Transitions

 I couldn't keep the blog going since Dad died because anything I thought to post felt trivial and really there hasn't been much sit back and reflect time in the last three weeks. So to get back into blogging again, I'm going to post the poem that Caitlin read to open Dad's service.

As We Look Back

by Unknown Author

As we look back over time
We find ourselves wondering .....
Did we remember to thank you enough
For all you have done for us?
For all the times you were by our sides
To help and support us .....
To celebrate our successes
To understand our problems
And accept our defeats?
Or for teaching us by your example,
The value of hard work, good judgement, courage and integrity?
We wonder if we ever thanked you
For the sacrifices you made.
To let us have the very best?
And for the simple things
Like laughter, smiles and times we shared?
If we have forgotten to show our
Gratitude enough for all the things you did, we're thanking you now.
And we are hoping you knew all along,
How much you meant to us. 

 Reading and hearing about all of the grand children's adventures through blogs was no doubt one of Dad's favorite pastimes so in that spirit, I'll pick up where I left off (starting tomorrow) and get to posting about all the joy and good that came from our trip.

21 Weeks and the Family Minus Pai

Stanislaus River

We came across the Stanislaus River by accident, but it turned out to be what will be one of the best experiences of the Summer. We hiked down a steep hill after driving on very dangerous mountain roads with no gaurd rails or signs to be seen. We had no working phone, no water, didn't tell anyone where we were going, and no food.

After finally making it down the hill, Moojie approached the riverbank and went sliding down a big boulder straight into the water. As we weren't counting on a river swim or any swim for that matter, no one brought a swim suit so everyone followed Moojie and swam in clothes.

The rocks were so smooth that they served as natural slides. The place was absolute paradise. Doesn't it look fake?

A nearby group lent us their tube for the kids to use which was all fantastic until we heard Freddy say

" uh, I need some help. I'm floating down the river."  My brother in law jumped into action leaving my 5 year old neice alone in the water and then slipped flat on his back with a smack on the rocks. I yelled for Moojie to grab my neice while my brother in law recovered from the fall and caught Freddy just in time.

The kids were like penguins on ice sliding around on this rock.

So even though my parenting wasn't stellar and lives were risked just about every 3 seconds, I had a few lucid moments and didn't let Moojie dive from this rock.

I would like to document my willing and happy spirit despite a) heat b) pregnancy c) lives at risk d) no phone, water or supplies.

Half way through the hike up, I was sure that a little pre-term labor would kick in, but I was fine and the kids haven't stopped begging to go back.

Here's a bad picture of the view down to the river from the road above.

and another look from a quarter of the way up

I haven't even scratched the surface on pictures from this mountain adventure week, but it's hard to get time with 6 kids in the house, and all of our pool, lake, and river time. It's a rough life here in California.

My Three

I got this picture of my three kiddos off my sister's iPhone. Why is it that they're willing to sit so nicely when I'm not the person behind the camera? I'm just happy I have the picture.

Happy 4th of July!

We're having a small town America 4th of July today. I love seeing the kids interact with my nephew; there's great mutual adoration and it's a perfect peek into how things might be when our own little guy arrives.

Fishing at Alpine Lake

We drove through the Stansilaus National Forest and Big Trees State Park through Bear Valley to pay a visit to Alpine Lake. The scenery was spectacular, the weather was perfect, and all but one cousin with lake-muck aversion had a great time. Moojie got an altitude headache since we climbed from 2,000 feet to 8,000 feet in a short time, but he still fished and helped carry the ridiculous amount of stuff we seem to bring with us everywhere. After a short re-group at home, we still managed a long pool session in the late afternoon followed by smoked chicken fajitas on the back deck at dusk. If I had to write out an itinerary for my ideal holiday, this would be it. Now we just have to get Pai on a plane to join in all our adventures.

Cousins Swimming In The Bay

I forgot to post this a few days back. Freddy and Zita spent a night in the city with their two cousins and went to the beach the next day, while I took Moojie on a tour of Stanford campus. I'll have to do a post just on Stanford. Moojie loved it!

Zita Swimming in the Lake

Doin' the Stuff That Mountain Folk Do

Fishing at the lake, shooting targets off the back deck, swimming at the lake, jumping off the float, and BBQing for every meal. I'd say the kids are having the time of their lives.