Madd Max Stay At Mt Baldy Lodge

Fear not - once the fam got settled in their cabin, Maddie began to enjoy herself.

A entire game of Pictionary was played before dinner at the lodge.

Whose table featured this stunning arrangement.

After dinner, Sam started a fire and the game of Catan was finished.

Late night reading.

Cozy, except for the giant falling acorns which would land on the roof and then very loudly roll off.  All night long.

Madd Max Hike Stoddard Peak

Jess, in an effort to find fall in LA, researched just that.  Stoddard Peak, about an hour outside of Burbank, was listed as a place to go.

There were browns.

And about 5 minutes of fall on the 4 hour hike.  Here it is!

Maddie was not happy about going on a hike.  This picture says it all.  She maintained either an incredibly slow or incredibly fast pace all the way up the mountain in order to keep her tween distance.

Max, on the other hand (and in standard 2 kid style) became an incredibly chatty and lovely hiking partner for Jess.

Hands up! The standard for not getting super poked by the sometimes overgrown trail.

That same fall on the way back!

Max collected a "lucky acorn."

Massive acorn finds along the trail.

Which could even be found stuck to the tops of some of these spiky plants.

Slappy Heads To "Duo"

DUO: Theodora Page and Lea Feinstein 

2 friends from 2 coasts working together.

Taisie and Lea showed at Open Studios at Keystone Artspace where 45 studios opened to the public.  Their space was incredibly warm and gorgeous.

Here Maddie posed by the Maddie stool.

The Max stool.

Madd Max Sees Another Friend's Concert

Elizabeth played the Sagebrush Cantina, playing ukulele and singing vocals.  At this gig, she sang a really impressive original song entitled, "Thanksgiving."

Her adoring fans.

The BFF crew.

Slappy Sees A Friend's Concert

But first the quintessential teen dessert at the diner with Samantha and Rita (at least that's what Jess would do in Jersey).

Tween faces.

And the finale of show - featuring Emma, backed up by a few 100 kid chorus.  This amazed Jess in 2 ways.  First, her voice is amazing - way more mature then her 13 years would suggest.   Second, Jess and Tak, Emma's Dad, met in their high school theater, and now their kids are, in their own ways, doing the same thing.

Madd Max Get A Visit

Natalie came back from Berkley for the weekend.  She took the kids out to A Soggy Jungle aka Acai Jungle.

Madd Max Have Another Kender Koffee

This time with mini English muffins.  Still a big win with the kiddos, especially Madd.