Monday, July 5, 2010

Camping Over the Fourth

We have a lovely time up at the French Meadows Reservoir near Tahoe over the Fourth of July. There has been so much rain this year that it was so green and the river was higher than it has been in the past. It was a great mix of food, friends, dirt and nature.



Uncle Drew joined us and brought up bread and cheese to go along with the wine (notice the mud pie in the foreground -- that was a nice addition, too.)


This boy LOVES bread and cheese. Offer him dessert and he'll be interested, but offer him bread and cheese and he is sure to clean his plate at dinner.
 

Magpie helping Moose and BiggiE prepare the mud pie.
 

Our bathing beauty took to camping like a champ. I was concerned about keeping her warm enough in the tent, but she was snug as bug and slept great. She loved the dirt, the water and all the older kids to play with.
 

Magpie holding court.
 

"Molly Goose" reading to the children.
 

It is a great thing to have a foodie husband with foodie friends. These guys cooked up amazing meals (camping or no camping). We had paella one night, carne asada, homemade pancakes, grilled homemade pizza -- truly unbelievable. If I were in charge of the meals it would be burgers and dogs. I'm glad they love the cooking and take care of it all. One guy even brought up his machine that makes sparkling water. Hilarious.
 





Our friend, Jim, is always a entertaining the younger set. He is affectionately known as Uncle Jim by the kids.
 

Ah... a campfire. I could sit by a fire for hours. (And, yes, if you are wondering, one family brought all natural marshmallows and Ghirardelli chocolate for s'mores.)
 

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Favorite Things: July 2010


Moose:
Favorite colors: orange and blue
Favorite food: Vietnamese (Pho Ga) and Eggplant Parmesean
Favorite fish: shark
Favorite bird: parrot
Favorite big cat: tiger
Favorite reptile: lizards and snakes
Best Friends: Antonio and Cooper
When you grow up: Pilot and Chef


BiggiE:
Favorite color: green and purple
Favorite food: pepperoni pizza
Favorite fish: angler fish
Favorite bird: parrot
Favorite big cat: jaguar
Favorite reptile: anaconda
Best Friends: Judah and Walker
When you grow up: Jet Fighter Pilot


Jelly Bean:
Favorite things: accessories -- hats, shoes, sunglasses and necklaces
Favorite new words: cancake (pancake), bubble and ook (book)

Monday, June 21, 2010

Wild Animal Sighted

A wild animal was sighted this week in Small Town, NorCal. Biologists think it is a member of the leopard family.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Lil' Climber


Does it send a mixed message if I take a picture before I tell her to climb down because it is dangerous?

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Two Wheelers for All!


As the younger brother, BiggiE has naturally be hankering for a bicycle of his own. The big wheel is fun, but really doesn't stand a chance in any sort of bike race like the ones that occur here on a regular basis.

For a while, BiggiE was trying to be the optimist. If Moose was ahead he would say, "I'm catching up!" and as Moose came up from behind to lap him he would say, "I'm winning!"

Needless to say he was beyond thrilled to have a Moose's 16" when he upgraded to a 20". The smile says it all.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Moose's Kinder Graduation

Moose and his class graduated from Kinder this week.


The wonderful Maestra Lucia -- she is the perfect combination of warm, artistic, creative ways of teaching reading, math and science while still maintaining control of the class as well as a drill sergeant.


Love, love, love you, boy!



We're so proud of you, Moose!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Viva Mexico

We had such a wonderful time in Mexico with my parents and my brother and Kim. I felt so relaxed lying in the sun watching my kids enjoy themselves.

After a rough winter of the soul I was starting to emerge into the daylight when I was slammed with two months of physical sickness. Our time in Mexico allowed my body to catch up with the wellness of my spirit. I feel deep seated peace when I place myself back in these pictures.


Nothing quite as precious as little feet...


...except for maybe the beach baby they belong to.


The boys were like otters wrestling in the water. I love when their affection for each other is showing. They already have secret words and inside jokes. They even have this crazy (many would say, quickly annoying) voice they call the Hermes Brothers.


Enjoying the waves with beloved Aunt Kim.


Moose and BiggiE took turns catching some waves with my dad and Os. BiggiE surprised us all by deciding to stand up on the board. We didn't get any pictures because he quickly decided that wiping out was even more fun than standing up.


Here's my surfer boy. I think in heaven Os will surf and rock climb every day.


Headed to the beach (my parents house is in the background of the left). Jelly Bean was like the Queen of Sheba being pulled along. One time when we were loading up to walk down to the beach Os reminded BiggiE that Jelly Bean would be riding in the wagon and BiggiE replied, "I know my spot, Fool!" He said it so happily and emphatically that is was impossible not to laugh.


Talk about a crowded beach. Only on the weekends is there anyone within 50 yards of you.


Jelly Bean loved the beach. She would have spent all day out there if we had let her. She had very specific ideas in her work of filling buckets with sand. She would grab a bucket, take off for the wet sand, fill the bucket and come back for another one to fill. She also had specific ideas about shells. If you handed her a shell she would either put it in her bucket or toss it back in the water based on some sorting system known only to her. This was work, people, not play.


Grandpa teaching the kids the art of War.


Grandma and Jelly Bean. Jelly Bean is wearing one of my old outfits a friend of the family made.


Peter and Kim brought several Nerf guns and inside the house there seemed to be a continuous gun battle going on. Jelly Bean is a little low on ammo in this photo.


Ahhh, a nap in a hammock with the ocean breeze...


Uncle Peter taught the boys the basics of fishing.


Then off they went to try their luck.


Success! Two amber jacks and a rock bass.


There is something about growing your own food or catching it yourself that inspires even the more reluctant eaters to try new things. BiggiE is a decent eater, but probably the least adventurous of the three kids. Os jokingly asked BiggiE if he wanted to eat the fish head and BiggiE said, "Sure!" He then proceeded to eat most of the fish head, including the eyeball (which made it difficult for my mom and Kim to finish their meals). Now with a new food we can say to him, "Someone who eats fish heads would certainly try this!"


Jelly Bean dancing on our night out in town.


Uncle Peter and Jelly Bean arguing over the menu.


Aww... My parents love this picture because the kids playing behind us is life right now -- our love in the midst of the throng.


Adios, Mexico. Hasta luego!