Lake Almanor

Last week we were able to go to Lake Almanor with my family, my grandparents, and my Aunt and Uncle and their family. We had such a great time on my cousin Jim's boat, golfing with my Grandpa, fishing with my dad, and playing games. Unfortunately we didn't get pictures of golfing but we had a great time and didn't keep score. We were that bad, although there were some good shots and we had fun.
Here is beautiful Lake Almanor at sunset


The view of the Lake from the cabin my aunt and uncle rented

Aaron, Tommy and I enjoying the boat ride

Aaron's first attempt at wakeboarding. He didn't quite get up but look how close he is. Next time...
I am happy to announce that I finally got up on the wakeboard. I've attempted at 2 other lake trips and it was always a disaster. Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of the success. I guess we'll have to do that next time too.

Brad, Lyndsey and Matt at the back of the boat

Lyndsey wakesurfing. There are no straps on the board and the rope is short so that you literally ride the wake
Here is a short video of Matt wakesurfing so you can get the idea


Brad let go of the rope so he is literally surfing. Sorry it's sideways...

Tommy holding up the flag. He thought it was so fun.

My 2nd cousin Jake, Lyndsey, Me and Tommy

Aaron and I


Aaron and I on the tube. I know the second picture is blurry, but look how hard we're laughing. It was so fun!


My dad also rented a sea-doo and we had such a blast riding it. We took turns driving and when I was driving we got lost on the lake. It took us about 15 minutes of slowly driving along the edge of the lake to find our dock. Luckily we had fun in the process.

Aaron and I with the lake in the background
At night we played Phase 10. Here's the group. We kind of all look like we had a long day, huh?


We ended the trip by eating at Costa Vida. The perfect end to a perfect vacation.

Caitlin and Auntie Em
We seriously had such a great time and hope to go back next year!

We're counting the days...

The sixth installment of the Harry Potter series is on its way to theatres this November! We're both really excited :) What do you all think of the trailer?!!?

Reunited

This weekend we were able to go to Alamo to welcome back Matt, Lyndsey, Tommy and Caitlin. We hadn't seen them since Thanksgiving so it was so great to be able to hang out with them. Too bad they got there Saturday and we had to go home Sunday. Luckily we will be able to see them much more often since they are now living with my parents. Matt is still working for Ernst and Young but he transferred up to the San Francisco office. They are living with my parents "temporarily" until they find a place up here.
Here are some pictures of our weekend.

Here my dad is putting carrots on Triton's nose, making him "stay", and them telling him to "get it". Triton throws the carrot in the air and then catches it. Tommy thought it was hilarious.


Tommy saying "Cheese"

Aaron and Caitlin. She is getting so big. She is such a happy girl.

Me and Caitlin

Our beautiful neice


Reading books with Auntie Em

Tommy was watching Alyssa play her Nintendo DS. He thinks it's fascinating.

Tommy and Uncle Trevor

Happy Girl
We had such a fun weekend and can't wait to go back again soon.

Smoke

This post is for my mom who insists that I must document this for posterity's sake (see her blog for a smoke post as well):
I think most people know about all the fires that have been going on in Northern California for the last couple weeks. It has been really smoky almost every day, but today was especially bad. It was over 100 degrees today and then there was all the smoke in the air. It gave me such a headache and it was difficult to find anyone outside because it was hard to breathe. Here are a few pictures that don't really do it justice. It kind of looks like it's cloudy but it's really all the smoke.

The field across the street from our apartment. Normally this would all be crystal clear.

Approaching the overpass to the 65. Once again, normally it would be very clear.

The sun masked by all the smoke. When I took the picture I couldn't see where the sun was in the camera so I just had to take it and hope the sun was in it. The sun is completely red as it sets. Pretty crazy! Hope they can put out the fires soon.

4th of July

This year we were able to go down to Manteca to spend the 4th of July with Aaron's parents and sister. We had Friday off of work so we drove down Thursday and had a nice, relaxing weekend.
On the 4th we went to the mall and saw the movie "Hancock" and then we went to the fireworks at Big League Dreams. It's 6 softball stadiums and indoor soccer field, with each of the 6 fields being replicas of famous baseball stadiums. It's such an awesome place. We got to lay in the outfield and enjoy music from different groups and people watch until the fireworks started. Here are a few pictures of our view.



Aaron and I

Jim and Dee

Ready for the fireworks


We love fireworks and the 4th of July!!!