Del Valle 2010

You may recognize Del Valle from prior posts. However, today we took the opportunity to enjoy the non-raining weather for the first time all week and head out for a fun time outdoors. Shelby LOVED hiking in his new Carhart coveralls to match Daddy's that Grammy & Grandpa Dino sent him for his upcoming birthday. He also got some new rainboots from Mom & Dad, as there was a big rain-gear day at daycare this week. The kids got to go out and explore the rain.These ducks were fasinating to Shelby. He chased after them, then retreated, then decided to sneak up....hence the flight into the water...Shelby told us before we got there that he wanted to find a hole where Miss Spider (cartoon) and her friends lived. He was convinced this was the spot.

Daddy was trying to teach Shelby to skip rocks.

Stacy pointed out the rather large cat-marks. Okay, freak me out, Man!
Signs of both fall and spring were all around....the red leaf amongst the pebbles at the shore......the random green twig amongst the apparent dead tree...wow, what a humbling time of year.
I was in love with these cat tails....
If you can tell, Shelby's in circular motion to try to skip the rocks. Here, you can see his boots pointing together, turning. It's one of about 5 shots in a row.
Shelby is Daddy's little clone, but Mama's little boy! Here he's being totally bossy...."Mommy, you get down from there!"
Excuse the flash....in an effort to help, Daddy threw on the dreaded "automatic" setting.
These two cracked me up in their coveralls. I couldn't get enough!
And....my son is ALL BOY! I say this with slight annoyance, as Stacy and I spent half our time preventing him from falling down cliffs off the mere edge. THANK YOU COVERALLS for the extra grab handles. However, here he immediately found the puddles....and yes, why not stomp right in....
The trail we decided to venture upon.Shelby likes to say, "I love you this much!"
The colors inspired me.
How can a fungus be so beautiful!
Headed to the top of the moutain....
And...as was bound to happen, Shelby finally landed his butt in the mud. He thought it was cool....okay, I can live with that! :->
This photo is in honor of my sister-in-law, Harper. I looked up and saw the shot and know how much you love the "sun burst" shots....it's not as good as yours, but since you're laid up in the hospital beds at the time, I thought they'd suffice! Get well soon and quit scaring us, Lady!!!! Love you!
This area was my FAVORITE! I wish I was a good enough photographer to reflect the beauty we saw today. It's all that makes me ADORE California! I'm born and bred Texas, but found out I'm a Cali Girl somewhere along the way....

LOL!!!! Okay, CLASSIC Shelby....Stacy tells him he has the "attitudies" Shelby loves to put his hand on his hip and say, "excuse me?!" while pointing the finger....so very much his mother! On the ride there, Stacy and I couldn't help but roll our eyes at how this kid literally did not SHUT UP the whole 20 min there. "Momma, you see that?" "Daddy, you see the horses?" "Mommy, this your song?" Wow....CLEARLY my child! I fretted for the first 1.5 yrs that there was no me......clearly a precious little Jones boy, Daddy clone!.....then he speaks......

How is it the words that I longed to hear, "Mommy" "Momma" somehow become nails on a chalkboard..."Momma?" "Momma?" "Momma?" 24/7!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this precious boy........but sometimes I wish he'd shut up! LOL!!!!!!

Attitudies! (per Stacy)
Again, attitudies as he sticks his tongue out at Dad.
Again.....CALIFORNIA!!!!!.......I rest my case.......
We are sooooooo excited for everyone to come visit this year and see the beauty that surrounds us. In the next few weeks and months that roster is TEHYA!!!!! and UNCLE SHAE, CIOTKA & MAWJ!!!!! We can't wait to share our beauty with you guys!

Tehya will be here for Shelby's b-day party.

In the meantime, enjoy what green beauty our two weeks of non-stop rain has brought!