Sunday, August 16, 2009

FIRSTS..... now gone

The first day of school has come and gone. The first week too!
Skyler is now a freshman in 9th grade. WHAT!! Where did the time go?
Hunter is in 6th grade. She is now queen of the hill.
You will notice this year has come and gone with no pictures. WHY you might ask? They are to BIG for pictures. They informed me that I no longer need to document their first day like when they were in kindergarten.... WHAT..... Since when did they get so big that mom can no longer take that priceless picture to forever sit in a box or now on the computer.
I have to say I am so sad that they won that battle thus far but their is always next week.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

More Lake Tahoe

This was the view from our condo.
Fools gold in the water
A Beautiful sunset.

Some random shot of us on the jet skis and getting ready to anchor.

On the corner bottom left picture you can see Colleens legs
it is a great example of how clear the water was



This is the hail storm that we encountered. So glad that we were able to sit it out. It would rain and then it would be clear beautiful skies again.



This was by far one of the funniest and most memorable vacations.

Just a few funnies for ya!!!!

The first day out on jet skis the guys tried to find a nice beach area to dock and have a snack.

We would go by one after another and no not this one, until we found this perfect area. No boats or jet skis just a few people. We all got the feeling that they were looking at us strange but hey the guys want a soda. To our utter shock and horror it was a nude beach. Yes I said that. We could not believe it. We just turned and jetted off in a hurry. We laughed so hard that we were a little over dressed for that beach. No wonder they were looking at us strange with our wetsuits on and all. Once we got to another beach we asked a few people about that. The said yes clothing was optional. Hey to each his or her own.

We later saw on the map that is was called "Naturalist Beach". What ever floats their boat.

Our condo was nestled up in the mountains. One morning we took a hike up and just looked from each direction at the beauty that stretched for miles.

One bike ride was to go up UP UP UP and around the whole area of our condo. Yes I emphasized UP because it was straight UP. It liked to kick our butts, but no we made it and the down part was fantastic. I went so fast that I almost used up my breaks. Needless to say once was all we needed for that. Our other bike rides were just breath taking. So many wonderful sights to see. Old wood boats and 100 plus year old homes that had the most amazing wood work and detail.

Tom, Colleen and I followed by Dan in the truck, took one last ride on our final night. We pulled off the side of the highway and found this bike trail. Off we went and it by far was one of the picturesque rides ever. It took us through some down hill winding roads that dropped us onto one of the most amazing streets ever. With big sprawling estates the backed up to the lake. They were old and stately. As the sun was setting the view became just a vision for us to remember our time at Lake Tahoe. Once back to the highway we loaded up for our next adventure.

We jet skied the most, 3 glorious days on the water. For me their was no better to way to view the entire lake than from the waters edge of the shoreline. These homes were right at the edge of the lake with their own light house and beach areas. The history that we were able to learn about and stroll through made us want to return to see more. The water was cold, but like I said that's what wet suits are for. One of our favorite spots was Emerald Bay. It was just breath taking. Huge trees and crystal blue water that seemed to never end. On our second trip we were trying to out run the storm as in the video. It was by far one of the craziest times in my life. Those waves were so huge with no rhyme or reason unlike the ocean. They went any direction it felt like going. As we were heading to ward the launch site I told Tom is this something we tell our children to stay clear from. We loved every minuet of that ride. On our third day we set out for the last area to cover by water. More beautiful beaches and home. It just was amazing how this body of water was nestled into the mountains so perfectly. Heavenly Father sure knew what he was doing when he created this world. Sights for us to use, see and take part in. This was the day we got caught in the rain and hail storm. with wet suits on we ventured towards town. Bought some great cookies and snacks from the local farmers market baker. They were YUMMY. Found our favorite restaurant The Blue Agave and eat. Twice I might add. The second time he did not recognize us at first. I'm sure he was happy to know that we do wear things other that that wet suit.

One final adventure for Friday night was a car show. If you know Tom he was frothing at the chops for this to come. Colleen and I went shopping so those guys could enjoy every last car there. To our surprise they caught up with us at some shops. This was a little strange. Tom not at the cars??? When we asked DONE already? He answered I have more cars in my back yard. I know our children get this joke. This time it was no joke there was only 3 or 4 cars. Due to the weathers unpredictable self. We all laughed and said so true. I felt bad, he was so excited like a kid in the candy store. Like they say ALL good things must come to an end as was our case.

