Grand Tour Part 3: Marysville/Browns Valley

The next stop on our tour was the John Cherry family in Browns Valley, CA. This is my brother and his family and we loved every second with them. I'm totally bummed that we didn't get more time with them. I didn't really get to spend much time with my brother but we did get to bond over a Man vs. Wild episode that had me running out of the room. I love my brother so much and I love getting to be with him and his family. They make me laugh and make me feel like I'm the luckiest Aunt in the whole world.

WATER PARK

I can never remember the name of this water park because it is something kind of random, but there is nothing random about the fun had by all. It was such a fun water park. We were there last summer with the Cherry's as well and I have to say, this time was much better for the boys. They were one year older and more willing to play in the water without my help and attention. Plus they had just finished their swimming lessons for the summer and were LOVING swimming from the steps to me and back. They also were playing "alligators" and swimming all over the water structure. Here they would lie on their tummies with their faces in the water and float up to the top of the water and use their arms to guide them. It was pretty fun to see how adventurous Nate got in the water. It's the only thing that he has shown such fearlessness in.


L to R: Jill's three kids, Nate, Elly, Lilly, Drew, Maggie, Christy, Lewis, JoWe had so much fun with cousins and with Christy's friend Jill's kids too. It was such an awesome group and we'll definitely have to do it again. Maybe next summer we'll have to do it at our water park...what'cha think Chris?
HANGING OUT WITH COUSINS


Elly and Nate getting absorbed into some cartoon. These two were so adorable together. I had no idea how much they were alike, or rather I didn't believe Christy when she said they were identical. Well I quickly learned on this trip how much these two kiddos act and think alike. They had so much fun pretending and taking turns being "in charge" (aka bossy) and coloring and reading books and running around. It is for this bonding and friendship that I MIGHT consider doing the trip another year. It definitely made this trip worth all the headache and car problems.

Miss Maggie mastered the art of sitting up and reaching for things within a body's length.

These two spent the entire week together. Where one was, the other was sure to be. ;) And since Maggie was still immobile at this time, we know in what order that goes right? Lilly was so tender with her and so loving and wanted to do anything she could to help. She brought me diapers (on many occasions) and wipes, ran to inform me if Maggie fell over, brought her own toys and books to share with Maggie, and mostly she just loved on her...big smooches and hugs. So sweet!

Maggie had a great time sitting in her bumbo looking out in to the back yard to feel like she was a part of things with her brothers. Because this is what they were up to:

Scooters outside! After months of Texas summer heat and humidity, the blistering sun of California didn't keep them from enjoying the outdoors. I don't think they even minded how hot it was. They were just thrilled to be outside riding their scooters. They did get hot and sweaty but they lasted outside for more than 3 minutes like if we had been home. I love that Drew picked out Elly's helmet and you'll notice the butterfly. It was a coveted helmet between Nate and Drew.

Drew also enjoyed the added difficulty of Jonas' scooter, rather a Razor. Andrew had never been on one before and he mastered it within moments. It wasn't too long before he wanted me to take pictures of his "tricks". Gotta love the one leg kiddo!

We love you Drew! When did you get to be so big? It was shortly after this trip that you finally turned 3 years old. It seems like you've been 2 forever because you've always wanted to do big boy things.

one of my all time favorite pictures of Nate. I think it is just one of those quintessential shots of childhood. Hot red cheeked kind of summer. I love the raised shoulders and casual pose. Nate...I think that I just love YOU and that's why I love this shot!

HAIL THE CONQUERING HERO

So it turns out that living in the same home you grew up in creates opportunities to be in charge of stuff that previously just the parents did. For example, Christy has never had to change the water in the water cooler. She was nervous and felt certain she would spill the entire contents of the jug on the floor. Well I have the proof that my sister is really super-woman in disguise. A single drop. Yup. A single drop of water.




"Yes! I did it!"

SWIMMING

It was so hot in Marysville that Christy's friend took mercy on us and let us come swim at her mom's house. It was such a fun house for the kids and so beautiful. They had a trampoline, treehouse, waterslide and diving board. It was perfect for all the kids, including the "big kids" aka adults.


Lilly, Drew and Nate took a little time our from swimming to play on the trampoline.

