Farewell Summer

It's been a good summer. 

An incredible summer, actually.  

We enjoyed several lazy mornings (for which some of my friends say I should be grateful!)

And while we fit in a few "lasts" before school begins for Lindsay, they were not our focus.  Instead, making fun memories and enjoying being together was our goal.  We even made a few "firsts"...

Riding the train around Gilroy Gardens

The Panorama Wheel

Kimberly drives her first car!  1920's roadster

While spending a couple of days in Gilroy we ran into some car trouble.  Too bad we were a mere mile and a half from the Factory Outlets!  School shopping was our goal anyway, so we enjoyed walking though several stores while waiting for our car to be repaired.  I'm very thankful that we were not stranded halfway from nowhere when the fan in the engine began to sound like a semi truck going down the highway.

~ ~ ~

We had a little midnight excitement one night...

Hearing a commotion after 12 o'clock a.m. from the parrots we are bird-sitting, I groggily peered through the blinds to find a raccoon prying open a window and making his way inside our garden shed where the birds are kept.  Throwing on my ancient bathrobe, I hurried to the front door and carefully stepped outside, knowing the raccoons around here tend to run in groups.  When I didn't see any more around, I went for the water hose, spray nozzle set to "jet", and the hard rake.  Sure enough, by banging on the back of the shed and spraying the metal with high powered water, and making enough racket to wake the dead, I scared three of the critters out of the shed.  Cautiously opening the door with my rake, I made sure I couldn't see more before entering to assure the birds' safety.  Then I locked all the windows and moved a heavy pot in front of the door to hold it shut. 

Back to bed I went.  

Two minutes after my head hit the pillow, the birds were at it again.  This time, while looking through the window of the shed, I spied three more pairs of eyes.  True story.  And I had bravely entered the "raccoons den" while they had been holed up somewhere in there, watching my every move with their beady eyes.  Thank goodness for the brown bathrobe... they must have mistaken me for a bear...

My raccoon scaring tools of choice

~ ~ ~

And the big finale of this summer culminated with the
Carnival and Circus Party 
at Alan and Melanie's house.

Lindsay and Corrine ride the train made by Alan Payton 

Kimberly the Clown

The cousins

Cameron the Clown

What a fine looking couple!

Friends!

Some "carnies" - Nelson and Cherisa

T. Ryan - the Magician with his little zebra

Tall Man Swift

The Zebra Stevens'

One of the lucky goldfish winners!

Between costumes, food, games, and friends, the event turned out even better than we could have hoped!  A huge thank you to all of you who helped out, asked or not!  You made it all come together and we couldn't have done it without you.

~ ~ ~

It's sad to tell you goodbye, summer, but a new season is ahead of us with it's own sense of adventure and promise. New experiences lie before us in many aspects of life, some known, and some unknown.  But the Creator of the heavens and earth knew about them even before time began, so we are trusting that He has it all under control. 

Happy 9th Birthday Kimberly!

Nine years ago today you were a welcomed addition to our family.  It was hard to believe that God gave me the responsibility of snuggling you, caring for you, and raising you to know about His love.

As the years passed and your personality began to develop, 

my love for you grew right along with you.

We encountered some life changing events, along with a big move and a new baby sister, all in the space of a few months.  But God never left us.  We still smiled and played trains, had tickle fights, counted the stars He had made, and thanked Him for taking good care of us.

Kindergarten came along, teeth left, skirts got shorter, 

and your happy face continued to shine.

Then you had a new birth day... the day you asked Jesus into your heart.  

I cried tears of joy to know that you understood your need for a Savior. 

Every year you grow more beautiful, inside and out.

And this year will be no exception!

Thank you for being our practical child, for sharing your knowledge with us, and challenging us on world geography.

Thank you for sharing your love for books with us as we enjoy 

evenings together reading aloud.

Thank you for taking the time you need to think about the answers to life's questions.

Thank you for being strong enough to just be you, even in the midst of adversity.

Thank you for tickle fights, made-up games, and straightening us out on the rules.

Thank you for sharing your life with us.

I love you, Kimberly...

Happy Birthday!

Maiden Voyage

Some evenings are just made for being outside.  

This was one of them.  

Greg and Tamee, Wyatt and Brennen joined us for a picnic at the lake park, followed by Craig, Lynn, and Carissa.  Unfortunately we forgot that it was "music in the park", but fortunately  there was also a wedding going on nearby so the DJ had to keep the sound to a minimum.  

After enjoying barbecued chicken salad, we packed up and headed around the lake to another spot launch our new craft.  While I dutifully manned the electric pump, Greg worked up a sweat with the "double-action pump guaranteed to inflate your boat in 10 minutes or less." Soon the vessel was pronounced seaworthy, life jackets were in place, and the maiden voyage was ready to begin.  Only Atascadero "swamp water" was used in the christening of this boat.

After a few trial runs, Greg managed to get the hang of rowing.  That is until one of the oar locks broke.  Tell you what, it works pretty well as a canoe, too!  Craig fished, Brennen played, Kimberly, Lindsay, and Wyatt ate cupcakes...

...and a good time was had by all!

Lake Tahoe, the Second

Virginia City, Nevada

There we were in the delightful old town of Virginia City, Nevada.  The day was cool, quite a change from the last time I visited when the word "desert" described the atmosphere exactly.  

The Wild West show was more about startling unsuspecting victims by shooting blanks than it was true western history.  We did eventually get used to the loud bangs, though Lindsay spent the entire show with ears covered and one eye peering out for danger.

Kimberly and Lindsay met the cowboy and the sheriff

All aboard! About to embark on the Virginia and Truckee Railroad steam engine.

Kimberly photographs the sights.

And a little treat to curb the afternoon appetite!

Squaw Valley, USA

Riding the tram car to the top of Squaw Valley offered an interesting surprise.  Of course we knew the view would be spectacular, but we didn't expect the fields of wildflowers or the patches of snow we would find there.

Dad tries his hand at snow "boarding"

And Lindsay and Kimberly did too.

Definitely was not counting on snow

Magic Carpet Mini Golf

There is a reason why I have never played real golf... I have terrible aim.  So playing mini golf with my two daughters is right up my ally.  No schedule, no scorecard, many laughs, some wild shots, and a hole-in-two make the game just my speed.

The Lake

Here are just a few more photos of Lake Tahoe.  We were blessed beyond measure to be able to enjoy God's creation in such a magnificent fashion.  

Goodnight!