Summer in Lassen - Part 2 of 3

I'm hoping Dan can make time to post about his hiking trip up to Prospect Peak. What I can tell you is he left early in the morning and came back in the afternoon.
I had the morning to myself - the campground was quiet, the girls were sleeping and the air was chilly so I bundled up and spent some time reading, "The Book Thief." When the campers around us started to stir I woke up the girls and we slowly moved our way about until Dan returned.

Key, we slowly moved our way about...

Summer in Lassen Part 1 of 3

We made time for Lassen - we made time for us four. This trip was literally sandwiched between a rock and a hard place and we fudged & erased time to make it happen. It, this time together, had to happen.
I know our time together as a family is slipping away - morphing into another version of 'togetherness' - it's inevitable, the girls are getting older.
Fortunately we understand that stolen moments are necessary.

Our first campsite in Lassen National Park, Kaitlin & I decided to retreat from the sun and relax in the shade. We played cards, we read books and we napped. I believe we spent a huge chunk of our day in that manner.

We weren't in solitude - we had to share this beautiful spot with other campers - but if you squint your eyes just so, they disappear.
Kaitlin was bothered by the heat, I was intrigued with this incredible camera!
Dan & Breana spent their day on the raft, in the water, part on the raft and part in the water. They explored & drifted around the Lake. It was a blissful existence.

We acquired this raft on our last trip to Lassen. It's a perfect vessel for us & poliwhirl - it can be deflated & folded neatly into a box and it can be blown up to fit 2-3 of us. Every night while at this campsite, Dan & Breana would go out for moonlight excursions. Every night after cards, of course, or round robin game night w/ scrabble, golo & solitaire a la iTouch.

We came to one of our favorite places so that we could stretch out our days and spend them with ease & with as much simplicity as we could.

After one day of unwinding, it was easy to adapt to...

Fourth of July remembered in September

This seemed like a lifetime ago since I'm just posting it now. It doesn't mean the memories have faded though - far from it. As you may recall, while Independence Day wasn't my favorite holiday growing up, it has now become a holiday that I wrap my family & I up with small town tradition and enjoy it to the fullest.We started the day biking in a caravan to the square. It's a bike ride I sometimes don't look forward to, a bike ride that I sometimes have to force myself to get through but a bike ride that was full of glee this time around. Our caravan was so huge that we were able to casually break into different groups; some powered through the ride focused with strong determination, some kept at an even pace and chit chatted their way to our destination while others strolled and absorbed the creek, the dry hills and the rows & rows of grape vines. Different attitudes but the same purpose - getting to the Independence Day Parade!
Then we staked our claim - took up space in the square, soaked up the sun, took in the sights & sounds and became one with the lawn. It was heavenly & exhausting intermingled and separate all at the same time.
How many times do you get to do nothing and everything simultaneously because you want to and not because you have too?!!!

I personally find bliss in occasions where I can contribute to conversations but in the same breath become void in thought and just be there - it's being comfortable with who I am amongst who I'm with...family provide me with that.

I enjoy knowing my daughters have that, too.

Our California summers were full of sights of helicopters overheard with water buckets. It was disturbing that this day wasn't of the exception...but it was our reality this summer.

And what's a family gathering without a friendly-competitive game of soccer :}
The "B's" celebrate a goal!
Then the culmination of an entire day's event ends dramatically with bright lights and booming significance. It's a blend of sounds mimicing destruction while displaying grand beauty.

The most satisfying part is having our secret parking spot where we can slip into right before the show starts and slip out right before the hordes of pedestrians! No, I would never reveal such a secret - but I will share one thing...Independence Day in Sonoma is a must!

Creating memories

Summer so far has been non-committal and yet so fulfilling and satisfying.This time spent together has been so meaningful to me. I smile now at the stories my kids will have to reminisce over - and hopefully chuckle and sigh.

A dear childhood friend & I just went down memory lane - over 25 years ago that "lane" was - when time was nonsensical and tomorrow was a far-away land. Our families use to rent a house for a week in the winter. Don't get me started I'm liable to wake the house up with loud spurted laughter!

Oh wait, it's just Dan & Jack, Kylie & Brayton's dog...you see the girls are camping with their cousins for a week - yup, creating memoires :)

Just the kind of thing...

This is what happened when I asked them to recycle the big box in the garage...