Monday at Emerald Bay/Eagle Lake

Look what I found this morning.

We drove around the South Shore of Lake Tahoe today.

Emerald Bay is beautiful!

 

 There is castle built by the Knight family at Emerald Bay. We didn't make it to it as there was no parking either time we checked. If you look below....at the center...Mrs. Knight built a little tea house on the top of this island in the middle of Emerald Bay.

We couldn't find parking spots at any of the places the brochures said to visit....so we stopped in a turn around, and hiked down a bit into a pretty wooded area with a great view of the lake for lunch.

 

Reverse photo bomb - the bagel overshadows Arielle

 

After we ate we hiked around a bit.

 

I may have a couple of new pine cones for my international collection

 

On our way back down the mountain, we still could not get into the area to see the castle we wanted to see - far too many people. We did notice a public parking/hiking area across from it and stopped. Eagle Falls Picnic/Hiking area.  The parking was free. There was an outhouse. We decided to try the hike. The signs gave no idea of the distance to various parts on the map. We noted there were several lakes up the mountain and so the kids changed into suits.

We made it to Eagle Falls. It was a bit of a disappointment after Bridal Veil Falls and Multnomah Falls. 

When we found this lake I was sad thinking the kids wouldn't get to swim...but we kept hiking.....

 

We saw this sign and kept hiking.....

I learned some things on this hike.

• A 50 year old woman who hasn't worked out since VBS madness maybe shouldn't try climbing in the Sierra Nevadas as her first work out - but it worked.
• No matter how far you have come or have to go - when you ask, "How far?"  The answer is sure to be "You're about 1/2 way."
• Hiking at sea level in Misawa, Japan is much different than hiking up a mountain in the Sierra Nevadas
• The person bringing up the rear NEVER gets to rest. All rest until you catch up and then take off again....the thinking being your pace is the same as a rest????

Shortly after the above revelation, I told them all to hike ahead. I'd get there when I was ready, but I was dizzy and planned to take it slow and rest when I wanted.  The kids went ahead. Michael, seemed concerned about altitude and by dizziness so he stayed with me. SCORE....a walk with the boy friend without KIDS, in a beautiful spot with TWO cameras!

Meanwhile the kids were swimming. They began to get worried when we weren't right on their trail. They asked an older couple who was between us if they'd seen their parents on the train.  Oh  - the shock.

Their response, "We saw a tall man, with a short woman and some serious cameras." ::snort:: Guess that's us.

Eagle Lake is beautiful! Well worth the hike. Michael and I  didn't swim but I did cool off my feet. It was much quicker on the way home.

Krista handled meal planning for this trip, so I could get Rally stuff done before taking off. She remembers a favorite camping a meal. I'd totally forgotten about this meal and the youngers had never had it. As we talked we realized it became a traditional, favorite camping meal back in our camping days with the Bowers. LOL  So tonight, we had fritos covered in chili and cheese....though several of us had vegetarian chili, olives, avocados on ours without the cheese.  It's still a good camping meal.

We followed dinner with s'mores and Patick McManus by  the camp fire.

 

 

 

We really  must make time to do this more often.


Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sunday at Tahoe

These Gherkins ROCK! We were very busy with Stacia's birthday on Saturday - the Gherkins made lists of food and camping supplies, went shopping and loaded the trailer. Camping really CAN be like a vacation - if you have Gherkins come do all the prep and packing. ::snort::

We left for Tahoe after service. We arrived by 5 p.m. and found our campground.  We're happy with Tahoe Valley Campground.

We set up camp and HAD to go find Lake Tahoe. We found a city campground (which was full and didn't have sites big enough for us)  and a Dog Park on Lake Tahoe.

While walking down to the lake, I stopped to take photos. Michael and the Gherkins walked ahead. As I took photos I heard an older couple commenting, "THIS is what's wrong with this generation! Where's the mother in that picture? WHERE'S THE MOTHER!?"

I couldn't help myself. I smiled prettily and said, "Here I am, I was taking pictures."  ::snort::

Yuuki did not fully appreciate the dog beach.....but we encouraged her to go in anyway.

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Stacia is NINE!

It's finally HERE.

We've never had a child who enjoys her birthdays quite as much as Stacia! For a variety of reasons we stepped out of the "birthday racket"  quite a few years ago. We prefer small family parties over lots of chaos and whines and over-stimulation. We have had a few friend parties - usually in the birthday month and not on the day. Stacia LOVES her birthdays. She begins counting down months in advance - much like BreAnne with Christmas.

"Mom, my birthday is in 5 months, 29 days and a wake up!"

I am not quite so enthusiastic about this event.....

A few weeks ago I awoke to, "Mom, it's AUGUST!"

The girls have been trying to convince her all week that this is a leap year and we'd be skipping Aug 16th this year. She was in tears. I stepped in.

Today is 16 August 2014 and Stacia is NINE!

