Lately

So,
   Lately we've been going to soccer games on the weekends. Things haven't really changed much on that front. Aiden is still not so fond of the kicking and the running and the competing. Luckily for everyone that ends this coming weekend. Z has been doing really well in school she's happy to go and see her friends every day and learns new crazy things all the time. She'll be done the second week in June. I'm done teaching for the spring and Teresa is finished in a few more weeks. She's set to transfer down to Kindergarten so we'll have to clear out her room at the end of the year again but we think she'll be happier in K anyways.

Here is Aidens soccer shot. Taken in a gym. And the 1 shot were he has this silly grin is the one that they picked to print.

Last weekend I went camping with Papa spoil me rotten. We headed up to the Rock creek area in the Sierras north of Bishop. It was perfect. On saturday morning I set out on a hike and he went fishing.

This is shortly after hitting the trail. You couldn't see the peaks from the trailhead so I had no idea I was in store for such an amazing hike.

Buster was a dog in heaven. Ice and snow and mountain water all make him really happy.

Right after I entered the John  Muir wilderness.

Bear Creek Spire in the middle and Mt Abott on the right.

The first and only unfrozen lake in the little lakes valley "marsh lake"

After I passed this things started getting snowy.

The second lake "heart lake"

Ice on the trail.

The first group I saw and passed on the hike.

All that melt made for some great reflections.

Mt Morgan.

Selfie in a clear mountain pond.

Then the trail got even more snow covered.

The snow was packed tight and refrozen a few times so it was sort of just walking on ice. Buster loves the stuff and goes crazy so he was always trying to pull me off my feet. I kept on keeping on.

"Long Lake"

The point where I turned around.

I made it to "Long Lake" and the trail goes right between that cliff and the lake. I tried walking it but couldn't pass without slipping towards the rocks and lake. I didn't have poles or crampons so I decided to turn around. My original intent was to make it to Morgan pass but if the conditions were like this at 10,500 Ft they were going to get much worse on my way past 11,000Ft. I crossed the lake and sat down for lunch.

Buster couldn't stop tasting the fresh mountain water.

My lunch view.

These people got to the same spot I did then pulled out poles and crampons and kept on trucking... flurg.

After lunch I took a couple more shots of Long Lake.

The water was so clear and calm you could see the logs at the bottom and the fish swimming around.

I set out back to the trailhead.

When I arrived back at camp. F.I.L. had caught and kept 4 good looking trout and had epic struggles with quite a few more.

Not bad for a morning fishing.

No one else in the campground had been catching anything  and I don't have the best fishing skills but after a short rest I put together the pole and headed out to give it a shot. Grandpa quickly caught one more to put himself at the limit for the day. I took about an hour and a half but I finally hooked a big trout and brought it in.

The next day we drove home with a short stop at the world famous Schats bakery. It was a really memorable trip. Hopefully the first of many to come this summer.

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.

-John Muir

RTSZAB

Gymnastics and Soccer. Saturdays are something.

So,
    In a powerful moment of familial pride we registered Zoey for 3-5 year old Gymnastics and Aiden for 3-5 year old soccer. They both have games on Saturday mornings. Last week the Grover Grandparents came up to watch and partake in the joy and pride. First up in the morning was Z's Gymnastics. She is really good at summersaults and loves the games and activities.

They break little girls spirits there so they can build them back up as champions. Z resists breaking. Girls in front didn't.

I gave the camera to Teresa so that I would not come across as a creep taking pictures of peoples little girls.

I didn't get to stick around for the end because Aiden had to be at soccer. Next week both events are at the same time. Woooh.

The soccer we signed Aiden up for is through the YMCA and we were quite specifically told that nothing matters. Let them kick it, pick it up, go the wrong way, whatever. Just Cheer! So the kids can have fun. I am fine with this idea.

We arrived and found no one from his team there and no one distributing our uniforms. I had asked for a child extra small since Aiden is meager. Eventually we found it and tried to put it on. It was much too large. Also T insisted that he get shin guards in case the super violent 3 year old kicked him. I bought those. He hated them immensely. He officially broke down just putting on the uniform.

One person to help him dress, three to cheer him up, one to take a picture for posterity.

Before the game is the only time all week that there is even a semblance of practice. (still fine w/ me) Aiden loved that part because he got to do things.

Coach making sure the boys know which way they are supposed to be going. Aiden is still totally into it.

Then the game starts. Chaos breaks out. Gnashing of teeth begins. Apparently only 2 kids on the whole field were aware that soccer is a competitive sport so they ran around like crazy kicking goals while all of the other kids attempted to pick it up. Or pouted about how no one was sharing and giving them a turn. Aiden did the pouting and picking up part.

So, we'll have some things to work on, or not, for the next few weeks.
Other than that we've been enjoying the nice weather, working, hiking, and dreaming up/of vacations.

Till next time-

RTSZAB

Airshow, Farm, BBQ, Hikes.

So,
    We've been modestly busy lately. To finish off spring break we went and tried to take in the LA county Air show for free by sitting in the desert near the airport. This would've worked fine if it was just Teresa and I but as soon as the kids had to use the bathroom it didn't work so well and we left.

Other people tried it too. That's why our kids didn't just pee on the side of the road.

We also went to the farm in Oxnard to pick strawberries and generally spend a day doing stuff instead of NOT doing stuff.

That was enjoyable. We picked strawberries and lettuce since there wasn't much else in season yet. Then we went to a really good BBQ joint in Simi called Smokin Steves. MMMM brisket sandwich.... mmmmm.....

On Thursday T got a stick in her craw and decided WE should do some house work. WE decided to paint the bedroom a color we had picked out. Moondust something. (light blue) I got to work.

 You can't tell what color it is. It looks good if you even notice. Not too garish but a little FLAIR!!!

Then over the weekend we went to the Zoo with the Grover Grandparents. It was crowded but really nice weather.

Grandpa and Kids in the misters.

Aiden in Grandmas new hat.

Excited about the chimps. Also check out that lady in the background.

Fam.

Kids Dragging Grandparents to see the famous reggie. They found him in a lake in LA.

Z Also stole Grandmas new hat.

Aiden is lazy. Zoey is not.

Further evidence.

I also managed to take a few hikes in that time. I did Mt Wilson again and Pacifico. You probably already know this if you follow me on facebook.

So it's been a busy few weeks. This weekend we are signing Z up for Gymnastics and Aiden has his first soccer game so there should be something to look forward to.

RTSZAB