Big Plans

i had big plans for today... and then my kids whined all day. georgie wanted to nurse every 2 hours, just like she was a newborn again, and then whined in between. jake was unusually cranky and just about drove me crazy. when they were both in the middle of a complete meltdown john had to leave for work...

i was not looking forward to the rest of the afternoon.

but amazingly, jake cheered up & georgie woke up from her nap a completely different gal. we had a great afternoon and played outside until daddy came home.

maybe tomorrow i'll be able to get to those plans.

This Girl...

cracks. me. up.

i sure love that little face.

Opening Weekend

We just got home from spending the weekend at Silver Lake in the Eastern Sierra's for the opening of trout season. Neither of us are really big fishers but we love going and spending time with Papa & Grandma Cheri. It's such a beautiful place, so peaceful and relaxing. My only regret is that we didn't stay longer... maybe next year.

When we arrived it was cold & snowy... and the forecast wasn't much better for the rest of the weekend. But by Saturday morning, when the kids & I arrived at Papa's spot, it was sunny & warming up. {Although while John, Dad, Alan, & Angel were out there at 1:30am it wasn't so warm. They spent a cold, cold night out there-- crazies!} The rest of the weekend was actually really nice. The temps weren't too warm but the sun was out and most of the time you didn't need a coat, just a second layer. It was perfect. Not too hot, not too cold.

Opening Flag Raising... SNAKE!


Playing in Papa's boots

Walking to Papa's spot

Papa taught Jacob to fish...
and he loved it!


Georgie too.

John caught the 1st fish opening morning



Jake caught his 1st fish... and then 2 more

playing in Papa's spot, it was really muddy & wet


the big catch
Papa 4lbs, 2oz --- Damien 4lbs, 6oz
really reeled in on his teeny, tiny Transformers fishing pole




breakfast in the cafe








on the way home... lunch at Schat's Bakery in Bishop

It was a great weekend. Jake loved learning to fish, playing in Papa's spot, feeding the ducks, and watching the birds eat Grandma's peanuts on the porch. Georgie loved it all too. We're so glad we went and can't wait to go next year. We added our names to the cabin list so hopefully next year we can stay in our own cabin right there at the Silver Lake Resort. This year we stayed at Whispering Pines, which wasn't bad, but we'd rather be right there at SLR with everyone else.

Family History Friday

Since my dad was a little boy he's been a fisherman. Every year, as far back as he can remember, he's gone to Silver Lake for the opening of trout season. This year will be no different. Well, maybe a little different. This year he will be teaching Jacob to fish.

I'm not sure who is more excited.
Papa?
Jacob?

Papa fishing through the years...

the 70's

early 80's with Brad


the 90's... at Silver Lake
{this is the kind of weather we are expecting this year... cold & snowy, brrr}

the 00's with Uncle Jim in Oregon

Uncle Don

Donald Eugene Schlicher
28 June 1928 - 15 April 2009
Burbank, California

Today we attended my Great Uncle Don's funeral. His spirit left this earth last Wednesday, April 15th, to join his dear wife Merial in heaven. {Her funeral was last month.} Today they celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary together.

I love my Uncle Don dearly. He always made me feel like a million bucks, like I was the most special girl in the whole world. Just being around him I felt more confident, loved, and capable of taking on whatever came my way. He was such a gregarious man. So full of love, happiness, and friendship. He loved- and was loved by- many. I was blessed to call him my uncle.

Although it was a sad occasion, it was great spending time with my family. At one point, most of us lived in Southern California and we'd see each other often, but that has changed as the years have gone on. I miss those days when we'd get together for a Saturday at the park. Now, our reunions are few & far between. Today we were able to visit with my Grandma Doolittle, she lives in Oregon, and my Uncle Jim, who flew in from Denver. There were lots of other aunts, uncles, and cousins there too. Seeing them is wonderful and reminds me what an amazing family I have been blessed with.

Our table: Georgia, me, Jake, Dave {my Dad}, Cheri, Betty {my Grandma}, {Aunt} Linda, {Uncle} Jim, and Amy {cousin}

Brothers
Dave & Jim

Home Grown

This evening we made a quick trip to Gram's house so Jake could pick the very first strawberry he grew. He was pretty excited about it the whole way there. And once he saw that perfectly, plump, red strawberry... he was pretty darn pleased with himself.

Admiring it
Asking if he can pick the others. {Gram told him not yet.}

So he showed them to us... just so we knew there were more.



I asked him after he ate it {without sharing, I might add} how it tasted.
His response.

Delicious.

that's pretty darn cute.

Saturday Is A Special Day...

Georgie got a Target gift card for her birthday from Debie & Willie so we decided to get her a new bike since her old one's handle bar fell off. While she took her nap Daddy & Jake put together her "My First Big Wheel" in princess pink. Turns out Jake's a little more than helpful and slipped an important piece into one of the wheels. It took a while, but Daddy worked his magic and retrieved the piece and was able to finish her bike just before she woke up from her nap. And boy was she happy!!

And then we headed to Papa & Grandma Cheri's house to visit with them and Great Grandma Doolittle. We had a great visit with them. I always love when we get to spend time together. Jake pulled his usual and didn't want to play outside because it was too windy. {He's hated the wind since he was a newborn... and he continues to... I don't understand. Even if there's a breeze outside he comes back in.Weirdo. Unless he's playing at the park... then the wind doesn't bother him.} Eventually he came outside & played with Great Grandma & Georgie.

After our visit we hurried back to Gram's house, changed clothes, kissed the kids goodbye and then John & I spent our evening in the temple. It was wonderful being there. I love the perspective it brings, as well as the peace and assurance that life is good. It was also nice to have a night to ourselves. We need to do it more often. {thanks Gram}

Friends...

Today we got to spend a few hours with Kyle. His mom & dad are still in the hospital with his new baby brother so he came over here to play with Jake. Those boys are so silly. As soon as they see each other they go into 'wrestler-mode' and chase each other around trying to tackle one another. It's funny for awhile... and then it gets to be too much for me. But neither one of them gets upset, they laugh and laugh, and then go on playing.

They really are the best of friends.

While Kyle was here playing I got to sneak away for a little while & visit Heather at the hospital and meet little Andrew. He is such a sweet baby. I just love that newborn phase. Heather looked & felt great, her labor & delivery went really well, I'm so happy for her.

I feel pretty lucky to have Heather as my friend too.