*rock creek 2013

Phase 2 of our trip was up to Rock Creek in the Sierras.  We hadn't been there since I was about 30 weeks pregnant with Edie!  It was a wonderful week filled with solid family time, good food, easy walks along the creek, the girls exploring and experiencing nature and lots of fishing.  I was bummed to not get to hike much like I did last time, but traded that for some good reading : )

Being in the Sierras was so incredibly refreshing to our souls. I had a new overwhelming appreciation for the mountains and their cool dry air.  The drive along 395 is one of the most beautiful places on the the planet - the lines and the horizon, green valleys and jagged peaks - to me it speaks of a skilled and awesome Creator.  So thankful for this time we had with Ben's family.

The boys and Melissa went on an off-roading locals-only fishing adventure.  I was slightly disappointed not to be able to go, tho on the other hand off-roading makes me so nervous!! Always afraid I'll fall off a cliff.

Meanwhile Rosie, Jessie, the girls and I had lunch at Schaat's and browsed antiques in Bishop.

Mosquito Flats:

Melissa, I wish you were in this picture!!

I read The Kitchen House [a good story... not amazing] and started The Shipping News.

before dinner at Convict Lake.  There was a huge fire near Mammoth and it was pretty smoky, but still beautiful.  My parents ate at that restaurant on their way to their honeymoon in '65!

fishing from the shore:

Fishing in the Owen's River Valley. The picture of the daisies in my title bar thing there are from this valley 5 years ago!

 Fishing on the creek. Vera was really into fishing - here she baited, cast and caught a fish on her own!!

We stayed in a little cabin, but Matty and Melissa camped close by. One of my favorite nights was sitting around the campfire here eating BBQ'd trout [again, Melissa, I'm sad you had left :( ]

 

Drawing with charcoal from the fire.

Edie is in love with Ben and Jessie's dog, Tula. She repeatedly asked us to take a picture of them together. Look how serious her pose is!

*395*

*el pelo

I noticed a short chunk of hair on top of Edie's head today.. I said, Eeeedie, did you cut your hair?  "Yeah, I was me looking me pretty." I tried my hardest not to but smiled quickly and then sternly tried to tell her she may not do that.  I knew it, I knew it, I knew it. I bet myself when she was barely walking that she would do this someday. I knew without a doubt early on that Vera never would, but Edie is a different little bird. She doesn't care "how things are done" or what the rules are. She wants to try it out for herself, just how she wants to. Sigh :)

*tahoe 2013

We got back Thursday from a whole month in Nevada/California.  It was, of course, amazing and we left with our hearts full.  On the whole, Vera was a little champ and behaved so well - I had been worried because June was rather... emotional and dramatic around here.  Edie on the other hand was in a downward spiral that started the first night with the time change and the beginnings of sleep deficit. By the end she was throwing daily hysterical/delirious/incoherent tantrums and wouldn't go to bed for us [she would for an aunt, Lola etc..] without one. In between though she was *mostly* a lot of fun and had such a great time with everyone.  Anyway, I just have to throw all that out there so you know what was going on between the idyllic pictures : )  We are trying to get back into a strict bedtime routine - tonight was the first time she went to sleep on her own with no fits: HOORAY PRAISE JESUS.

So anyway, we spent the first week at Tahoe with my family and of course had so much fun.  Here's some pictures:

My mom made lots of pancakes. It takes a lot to feed 21 people!

Vera was especially into crawdad fishing this year!

She even picked them up!! I am embarrassed to admit that even though I've caught many with string and bait, I have never actually touched one....

10 mile hike to Marlett - a little longer than I remembered and probably a little much for me. Thankfully  the girls stayed at the cabin with Ben.

Vera also learned how to play some cards and was so excited to be hanging out with the older kids.

Visit from Dana and her Ellie and Edie:

Edie had tons of fun with the cousins. She has taken the place of the "cute youngest cousin" and thoroughly enjoyed the role.  

Visit from our friend Greta who we met living in Carson:

throwing the stick for Boone. Edie loves animals and talks about Boone a lot.  She can't wait for him to join us here!

out to dinner with George, Gegi and Liz on the last night:

*nuevecito!

