Summer - Dinner w/ the Begin-Schroeder's

Nicolas wanted to show me the paint job he did on his skateboard. Once I pulled my camera out he wanted a picture of the wheels in motion...I can see it spinning, can't you? We actually tried a few times, him viewing each shot after each take. This, without consulting him, I believe is the best 'action' shot.For Nicolas, this was his last day of summer. Not for Kaitlin & Breana! They went away for a week to Tahoe w/ my parents (I'm hoping their pictures turn out.) So for me, I was still basking in the glow of summer.Us 4 decided to play a quick game of Spades - Begin siblings vs Begin in-laws. The game never really reached the height of seriousness that it usually does - was it appetizers that distracted us or the cards? Yes, with the recipes of 52 cocktail drinks it was hard not to examine each card as you dropped it. I think I salivated at a few of the descriptions :]
As time slowly passed and the sun dipped behind the trees I started wishing for an Ace of Spades!
And then dinner was served...grilled burgers, fresh green beans, beans and grilled onions...followed by freshly picked peaches & vanilla ice cream. I believe, by the look of the tree right now, that the tree provided us enough to last until the end of summer.
With full tummys & warm hearts, Dan & I jumped on the tandem for our short ride home. It was another evening that enhanced our appreciation for living down the street from family.
Now to borrow that deck of cards...

Lunar Eclipse

Spectacular evening! Worth staying up for!

Party of 9

It was the end of a long, exhausting but most fulfilling week for all.
How do you celebrate?
Dinner at Kianti's w/ the Criswell's (Tom, Tisha, Kylie, Brayton & Tom's niece, Jordan). The wait was long, the size of our party may have had something to do with it - the popularity of this restaurant most definitely another factor.
Once seated pizza dough was flying in the air and rolled into balls then flattened (repeated as many times as felt necessary) * laughter surrounded our table * multiple conversations overlapped each other and all understood the other * lots of love was felt * delicious meal was served = time well spent.

Hume Lake Christian Camp

Hume Lake Christian Camp

Where: Hume Lake, Giant Sequoia National Park
What: An awesome summer camp
When: July 8-14, 2007
Why: To have fun with friends, have a blast and learn about God
How: $550 cost, 5 hour drive in 90 degree weather

CANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lucky for me (and my cabin-mates) our camp counselor

brought a bag full of candy galore. We scarfed down candy

for 6 days. This picture was taken on our first night.

Everyone was eating a lot of candy and telling stories.

This was the front side of my cabin. There was 2 sides with 4 rooms on each side. Unfortunately for us we were at the top of the hill. Ah, the belly flop and blob competition. Everyone was at the pond rooting on their team. To the left was the blob, kids would sit on a yellow mark on the blob while another person would jump off the platform to make the kid fly up in the air. To the right is the water trampoline which the judges would lay on and to the very very right was a swing where the belly flop competition was held.
A goat was brought upstage during recreation time for a special song that was sung throughout camp. It was called Animals!

Ahhhhhh! Puppy dogs, Paper Bags
Chicken Soup, ANIMALS!
Catupults, Ju-Ju Bees, Sand
Animals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a fun and exciting week with my cousin and I hope I can go next year!

Pictures & Post by Kaitlin

6 in a row

We watched the 6 little ducklings being pulled out of the harbor - evenly spaced out - looking a little hesitant but excited.
It started off with the last one letting go to taste freedom -
one by one
letting go and keeping the same distance from each other

the third one held on a little bit longer than the others

we invisioned a tantrum on one end and a pleading on the other

"Let go!"

"Noo! I'm not ready!"

"Let go!"

"Noo!..." The other ones tasting freedom taunting that one holding on for dear life ("Weeee, look at me!") while the others still connected together were angry and impatient to be let free ("Come on!")...until they were all set free from one another - darting here and there like kids set free in an amusement park. It was a sight! 6 little ducklings quacking along...

Us 4 had a grand time narrating this scene. A simple windy day at the beach creating mayhem amongst a smooth sail.