Manresa: Take One

After a big day at the Boardwalk our morning moved slow, which was a pace that all of us agreed with.  By the time afternoon rolled around we found ourselves at Manresa State Beach.   There were rip tide warnings all week.  In fact, as we arrived a lifeguard engaged in an impressive real-deal ocean rescue.  The weather was a little colder, a little cloudier and a little windier than we would have preferred.  But considering that our valley temperature at home was 109 that day, cold and a little chilly was fine by us.

Fine would actually be an understatement.  Noah, Luke and all the rest of us were so happy to be at the beach.  I loved spending the majority of my time there just watching the fun ensue between so many cute kids.

 They jumped right into building, digging and filling up bucket after bucket with ocean water. 

 

Nate.  I just love that being connected to tradition is important to him.  My dad liked kites.  When I was about ten he found a kite at the Price Club and made sure we took it on every beach trip.  I still have that kite, and sweet Nate is the one who always remembers that we bring it and fly it.

I just smiled seeing my boys flying the same kite with their dad that I flew with mine.  A simple moment for sure, but nonetheless very sweet.  I get tender feelings in moments like that where my whole soul aches a bit and just wishes that my dad was still here to do those things with Noah and Luke. 

When Nate was at the beach as a boy Grandpa Pebley always took the lead on building a sand castle.  Just like the kite, Nate continued that tradition as well. 

 There were lots of little hands who wanted to get in there and help as well.

The perfectionist in Nate could have spent hours making everything detailed and exact.  Regardless, though, the end result was something everyone was proud of and had fun making.

 

Santa Cruz...Starting with the Boardwalk

Seven days in Santa Cruz was the perfect combination of fun and relaxing with family we love so, so much.  Our first adventure was the Boardwalk.  You'd have thought that Noah and Luke were seasoned Boardwalk veterans the way they talked about it before even arriving.  Those boys knew what rides they wanted to go on and a lot of what they'd see.  The Boardwalk did not disappoint for those boys or any of us.

Noah might be scared of Finding Nemo, but he's not afraid of going fast.  This boy loves the big kid rides.  He couldn't get enough and also didn't mind when we took breaks to try out the rides Luke could go on too.

I chose to see a lot of this vacation for myself instead of through the lens of a camera, so I feel like my pictures are a little scattered and incomplete when it comes to documenting the immense fun that filled those seven days.  But some is better than none, and the some we have will definitely help us remember such good times.

Aunt Brittany was so willing to ride with Noah.  He couldn't have been happier!  

 It was a little tricky to do every ride with every member of the family, but we loved it when our paths crossed and we could spend some ride time together.  Both of these boys are crazy about planes!

 It's pretty obvious from the pictures that Nate took Noah on a lot of the big rides and Luke was my buddy for a good portion of the day.

 But we also found plenty of rides that both boys could do, including the carousel.

One of the workers took a liking to Noah and kept handing him rings to throw at the clown as he rode.

I looked up at the ferris wheel and found Abby and Joey.

Sammie didn't want to ride the ferris wheel, so she hung out with us.

 Both boys loved riding with her, and that sweet Sammie was so good about going on rides that were hardly exciting for a big kid.

After a lot of rides, some cotton candy and corn dogs, we finished the day off with the Sky Rider.

 The Boardwalk was a complete success.  Such fun for all of us!  We can't wait to go back again and have another day of adventure.

Just Keep Swimming

I tried to call Noah 'Nemo' the other day after a really good swimming lesson, but he quickly corrected me and said, "Mom, I'm NOT Nemo.  I'm just a swimmer!"  Got it.  And maybe that has something to do with the fact that he REALLY hates that movie, because according to him "It's just sad Mom!"

Back to swimming.  Oh, my has this been the summer of learning to swim.  I've spent more time in the pool with my two little fish than I have since I was a kid myself.  Lots of swimming practice combined with the teaching magic of Maddy Millet have turned Noah into a kid who can at least save himself in the water.

