October California Visit

Bry, Emma and I flew out to California early Saturday morning on the 10th. Sunday was Charlotte's baby blessing which we were happy to attend. We were able to see a lot of family that day and I enjoyed visits to family and friends during the week, as well. 

On Monday we went to the Oakland Zoo which was Emma and Charlotte's first zoo trip. I'm pretty sure Emma was more interested in people watching than looking at animals. On our way back from the zoo we stopped by the Oakland Temple, which I love dearly, to see the reflection pool now visible there.

Later in the week we visited the pumpkin patch at Ardenwood which was fun. 

Mostly, we just enjoyed time together with family. Emma loved being around lots of people, particularly her grandma who she got to see a lot of and her entertaining boy cousins who often do what she dreams of someday doing - running. 

Here are some pictures from the week:

Love the view from the temple grounds.

Emma loved the teeny pumpkin we got for her.

My attempts at getting good cousin pictures:

I loved the turned heads. 

Almost 8 months apart.

One last funny one:

My 9-month-old baby!

Emma is a fairly proficient crawler.
She loves to eat food still but I think she may love walking (by holding onto fingers) even more.
Being the social butterfly she is, Emma also loves seeing people - those who come visit us or those we see when we go out.
Baths are still a favorite activity, which is great.
She is a very determined girl who doesn't hesitate to speak her mind. I love her babble; I do not love her frustrated/angry noises/crying.
She absolutely loves books. and loves her family.
Emma has said "dada" for I-don't-remember-how-many-months but just yesterday (day after she hit 9 months) she started saying "mom"/"mama" and has said it more today. So awesome. Makes me happier than I had anticipated. I might actually like hearing it more than her giggles. Maybe.

Her outfit is blue - it has cute pink birds on it... I was going to put her in a more girly outfit but was in the process of doing laundry, so... here's my blue-eyed, blue-dressed baby girl.

Those eyebrows.

She doesn't always make this face - just always when a camera is noisily taking pictures.

She did a head dive into my lap shortly after this picture was taken. 

hahahaha

A true Bingham (and baby) - fascinated by teeth. 

"How'd you get all those teeth, dad?"