And of course it would be one of my children that inherited the "Grandma Cherry" gene or the klutzy gene...Here is Nathan who some how found the one hole in the entire padding and almost fell under.

I love these next two pictures of Elly. When we got to the pool, there were two little girls already in the pool playing. They were diving off the board and swimming to the side. Jonas quickly jumped on that bandwaggon and wanted to start going down the slide. (That child is fearless!) Elly wanted to jump off the diving board but had never done it before. She asked Christy if she could do it and of course Chris said, "Yes! Go for it!" When Elly got up to the top of the board you could tell she was super nervous. She looked down at Christy who was in the water waiting and watching with these ginormous brown eyes questioning what she was getting herself into. Christy told her, "Elly you are going to do this and you're going to love it! In fact, I think you're going to want to do it again and again and again." Elly instantly got this determined look on her face and started repeating, "I will do this. Let's do this. I will do this."

And sure enough she did with one last "Let's do this!" I love the look of pure focus and dertmination on her little face.

And just like her mom predicted, she did it again and again and again. So proud of you Eleanor!

Here is Jonas sporting some wicked awesome swim gear. Jo, we love you!

Can we come over and play tomorrow? We miss you Jonas and I wish I could wave back at ya in person.

A little more trampoline fun with Aunt K-whisty Deeeen.

Maggie was an angel on this trip. Seriously considering she wouldn't sleep anywhere other than on top of my chest (basically neither one of us slept the entire trip) and was totally sleep deprived, she was still a content little girl. Here she is sitting on the gorgeous lawn eating grass blades. What more could a little girl want?

Maggie Lynn whatever in the world did we do to deserve you? Don't ever stop smiling my wee little one!

Patiently sitting in the swing while I get the brothers towelled off and changed and everything all packed up to go back to the house...She didn't even get to really swing in it...she just sat there like a perfect angel.

THE CALL
While we were visiting we got to be present when Dean and Bev got their mission call. In fact, I got to be in the car with Bev when she pulled the envelope out of the mail box and I got to help curtail the hyperventilating. They were VERY excited to find out where they were going.


And they weren't the only ones...Everyone was sitting on edge waiting for the big reveal.

Well, everyone except Lewis. He was more than content to sit on Grandpa Dean's lap and eat his hat.

But everyone ELSE was excited!

I thought this shot was so funny! Dean opened the envelope and was holding the letter and Bev reached over to grab it and he pulled it away and told her she got to read the last one...It was pretty funny.


And drum roll please...Elder and Sister Ellyson will be serving in the...Baton Rouge, LA mission...and they leave in...2 weeks!!!!! Yup, that's right. They got their call on a Thursday and they were to report in the MTC one day shy of 2 weeks later.

Grand Tour Part 2: San Jose

(I vowed I would get these stupid pictures up before Maggie's birthday and since that as YESTERDAY, does it still count if I/we didn't celebrate it and won't celebrate it until Thursday night when we can do it with Eddie?)

After our trip to Yosemite, we drove to Eddie's parent's house in San Jose, CA. And I totally can't believe it, but we didn't take a single picture while we were there. Despite the lack of picture proof, we had a marvelous time! We talked and laughed and learned about family history and played with puppies and watched a new show and really just had a great time with our family. Thank you Haws' for hosting us and letting us hang out. Can't wait for the next time.

Eddie flew home on Monday and we drove over to my Dad's house to spend the week. We had such a wonderful time and I loved showing my kids all the little places I loved as a kid. They loved being able to go outside at any time in the day (unlike Texas where it is too hot to be outside unless you're in water.) They especially love going next door to play with Alisha and their dog Lily.

While we were there I got a chance to connect with some old friends.



Cathy Oliver Percepe (?) and I at her home in Campbell. Cathy and I grew up together from the time we were in Kindergarten. Her brother Mike and my brother Mike were good friends and they lived around the corner from us through elementary school. We would walk to school together and lived for the day we would be in the same class. Hip hip hooray for 3rd and 4th grade! Cathy always managed to get me to try fun and crazy things that I was too afraid to try. She would always laugh when I did stupid/silly things, teach me the lyrics to all the "popular" songs, play barbies in her killer barbie house for hours on end, she never judged me or made me feel stupid, and she always let me tag along with her and her cousin Samm when they got to do amazing things. (I will always remember the time we got to be "sweat girls" for the Stanford basketball game...It was very scary and fun and bouncy.)

