A quick trip

Last week there was no school because of President's Day and budget cut days--and the week before we had snow days on Thursday and Friday. Trace's foot had broken open a little in the ice, so by last Sunday night we decided a small getaway might be in order. On Monday we made reservations for three nights in Reno (our requirements were inexpensive with a heated pool). It was a perfect break for our family. We were on the seventeenth floor and outside our window was perhaps the thing most thrilling to a five year old boy: the railyard. Jack spent a lot of time sitting in the window watching the freight trains, the passenger trains, the unloading of the containers, the coal trains. . . Hours went by while he gave us a running monologue about all the events below. If we weren't train watching, you could find us at the pool. Both kids loved playing in the water, and there were eight individual "bubble pools," bathtub size, and only about sixteen inches deep--kid heaven.
We came home a day early, because of a severe storm coming in. We were glad we did, because this storm, unlike most, actually lived up to all the hype and dumped three feet of snow in less than twenty -four hours. We've been out of power ever since! There was plenty of shoveling to keep us busy, and free entertainment when Will jumped off the deck rail into the snow and got stuck. Hopefully the power will be restored tomorrow, and in the meantime we're enjoying the quiet. Here's wishing you a peaceful week too!

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My kind of day

What could be better than a day that looks like this? The kids and I cleaned off the back porch on Saturday and put out the summer cushions and pillows. Best of all (for us anyway) was that Trace came home early from his golf tournament, so we got to sit outside and have dinner together. Fresh strawberries and cherries from the farmer's market, and hamburgers that Trace made. Yum! Of course it rained on Monday, and because I had seen the weather report calling for merely "showers" (the cushions would be okay with a few drops of rain, right?), I didn't bring them back in, and they'll probably take the rest of the week to dry off. But they were sure nice on Saturday!

Caroline Fike's Chair

Our three-year old Caroline Virginia Fike was given this chair by her grandmother Caroline Viola Fike. It is an amazing story, well told in the card that accompanied the chair. In case it's hard to read small, I'm going to reprint it here. The card in the last two pictures says:

Dear Caroline, When I was your age, three years old, my Mom and Dad gave me this little chair for my birthday. This picture is of me with the very same little chair. I'm playing with my dolls on the porch of our house. That was 70 years ago! The chair stayed at my Mom and Dad's house and dairy farm in Porterville, California most of those years. This is where I grew up with my older sister Patricia and my older brother Fred. A few years ago Grandpa Chuck brought the chair to our house in Grass Valley. He has been waiting for just the right time to restore it for someone very special; that special someone is you: Caroline Virginia Fike.

We are honored to own this chair.

Caroline's Third Birthday!

Our little girl is three! This is a whole series of pictures of Caroline's birthday party. The fact that it was her birthday all day was a hard concept for a three-year-old. When she woke up in the morning and I told her "Happy Birthday," she responded: but nobody is here yet. She repeated that line all day. To her a birthday is all about the party, and her party didn't start until 5pm. It was a perfect time, especially since both kids had at least an hour nap beforehand. She loved her party, and she was so excited about all her friends being there, and opening presents (she loves gifts: she's always wrapping things up and giving them to people).

This first picture is from the night before, working on her cake together. Then we move to the party pictures. Here she's looking quite excited about this big gift from Grandma Caroline and Grandpa Chuck. She was also excited when her friends Elizabeth and Marilyn arrived, and she opened her gift from Elizabeth (neither of them could wait:)): food for her new kitchen. Trace spent the afternoon and evening preparing a sumptuous feast for everyone: yum! We had delicious tacos, with a choice of mild chicken, spicy chicken, or medium beef. Something for every taste! The most amazing Aunt Becky made Caroline a bunny for her birthday, and they had a special time opening it together. Caroline was Becky's shadow when everyone first arrived: all the people were a little overwhelming for a few minutes. Lindsey and her son Graham, so sweet. Caroline wearing the Clement's special birthday crown. Aunt Katie loaned it to us via Grandma Jo for Caroline's birthday. Thanks for sharing! Sitting in her new chair from Grandma Caroline. I'll do an entire blog post on that later. It was very special. Opening Dave's gift with him. Lindsey and Betsy with their two boys visiting. Trystan, Marilyn, and Caroline playing with Caroline's pretend cookie set--perfect for her new toy kitchen. The Beltrans, who kindly brought a gift for Jackson too. Singing happy birthday: time for cake!

Caroline blowing out her candles. Sitting on Dave's lap putting on her purple goggles from Tracie. The three roomies. Beautiful Betsy and her son Andrew. Aunt Heide and Caroline. Finishing the night dancing for Mike and Ellen. We're glad you're three Caroline. You are a treasured part of our family. You keep us all laughing, and melt our hearts with your smiles and cuddle times. I'm excited to see you grow in the years to come. I love you!

The Farm

Two weeks ago now, the kids and Becky and I drove to Portland for a spur of the moment trip to meet Michael and Jeanette's new baby, Maia. She's a doll! While we were there, we also had the opportunity to see my brother Jeff, his wife Farrah, and their three kids (thanks for a LOVELY meal Mosers!), and to spend a day with Ginya, Joanne, and Helen on their farm. I have said for two weeks now that I would post pictures of our visit to Portland, and I'm finally getting to at least the final day of our visit: the trip to the farm. This was definitely the highlight of our quick trip for the kids, although the new kitten at Michael and Jeanette's house would be a close second. Caroline liked Sparkle: she's just her size. I doubt however that the excitement was mutual. We could see a horse right outside Ginya's window, so we had to go see. Becky and the kiddos wandered off and picked and ate Asian pears. Ginya held her newest great-granddaughter while we wandered around the farm. Caroline never did take a nap that day, but she did share a little quiet time with Aunt Becky. She's the best aunt ever! Uhhhh, with the exception of course of all the other aunts :) Jack and Aunt Jeanette found some plums. Jeanette has already mastered doing everything one-handed! There was even a sandbox, which the kids enjoyed for a few minutes before they found other things to do like picking tomatoes, corn, and peppers, or digging up carrots and beets (check out Michael and Jeanette's facebook pictures for more info). Ginya and Caroline picking tomatoes. Two ladies laden with produce. Ginya drove us around for a short walk up to the upper field. There's quite a view, and we also got to see several gliders being dropped to soar over the valley. I think that's what Michael is pointing at here. We also walked down to the back pasture . . . can you think of better people to go for a walk with? What a great group! Joanne and Caroline watching the tractors outside. We weighed baby Maia on the scale in Ginya's house. Isn't she a cutie? Michael helped disc the lower field, while Helen rode the other tractor. Dueling tractors! Jack tried out the swing. The rope swing on the other side of the tree was also a hit. Uncle Michael on the tractor, with Bear running alongside. At some point Michael came around the corner of Ginya's house and said: "your son's on a horse, by the way. " And sure enough he was! Helen generously saddled a horse for him and let him ride. I'm pretty sure he'd like to be a cowboy now. On our drive home the next day he asked, "can we go back to the farm tomorrow mom? Forever?" Caroline even rode the horse for a few minutes. I don't remember what changed her mind, but it was something competitive or contrary. She's definitely two! Uncle Michael wearing a brussel sprout hat. After all of our farming fun, we went back and Ginya had cooked us a wonderful shephard's pie. Yum! Joanne and Ginya both gave the kids airplane rides on their feet (yeah, they're amazing: not sure if I could do it--not with Jack anyway). And they had fun clambering all over Ginya, Joanne, and Helen. Thanks to all three for letting us visit!