Sequoia National Park

After getting some rest, we headed out to Rosa Brothers again for their farm tour. I loved hearing about how accountable they are to their community, environment, and herd. You could tell that they run things well and that they were a close family, working well together. The boys got to milk a plastic cow which was a highlight for Ezra. He really wanted to milk. It was hard describing why the animals might not be safe to be around so this opportunity was perfect and satisfied his desire! :) 

We also got to pet a baby calf only a few days old and taste their variety of flavored milks. A.Mazing! Root beer float was my personal favorite. 

We did lunch at a local park for the boys to run off some steam before making the drive to Sequoia National Park. Every part of the way was just stunning. Golden yellow and bright red fall leaves everywhere. 

We drove all the way in to check out the General Sherman Tree-- the largest tree in the world! It did not disappoint.

We tried to find the spot where William had helped with the romantic set-up for Wesley and Carolyn all those years ago. Yup, Wesley proposed to Carolyn in the "Room Tree" here in the park. This is also the general area where W lived while being a youth pastor at a small church. Have I mentioned that this guy has seriously done everything?! He used to ride his motorcycle up to the Sherman Tree for alone time. :) I wished we had more time to explore, but it was getting late so we headed back. The views on the way out were just as gorgeous. 

And the setting sun on the drive to dinner was the cherry on top.

Bumpass Hell

Before heading home, we wanted to squeeze in one more stop in the area. I'm starting to think we're becoming park junkies-- or at the very least that we need to add "visit all national parks" on our bucket list. Haven't decided which just yet. After a stop at the podunk yet adorable town of Chester for some coffee and shops, we made our way to yet another park.

Lassen Volcanic National Park neighbors Lake Almanor so of course we had to go. We had limited time and a long drive ahead so I'm thankful for technology {i.e. yelp} to provide the best spot for our short allotment. And it did not disappoint.

After reading reviews while driving up, we decided to stop at Bumpass Hell-- basically a bunch bubbling and steaming hot springs--remnants of former volcanic activity. We could tell that this was the park's main attraction with boiling pools of 322 degree temperatures and terms like "hydrothermal system" and "fumaroles" being tossed around. It required a 3 mile round trip hike which was welcomed before a long drive of sitting. We were game.

The hike was beautiful and easy so we did it in typically tourist fashion.

They have boardwalks set up to walk around the sights since the ground is really HOT and brittle. 

It was a really cool. It smelled awful {sulfur}, made lots of noise and had all sorts of different things to look at. I'm sure it's like some kind of heaven for geology nerds.

After the hike back to our car, we hit the road for home and made great time. We picked up the boys. Then fed, bathed, and put them all to bed. W and I enjoyed some sushi and a movie to unwind before the week ahead.

I'm happy to report that the following day was amazing. I thought for sure the boys would go through major detox. But they were pleasantly normal and that made for a very happy Mama. I was able to be super productive in getting us back into the swing of things and we even sneaked a bike/walk trip to the library. Major props to the gparents. They sure are pros. :) And great weekend for all!

On the Lake

Saturday morning was spent in bed and having a lazy breakfast out on the porch. We were visited by a little caterpillar that dropped down right on W's plate.

I really wanted to go out on the lake, but since we had Vesper, it limited our options just a bit. We packed up our lunch and found a boat rental place. We snagged a paddle boat, loaded us and our stuff and paddled out onto the lake.

The weather was perfect for sunning and having a picnic lunch. We relaxed while Vesper napped in the wrap. The water looked so inviting. I kept telling W that I was going to jump in. I kinda have this fear about water you can't see well in. It freaks me out a little bit. I probably spent the next 10 minutes talking about how I really wanted to go, but was too scared. I finally just went for it and nothing got me. ;)

W went in after V woke up and we were both cooled down for the rest of our time out. It was so so so relaxing.

Afterward, we headed home for naps, a little happy hour, and prepping for the wedding. 

Road-tripping North

We left on Friday late-morning to Lake Almanor for a wedding of a dear, dear college friend. I dropped the boys off at my parents {so so thankful they let us so we could get north before dinner!!!}, picked up W, and started our 4+ hour adventure. There was a great deal of this...

and this...

With a little of this thrown in between.

We made it to Lake Almanor in the evening and settled into our house. We did the VRBO {vacation rental by owner} route with a few other couples attending the wedding. It worked out so perfectly. Great location within the Lake's country club, spitting distance to the lake and short drive to the wedding site. Lots of room. Vesper got her own "room" by way of pack n' play in a giant walk-in closet in our master. It also included all the extra perks that a house brings: access to multiple bathrooms, lovely porch for breakfast, full kitchen, and living room area with comfy sofa. We were instant fans.

We made dinner and walked down to the lake to eat...which may or may not have been on private property...

We spent the rest of the evening relaxing, visiting with another couple staying with us, and figuring out our plan for the next fews days.

Peach Picking

We resurrected Field Trip Friday last week. We all met at the farm to pick some peaches, something I really wanted to do this summer. 

Lots of walking around, nibbling, and plopping fruit into buckets. Some of the kids got to climb the ladders {with assistance} to reach the harder-to-get ones. 

More summer fun for the fourteen pounds of peaches we brought home.

Weekend Recap

We had a fun weekend at home.

W took the boys to the BMX park near our house for the first time. Ezra has been waiting and wanting to go for awhile, but we would tell him we'd wait until he could bike without training wheels. I cannot believe that time has come already...and that he would remember! He did great and the boys ended up making a trip there the following day. 

That afternoon, we dropped the boys off at Castlewood for our annual musical at Westminster. This year's production was Annie Get Your Gun, a great ol' western piece. Great entertainment. And of course, dinner at Homeroom didn't disappoint either. I know, we could totally venture out a little. There are some yummy eateries in that area, but why mess with a good thing?! Creatures of habit. Me included. My date night staples now include red lips, a bun, and two babes.

Sunday was lazy. I didn't get out of pjs until the late afternoon. We took some pictures for Theo's second birthday...which is less than a month and a half away. So wild! I swear he was the happy baby on my back just yesterday. Now he's full-fledged toddler. We'll be doing close friends and family style for his birthday, but I thought having a cute theme wouldn't hurt. This Mama has got to pick up creating again sometime soon! What better excuse than this sweet one's birthday?!

The later part of the day included a bike ride, soft serve, park shenanigans {including ice cream swiping}, and pool time.

Pescadero: San Gregorio Beach

The rest of our adventurous day was spent at the beach. Ezra was on cloud nine since we didn't get a chance for beach time previously at Point Reyes {a fever may have had something to do with that...}. While it was overcast, the temperature was perfect! 

The boys ran from the waves, buried W, and dug into the sand to collect sand crabs.

It was a silent drive home.