First to the Trees

 My family arrived Thursday evening for an end-of-summer adventure. Heather, Michelle, and the kids pitched a tent in the backyard so we had more room for everyone to sleep.

Photo: Heather

Friday morning we headed out for some blackberry picking. It was a cool, overcast morning; perfect for picking berries.

Photo: Michelle

Photo: Heather

Photo: Heather

 With all the hands picking, we got a lot of great loot! Even though a lot of the berries got eaten on the way to the buckets.

Photo: Heather

Photo: Heather

 After a picnic lunch, we took a walk around the Mt. Pisgah arboretum. That's always pretty.

Natalie wanted to carry Mary around in the carrier, the very same carrier that Heather carried Natalie in as a baby.

There were lots of bullfrogs out at the lily pond, which was a highlight of the walk. 

Photo: Heather

One of the things I like about the arboretum is the variety; this area was totally different than the rest of the walk. 

Back at the house, we made dinner, complete with fresh blackberry crisp for dessert.

Photo: Heather

After dinner, there was time for some bug hunting and games before bed.

An Adventurous Guest

Gayle came up to Oregon too; after spending a few days at the coast with Dave, she came to Eugene after he left for California. She spent a couple nights with us, then headed farther north for an adventure in Olympic National Park. On her way back down, she spent a few days with us again. We enjoyed seeing her pictures and hearing about the trip as well as relaxing and spending time together. 

Photo: Gayle

One morning, Mary got to go with Grandma on a walk to the park.

Photo: Gayle

Tuesday afternoon we all went to the park, this time Hendricks Park. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and a stroll along the paths to admire the flowers.

On way home, we stopped for an ice cream treat.

Sunday Fun

We went on a little Sunday adventure and got frozen yogurt this afternoon.

Hat Days

Mary has gotten more used to her hat. She still sometimes pulls it off when we are out and about, but usually wears it and often puts it on if she finds it around the house.

Sushi Feast

Dave spent almost three weeks in Oregon and made regular trips over to see us. We enjoyed going on walks, playing with Mary, and eating good food. One of the evenings, we made sushi for dinner. We probably got a bit carried away, but it was delicious, and we ate it all.

Ashram

We had a fun opportunity this summer; Joshua was invited to be one of the speakers at a family camp that his family has gone to for years. The camp is in the mountains near Santa Cruz, so we left Visalia and headed there on Sunday, June 30.

Unfortunately, a baby's schedule and camp life don't mix all that well, so we missed a lot of events due to naps and bedtime, but it was still fun to be at camp and in the mountains. Mary discovered she could open the cabinet under the sink and crawl inside, which she thought was pretty cool and did repeatedly.

Photo credit: Donna

Wednesday was the fancy dinner night, so we dressed up. Mary enjoyed holding hands and singing grace at the beginning and end of each meal. 

Thursday afternoon, we went for a little walk during free time and tried out the swings.

Camp wrapped up Friday morning, so we went back to Modesto for the rest of the day and then got an early start driving home on Saturday. Dave caravanned up with us and headed to Reedsport to spend a few weeks in Oregon.

It's always interesting to see what's in the garden after we've been gone for awhile. This time we had lots of beans.

Celebrations and Swimming

Photo credit: Heather 

We headed farther south on Tuesday morning and had a family dinner with everyone that evening. Wednesday, June 26, was Natalie's birthday, so we met up for a frozen yogurt treat in the afternoon.

Photo credit: Heather 

Mary discovered her great-great-grandpa Chandler's chair and loved climbing in and out of it. Eventually, she decided she needed a book to look at, so she went and found one and brought it back to her seat.

Photo credit: Heather 

We went swimming with the kids one afternoon, and Mary went in the pool for the first time. She was a little hesitant at first, but took to it quickly and had fun splashing around with Daddy and the cousins.

Photo credit: Heather 

Photo credit: Heather 

Photo credit: Heather 

Photo credit: Heather 

Saturday we had a birthday dinner celebration for Natalie's birthday; I got to help her bake the cake. She turning into quite the little baker and a great person to spend time with.

Trees and Family

We headed back down to California at the end of June. After a couple of days relaxing in Modesto, we decided to take a day trip up to Calaveras Big Trees. I always forget just how amazing the forest smells in early summer. Then that first wave hits, and you can't help breathing in as deeply as possible.

Gayle, Joshua, Mary, and I took the main loop trail through the North Grove, a gentle trail that's a mile and a half long. It was so pleasant to walk among the trees.

We met back up with Dave and enjoyed a leisurely picnic lunch.

 Mary had fun trying out the camp chair. She's a natural.

On Monday, the whole family was in town, so we enjoyed time together including a family dinner that evening.

Music Time

Mary still loves music with Daddy.