Normally for Memorial Day weekend we have our family reunion (my paternal father's side of the family) at Millerton Lake in Fresno, California, but with us younger generation growing up, graduating college and starting families, and the older generation less inclined to travel (although most of that side of the family has migrated from Sacramento area to the Fresno area), they decided to cancel the family reunion again this year. For the last several years we have been unable to attend (Zuri being born, moving to Georgia, Kai and all his problems) so we were looking forward to going this year--until we heard that it wasn't happening.
I was talking to my grandpa about it, and he expressed a desire to see us anyway, so we decided to make the trip out to Tahoe (which saves a good two hours off our drive). It worked out because my grandparents were in Tahoe that weekend anyway because of a routine colonoscopy appointment my dad had which required him to be sedated.
We drove out late Friday evening and made it in around three in the morning. Needless to say, we were tired Saturday, especially since none of us really slept in (thanks to an early-morning Zuri), so we spent the day visiting and relaxing.
We walked down to the beach Saturday afternoon, and although it was chilly, it was warmer than I thought it was going to be. Zuri had a blast picking up shells (yes, the aquatic pollution has gotten bad enough that shells can now be found on some of the beaches--it started a few years ago--but don't get me started on that tangent...). We brought a cup to make sand castles with, and instead she collected the shells in it.
My dad pulled out his old Lincoln Logs--big mistake--he got suckered into building houses, bridges, and castles any time we were in the house. She wouldn't let dad off the hook.
Sunday, after church, my grandparents drove home to Sacramento, and since my dad enjoys quiet Sundays (almost impossible to have with an active five year old), I took J and Zuri to Camp Richardson since J had never been there (only driven by). We walked along the bike path and wandered down to Pope Beach, where we spent the afternoon. Zuri was upset that there weren't any shells at Camp Richardson or Pope Beach, but contented herself with chasing the geese into the water. It was a little bit colder Sunday, and I forgot Zuri's jacket at my dad's house, so she ended up wearing a sweatshirt that I had in the car while we walked, but warmed up as she ran along the beach.
When we told her we were going to the beach, Zuri was excited, and then got upset because we were getting in the car and not walking. She wanted to walk to the beach by Grandpa's house, and she didn't want to drive there. By the time we left the beach, she was all smiles again, but she was tired and I am surprised she didn't fall asleep on the way back to the house.
Camp Richardson, looking over at Mt. Tallac
Chasing the geese at Pope Beach
California snow plant. It is really pretty, but it is a fungus that grows all over the Sierra Nevadas. It blooms in May and June. This is just a tiny one.
On our way back to the car. Zuri was wet and oh-so tired!
Monday, we spent more time at the beach before we had to leave. We walked from my dad's house and Zuri was super happy about that. This time she kept the shells she gathered, and they are currently in a plastic jar that she hauls around everywhere.
We met up with one of my best friends Jaimie, and her family in Reno on our way home. We were going to spend the day with her Saturday, but she ended up having sick kids (we know that one all too well), so we were only able to stop by and see her new studio (she is a photographer) and have lunch. As always, it was much too brief, but it was nice to be able to spend a little time with her and her family. Her oldest is a year older than Zuri, and the two of them hit it off. Last time they saw each other, they were both too young to really interact much. It was a lot of fun to see them chatting away and laughing all through lunch.
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