I know these 3D images can be a little creepy... I feel like this one is kind of cute, but maybe it's just because it's mine :) Anyway, you may not have known that we are expecting our 3rd little one! Due February 1 - currently 15 weeks. It has been a very very different pregnancy. I felt a little tired and nauseated in the very beginning, but it was super mild. I didn't have to survive on burritos and quesadillas to feel settled and could even eat a simple salad and be satisfied - crazy!! I now feel totally fine, almost not even pregnant [well except for some complications that keep me 'taking it easy' - disconcerting and frustrating]. So so thankful for this blessing of an easy pregnancy especially having the other 2 to watch. Anyway, we are all very very happy! The girls especially - Vera with a much more mature understanding now and Edie with hilarious little questions and scenarios she comes up with [when will the baby say, 'mama? I want some noodles!']. I have to get a video of it.  None of us can wait to meet this one ♥

*adios kindergarten

Vera is just growing and growing, we can't stop it :(  

This was a field trip to a nature museum that I chaperoned - she was so excited to have me there.

last day of kindergarten! she had a really nice teacher who I think helped her transition well. Her class was very sweet and seemed to get along great. Her teacher said it was one of her best classes ever - sometimes the whole group would break out into song together while they did their work!

*Grandpop's visit

I feel like I'm falling behind here. I keep seeing this adorable photo of Mike and the girls from his trip out in June and just love it so much and don't want to forget to post it. How cute is Edie looking up at her Grandpa??? He came out to see the Angels play the Red Sox... the first game was rained out but thankfully we were able to get to the reschedule the next day. It was really a fantastic weekend having him here and we hope it is a common occurrence :)

We took the ferry up to Boston and went to see the USS Constitution again.

Dinner at our favorite seafood place here in our town.

Have I mentioned my new favorite thing is crab cake sandwiches?? So delicious, especially at this restaurant. Super savory, a little spicy, nice chewy roll and onion rings alongside. It hits the spot.  Someone pointed out the crabs may not be local... maybe Maryland? Oh well :)

Have I also mentioned the girls love clam chowder??? Like really really love it.  Edie has an inadvertent [can't pronounce her 'r's] Boston accent and calls it chowda.

Such a fun stadium! Angels lost, but I was ok with rooting for the home team :) Sorry, Caters.... 

*

I bought Vera a chinese jump rope a few weeks ago - she loves it!! I can't wait for her to take it to school! [tho I wouldn't be surprise if her crazy principal deemed it unsafe] 

 Anyway, I just love this picture of her little legs, shoes untied, messy leggings, probably some holes in the knees... childhood :)

*little grump

When Edie hasn't napped or is just feeling a little grumpy, she will stop in her tracks and assume this little Charlie Brown pose.  You ask if she wants to walk or sit in the stroller and she says, "nothing" or "I don't want to go wif you anymore."  It is seriously so funny and adorable and just looking at these pictures makes us laugh.  If you stand there and prod her a bit or tell her there is no smiling she breaks and laughs too.

*Father's Day in Maine

We spent last weekend in Maine exploring Acadia National Park.  It was extremely beautiful and picturesque and just what you might imagine Maine to be like.  I loved the little towns with the old buildings and sweet storefronts, the harbors filled with fishing boats, the lobster pots stacked up outside people's homes, the lush greenery...

We stayed in a sweet little cottage/motel. Here is Vera decorating our screen door:

So fun to read through this one while we were there - such a beautiful book!

Edie is in HEAVEN digging in the sand and making her sand cakes and castles. 

I miss our sandbox so much.

she was so proud of this one and fell completely apart when she saw Ben dump it out before we left.

a good daddy :)

looking in the tidepools at the end of the ship's harbor trail:

learning to skip rocks from a master:

this little part of the island made me feel like I was in Avonlea :)

wild blueberry pie!

The lobster pound (what does that mean?) where we had dinner on Father's Day. Ben's parents realized this is the same place they went years and years ago when Ben was 3 and Jessie 5! How neat is that.

She posed with the lobster, but neither would even entertain taking a bite. 

*

Tonight Ben was at a Red Sox game with his history department friends. The girls and I didn't do anything exciting, but it was one of those nice, pleasant times where you just enjoy your kids and feel content with life.

We took our lemonade popsicles outside after dinner.  There have been some crazy hot and muggy days, but the last couple have been lovely with sun and a coolish breeze.  Our "backyard" of the campus is really beautiful and lush, a good place to play.

We spotted a baby bunny on the grass and spent the next while hoping it would come back out of the bushes after getting scared away.  You know how much Vera loves bunnies!!

Here the little guy finally hopped out. Vera is trying to walk by nonchalantly to not scare it, while Edie of course heads straight towards it. Poor Vera was so upset when it ran away again.

***

Later I let them color a little before they got in bed. It was so cute to see them working together. They were whispering and I listened in - first Vera was trying to help Edie with her pronunciation [she still says 'lose' instead of 'use'] and then I heard her telling a chicken crosses the road joke.

Of course there had to be a little drama - they had both *promised* to cooperate and get right in bed when I said it was time... Edie didn't care what she had promised and refused: "I'm NOT!" - clutching her little fist around the crayon :)  It took a little convincing, but she fell asleep without too much struggle.

Anyway - just a nice, everyday evening.