Lovin' Sonoma County

As much as I've tried to have some low-key down time at home, it's been really hard with so many fun things to do around here. Although I loved growing up in Humboldt & think it is a beautiful place, I couldn't imagine living anywhere but here. There is always a never ending flow of things to do year round & during the summer we're able to take advantage of them even more. Because it's summer and we're both off Josh and I have the liberty to take Hannah places during the week when it's less crowded. I feel so fortunate that we our summers free together. As crazy as our jobs can be at times, we both love teaching and the added bonus of summers off. This week we've had swim lessons every morning. It has been so fun to watch Hannah's confidence grow with each lesson. Yesterday she was letting Josh guide her completely submerged under the water to her swim instructor a few feet away.... no sputtering, coughs or taking in water, just all smiles. :) Today she was jumping in from the side without holding onto Josh's hands. After swim today we headed down to the Discovery Museum in Sausalito with some friends. Hannah enjoyed the afternoon playing and exploring.

With her friends Caitlyn, James and Kenzie

the girls in their matching suits

Fun plans in the upcoming days...

Tomorrow: 6 Flags Discovery Kingdom; Friday night Farmer's Market in Rohnert Park
Saturday: Soccer class; Tom Petty cover band and lunch in Santa Rosa with friends; "Girls Dance Party" for me while Josh and Hannah have a  father/daughter night in Bodega Bay to watch the fireworks
Sunday: 2nd annual "4th of July BBQ/Kickball game" (on the 3rd of July this year)
Monday: 4th of July A's game (there's over 25 of us going...can't wait!)

JUNE Fun!

June has been a fun-filled, busy month!!! It started off with school ending (woo hoo!) and us heading to Tahoe.  The week after we got back from Tahoe we took our boat out on the lake for the first time of the season. It was so nice to be out on the water soaking up the sun, getting some wakesurf runs in and relaxing.  Hannah loves being on "my boat" as she calls it :) and did a great job of wearing her new vest the entire 5 hours we were out on the water.

Our little "princess" putting on her shoes while playing dress up

being silly

Josh's first wakesurf run of the season

watching dad wakesurf...ready to try it someday soon

relaxing in the sun with Renee & Hannah

chillin' in the water with my honey

Hannah was excited to have Nico on the boat for the day

The week after we got back from Tahoe, Hannah and I drove up to Fortuna to surprise my mom (and dad) for my mom's birthday! We were able to completely take them by surprise when pretending to Skype (video chat online) with them and instead popping our heads up in their dinning room window when they expected to see our faces on the computer screen. :) We enjoyed a fun birthday dinner at Curleys with the family, relaxing at my parents house, spending time out at the Coopers cabin in Bridgeville and definitely weren't ready to leave when Saturday came.

Out to dinner for Nonni's birthday

At the Cooper's cabin...excited to head down to the river

my happy girl

so much fun being naked

searching for pebbles in the river....look I found one mom!!

Beautiful Van Duzen river that runs below their cabin

with Auntie Cole

Having fun with Betsy

excited to listen to Nonne read his Father's Day card from her

ready to enjoy her first Bob's Footlong shake

slept just over 3 hours on the way home (from Scotia to Windsor)....love my good traveler!

Hannah and I got home early Saturday evening from Fortuna, unpacked our bags and then finished packing our bags for camping which I had mostly packed before heading to Fortuna. The next morning (Father's Day) the three of us (along with some friends) headed up to Bullard's Bar for our first camping trip of the summer. Bullard's Bar was hands down the best ski lake we've been on! The water was virtually smooth throughout the ENTIRE day! The temperature of the air (and water) was perfect and there was barely a breeze. We enjoyed long days out on the boat.

watching mom wakeboard

moms enjoying relaxing in the sun while the guys watch the kiddos

Hannah giving Hudson his first dancing lesson

Hannah posing with her boys Hudson and Carter

intently driving the boat with dad

Josh relaxing in the hammock with Carter, Tyler and Hannah

beautiful waterfall we found on the lake

Big "cheeses" from Hannah and Tyler

loungin' on the boat with mom

Soccer class

listening to Coach Allie

First time going on the big yellow slide at the fair

she had a blast on fair rides with her buddy Caleb

My mom came down for a last minute visit last weekend which enabled Josh and I have to have a night away in the city. We headed down to Larkspur on Sunday and enjoyed lunch & a couple beers at the Marin Brewing Co. after checking into our hotel. Following lunch we caught the ferry across the bay and over to the stadium. We met up with Ashley, Mike, Mandy and Mike for some drinks at Pete's Tavern before the game. Following the game we spent some more time in SF with the four of them for more drinks, delicious appetizers and some laughs. :)  Josh and I enjoyed staying the night in Larkspur (and sleeping in Monday morning!)  After breakfast we headed back to Rohnert Park for Hannah's first swim lesson.

view of the Golden Gate from our ferry ride from Larkspur to S.F.

excited Ashley and Mike were also in S.F. for the game

drinks with Mandy & Mike before the game

Ready for her first swim lesson of the summer

listening to her swim instructor Scott

with Dave and Kenzie

Tahoe

We headed to South Lake Tahoe last week for our first getaway of the summer. On our way to Tahoe we stopped in Rancho Cordova to visit with Papa and Nana Heald. Hannah had a blast playing with her Nana and Papa...especially being silly with Papa Heald. :) 

3 generations

snuggles with Nana and mom

Having  a picnic with dad and Papa

We had such a blast in Tahoe! As we drove up on Monday the weather was dreary, however we woke up Tuesday morning to beautiful sunshine that stayed with us for the remainder of our stay. :) Hannah loved staying in the cabin (especially hunting for wood with dad and climbing the stairs in the cabin a zillion times!) Grandma and Papa Martin came over from Reno to visit on Wednesday. It was so nice to spend the day with them...relaxing at the cabin, lunch, park, out to dinner, followed by Coldstones. :) We definitely weren't ready to leave when Thursday came and would have stayed longer if we hadn't made a prior commitment. Now that Hannah has made her first trip to Tahoe and of course LOVED it, we want to start going more regularly again.

Day 1- Hunting for wood with dad behind the cabin

Day 2- At the top of Emerald Bay ready to hike down the trail to the water...This pic cracks me up with her little head peeking over dad's shoulder to be in the picture :)

enjoying a picnic with mom and dad (& a few chipmunks) down by the water

Giving mom a big "Cheeeeese....cake!" Her new way of saying cheese  :)

Looking for fish off the dock

 Ready for some shopping later that afternoon!!

Day 3 - Visit to the park with Grandma and mom, while dad and Papa played Frisbee golf

on the "big girl" swing

Using the bark to play "restaurant" with mom and grandma

lovies :)

stories with Papa

So excited for popcorn and a movie with mom and dad

LOVE my sweet girl

Day 4- Trip to the lake

Taking a stroll with dad

first time in COLD Lake Tahoe

Watching the boats at the end of the pier