Good times with the Brooks cousins

We recently returned from a trip to California to attend the funeral for Mary Louise Brooks, Aaron's maternal grandmother. She passed away peacefully and unexpectedly about two weeks ago. It was an emotional trip, especially for Aaron, and we have great sympathy for Janet, who lost both her mother and her housemate.

At the same time, it was also a fun trip with lots of great family time. This was the first Brooks family trip where Juniper was one of the kids, not one of the babies. She was able to run around with the big kids, and she had an enthusiastic blast. One of the highlights of her weekend was getting to swim in the irrigation pond for Uncle Walt's vineyard.



Janet got some water wings, which worked perfectly. Juniper was able to float and kick and "swim" all by herself in the deep water. Can you tell how much she enjoyed her watery independence?



Juniper and her Aunt Rebecca paddled a boat around the pond (with help from cousin Brooke, whom you can just barely see kicking up waves as she motorboats behind them).



Steep sides plus an inflatable boat made for a fun water slide.



In fact, the slide was so much fun that just a photo doesn't really do it justice.



After a while, Juniper was even willing to brave the water slide, as long as she could go down snuggled up with her dad.



Post-slide, Rebecca, Aaron, and Juniper floating in the water.



At the end of her pond adventures, she was all tuckered out. We know Juniper's a good sleeper, but it's been a while since she fell asleep at a dining room table.

California

Last month we went out to California to attend the wedding of Aaron's cousin Jestin. It was a fun and full trip. In addition to the wedding, there was...




lots of family time,




a fun rehearsal dinner picnic by the Eel River,




a trip to the Pacific Ocean,




and magnificent redwoods.


We've also posted a photo album with more photos from the trip, if you're interested.

Visit from Aunt Ann & Uncle Keith

Despite the fact that we don't live near any of Aaron's family, Juniper will get to see lots of Brooks/Dill relatives this holiday season. Last weekend her great-aunt Ann and -uncle Keith spent a night at our house on their way from Texas to Maryland. We all enjoyed the visit, and Juniper was particularly smitten with Ann.



Ann let Juniper play with all of her toiletries and try on her very cool sunglasses.


Juniper enjoyed getting to play with Ann and Keith's two dogs. Most of the dogs in Juniper's life are much bigger than she is; the little dogs were obviously a treat. "I softin' it. I bein' gentle." She was, indeed, very soft and very gentle.