Month: August 2012

Fishing under the tutelage of Uncle Nathan at Lake Phil (=my parents’ pond)

The one below kind of makes my heart melt! Ah I LOVE this baby!!

Tender-hearted Uncle Nathan brought a BB gun for Chase & Charlotte to try out, in exchange for being well-behaved during family photos (which are coming up in California Part 3! As soon as I figure out how to blog those).

This picture reminds me of that part in Cinderella when the stepsisters push each other back & forth & then peep through the keyhole to watch Cinderella get scolded. I told the kids that, and they miraculously knew exactly which part I was talking about! We’re all geniuses.

Charlotte is basically a model here.

Isn’t Rachel a great photographer (with a great camera)?

Caroline ate tons of delicious baby food that Jessica had selected at the store before we got there (& Caroline even had whole blueberries there for the first time). I love her kissable little face.

Chase & Charlotte’s first time on a Ferris wheel—at Traintown in Sonoma with Pace, Rachel, & Grandma.

Charlotte has been really eager to ride a Ferris wheel since she was 2, when we read a library book about Barbie’s little sister, Kelly, riding a Ferris wheel.

These kids have some amazing adults in their lives!

Rachel could certainly pass as the cute mother of these cute children.

I love this picture. Even the horses were overjoyed that day!! Charlotte’s horse looks like a psycho!

Don’t cry, baby sister.

Big Brother Chase knows how to comfort her.

Yeah baby, I am getting this done! We went to California a few weeks ago, & it was grrreat! I don’t want to forget these fond memories. (Many photos courtesy of Rachel, thanks so much sis!)

We enjoyed going to the Sonoma County Fair, just like we did when we were kids. Our whole family was there together! As you’ve probably already heard, Chase tried his hand at Mutton Bustin’, & did quite well! I knew he would do well because of his determined (ahem, stubborn) personality. He held onto that sheep for dear life & it was hilarious to watch.

We couldn’ta been prouder of our little guy gittin’ that there first place.

Charlotte stuck to activities that she knows best, like intense tea parties…

And basking in the attention of a whole bunch of doting adults. How cute is my dad?!

She especially adores Aunt Rachel. It was nice to have her be someone else’s shadow for a change!

We got to see Great Grandma T. a few times!

Some of the group went camping at Bodega Bay. I heard it was pretty fun, but then very cold & wet by morning. And I can’t forget to mention that Nathan & my dad rode bikes out there, & then Dad & Pace rode back mostly uphill, 30 miles, Pace wearing his cutoff jean shorts! My husband & dad & Nathan are intense!

We went out to a few classic favorite restaurants, like Crepevine & Omelette Express. The kids loved spotting Snoopy character statues all over town (Santa Rosa is Charles Schultz’s hometown).

And the #1 place we always have to visit, Howarth Park! So many fun things to do there, including my favorite boingy horses on a spring. And so many fond memories for me there, of years of cross-country training. Including meeting there at 6:30 am for summer morning runs. I don’t know what I was thinking back then, but… Go Me of the past!