Fallen Leaf Lake Camping with 3 year olds

Zach and I had a wonderful time bring our two 3 year olds out to the wilderness. We drove up to the Lake Tahoe Area after an overnight stop for Sophia and I at the Hogan's house in Sacramento. We opted for a Yurt so we would not have to deal with tents along with the extra challenges of dueling 3 year olds.

 

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 Here is a pic of the yurt : home sweet home!
 

The lake was totally beautiful with lots of interesting rock formations and peaks in the area. And the TREES!!
 

We saw some giant sequoia as well! This was unexpected and while Sophia did check it out, I am not sure
 she was quite as struck by the scale as I was.

 

 We had some rain and Zach took one for the team and cooked during the rain. Everything and everyone else was dry in  the yurt.

 

 Of course the stars of the show were Donovan and Sophia. They got along just great when they were not undergoing a small powerstruggle on who could close the yurt door. It was an important role -- yurt door closer.  They finally decided to take turns which was a novel concept and very successful.  Good suggestion dads! Come fire pit time -- all was well.
 

 The headlamps were also a hit.
 

 The yurt was plush and we slept well. Sophia and I were up on the top bunk in our sleeping bags.

 

 Zach took a few pictures as well.

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Fallen Leaf Lake Camping with 3 year olds

Zach and I had a wonderful time bring our two 3 year olds out to the wilderness. We drove up to the Lake Tahoe Area after an overnight stop for Sophia and I at the Hogan's house in Sacramento. We opted for a Yurt so we would not have to deal with tents along with the extra challenges of dueling 3 year olds.

 

View Larger Map

 Here is a pic of the yurt : home sweet home!
 

The lake was totally beautiful with lots of interesting rock formations and peaks in the area. And the TREES!!
 

We saw some giant sequoia as well! This was unexpected and while Sophia did check it out, I am not sure
 she was quite as struck by the scale as I was.

 

 We had some rain and Zach took one for the team and cooked during the rain. Everything and everyone else was dry in  the yurt.

 

 Of course the stars of the show were Donovan and Sophia. They got along just great when they were not undergoing a small powerstruggle on who could close the yurt door. It was an important role -- yurt door closer.  They finally decided to take turns which was a novel concept and very successful.  Good suggestion dads! Come fire pit time -- all was well.
 

 The headlamps were also a hit.
 

 The yurt was plush and we slept well. Sophia and I were up on the top bunk in our sleeping bags.

 

 Zach took a few pictures as well.

Read more...

3 pregnant women, 2 toddlers, 1 cabin- Fall in Tahoe

A few weekends ago we went to Tahoe with some friends that used to live nearby and others live far away; the intention was to relax, enjoy each other’s company and breathe in fall. On Saturday we went to the lake, the park and Tahoe City, and on Sunday the boys went hiking with the kids and I went to Truckee to walk around and shop. Of course the highlight of the trip for me was the surprise birthday cake Cyrus arranged for me on Sunday night (2 days before my birthday)!  

It really was a great trip filled with vibrant fall colors, rain and lots of great culinary treats. 

 More photos from our trip......

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3 pregnant women, 2 toddlers, 1 cabin- Fall in Tahoe

A few weekends ago we went to Tahoe with some friends that used to live nearby and others live far away; the intention was to relax, enjoy each other’s company and breathe in fall. On Saturday we went to the lake, the park and Tahoe City, and on Sunday the boys went hiking with the kids and I went to Truckee to walk around and shop. Of course the highlight of the trip for me was the surprise birthday cake Cyrus arranged for me on Sunday night (2 days before my birthday)!  

It really was a great trip filled with vibrant fall colors, rain and lots of great culinary treats. 

 More photos from our trip......

Read more...

Girl’s Mountain Weekend

Labor Day weekend Cyrus was out of town at a friend's wedding- congratulations Wes!  So, I thought why not take a weekend trip to the mountains with my best friend.  We left on Friday night for Mi Wuk and after 4.5 hours in the car (more than twice what was expected), all of which Sophia was an absolute trooper for, we arrived.  Sophia entertained herself in the car by reading books, talking, singing songs and finally falling asleep in the car.  


