Images of Summer

Heh. I didn't write a single post for the entire summer. It was a busy season...and it honestly seemed really long. I can't believe the kids are back in school. My life suddenly seems a little more sane, even if there's more work involved. But the summer deserves some thought. We packed a lot in those few weeks when I didn't work. And the kids were in camp the rest of the time. It was busy at the office too, so I was glad to have planned ahead. But enough of that. On with the pictures!

Smunch played on the PONY in-house All-Stars team, which plays a single weekend tournament against the other in-house teams. His team won again!

Best baseball season EVER.

Mam continued to have a successful Nova season all the way through June, although they won no more tournaments. She was often one of the stars.

We went to see the big boys play. Shocker huh? Wasn't a shocker when they lost in 13 innings either!

As soon as Nova was done, we went camping in the Redwoods...with banana slugs.

We did some hiking in the forest, including fording the little river

The kids enjoyed themselves

Best Ranger Program EVER

With a little guidance, you can find all kinds of stuff in the creek!

Aunt Karen came to visit with Spencer! and Lucas! Lucas was more lively than this most of the time.

And then we went to San Diego to visit Aunt Karen..and Spencer! and Lucas!

We went to Anza Borrego State Park on a particularly thundery day. The kids learned about flash floods!

We went to the water park...apparently water slides are exhausting!

We went boogie boarding at the beach. The kids LOVED it!

Did I mention that they LOVED it??

O.K., I thought it was pretty fun too.

And we all took a falconry class at the La Jolla Gliderport. Smunch with a Harris' Hawk.

A week later, Mam and I decided to do something Giant

...and completed the Giant Race 5K right on the field at AT&T Park.

And would you believe, that wasn't the end? We still had one more Grand adventure in store....but that requires its own post or five.

The Dwindling Spring

Spring is nearly over. I haven't felt a lot like writing lately, but it doesn't mean I haven't taken plenty of pictures. Since our camping trip to Pinnacles, I went on a short backpacking trip, Smunch participated in the Junior Olympics, we had a successful 5th grade Colonial Day, played lots of baseball, played lots of softball, Mam made the summer travel softball team, Smunch's PONY Bronco Giants won the Bronco Championship, while his travel team lost almost every game they played. Mam and I ran a 5K together...what a blast that was! Smunch played his cello on stage for the first time. I played my flute on stage, for the first time in 20 years...and possibly the last time, but I remembered how much I enjoyed it.

I feel like I'm drowning in kids' practices and sports right now, even as the school year quickly winds down. I'm praying for July... when softball finally ends...to rescue me. And since I have no real heart for the writing, here are some pictures.

Mommie N. and me at Pt. Reyes National Seashore for a more adventurous trip to Alamere Falls

Meanwhile, I  missed Smunch competing in the Junior Olympics. Here he is doing the standing long jump.

My little runner, who ran the entire 5K with me for Girls on the Run.

Turns out running with your daughter is pretty awesome. She says I'm too slow, however.

Mam finished her stint as a Neon Green Viper

I joined current students and alumni to bid a happy retirement to our high school band director, retiring this year.

My high school buddies on stage with our flutes.

Well, one of us appears not to have aged a day.

A happy little cellist preparing for his first concert.

And after this? He quit.

Mam, once again, tried out for the Nova softball travel team

The head of the cooking school and her little colonist

Who knew there were pickup baseball games during colonial recess?

Oh, and she made the team.

8U Nova winning their first tournament in Brentwood

The end of the Mavericks' season was far less joyful

A little something I did for myself

Eat your heart out, Justin Bieber. Smunch with Coach Jeff.

And this is where I realize that the PONY Bronco Giants really, really deserve their own blog post. Because they just do.