Saturday morning came and once loaded we started our 12 hour plus drive home. This never ending drive as we go through Death Valley. There is a reason it is called that. Desolate and what can I say NOTHING that's what that has to offer. That was only the beginning. We missed our turn off, so we flip a U and continue on our way. Only to be pulled over buy the Highway patrol. He said he pulled over Dan for multiple reasons. We all looked at each other. Then he asked for Toms and my DL. I gave him mine, Tom could not find his. We were getting tickets for no seat belts as passengers. I was hot. I always wear my seat belt. He said if we couldn't find Toms DL it would take longer. YIKES. We looked everywhere. Finally I said a prayer and found it. So happy 2 tickets no 3, Dan got one too off we go on our super long drive. As we are about 50 miles to Arizona, Dan says no not again. Sure enough here we go again. Yes we had our seat belts on. However Dan got a ticket for speeding. We were all a little confused but hey are you really going to argue that you were not speeding. Off again like snails for fear of getting pulled over again. We entertained ourselves with songs like :"I can't drive 55, and others that don't come to mind. We were never so happy to see Arizona now we can drive 75 and not be bothered

We arrived home safely and tired. That took us 14 hours!!!!

No matter how long it took this was by far the best VACATION EVER. Tom and I were able to enjoy each other and reconnect as adults. Sometimes you must have to have that time alone to keep things going and moving forward. I love him so much and am grateful we threw everything out the window and picked up and left town. Not something we have done in years, and we certainly will do it again when the chance comes along.

A special thank you to Dan and Colleen Millett for inviting us and helping us have the best time. We will have many laughs for a long time. We hope many more to come.








Friday, August 7, 2009

Lake Tahoe Vacation!!!!!


Lake Tahoe was an ADULT only vacation. Tom and I went with Dan and Colleen Millett and what a time we had. This is a collage of the sights we saw from the jet ski. The water was so clear and turquoise blue. You could see the bottom of the lake and it had fools gold in it. Cold yes but that's what wet suits are for. It had some great beaches and we enjoyed the lake from top to bottom and side to side. My favorite was Emerald Bay. So beautiful and lots of history.




This is a video that Colleen took ( she was brave enough to do this while on their jet ski and in the storm) of Tom and I on the jet ski trying to out run the storm. Notice the black clouds. The waves were so big and we were getting some major air. Tom said it perfectly the water is
ANGRY. It was a crazy ride but SO much fun.




These next pictures were from our bike ride. We went on this bike trail and it was great. Over some winding forest parts and some old wood planked bridges which had creeks running through them. this was one of my best bike rides, we had it all, wind, rain and a nice sandy beach to park at and swim to cool off. How could one not love this. I loved being able to just enjoy the ride as well as the beautiful scenery. No matter where we went we had the best views and a lot of historic places that we stumbled upon on our rides. We had the ultimate weather and great friends to enjoy it with.



This picture is at the Blue Agave where the day before we ate lunch at in our wet suits as it rained and hailed on us. We anchored our jet skis and waited out the storm. We had the best chile relleno ever.
Tom and I with Colleen and Dan had some cultural entertainment at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. We saw "Much Ado About Nothing". A modern take on Shakespeare. Once we found our seats which we thought were assigned we learned quickly that you just take any lawn chair on the sand and that's your seat. Us girls found a row that was somewhat in the middle and got comfy. Until we realized our seats were rather upright. I commented that i need to fix my chair and this couple behind us said with a laugh get the shovel man. We laughed and thought it was a joke. Until this lady asked if we needed anything to which I stated a shovel man. Waiting to be laughed at, she called her husband over to shovel out our seats to make them more level. Hence the photos.



This was the stage. It was right on the beach and it was a laid back evening with BYOB and food. It was at sunset and the weather could not have been more perfect. A beautiful evening with my wonderful husband. The play was great had some laughs and came away with a new understanding of Shakespeare.

Tom and I - Colleen and Dan

This was the perfect get away for us. I will make this a 2 part post. There are so many pictures and things to tell one will not do.