Sunset Moments

Sunsets are a little bit like life...

They are beautiful, they are bright.

Certain sunsets and life moments call for running and flying.

Other times you sit and simply enjoy the show.

keeping cool

It's almost July, but June isn't about to go out with out making a fuss. She has brought some incredible heat the past couple of days.

We are doing what we can to stay cool.

This includes post dinner pool parties in the back yard and trips to higher altitudes and snow run off at Donner Lake. I also splurged and bought otter pops for the kids (yum).

 

Desert Rats

On Friday we, loaded up Popup Penny and headed East for the long weekend. The last time we visited this place, O was just learning to crawl and we were braving the camping thing with a 9 month old. This time, we had two kids, one dog and three full days to play.

As soon as we crested the hill and the kids could see the big open playa, Fifi let out he biggest squeal of delight I have ever heard. I don't know if she was coo-coo from the long ride or just so happy to be camping again, but her comedic timing struck again and we all belly laughed.

 

I feel extremely at home on the desert. The playa is where I learned to drive, where I learned to watch the stars and look for UFOs. Although this isn't the Black Rock Desert (where I grew up), this smaller version is very much a happy place for me.It is called the Smith Creek Playa, located just outside of Austin, Nevada.

 

There is something truly otherworldly about being in a place so flat and desolate. It's like being at the ocean, only quieter. You can hear your heart beat, your breath and the wind in your ears. I practiced my yoga and went for two during our stay, pretty amazing on both accounts.

 

The weekend consisted of lots of time on the bicycle for O. Tons of running around trying to keep up with the big kids for Fifi. We all did some land sailing, rocket launching, kite flying, hot springs dipping, mud playing, giggling and visiting with friends.

I think I might be raising desert rats, and I'm cool with that.

Light Writer

Light painting, it's not as easy as it looks.

I love all the bouncy-jouncy movement in these. This is how if feels sometimes in parenthood.

no matter how still you try to sit, the life keeps swirling and twirling, beautifully, around you.

On the eve of the eve

Christmas 2012

Christmas PJ's

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house.... Jojo reading to O from my old book.

"Safe travels. I left cookies and carrots for the reindeer. Love, O and J"

Calm before the present opening storm.

Christmas Morning JOY!

CANNY CANES!

HOT WHEELS!!!

Princess Cheez-It at your service.

A boy and his dog.

Playing.

Putting things together. (A. got a telescope from Santa!)

Dinner time and more playing.

And then it started snowing, so we got out the sparklers and went out side to play.
I didn't get any photos of the sparklers in action... New Year's Eve is gonna be fun this year!

Frosty.

Thank-Filled

My crew on Wednesday night. My mom came over and stayed the night so she could have the entire day with us on Thurday.

A. got up early and started his magic for the bird. I am so glad he likes to cook and takes care of this part of the meal!

Smoking. It came out amazing. I think the best turkey we have had yet.

The boys, ready for our walk around the 'swamp' loop.

The kids helped make the icebox cake (more like, they ate a bunch of whipping cream and cookies- but I don't blame them).

Drawing an airport for the paper airplanes to land on.

Scrabble while the kids napped.

Big smiles all around.

It was a really good day!