Cerro Alto

I have enjoyed a new hobby recently, that of hiking. On an almost-weekly basis since June of 2007, my friend Heather and I climb Cerro Alto, one of the "seven sisters" in the Los Padres Forest of a range in San Luis Obispo County. Although never in the rain, we have hiked in the heat of the summer (pant-pant-water-water) and in the cold of winter (brrr! these pictures were taken December 23, 2007, and the climate was the coldest I've known since the advent of this hobby). On this particular day, two of our other good friends joined us, Casey and Pam. What fun!

Caedmon and Things That He Loves

A few things that bring joy and happiness to Caedmon Van Bigelow:

*Josie, the Beloved (yellow teddy bear)

*Ellie (or Elfie, I'm not sure of the name - grey elephant)

*Thomas the Tank Engine and Various Paraphanelia

"You'd better watch out..."

Alexandra, Caedmon, and Brooke set out treats for "Santa"

on Christmas Eve

(our "Santa" prefers Root Beer and cinnamon gummy bears

to cookies and milk).

"Ho-ho-ho! Meeeeeeerry Christmas! :-)"

Cuernavaca, Mexico

In November, DJ was sent by his employer to a language school in Cuernavaca, Mexico

(approximately 60 miles south of Mexico City)

in attempt to learn to better understand and speak Spanish.

He was there for 3 weeks, and I was fortunate to join him for 6 days

over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Mui bien! Fantastico! Maravillosa!

The first picture above is of DJ in the "El Centro";

then of DJ receiving his "diploma" after 3 weeks of immersed study;

and finally, the two of us in front of one of the ruins at Xochicalco.

"Por favor - No hablas en Ingles" -

signs were posted all over the school, even in the restroom!

During his time in Cuernavaca, DJ lived in a host home,

in which he also received mucho opportunidad

to practice and learn (and be frustrated because his brain was weary)

to understand and speak en Espanol.

Yo quiero aprender Espanol! :-)