Camping in Lakes Basin

3 nights away, my camping check list continues to include: no cell phone coverage, a nap, coffee and wine outside and reading.  Taking a hike is bonus.  Spent Thursday day hanging out with Jesse, fun to go for a hike in the rain.  The boys joined us Thursday night.  Friday afternoon and evening we were joining by Lillian, Julian, Kim, Peter, Ana and the Dixons (Erin, Randy and Ani).  It rained quite a bit, but thankfully we had the gas fire pit, an awning and a heater in the caravan.  It was a treat on Saturday to go for a hike in a hail storm, how often do you hike through high alpine lakes with every weather pattern available (it rained, the sun came out, we heard thunder).  Dan's first try with the dutch oven didn't quite go as planned, but I think we'll give it another try.  We'll skip the details on Josh's intestinal issue, but just say that Dan continues to prove himself a saint.  Great to spend time with friends and get away from the never ending to do lists.

HMB and the Maker Faire

A quick trip to the coast, the boys and I made a pit stop at the beach, then hung out at Lobitos Creek Ranch.  The purpose of the trip was to go to the Maker Faire, which, according to Ben was "Amazing" and "double amazing" said to Josh.  Ben's favorite things were: robot karate, giant metalic robot shooting flames, R2D2.  Josh's favorite things were: robot bug, shooting fire robot, metal rhino and eating a corn dog.  I enjoyed chatting with the folks about screen printing, the Airstream mobile shop with model t cars, the crafty vendor shop, the giant bubbles and glow in the dark installations.  The faire was a bit overwhelming and very crowded, but I'd probably be talked into going again.

Slices of life, May 2015

Last night I had the realization that Josh was no longer going to be a toothless grin child for long (one of his front teeth has broken through), so I thought, "I'd better capture this stage before its gone."  But every stage seems like a fleeting moment.  My favorite Ben and Josh statements this week are...

Kissing Josh good night on Saturday, "Good night Josh.  I'm so proud of you, did you know that?"  "Yes mom, I've known that since the day I was born."

Ben spies the Penn Valley Northridge out the window on our way to the Kuk Swool Won black belt testing and says with excitement, "Mom, did you know there's a Northridge here, we have to go for pizza."  And I reply, "Everyone I've talked to says the Penn Valley Northridge isn't as good as the Nevada City one, we don't need to go there."  And then Ben replies, "Mom, I want to make an informed decision and not make my decisions based on what everyone else says."  Gotta give the boy credit for creative bargaining.

Other photos include Josh reading a new book from Ruth and Skip about National Parks.  The boys at the black belt testing, this was Josh's first (of 12) tests for his black belt and Ben's second test.  Both boys did a great job.  The week before Josh had his Guhm Moo Hyung test and did a form 100 times.  The photos below are from a quick trip to Camp Augusta, the boys had a field trip with school and then we went for a quick visit for an Outside Inn blog post.  And it was great fun on Monday to see the Tour of California speed through town, click here for those photos. 

School work

 

There are many photos from the last 2 months that really should be added to the family blog, but in the spirit of not worrying about things, I'm sharing these photos from today's math homework session and admitting that I don't enjoy homeschool as much as Dan does.  I think it's the nagging of the boys to stay focused on what they need to do that gets to me.  But, I will say that once they sit down and do it, they're actually rather efficient.

Al Johnson Uphill/Downhill Event

The 41st annual Al Johnson Uphill/Downhill Telemark race in Crested Butte was visited by the Incredibles!  After last year's event the boys decided they wanted to participate, so Dan was able to find them both telemark gear (Josh's set up required a bit of Dan-fabrication) and while we'd practiced a bit before the event, it was really the first uphill skinning the boys had done.  Our family themed costume was a hit (although the whole event is a costume affair, so we were just one of the 150 well dressed individuals out there on our skis).   Check out the photo on the Crested Butte blog. Josh won the award for the youngest participant (and he proudly told everyone he could that he was 7 years old and the fastest one in our family to the top of the hill).  The boys did great on the uphill and didn't bat an eyelash on the down.  Due to snow conditions the race did not go down the Last Steep, so we ended the race on the boardercross underneather Paradise lift and Josh went for the kicker before the finish line.  A fabulous day, the only downside was that we all got really sunburnt.    

Josh, March 2015

The tooth fairy has been busy!  

Winter snapshots

You know these two goofballs?  Here's a collection of some photos over the last couple of weeks.  While we wait for winter to return we've been eating ice cream, losing front teeth, participating in Poetry Cafes at school, Kuk Swool Won testing, spring skiing on High Beaver, figuring out telemark skiing in preparation for the Al Johnson Ski Race, floating down the Mardi Gras parade in a row boat, reading comics in SPD, cruising around the grocery store in a bathroom and handcuffs (not sure if there is an explanation for that photo) and doing just day to day life.