Benziger babes

 Here are a few pics from Halloween at the zoo and trick or treating around the neighborhood. Theo's pumpkin (that we never got around to carving but looks nice on the stoop) Whatcha looking at? Feeding the birds at the zoo The baby Elephant is holding the other baby elephant (and no Dad, this is not a real elephant) ;) "Get this off!" Mr. Elephant learned the beauty of Halloween - chocolate! Specifically, butterfingers...mmm! Going out trick or treating for the first time! Smile for the camera! Mr. Elephant climbing on Daddy   Our house decorated from the front Taking a time out from trick or treating to hang out with Elliot the pirate (nanny share buddy). Playing the drums with Elliot Trick or treating with a few of the neighborhood kids This is when he lost interest in actually trick or treating and just wanted to eat all the candy (note the butterfinger drool on the costume).

I'm so cute! Napa Valley, CA We flew down to San Francisco last weekend to meet up with my Studly Uncle Dan and Grandma and Grandpa Pastorius. We enjoyed walking around Fisherman's Warf, where I rode on my first carousel and saw lots of sea lions basking in the sun, driving over the Golden Gate Bridge, and tasting fine wine at the  Sterling  winery and The Castle  (ok I'm not quite 21 but it was fun to go along for the tours). Enjoy the photos! Enjoying some avocado and clam chowder on Fisherman's warf Romina and Mommy at the Golden Gate Bridge Walking around Fisherman's warf with the boys Riding up the gondola to Sterline Winery Enjoying the view and wine   Romina and Mommy at the Sterling Winery overlooking the Castle Hanging out with Uncle Dan Mommy pay attention to me! A hard day's work A Tuscan Castle... so romantic! Mommy and Grandpa on the wine tour Uncle Dan trying out for the Tuscan army ...

Watching the gorillas at the zoo Hey folks, quick update from El Jefe. I'm 14 months old now. I eat almost everything (peas and broccoli aren't my thing) and have learned the signs for a few words (please=rub tummy, more=clap, milk=fist, all done=wave both hands, hello=wave, bye=wave, and up/so big=hold arms up), and the phrase, "I want that!"= pointing and staring viciously at the object. I babble and laugh all the time and have even said a few words, but not consistently. "All done", "nana" for banana, "mama", "dad", "and "bye bye" are a few that I've muttered. I love to dance and show off my spin moves and am pretty good at dunking the basketball, too. I play peekaboo by ducking behind a wall and then stick my head out smiling. I also rough house with daddy a lot which is probably why I have so many bumps and bruises ;)  I've learned to throw a little fit when I don't get what I want. I still...

Well after two years, we finally made our way to the Olympic Peninsula.  We had been these once before for an overnight trip, but this was BT (before Theo).  This time we got to take him on a real live camping trip! We camped for two nights at the Heart O' the Hills campground just inside the Olympic National Park entrance on the way to Hurricane Ridge.  We had a hard time getting Theo to fall asleep for the night, so Daddy went all cliche on Theo and took him for a car ride....and he promptly fell asleep within the first half mile of driving. Family photo at the Port Angeles entrance to the park Our campsite The next day we got up early (surprise, surprise) and went hiking in the mountains.  We ended up driving a narrow and rocky dirt road eight miles out to our trail head at Obstruction Point.  There we did a short hike, soaked in the scenery, and ate lunch.  After that we went back to the campsite and hiked a flat forest trail......