Dad and Christa Come for a Visit!

My Dad and Christa flew out last weekend for a visit.   They spent the first part of the week in Carmel, while we worked, but joined us in Marin on Thursday night.  

On Saturday morning, Jason was working, but the rest of us went on a nice hike in Tennessee Valley.   In the evening, we hosted Jason's family for dinner.  

Today, Dad and Ethan dropped Christa at the airport and then continued on for a special Grandpa and Ethan vacation to San Diego.   Ethan is so excited, he could hardly sleep the night before.   I hope he doesn't drive my Dad crazy!  Trip report to follow next week.

Mountain Meadow Year #3

We have just returned from our third year at family camp.   We had a really lovely time, it is always a great week to spend with the Cortez family.   We also knew two of the other families up there from years past, so it was fun to reunite.

As before we did some killer hikes--this year's addition was one called the "three lakes hike" which involved going over two mountain passes off trail to hit three mountain lakes in one long hike. There was a lot of boulder scrambling and even some non technical climbing--my arms hurt for several days afterwards!   But it was a really cool hike.  We went with a guide from the lodge--we could not have made it without her.

This year was particularly hot compared to the last two years--no snow, and no need for jackets at all.   Also was a bit more buggy than years past, with Alaina getting the most mosquito bites.

The kids, as usual, had a blast, with lots of time to run around and play.   Ethan did a big hike with us on friday, almost 15 miles and almost 4000 feet in elevation--he did great, and enjoyed his new hiking boots as well.  

Alaina told me "I love mountain meadow, except the hiking".    She did complete a 5 mile hike, with some serious complaining.  Her favorite part was playing in the river and the meadow.

  

One day, we ran into a big rattlesnake on a trail--yuck.  We didn't see any bears this year, but apparently one paid a visit to the Lodge late Friday night.  It was certainly sad to say goodbye after a great week!  I hope that we can make it next year.

Summer Fun

Here are a few things that we have been up to in the past couple of weeks:

Alaina's half birthday--turning five and a half is a big deal, when you are five and a half!   We marked the day with cupcakes, and Pri made some Brazilian candies called Brigaderos.

Fellowship Graduation party--we hosted a party to celebrate my fellows graduation--this year my two fellows were joined by a pedi cardiac anesthesia fellow.   The more the merrier!

Marin County Fair--We celebrated the Fourth of July at the Marin County Fair.  It has been a few years since we have been there, and the kids didn't really remember it too much!   But they certainly enjoyed the rides, and staying up late to watch the fireworks.   It think this may be the last year that the "kiddie rides" appeal to Alaina, sadly.

As an added bonus, Ethan participated in a piano competition.   He did a great job--about 6 kids played in his category, and all were awarded a 1st, 2nd or 3rd medal--he got a 2nd.   Most kids there were much more experienced than him, so I was proud of his bravery getting up there and "doing it".

Building boxes--the past two weeks at summer camp, Ethan has been "building a box".   Today was the last day.   When our au pair went to pick him up, it wouldn't fit in her car.  So later, when I got home, I made the trip back to get it.   IT barely fit in my car!   I have no idea what we are going to do with this baby, but he is pretty proud of his craftsmanship, and I must say, the corners are pretty square!

Memorial Garden

Last Tuesday marked a year since my mom's death.   The year since then has been inexplicably fast yet slow.   I am not really sure how to characterize it more than that.   I feel sad about it, but really more about her whole illness.   Her death was really the punctuation mark at the end of a very long sentence.   (Or maybe a doctoral thesis paper.)

Regardless, the day was not a "normal" one, and I did feel heavyhearted. I was not exactly sure how to memorialize it, but wanted to do something to recognize her life.    

After my mom died, some friends bought me a gift card to a local garden store.   Plant something to remember her by, they instructed.   So, this weekend I did.   I bought a beautiful pink rose plant and planted it in the backyard.  I have this very vague memory of my parents having roses in the first home we lived in.  I remember my mom carefully covering them up with these styrofoam cones each winter, and placing a brick on top to keep them protected over our long Chicago winters.   I remember, too, a rose being planted in Mesa, Arizona, after my Grandma Harris died, to memorialize her life.   Somehow, this plant just seems right.   The color is one I just know that she would have loved-a deep, rich pink, with dark green foliage.

Meanwhile, I asked my kids to color some rocks like ladybugs, to put in front of the plant.    I think that she would have liked that too.


  

So, Mom, we are thinking of you.   We miss you.  And we will think of you each time we are out in the backyard.