He started to make a lot of progress around the Fourth of July when the girls came from Bakersfield and they all spent every day swimming together.  A little pressure from some older swimmers definitely helped.  Noah's always been comfortable in the water -- on his own terms.  Going into 'the deep' or having to swim what he deemed too far were confidence issues that he just had to work on.

But this week it all kind of came together.  Sure, his strokes can use a little help, but we've got a swimmer who can get his head out of the water to breathe, had a darn fast backstroke and is pretty good at treading water. 

Tahoe in Two Days

Last week we escaped the valley heat for a couple of days and cooled off in Tahoe.  It was past our usual dinner time by the time we got there, so we stopped at a restaurant to fill some hungry tummies.  As soon as the kids menu was placed in front of him Noah decidedly pointed to a picture and matter of factly said, "I want THAT."  We double checked more than once.  You really want mac and cheese with a salad? Yes, he did.

Noah is by no means a picky eater, but salad just hasn't been his thing.  Nate and I just shook our head, not surprised really by his choice, and more proud of him that he's so willing to try new things when it comes to food.  And really, what's not to like about Caesar salad?

A whole lot of our two days was spent in the water.  We tried out our first Nevada beach and loved it.  While it was a bit of a drive, Sand Harbor beach was beautiful.  It felt like the epitome of summer: lots of beach goers, life guards roaming, ice cream and milk shakes close by and warm, warm weather.

We were smiles all the way around.

 Noah is very into 'striking a pose' these days.

 These boys went from the water to sand and back again at least a hundred times.  I loved that there was no current or looming large wave to watch out for.  Tahoe beaches are the best!

When they did decide to take a break from the sandcastle building and splashing, Noah and Luke found Grandpa who had them giggling uncontrollably by playing 'this little piggy'.

 As if the lake wasn't enough, these silly boys wanted some time in the hot tub after we got home.

Our dinner that night was no surprise.  There's hardly a time that we're up there that we aren't making a visit to Tahoe Pizza Company.  This might be my favorite picture we've taken in that silly car so far.

 

We stayed close to the cabin on our second day riding bikes, playing and finding some more water to play in.  It's hard to believe that in May we were kayaking in the backyard and the water was barely up to the boys' ankles on this trip.

 

After exploring the river (or is it a stream now?) and finding some big sticks along the way, it was time for s'mores.  Grandma knows how to win these guys over.  All it takes is some roasted marshmallows. 

Camping, Party of 3

Friday afternoon Nate and the boys waved goodbye and headed up to the Sierras.  Ideal camping for Nate is remote, cool climate and beautiful.  Loon Lake fits all of those requirements, and each of them couldn't wait to get there.  All I asked for was a safe return and lots of pictures.  Nate came through with both.

I can only share all of the fun second hand, but by all reports it was a fantastic time.  Once they arrived back home the amount of excitement and information shared by three people all at once (including Nate) filled me with happiness and smiles. 

There was lots of time for exploring.  Nate loved seeing how sure-footed these little boys were, especially Luke, who really is just a little guy.  

 If anything makes the Dad in this family, it's developing a love for the outdoors with his boys. 

Dinner was 'authentic' camping food.  Noah and Luke are easy to please in the food department and they thought it was pretty cool to add water to Dad's Mountain House meals to make chicken and rice.  Camping magic. All week long the boys had talked about roasting marshmallows.  It was a definite priority for this trip. 

And they were all smiles when it came time to start the roasting.

I love Noah's silly face.  He is so much fun.

After cleaning up the marshmallow mess and noticing that the sun was low in the sky everyone headed up the ridge to watch the sun set.

It was just pure happiness out there at Loon Lake.

Nate reports that the boys slept great (I like to say they were well trained by their mother. :-) and really were the happiest of campers.

The boys filled up on breakfast and then headed over to the lake for a little wading.

Nate's first time camping with both boys was a raving success.  I loved hearing him say it was just fun.  There were no problems, the boys were great listeners and helpers.  There was just nothing but good times.  All of them can't wait to pack up the car and head back up to the mountains!