June Wrap Up

Happy Father's Day!

Eric got to play golf while I prepared for our picnic at Meeks Bay with friends. 

My first attempt at ribs was awesome! 

Kind of funny I made it for Father's Day since Eric doesn't eat meat.

A playdate after day camp MUST start with a frozen yogurt!

Kenzo and Noah had a great week at Camp Skylandia, ending the week with "Wacky Olympics Day!"

Our "Olympians" ready for their day, which is really only 3 1/2 hours. 

Not quite sure what they do at camp, but Kenzo was exhausted every day when we picked him up!
 

We were invited guests to Angela and Tim's wedding last week.

Angela worked for me at the flower shop when she was in high school, and then this past year was Kenzo's teacher at TCNS!

Me and my cute date - I made his tie, which got rave reviews from everyone!

 

The happy couple after their ceremony.

"Miss Bruno looks so pretty!"  - Kenzo 

The reception was held at Angela's parent's home, complete with the street blocked off for games!

 

How special to be part of this big day!

We left before the party erupted...that's okay as Kenzo was beyond tired!

A little pre-birthday dinner celebration at Sunnyside with the best of friends!

Jen and Michelle.
 

Me and Amanda.

Yay for hula pie!

Amanda's birthday was on the 19th, but she is several years younger...!

For my birthday, I worked with the Hagglof catering crew for one last Tahoe hurrah.

Christy, Michelle & Lisa - the "A Team!"

Me and boss lady Jen!

I was able to make this cheese "cake" for the charcuterie station during cocktail hour. 

What fun to get creative with food instead of flowers for a change!

Baby Axel made it up to Tahoe!

Hardly a baby anymore...fun to catch up with this cutie.

 

This incredible lupine field has popped up in Tahoe City, where the lake has receded. 

This would be the one silver lining in a drought year.
 

Endless "purple dinosaur flowers!"

Endless!

















Super sunny and hot morning out! 

Heat wave hitting us - admittedly, we are pretty wimpy when it comes to warm weather.

Okay, I think it's officially summer!

We have started up again with swimming, this time in Incline Village and private lessons. 

It's paid off, as we're not driving to Reno every week, and Kenzo improves so much with his one-on-one time with Miss Becca.

Last week, the entire TCNS class went to Sugar Pine Point State Park for their annual dad's camp out trip!

Braden, Cody, Noah & Kenzo, aka: the Green Frogs and their daddies.

15 kids, 15 dad, and 4 teachers - a lot of work and organization for less than 24 hours out there!

 

It was a one-night camp out, complete with tie-dyed shirts, skits, s'mores and hikes.

Everyone had a blast, and I enjoyed some quiet time and dinner out with other mommies. 

What a fun experience for these friends!

The rest of the weekend was spent doing house chores...


...practicing our golf swings... 

...hanging out at Meeks Bay...
 

...and enjoying ridiculous amounts of watermelon!

We are ready for summer - bring it on! WHOO HOO!

Oh wait. The pollen.

It's out of control...even with all the rain we had this past month, it's taking over the basin.

 

And he's down.

Don't know if it's a cold or the pollen, but someone had to stay home today :(
 

Graduations

Last week we went to the pre school graduation ceremony at A+ at the First Baptist Church in Tahoe City. 

The church was decorated so nicely!
 

Kenzo and Paisley ready for the festivities!

Someone was STOKED!

The grad and dad.

Graduation was at 7:15 pm...maybe that's the reason for Chase's expression?
 

Kenzo and Noah enjoying the graduation cake and party!

A sweet baby shower for my sweet friend, Tara. 

This will be #3 for their family...all fingers are crossed for a boy!

Then today was the graduation ceremony at TCNS!

More adorable moments from this sweet class. 

Kenzo didn't seem to be too thrilled about sitting with all the girls.

"Pomp and Circumstance" even for the little ones!

Elio!

"Most Likely to....land on his feet!" 

The teachers are superstars...it will be sad to leave this school.

Kenzo!

Voted "Most Likely to Become...."

...a gentleman! 

So awesome! All that nagging about using his manners is paying off!

Paisley!

"Most Likely to Be...working in law enforcement!"

Noah!

"Most Likely to Become...a great father!" 

Willy!

"Most Likely to Become...a business owner of a paving company!" 

Me and my grad.

Post graduation bike ride on this nice, warm day!

Happy 80th!

We all went to Portland last week to celebrate dad's 80th birthday!

Here he is at 3 years old, back in Japan...

...and here is his modern day "mini me" at 3 1/2 years old! 

Uncanny resemblance!

We took a beautiful drive up to the Gorge, stopping at the Vista House for a look.

The Vista House was built in 1918 as a memorial to Oregon pioneers and as a rest stop on the historic Columbia River Highway. 

Cool building!

Then a stop at Multnomah Falls, the second tallest year-round waterfall in the country at 620 feet. 

Posers!

It was nice and cool here, a great escape from the hot city.

This was taken on the upper bridge.

A little reward snack for hiking up to the bridge.

We took the back road to Mt. Hood, which was very long, but very beautiful.

All smiles by the time we arrived at Timberline Lodge.

The lodge is beautiful - massive timbers, local artisans did the stone, steel, and woodwork throughout. A real gem of a landmark.

Uncle Tak and his favorite nephew.
 

Jiji and his favorite grandson.
 

We had a delicious dinner at the lodge restaurant, complete with an enormous cake for dessert.

Naomi and Maya told the baker to do a cake with Jiji drawing Mt. Hood - nailed it!

And an actual family portrait!!

A walk along the waterfront...
 

And some carnival action, set up for the Rose Festival!

And more snacks! 

Spoiled and sugared-up kids.

Naomi asked for help making Swiss meringue buttercream -  I was more than happy to help this budding baker.

The cupcakes, vanilla with a lemonade strawberry filling, were delicious!

The kitchen? A disaster.

We made a quick but awesome stop at the Washington Park Rose Garden, just minutes from Kara & Henry's house.

The roses were in full bloom and, despite the drizzle, it was gorgeous! 

 

The roses seriously looked like something out of "Alice in Wonderland!"
 

 

Photo not enhanced...these were so gorgeous!

We stopped to smell the roses, yes.

Just in love with the dogwood too!
 

We had a great time staying with the Alvarez family for a couple of nights too!

Saying good bye to Grandma and Jiji!

And in true "Portlandia" fashion, the outgoing carpet at the airport has a cult following. 

It's been in the airport since the 80's and is now being slowly replaced. Now that the beloved carpet's days are numbered, hipsters everywhere are laying claim to this iconic design. 

Haha...only in Portland!