On Saturday we headed out and checked out a local pizzeria for lunch and then headed to the lake for the afternoon.  I bought Sophia a new sand toy and she had a great time filling it up with sand and water and watching it drain.  After all the water fun we bought frozen yogurts at the lake store- I have learned my lesson about sharing ice cream with Sophia and decided to buy her her own.  She ate most of it before it fell into the dirt.

 

That evening we had dinner at a local institution and then played board games for hours.  Sunday we headed home slowly, stopping in Sonora for a stroll and later at various fruit and vegetable stands on the way.  Sophia ate her weight in strawberries and I frankly I don’t blame her- they were the best I have ever had- super sweet!  On Monday we went to BBQ at a friends and took it easy- it was a very laborless day. 

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Girl’s Mountain Weekend

Labor Day weekend Cyrus was out of town at a friend's wedding- congratulations Wes!  So, I thought why not take a weekend trip to the mountains with my best friend.  We left on Friday night for Mi Wuk and after 4.5 hours in the car (more than twice what was expected), all of which Sophia was an absolute trooper for, we arrived.  Sophia entertained herself in the car by reading books, talking, singing songs and finally falling asleep in the car.  


On Saturday we headed out and checked out a local pizzeria for lunch and then headed to the lake for the afternoon.  I bought Sophia a new sand toy and she had a great time filling it up with sand and water and watching it drain.  After all the water fun we bought frozen yogurts at the lake store- I have learned my lesson about sharing ice cream with Sophia and decided to buy her her own.  She ate most of it before it fell into the dirt.

 

That evening we had dinner at a local institution and then played board games for hours.  Sunday we headed home slowly, stopping in Sonora for a stroll and later at various fruit and vegetable stands on the way.  Sophia ate her weight in strawberries and I frankly I don’t blame her- they were the best I have ever had- super sweet!  On Monday we went to BBQ at a friends and took it easy- it was a very laborless day. 

Read more...

Saskatchewan, Canada: Vacation #2

Sophia took her first trip outside the country to visit Cyrus’s family in Canada. We started with 4 days at the lake house with many of Cyrus’s extended family members.

Sophia was in heaven surrounded by family members ranging from under 1 to around 10, plus all the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. The weather was sunny and the lake was not too cold, so playing in the sand and the water was a major part of everyday’s activities. We did manage to also squeeze in kickball, red light green light, and squirt gun tag.

At night we played games and chatted around the campfire, while making and eating delectable smores.

It was a joy to see everyone, many of whom we have not seen in 7 years. After the lake, we spent a few days in Duperow enjoying each other’s company, watching the rain, taking walks and tours of the farms and digging up potatoes. Sophia had a blast playing with the all the toys Marilyn has for granddaughter and all the kids who visit.

As part of this visit we had our Christmas in July gift exchange. Of course we completely forgot about it and therefore had nothing to offer. We will however remedy that situation immediately. We did get lots of books, games, and handmade quilts from his aunt. She made us a denim one as a souvenir from the reunion and a special one for Sophia in pink, orange and yellow which are in transit-pictures will follow.

More pictures of our trip....

Read more...

Saskatchewan, Canada: Vacation #2

Sophia took her first trip outside the country to visit Cyrus’s family in Canada. We started with 4 days at the lake house with many of Cyrus’s extended family members.

Sophia was in heaven surrounded by family members ranging from under 1 to around 10, plus all the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. The weather was sunny and the lake was not too cold, so playing in the sand and the water was a major part of everyday’s activities. We did manage to also squeeze in kickball, red light green light, and squirt gun tag.

At night we played games and chatted around the campfire, while making and eating delectable smores.

It was a joy to see everyone, many of whom we have not seen in 7 years. After the lake, we spent a few days in Duperow enjoying each other’s company, watching the rain, taking walks and tours of the farms and digging up potatoes. Sophia had a blast playing with the all the toys Marilyn has for granddaughter and all the kids who visit.

As part of this visit we had our Christmas in July gift exchange. Of course we completely forgot about it and therefore had nothing to offer. We will however remedy that situation immediately. We did get lots of books, games, and handmade quilts from his aunt. She made us a denim one as a souvenir from the reunion and a special one for Sophia in pink, orange and yellow which are in transit-pictures will follow.

More pictures of our trip....

Read more...