AUGUST
My last detailed post dates back to Talia's birthday. After her big day, Talia learned to stand (without assistance). Notice her concentration as we happened to capture this momentous occasion.
Gas prices soared so Jon wisely created our Summer List. This list of staycations gave us something to look forward to without breaking the bank. He chose several historical and enjoyable outings within a 50 mile (or so) radius. The first spot on the list was Bridgeport.
Bridgeport is one of the largest double span covered bridges in North America. We visited the bridge, picniced, geocached, and hiked. Here are a few highlights.
SEPTEMBER
On September 1st we drove to Empire Mine. This hard rock gold mine opperated until the 1950s and consisted of 367 miles of underground tunnels and mine shafts. In addition to the mines, buildings, museum, and mining machinery, the park boasts admission to the Bourn estate and its surrounding acres of gardens.
One highlight of September was our (Talia and I) trip to Texas. You can read about that trip in a previous post.
Our next adventure took us to Coloma and the James Marshall Discovery Park. We visited the place where gold was first discovered, ushering in the Gold Rush of 1849. In addition to visiting the historic sites and museums, we hiked, picniced, and geocached.
Mike and Evelyn invited us to welcome autumn with a trip to Bishop's Pumpkin Farm.
It was in September that we learned Jon was very sick. This month began a nearly six week series of tests and appointments to determine the cause of his illness. We had weekend trip to Tahoe in October and a week long vacation to Sea Ranch planned for early November. Jon's doctor told us that he needed to stay close to home while they researched his diagnosis and planned treatments. Jon's doctor called the morning of our trip to Bishop's, we got home, packed, and left on an "emergency" trip to Lake Tahoe.
OCTOBER
One of the highlights of October was Talia's first steps. You can see her first steps on video below. Here she is enjoying her new found freedom.
We joined Mike on a trip to Apple Hill. Cold weather and illness kept some of the family home, but the rest of us had a great time.
NOVEMBER
Come November, we did our civic duty, and enjoyed the benefits. Thank God for America (and Starbucks)!
We enjoyed rather temperate weather. Talia spent quite a bit of time outdoors, playing, on walks, and geocaching.
This Thanksgiving was extra special since all 20 Thomassons were finally together again. We had a great time. After Thanksgiving, we went to Fairy Tale Town. Talia also had her first paid babysitter (with nine of her cousins) while the adults enjoyed a quadruple date.
We bought Talia a kitchen for Christmas. The only problem was we couldn't wait for Christmas to give it to her. She loves it and can cook and explore for hours. Here she is playing in her new kitchen.
There are so many more pictures of Talia if you go to our Flickr album. It is hard to select a few pictures when there are so many more worthy of posting.
DECEMBER
Talia is waking and it is time for me to get dinner started. I will continue with December soon (no promises :)).