Here we are with our sweet girls. The boys were too busy playing outside in the sand box. Thanks Cathy for an awesome trip!

I can't remember the order of my summer anymore, but one of the days we were in San Jose we got to go to my old stomping grounds at Oak Meadow park. My pediatrician used to be across the street from this park and anytime I would have to go to the doctor's my mom would bring me here with a picnic and some playtime. I think her philosophy was, you're already pulled out of school, let's make the most of it. ;)While we were here, I got to spend some time with Janet (Chiba) Williams and Melissa (Panabecker) Altknecht and their adorable children. And thanks to Alisha for coming along to help coral my wild kids.

Nathan and Andrew on top of the old airplane.

Nate, Drew and Claire on top of the old airplane. These three are like three peas in a pod. They LOVE when Janet comes over to play. ;)

Anson and Maggie bonding over some blanket time.

It was so amazing getting to meet Anson and to hold him and love on him...I can't believe he's already so much different from this picture.

My sweet brown-eyed girl.

After a hot day at the park, what better way to cool off than to go swimming in a freezing pool? Lol. The water was so cold the only one wanting to stay in the water was Andrew and I think it was because he has the most body fat out of the three kids. Regardless, they had a great time while it lasted. Here they are toweling off. Side note, if you look in the back you can kind of see Alisha holding Maggie in her arms. Alisha got in the freezing water and played with the kids and helped carry Maggie around and entertained the kids...And I love you Alisha and miss you more than words! Wanna come to college out here in Dallas and live with us? I'd be all for it. ;)

The kids had fun swimming, but they were hilarious in the bathtub. They had so much fun laughing and splashing and playing make-believe with the "little people" in the tub.

My dear, dear Lizzie came over one morning to read to my children. No, she came to play the "catch-up game" and got suckered into reading the boys current favorite book "Going on a bear hunt". She had the boys eating out of the palm of her hand.

Lizzie is soooooo good with children and they respond to her. It makes perfect sense to me that she is a school teacher and she is going to some day be the best mother in the whole wide world. I love her and look up to her and aspire to be as creative and patient and witty as her.

I am so grateful that while I was in San Jose, I got the chance to go to Happy Hollow with Connie and her girls and their children. It was a wonderful day filled with sunshine, laughs, and making new friends. I know this picture is blurry, but it's proof that I was indeed on this trip. The boys, okay Nate, had a great time on the carasol. Drew was scared to death until about half way through the ride and then he loved it too. I don't know what Maggie did...She was on the back. ;)


Scared, but would still take a time-out from crying to smile for a picture. I love this boy!

I think this was the boys favorite thing of the day...the maze! Nate wanted to stay in this maze forever! He loved that he could run around on his own and see me up above him.

Andrew loved the rock climbing wall. Here is Drew's attempt.

And Nate's.

Definitely a highlight of the trip for me was meeting up with Sara (Barnes) Thompsom and Kassie (Doubrava) Grey and getting to meet baby Cooper. We met up in downtown Los Gatos and walked over to the fountains where we sat on a bench and just got caught up. It was heavenly! Plus it was the perfect spot for two little boys to run wild in the water. I let them take off their shirts and go running through the fountains.

I think this has got to be one of my all time favorite pictures of the boys. It just captures their little personalities so well. Nate can be the silliest, happiest little boy when he wants to be. He definitely hams it up for the camera. And Drew just laughs and laughs at Nate. He loves his big brother and wants to be just like him. Overall, they had a GREAT time.

And poor Maggie just sat in her stroller. This was in the pre-crawling era and plus there wasn't really anywhere for her to sit without eating dirt or sticks or grass. She was still adorable and all smiles.

Not a very good shot, but you can see where the boys were running. We'll definitely have to come back to this spot on our next summer grand tour.

I was truly blessed in highschool to have the greatest friends...and to still call this sweet woman my friend. Kassie you are an amazing mother and I can't wait to see Cooper grow and to see you grow as his mom and the wonderful journey you're on. I'm so happy for you!

Sara, Cooper, Tracy and Kassie. Thank you girls for such an amazing afternoon in the glorious California sun. I had a great time and I can't wait to do it again soon. I'm so beyond blessed to have such wonderful friends in my life.