Last of the August Visitors

Our first tomato! 

Our two tomato plants went in the ground in late May and have finally turned out some beautiful (and delicious) fruit.

I guess the bears didn't want these, as we had two cubs break in this month while we were out. They only took - get this - nuts and berries! HAHA!

Look! We're doing something active!

What was the big occasion?... 

The Santa Cruz girls were in town!!

We did a quick hike up Eagle Rock to start off the day.

Kenzo, Maggie (7), Ava (10), me & Michelle!

Nice family portrait.

We were total tourists, strolling through Truckee, lunching, and getting treats.

The girls wanted their most favorite bear cookies. 

We ended the day with a simple picnic at Meeks Bay.

Up and at 'em!

Good thing we had extra hands around...we needed to get ready for Kenzo's birthday party! 

Never mind what went on "behind the scenes" - this is the end result!

Super hero party for our super hero kid! 

A small crowd for our lunch - beautiful, warm day too!

Then everyone put on their super hero masks and capes for the doughnut game!

This was hilarious and everyone wins!!

So so so much fun!

Supergirl Maggie
Super Birthday Boy
Super Noah
Super Chase
and Super (Tall) Ava

The boys ready for cake action.

 










Love Kenzo's expression!

Another end of the day session at Meeks Bay.
 

Burning off the sugar.

This was Kenzo the next morning.

This should be Kenzo for the next two weeks. 

The kid has had an extremely busy month! Too much fun and stimulation for too long now....and we're all paying the price.

Sleeping bag and pillow were favorites among the booty!
 

August - Alvarez Family = Grenside Family

You wouldn't know it from these tired, zoned out faces, but the buddies were happy to be together again!

Time for our annual visit from the Grenside family, all the way from London. 
 

Wrangler Kenzo leading Max on a trail ride.

 

Then it was Kenzo's turn!

The horse was named Julie. 

No joke.

Happy birthday, Jen!!

We celebrated with dinner at River Grill and NO KIDS!

Eric, Jen & Jeff. 

Me and the other Jen.

Nick and Derek.

A nice, but super windy day at the Dollar Point beach.

Nick braving the waves to entertain the kids.
 

The three amigos.
 

Nick's sunhat, made from a coffee carrier and Lola's swimsuit.

Ingenious! 

Buds.

Pretty happy kid.

Concrete day!

Kenzo and Noah showed up on the job to watch the pour and "help" Eric.

 

"Just like daddy."

We checked out the action at the Tahoe Nalu paddleboard race in Kings Beach.

Lucky for us, the shave ice truck was there!

 

Trying out the driving range...

Loved it!

Gorgeous day at Meeks Bay.
 

Scarlet has gotten so big in the 4 months since we saw her last. 

Walking, running, climbing, dancing, and scootering!
 

Tom Sr. firing up the margarita machine - yeehaw!
 

A beautiful morning for a little ski session.

Teacher Dave getting Lola ready.

Jen & Max.

Then Kenzo's turn with Captain Mommy at the helm again.
 

Thumbs up!!
 

Great job, buddy. 

Max got to drive us back to Sunnyside.

We had a quick visit to see our babysitter, Claudia, and her 6 week old baby, Ariana!

Kenzo said "I love the baby. She is so beautiful!"
 
 

And a weekend visit from Luna.

Nice to have a sweet, old dog around again.
 

Our last supper with the Grenside family :(

Max and Scarlet missed out on the oven s'smores - everyone was just too pooped!

A little "good bye" message to Max since he was sleeping when we left!

Our time with the Grenside family was, yet again, way too short. See you guys soon!

 

August = Alvarez Family

It's August - that means VISITORS!

The Alvarez family rolled into town for their annual visit. Kenzo was so happy to wake up with a house full of people.
 

Maya and Kenzo are such good buddies!

L(ots) 
O(f) 
L(aughs) for these two.
 

Takemi and Rocko came up for the weekend too!

A quick hike up to Eagle Rock...

All smiles for their Uncle Tak!

Naomi (10), Maya (8) and Leila (6).

Takemi (youngest), Kara (middle), and Julie (oldest)!

Silly cousin time.
 

Lunch in town.

Beach BBQ with s'mores!

Maya joined us in Reno for Kenzo's swim class, then we chowed down on some yummy chow fun.
 

A stop at Scheels Sporting Goods for some ferris wheel action!

Maya is such a ham!

Hilarious fun on the ferris wheel!

A little bowling too...

Such a fun store, and we only visited a few of the many departments.

In-and-Out shakes to end the day...
 

...and then, literally, 5 minutes after their sugar fix!

Fancy adults dinner out! 

Nick and Kari were here last week too - they're part of our annual party! 

West Shore = Best Shore!

We went out!!!!!!!

Great ambiance at the West Shore Cafe - and lucky that it's only 5 minutes from our house!

Firesign breakfast - YUM.

Yes, jammie top on.
 

One afternoon, Naomi wanted to do a "Chopped" challenge!

Her mystery basket ingredients were:
Leftover spaghetti
Leftover chicken cutlet
Bacon
Avocado
Japanese Mayonnaise
Marionberry pie
Japanese pickles

It was DELICIOUS!!! 

That same afternoon, we rented a boat at Sunnyside.

Nick, Kari, Laila, Henry, Kara, Naomi, Maya, me and Kenzo - a boatload of fun!

Gorgeous day on the lake and fun with the wind whipping through our hair.
 

Captain Julie at the helm.
 

A dip in the lake on the West Shore - so awesome!

Kenzo loved swimming in the big blue :)

Me and my little swimmer!
 

Great shot of Nick and Kari!

Note the dark clouds in the background....
 

Spectacular day!

The kids loved the boat. 

At least until the clouds rolled in. 

Kara and Henry.

Sisters!

Agua Grande.

The girls.

Eric met us after work for dinner at Sunnyside!
 

Busy night on the deck.

It was a busy week, and luckily the kids are all still in love with eachother.
 

Loving his cousin time.

Exhausted.