Tahoe - Week 2

Week number 2 and we're fully enjoying

 the altered state of reality that is life in Tahoe.

Loving the sand!

Our entertainment during dinner prep.

They are so entertaining ...

... Adam couldn't even handle it.

Getting ready for a hike at Spooner Lake.

Grumpy dude. But give him 5 minutes and he'll be
the happiest kid on the hike.

Adam has an eagle eye for bugs and "treasures."

He looks ready for a 4th to me.

Skinny jeans and pink leather sandals. Appropriate
hiking attire when you're the only little girl.

Successful fishing with the boys.

And we ate it for dinner.

My husband the grill master.

Man life is tough in Tahoe.

It's 5:00 somewhere. Okay. Maybe it's just 2:30. But we're on vacation!

Burger, Fries, and Mr. Gubler

We went to lunch today at Izzy's Burger Spa. At least one trip to Izzy's is required each year on the Barron vacation to Tahoe. This year's trip proved more exciting than usual.

A nice young man kept Claire entertained while we were waiting in line to order. He played peek-a-boo and chatted with her. I recognized him from somewhere and almost asked, "Did you go to Cal Poly? You look so familiar to me." I'm glad I didn't. Turns out he looked familiar to more than just me. Aunt Nikki recognized him in an instant. Does he look familiar to anyone else?

Yup. Matthew Grey Gubler. Or as I searched for him on my iPhone while sitting at Izzy's, "the nerdy actor on Criminal Minds." No. He wasn't wearing this particular attire while in line at Izzy's. He was a tad more scrubby and aside from our table of 5 star struck women, 3 clueless children and 2 annoyed men no one else seemed to notice him. I think we played it really cool. I mean it's not like we asked for his autograph. And we didn't ask to take a picture with him. We just took a very stealth one of him grubbing on his burger.

And another of him sitting in his little black Mazda in the parking lot. 

And we were very discreet when we spied on him through the holes in the wooden fence as he was sitting in his car chatting on his cell phone.

Aside from all that we played it cool. Very, very cool.

 (This is one peek-a-boo session that will surely be recorded in Claire's baby book)

Tahoe - Week 1

The Barron's have a tradition. A 25 year old tradition in fact. Every year during the first week (and recently 2) of July they bring their brood to Tahoe. I love, LOVE the fact that I married into this tradition. We missed 8 years of the good times when we were living in Milwaukee but now that we're back in California we have embraced the annual trip with vigor.

This is the 3rd year we've been able to bring our bunch of Barron's on the trip. The food, family, fun, cards, laughter, friends, day trips, walks, and the beach are exactly what we need. We're loving every minute.

Corn in our teeth.

Sand in our toes.

Aunties by our side.

Walks to the beach at sunset.

Cards, cards and more cards.

Cooking.

Scavenger Hunt. One of MANY!

More cooking.

Virginia City, Nevada

Panning for gold.

They actually got some flakes!

Cave tour. Scared the crud out of me.

Love this face!

Fun, fun and more fun! We are missing Tyson a bit though. Fortunately we found the best dog trainers in the world and they paid him a visit at the kennel yesterday. They said he's doing great and doesn't seem to be missing us too much. They even sent us some pictures of him. How thoughtful is that?!

I Tried

The kids and I went to Jamba Juice for smoothies and pretzels this morning. While enjoying our snack we chatted about how I used to work there.

HENRY: Did you work here when you were a little girl?
ME: No. I worked here when I was in college.
HENRY: So you needed a job because you weren't a mom yet?
ME: I wasn't even married yet. I needed a job because I was in school and needed to make money.
HENRY: Oh. So did you meet dada there? Did he walk in one day and you saw him and you said, "Will you marry me?"
ME: (giggling) No Henry. We were just friends then. We got married later.
HENRY: Oh. And then you quit your job because dada got a job?
ME: (grasping the moment to sell myself as "more than a mom") Actually Henry, before I had you and Adam and Claire I was the one who had a job. I made all the money. I worked really hard as a teacher while dada was going to school.
HENRY: Oh. I don't like this pretzel.
ME: (eat it anyway you little fart).

Our Hero

The kids really do love their dada.

In honor of father's day (a bit late I know) I would like to share a few of the boys humdingers from the last few weeks.

*      *      *

Adam: How will I turn into a daddy?
Me: Well. When you get married and your wife has a baby you'll be a daddy.
Adam: Oh. I didn't get married yet right?
Me: No.
Adam: Oh. Good.

*       *       *

 

Me: (staring at a pile of laundry taller than Adam) I need to fold that laundry. Good thing dada will help me when he gets home. He's a good helper and a hard worker.
Henry: Yeah. But you work hard for us. And dada works hard at a real job. So you should probably just fold those clothes.

*       *       *

And last weekend as we were watching the final hole of the U.S. Open ...

Henry: (critiquing the 10 foot putt Michael Thompson had to make to force a playoff) That is a really easy shot huh dada?
Matt: No way Henry. That's a tough one.
Henry: But you would make that shot dada. You're better than him.
Me: (chuckling) Henry, these guys are all WAY better than dada.
Henry: (in shock) Certainly not!

*       *       *

And finally a piece of art from Henry's classroom.

This just melted my heart. And Matt's too. Each of the kids in Henry's class made one of these during the last month of school. They were posted around the room and said things like, "I want to be a ... banker, hair dresser, fireman, doctor. I looked but did not notice another, "I want to be a daddy." Just goes to show what a remarkable impression Matt is leaving on his kids. He really is such a great daddy.

Simply In Love

My days are emotional. They are full of great highs and some exhausting lows. There are moments that leave me feeling full to the brim of love, gratitude and appreciation. And of course there are moments that send me straight to the baking cupboard searching desperately for those last few chocolate chips that I just know have to be there.

I've been reading this book. As I devour every page I am reminded that motherhood is an emotion filled ride for each and every one of us. I'm not sure why I picked the book up a couple months ago. For some reason it just called to me from the shelves of Barnes and Noble. Whatever the reason, I am so glad I made the impulsive decision to buy this beautiful book. I am incredibly encouraged by the author and momma. She is beautiful. Her children are beautiful. And her honesty and positive approach to life encourage me. Much of the book has made me cry like a baby. If fact, Henry "caught me" crying my eyes out over chapter 12. As he looked into my water brimmed eyes, I looked even deeper into his chocolate ones. And then in a state of deep gratitude for this thing called motherhood an outpouring of mothery, gooey, loviness flowed out of me:

Henry, do you know how much I love you? I love you more than you may ever know. I love you for all that you are. I love every part of you. Your heart. Your body. Your smart little brain. I love that God gave me you. He gave me you Henry. And I love you more than anything.

But not more than God right momma?

Right Henry. I love God the most. Because out of all the little boys in the world He gave me you.

And then he hugged me. And walked away in his saggy Darth Vader underwear.

And that pretty much sums up this day. Simply in love with my boys. My daughter. My husband. And my stinky new dog.