Filoli Gardens

We had two chances to visit these gorgeous English style local gardens this spring and summer. They are right down our road and I had never bothered with them until now. So lovely and a favorite local spot now. The kids even follow the rules of not running, staying on the paths and not touching. There is so much else to do, like march up and down the rows, look in the ponds, smell the flowers and pretend to be in the "forest."

The first visit is with my friend Elle and her littles Grace and Shepherd. The second visit is with Dan. Enjoy the highlights!

 Marching through

 

 Magical wonderland 

 So sweet together

 With our friend Gracie

 Wild Iris row

 Taking off your shoes is a bad plan

 Let's do FACES!

Crazy Face 

 Silly Face

 Kissing Face

 

 Surprised Face

 Pouty/Sad Face

 Scared Face

 

 Angry Face

 Tongue Face

 Thinking Face

 Mommy Tickle Face

 Sweet Face

Visit #2 with Daddy

 

Family Song

Here are the kids singing the Gieseke family song. I'm not sure how far this goes back, but at Gieseke family gatherings all generations are singing "The Old Family Toothbrush." It baffles me coming from a family that can't carry a tune in a bucket and would never dream of singing in public. Dan has passed on this tradition to the kids by singing the song at bathtime and now they have it down and love it because it's such a kids' song.

Also our couch is now officially a trampoline, as seen here. I promise if you invite us over I won't let them do gymnastics on your furniture :)