We're a Dave Ramsey family. We aligned our budget to match our doctrine. Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus. We have a $50 limit per child at Christmas. Their BIRTHDAYS are when we celebrate the gift THEY are to our family. We have a $100 limit. Stacia had quite a list of things she'd like for her birthday.....a sewing machine, a real phone, dolls, a kindle, a flute.....I explained we are a Dave Ramsey family (a man these kids know nearly as well as their uncles) and she admitted she knew she wouldn't get it all - but maybe one would be in budget.

We were helped this year by several factors. All the kids purchased their own gifts for Stacia. Stephanie, a local friend in the neighborhood, texted to say she had a sewing machine she wanted to sell before she moved. For $20 I had the number one item on Stacia's list. The kids got many of the other things...well - here - look.






Maya snuck this card to me last week at chapel

 Alex bought her a GIRL'S nerf pistol 

 

Nolan's love language is games and he found a great one that has add ons - with various Disney princesses.

 

We don't love Barbies - but Stacia has a few. She's asked for a Ken doll for years. We've not gotten her one. This year she pointed out to me that she likes to play games where they are a family and go on trips and it's VERY hard to have a family without a man. We support this reasoning. Arielle got her a Ken doll.  I tried to find a GI Joe doll - you know a man in a uniform instead of girly pants - but I couldn't find one like I remember as a child anywhere. 

 

Krista got her material.....love the set of Stacia's jaw as she contemplates this gift and what to do with it.....just like my grams. 

 

She found it incredibly funny Krista got her more fabric!

 

And more - at this point there were comments about the needle she'd broken on my machine.

 

Alex gave her another with a card that said, "Is it real?" It wasn't. An empty package wrapped to look like a gift. That'll preach!

 

 
 
Jamin purchased a Trac phone for the girls to use in Mexico. It wouldn't work it Mexico but has been activated.  Jamin told Krista to give it to Stacia from all the boys and Shelby in TX. This is the moment when she wonders is this a toy or REAL?  "I always knew I could count on my brothers," runs through her mind.  We heard a comment about "immigrants and natives" to the land of technology. It's odd that we have given birth to both. ::snort:: We had no plan of buying her a phone - but she plans to keep up the minutes....and  she informed us she'll use it to put all her older brothers and sisters in there and her grandparents - this way she can call when it works for her. ::snort::  She also told us she will be able to text. Again - I guess with so many older siblings out of the home this does make some sort of odd sense. 

Another jewelry set as she loves crafts

 She's been asking for a panda for years! We haven't been able to find one. Arielle found this one at Toys R Us and we couldn't resist. 

 

I bought Ken something other than his girly pants.

 

Stacia loves dolls. She's been saving to buy another American Girl doll - and has the money. BUT honestly - I have a hard time with spending so much money on ONE DOLL. I've noted she's not crazy to play with it either as she knows the price....so when I saw Toy's R Us had 18 in dolls that she could afford to buy with her allowance....I bought one....one with brown hair, glasses, and a sweet outfit that reminds us for BreAnne. LOL  She's thrilled and we stayed in budget.

Look at that face. It's priceless. Thank you so much, Stephanie! 

 

The planning of how to use Krista's material began in earnest.

 

Our game master explains the new set up to Stacia.

 

Earlier we made a cookie dough ice cream cake per Stacia's request

 

Happy Birthday sweetie - it's fun to share your excitement.

"Mom, 364 days and a wake up until my birthday!"

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Finally Friday

We made an ice cream cake for Stacia's big day.

We enjoyed a wonderful visit with Papa Phil, Ms. Beverly and Maya.  This was the type of visit which leaves you refreshed, knowing you must plan more in the near future - before you retire.

We finished some crafts for the Rally.

And I won't show the front just yet.

A friend dropped off a surprise for Stacia's birthday. She had an item on Stacia's dream list and wanted to get it out of her home before she moves. I was happy to buy Stacia a sewing machine and still have money for other gifts.

We started discussing how we really needed to pack if we were going to be ready to leave after service on Sunday. We didn't actually pack.

We picked up my computer!

We stopped at Toys R Us - and did not find a GI Joe doll...but Arielle went hog wild and we found lots of other things.

We came home and watched The Muppets Most Wanted.

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Pedicures, Crafts and Cookies

I woke up this a.m. and decided we simply had to have a bit of fun while Krista was here.

I was a bit worried we wouldn't be home in time to meet the S family - but we made it. We spent the afternoon with Rachel, Krista and I working on little surprises for the Fall Rally. I learned both Rachel and Krista are OCD.

At some point in the afternoon Arielle asked if the kids could make cookies. This was a great idea for the kids and us....not such a good idea for Arielle. Cookies are really not the bland fare that Arielle needs to be eating.

Joys a big helper!

 Rachel must not make cookies for the kids very often.....which is a good thing. Joy looked at the dough and said, "DEEE- Scusting!"

 

The boys didn't share her feelings

Zach and Nathan are pros!

Kissable Seth

It was a fun afternoon for the kids. We had been trying to get together for several weeks.  We got a lot done for the Rally too. ::wink::

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...