Paul. Relaxed.

With school and work and regular life, sometimes I don't see this Paul too often, the relaxed one. But it's inevitable that at the Lake and Pineridge, I get to see Paul's face relax. That is something truly worth seeing! Soon I'll post pictures of Paul at the end of our vacation and you'll all be able to see what a difference 2 weeks vacation can make. It was good to get in a long rest before school and work start back for all of us, it makes it possible to do it all over again.

Tribute

Before I get too far in all the pictures, I have to give a little thanks and tribute to my grandmother, Connie. Without her, I wouldn't be able to come to the Lake or Pineridge, let alone bring my friends and family to enjoy our little patch of Heaven. It was her parents who built the cabins on both properties, and left them to their children, for those of us who came along later to enjoy. I have the utmost respect and love for my grandmother, who when thanked by my brother for the opportunity to come to these beautiful places said "Oh, don't thank me, thank who ever is in charge!" Just love her!

He's Got Skills

Last year, Paul taught Isaac how to use the little ax at Pineridge. This year he was eager to get to do it again. The first afternoon there, Isaac got to work using the ax to chop up small branches. This year, Paul gave Isaac his first knife, thrilling Isaac beyond belief. It has a sheath and Paul put it on a long shoulder strap. Isaac took it on many adventures and was proud to have Paul teach him how to whittle a stick to roast marshmallows.

Blissed-out Boy

What makes this boy so happy? Let's see, vacation: check. Mountains: check. Adventures: check. Fleece feety jammies: check. Reading Jack Sparrow books with mom: check. Absolutely love this picture of Isaac. It shows how happy going to Pineridge makes him, and it reflects exactly how I feel when I'm there: blissed-out. Just wish we were closer so we could go more often. Maybe one day, after Paul graduates, we'll move closer...we'll see.

Arrival

Driving all night from Tucson leaves me feeling a little pooped. We arrived around 11:30a, after stopping at the grocery store, then had to unload, get settled in and clean. By the time all that was finished, Isaac, who slept all night in the back seat, was itching to go on an adventure. Paul took him out while I found the only padded horizontal surface I could and took a snooze. I know it sounds crazy to drive all night, but it means the drive is so much cooler for us and the dogs, less traffic and Isaac can sleep through the majority of the 13 hour drive.

Digging to China

Ok, so I've got some serious catching up to do! These pictures are from the day before we left for our annual trip to the Sierras. I'll starting working on all the trip pictures soon. I'll TRY not to overdo the pictures from our trip, but there are over two weeks of great pictures...Here Isaac decided to try digging a hole to China, must be genetic because growing up Paul was always trying to do that very thing himself. But Isaac may be more serious about it since he needed my headlamp for when the digging created a tunnel and it got dark.
These are also some of the first pictures taken with our new "baby." Paul and I bought our Canon G9 when our old camera started acting funny just before our biggest picture taking event--our trip to the Sierras--of the year. Afraid it would totally die in the middle of our trip, we decided to do what we've been wanting to: get a new camera. LOVE it! Is it me, or does Isaac look much older than six in these pictures. I repeatedly ask him to stop growing, but he just won't do it! I am loving six, and I told him it's not that he can't get older, but could he just stay six for a few years and then move on the seven? Nope.

Isaac Tries the Diving Board

Today at the end of swim lessons, as a treat, Isaac's teacher took him into the diving bay and let him jump off the diving board. Naturally I had to go see. He knew the pool was 12 feet deep, his teacher had him jump off the side and swim a little to show him he could do it, then he climbed up the ladder onto the board, walked to the end, bounced a little and went right in! Totally AWESOME! He did it a few times, then went down the water slide a couple times, then returned to the diving board. This video clip is of the last jump where he was so fearless he went even before his teacher was in the pool. He did it and got to the side all on his own! I guess it may seem like no big deal, but for a kiddo who has never done anything like that, in water that deep, I am so proud.