escondido Falls. We have done this hike before a couple of times, but never with Imogen and not after 4 days of rain. Luckily, it was a beautiful day; sunny yet crisp. Perfect for nature enjoyment! Everyone was out yesterday for some Vitamin D and the parking lot at Winding Way was full and we had to park in the dirt. We loaded up with me carrying Imogen first. (Man, she is growing! She seemed way heavier than last week!) This is a much longer hike than Charmlee and probably a bit more adventurous for us (cross over a creek 4 or 5 times) but I was looking forward to it. We knew it was going to be muddy so Nich wore his cowboy boots and I wore my Chippewas. Great choice for the mud factor, but they gave me blisters and were heavy.

The trail starts off on a paved road through Malibu estates that are huge, gorgeous and have the best views around. Then it drops you into the Canyon and you start off into the green. Definitely muddy! There was a lot more water than the last time we went but nothing crazy. This is a popular trail and we saw a lot more people than in Charmlee. If you are looking for some private time, I wouldn't suggest this hike.

We only made it to the base of the falls because the trail up to the next level is a little more upright than I wanted to do with Imogen and the backpack. Plus, I was good and sweaty and ready for lunch by the time we got to the lower falls. Here's what they look like:

We enjoyed seeing all the dogs come bounding up to the small pool and jumping in. Imogen loved it. Walked around for a little bit then headed back and stopped for lunch at a small meadow. It was a harder hike for us only because of the length and change in elevation. I am glad we went to Charmlee a few times before we came here...I wouldn't have made it! I love this hike because you have woods, meadows, canyons, water and lots of people to say "hi" to.  I want to come back and try to get to the higher falls, next time!

Here some photos I took of Imogen and Nich:

Imogen holding on for dear life and making sure that I am following her

Daddy's got a hold on her while she is trying to get the water. It was cold!

Special moment with daddy and daughter. So precious!

Charmlee

I haven't blogged for awhile and one of my New years resolutions is to get back into it. Who knows, maybe it is a resolution I might keep longer than a week!

Nich had 3 days off for the new years so we spent a good part of it recovering from the VonFlue's party and when I was sick of being in the house and needed to enjoy the sunshine and warmth we decided to go for a hike. It has been a long time since we went hiking, mostly because of scheduling but everytime we get out there, we ask ourselves why we don't do it more often.

We sought out a new hike. Both of us love hiking near the ocean so Malibu is a sure bet for us. Found a place called Charmlee Wilderness Park that sounded pretty rad...overlooking the ocean, great flora and fauna and easy hikes for the little one. (Or her parents who have been out of practice for awhile!)

It took us a few wrong turns and a good hour of backtracking through Malibu but we found it and had the best afternoon.  Imogen loves her backpack and it amazes me how much she has grown since we used it last. I wish I had gotten a photo of her legs hanging down, so freakin cute.

Enjoyed a little lunch, a little flower smelling, a little hiking and a little rock collecting before heading home. Here are some pics:

Nich and Imogen at the start of the hike. Happy hikers!

Imogen with her sandwich and stick. She had so much fun with that stick. Also, I came home with a pocketful of rocks she picked up.

The view from where we ate lunch to the Pacific Ocean. Amazingly beautiful and clear day.

Imogen loved this log. She sat down and was posing on it for awhile. Then she leaned back and was looking at the grass behind her. What goes on in her head?




Imogen running off the cookie from lunch.

Nich and Imogen walking back from the edge after the aforementioned cookie

Really beautiful paths throughout the whole park. We didn't even touch half of them and will have to go back!






Hope to have more memories for you this year. Enjoy!

Oh Christmas Tree, oh Christmas tree

This is a picture of our tree, with Imogen in front of it.

Of course, Nich wasn't really taking a picture of the tree. I made him take a picture of Imogen because she if finally wearing the red tutu that I HAD to get to go with the cutest hat. Yes, I had one of those moments when shopping the outlets with my mom. We've all had them (I hope!) when we want our kids to wear something and they totally have no desire to. Well, I have tried to get her to wear this thing for a couple of months to no avail. This night, we were going  out with Noni and Opa for Nich's birthday and I really wanted her to wear it. So I forced it on her, put it on even with the kicking and screaming. She had some tears and she went to her happy place and then she was over it! Yeah, I had one of those moments and I wanted documentation

See, she is even smiling! Can you see the sparkly silver shoes that match the shirt. Too darn cute.












So that is our Christmas tree. Even though it has been a week and we haven't finished decorating it. In this week I have been following Imogen around while she takes all the ornaments off the lower level and stashes them around the house. If I took a picture of the tree now it would look very top heavy!

This is a closeup of Imogen in the aformentioned hat. Cute isn't it?

Imogen was showing off her tongue. Tess taught her! (Can you tell that daddy was recording? I edited out the guitar and headphones but couldn't get rid of the snowball.

"Real" Halloween

Halloween 2009-Fun business

Imogen went as a skeleton. Kind of a cat burglar skeleton, I guess. Putting on her makeup was hilarious. She made faces at herself the entire time. Even kissed the shower door and left an impression of all of dad's hard work. Not to mention smearing it with her hand and then wiping her hand on her costume.

Dad's finished handy work

















Great memories will include:

Dancing so hard with Noni at the Frolic her diaper came off.

Giving trick or treating a valiant effort and realizing she just wasn't into it. Probably next year. However, she had no problem sneaking tootsie rolls directly from the source. I am surprised the VonFlues had any left to give out!

The live spooky music (courtsey of Hangdog) on the front lawn.

Best costume goes to Maxwell. Kudos to Brandi for making it. Absolute genius.

Stella wins best costume choices. This is one of the three costumes changes she came equipped with. (Cowboy hat already a casuality) Not pictured are the classic hotdog costume and the pharoh dog.

Skeleton and Scream. Imogen is never happier than with Seth!

Group shot of some of the kids before they scattered their separate ways. I wish you could see the hot pants on the Pink Ladies...

Dawn: The fabulously spooky hostess of the evening.

First Halloween this year...

I have never been one to get into the spirit of Halloween. I don't know why, it just was never one of my favorite holidays. Maybe because I could never decide on a costume and when I did finally decide, it was usually the night before and I just picked out whatever was in my parents closet.

But with Imogen, we already have 3 costumes! The first is a Tinker Bell costume  handed down from her good friend Lily. She threw an amazing fit when I tried getting it on her but as soon as the cameras started up, she was somehow alright with it. Grandma and Grandpa were down and helped me take her to the Richmond School Fall Festival. Holy cow, was there a lot of kids there! Tess and her friends were manning the face painting booth and Imogen actually stayed still long enough for Tess to paint a glittery butterfly on her cheek. We also got a "tattoo" butterfly on her leg that absolutely fascinated Imo. Good times. Here are some photos of the little girl and hopefully we will get some more when Halloween rolls around next week. She is going as a skeleton (glow in the dark PJ's-so cool).

So this is her attempting her fast break down the stairs. I guess someone told her fairies could fly!

Sweet Tinker!

 Trying to climb over the fence to get to the Airplanes. Look at the determination on her face (not to mention the oh so fairy appropriate shoes on her feet. Can't get her to wear anything else!)

Daddy and his little girl.