All in all -- a wonderful fall!

I have to thank my father, Richard Franke, for chronicling Sulwen's adventures better than I have recently. And even not-so-recently, come to think of it...

You can catch up on our summer trip to Oregon here.

Grandad also did a super post on their October trip to Timber Cove here.

Before we slip in to December and rush headlong into the Christmas holiday season, here is a compilation of our "all in all -- a wonderful fall."

Enjoy!

The Colors of Summer

A jaunt over to Grandad's swing on Sunday afternoon turned into an impromptu photo session with Marilyn Holmes, a friend of Claudia's who was visiting from Juneau, Alaska.

Marilyn took some great photos of Sulwen when she was about nine months old and it was very fun to have her snap and share these. She even gave Sulwen her first lesson in photography!

As you can see, the swing is a perennial favorite and Claudia's garden is going strong, especially the many types of squash plants.

And of course, Sulwen picked out her own clothes, of which there were many, many layers.

Happy summer!

Not exactly what Stephen and I elect to do right after lunch...

But Sulwen loves spinning up and down and

back up and back down and (you get the idea).

Smugly enjoying the view from on high.

Sulwen didn't seem to mind being photographed, did she?

Thoroughly enjoying the moment.

Pipit launches herself at Millie, who is visiting.

Daddy tucks a dandelion behind Sulwen's ear.

Sampling the broccoli and nasturtiums in the garden.

Against the wall of nasturtiums growing out of the compost bin.

We went home with a few varieties of squash.

Claudia reaches for yet more squash to harvest.

Pulling weeds - the very least we can do

-- and we don't do it often enough!

Sulwen's Spring

Yes, we have had a busy spring. If you can hang in there for about four minutes, catch up with some of our daily adventures in the slide show below.

We are continually grateful for family and friends that make our lives so rich and wonderful -- especially for Sulwen. Thank you!

Sulwen's Spring 2011

Spring Break with the Boulder Drapkins in Del Mar

Last week we enjoyed seeing the Boulder Drapkins in Del Mar during their spring break. Sulwen hadn't seen her cousins for nearly a year and we all had a great time catching up. A big thank you goes to Diane for making so many arrangements, to Lindsay, Hayley, Jessica, and Fin for taking such good care of Sulwen - and to the whole family for sharing their rental home with us!

Finley, Sulwen and Jessica at the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla

Enjoying some coffee and cuddles at L'Auberge Del Mar.

Lindsay and Sulwen in the hot tub.

Hayley loads a water gun.

Finley, Jessica and Sulwen find the pool toys.

Fin gives Sulwen a push around the pool.

Hayley and Sulwen get arty in the rec room.

In the rain house at the New Children's Museum.

The jumpy tube was great fun for Sulwen, Jessica and Fin

(among lots of other children).

Lindsay and Michael

Making cherry blossoms with coffee filters.

Sulwen does some clay work at the museum too.

Sulwen and Jess try out the self-propelled chariots.

Michael and Diane pool-side.

Gimme some skin, sista'

Everyone enjoys our first sunny day on the beach.