New wheels

We scored ourselves new bikes.  Now, hopefully, we can make use of this fancy trailer we bought when Erin was small.  Inaugural ride to the "cocoa" store went smoothly on the way there, but Brian had to go get the car because Robin just wasn't having it on the way back.  Erin was chillin' like Bob D. Any tips for getting Robin more comfortable in the trailer? 

Garden miscellany

We planted a few veggie starts late this spring.  So far, the crop has been pathetic.  Erin's showing our first (and only so far) squash. 

I think she's singing to it.  We made a small batch of squash pancakes which were delicious.  We also harvested 3 barely ripe cherry tomatoes.  Slim pickings here, folks.  Good thing there's an awesome farmers market here. 

We also set the girls digging in the back yard.  Never too early to start on chores, right? I have this idea we'll plant some fruit trees back there - one apple, one pear, one cherry, one orange.  Then the birds will have plenty to eat. 

Of course, there are always work breaks for silliness. 

I LOVE FROZEN BLUEBERRIES!!!!

Says the teething toddler. 

Wordless Wednesday: Water Ready

Robin's Latest Rash A.K.A. poor kid can't catch a break!

It started on her trunk, on the left side.  It spread to her back.  It didn't seem to bother her, but because it was spreading we took her in to her doc. 

Looks like it's a reaction, somewhat rare, to the Chickenpox vaccine she received on her 15 month checkup.  It began 10 or so days after the vaccine.  Currently it's also on her arms and legs, with her scratching her trunk. 

We were assured it's not contagious, and it will go away soon.  Anyone have this happen? It's been nearly 3 weeks now, so it may be here to stay for awhile. 

Poor kid.  At least we have tons of cortisone cream from a few months ago.

Little Slice of PDX comes to Orinda

We had our first official visitors last week!!!!  These guys braved the long, overnight drive to sleep on our fancy Ikea sofa bed for a few nights.



I didn't get all that many pictures, but since Christie is basically an unpaid professional photographer at this point, she took over that job.



We smooshed three car seats into the Prius and set off for adventures, checking out the Oakland Zoo, the California Academy of Sciences, and the local pool. We ate some good burgers, bacon, prosciutto,  pork. There was a lot of meat. And there was lots of talking, kid wrangling, catching up and fun. And one round of preschooler-toddler soccer:




Thanks for the great visit, Darren, Christie and Henry!   Now it's official: hotel McMiller Orinda is open for business!

McMillers Invade Sacramento, 2011 style

That's right. We took another short train trip up to Sacramento. We swam in the American river (somehow not pictured.) We ate fish n'chips. Twice. We met up with these guys. We saw the Railroad museum. We took a horse-drawn carriage ride through Old Town. Really, we did it all. And had a great time.

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