2012 Annual Tahoe Pilgrimmage

We finally made it up to Lake Tahoe for our annual trip this weekend. Going during the dog days of Summer is for chumps, September is the way to go. We got prime parking at Sand Harbor, a great little spot on the beach and it was still plenty warm enough to swim. 

But in all reality, this is what swimming in Lake Tahoe in the summer does to you.



No more than 15 minutes playing in the water, only up to her chest, floating in a tube, and she was shivering. It took us a good 10 minutes to reheat the poor child.



And here is an iconic picture of our day. Jake digging a hole so deep he reached the water, while explaining to Gwen how the moon makes the waves. And Gwen fully immersed in a bag of potato chips.

At one point during the day we reapplied sunscreen and needed her to sit still in the shade for 10 minutes. Our solution? We gave her the bag of potato chips. Worked like a charm.



Lake Tahoe, glad we could finally make it up for a swim. Until next time.

You can read about last year's trip to Tahoe here.

Happy Weekend- Edited

On Thursday we were packing for a weekend trip up to Lake Tahoe. I don't know about you, but before I go on a trip I like to run myself ragged getting my house in order. Returning home to a clean house is sooo much better than a messy one.

No matter what the trip, even if it is an afternoon away, I lose my mind and turn into a mega-bitch. I'm thinking it might have something to do with me trying to do a month's worth of chores in one day, sometimes hours before we leave.

I am a list person. I can not function without making a list first. Once I get the list made, I'm golden. I will check it off as I pack, highlighting things that I still need to remember to pack and I've just discovered the idea of packing the list with you. That way when you're packing everything up to come home you can refer to it again so you don't forget anything. Genius, I know.

Now, I will be completely honest here and let you know that I always, without a doubt forget something. I'm terrible with actually reading and paying attention to the lists I make. Just ask my husband, I made a grocery list today and forgot something that was written on the freaking list. Sigh.



Laundry and the dishes are the two most important things that need to be done before you go anywhere. To have those sitting there waiting for you when you get back is just plain depressing. Not having dishes and laundry smacking you in the face when you come back from a trip? Priceless.

And then of course there are the dogs. They need food, water and maybe a walk or two before you ditch them. Sorry guys, maybe next time.

I even squeezed in our weekly grocery shopping trip and mopped the floors today. No wonder why I'm always bitchy before a trip.  Now, any bets on what I'll wind up forgetting? Please lord don't let it be the baby's advil. That kid has a raging case of teething and I'm not sure any of us could survive without that.

Happy Weekend!

Post-Edit: The only thing I forgot were nighttime diapers, which weren't even necessary. Booyah.

Insta-Friday {16th Edition}

It's that time of week again. Time to dump all those pictures from the ol' iphone and see what our week consisted of. I'm proud to say this week happened to be full of baked goods and snowmen.

1.  Over the weekend I tried out a chocolate chip recipe that boasted it was the best. Let me just tell you that that recipe made hands down the best freaking cookie I've ever laid eyes on. Oh man. I will be sharing the complete recipe on Tuesday. Meanwhile, we shared them with some family but not all the family because we wanted to have them all to ourselves. Don't feel bad for the rest of the family, they got cupcakes. Speaking of which I totally found a white cake mix recipe that finally tasted like white cake mix, not corn bread. I will share in due time.


2. We got a light dusting of snow last week (finally) and our front yard is pretty well shaded from the afternoon sun, which meant fabulous snowman making snow. We suited up and played in the front yard and the baby liked the snow a lot more when it was powdery and hours fresh  compared to the icy month old snow we put her in up at Tahoe a few weeks ago. It took her a little while but she finally figured out just how awesome snow can be and also maybe got trampled by the dogs who were romping in the snow. She cried a little as I dusted the snow out of her pink princess sunglasses and carried on like a trooper.


3. & 4. 7 years ago I studied abroad in France and I was given a firsthand learning experience by my french Host Mom on Crepe Day  (jours des crepes, which is really a thing) how to make crepes. For years since my return from France my husband has asked for me to make crepes, constantly telling me about some other girl who came back from France and made crepes all the time. For my birthday last year I was given Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking cookbook. Yet I still haven't made a single crepe. On Monday it finally happened. I made my first batch of crepes a la Julia Child, in the blender. She totally tells you to make them in the blender and with brandy. The brandy made them taste like brandy but all in all they were delicious and fun to make. I think they will become a recurring thing on our menu from here on out.

And that marks the second week that of Gwen-less Insta-Fridays. What is going on in the world?! What'd you do this week? Whip up anything fun in the kitchen? Did you go to Target? Didya?

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Rejuvenation

Last Insta-Friday I mentioned that we went up to Tahoe for a nice little weekend getaway. I figured I'd embellish a little because it was such a garsh darn blessing in disguise and proved an important lesson: screwing up the baby's nap schedule wrecks havoc on your lives for at least a week.

No, but really. Our in-laws have this smashingly gorgeous cabin up in South Lake Tahoe, about an hour and a half from our house. On occasion it becomes available and the bat signal is lit up to alert family members to get their tooshies up there for some cabin enjoyment. Which is what we all did. Five  kids plus their wives, girlfriends, babies and friends all managed to make their way up to the cabin last minute. We subjected the babies to the snow and sledding (which neither of them enjoyed) and enjoyed some relaxing quality Catch Phrase time among other things.

Now here comes the part where things got crazy amazing. The in-laws offered to watch the baby while we escaped for a brief date Sunday morning. This isn't anything new as the grandparents are happy to spend alone time with Gwen. But this past year has been stressful and as any new parents would agree things can get a little hectic around our house. We had no idea how badly we were in need of the precious alone time our in-laws allotted for us that one Sunday morning.  While the baby slept in the arms of her grandmother we sat in a Starbucks down the street, sipping our coffees and talking without abandon. We ignored the world around us (the rowdy hippies with socks and sandals) and were able to see only each other, a habit that is too easily lost in parenting.

We left that cabin with a renewed sense of marriage, family, love and parenting. The baby may have been a bit cranky and overtired due to not doing very well with new situations, but  I think she enjoyed herself too. Thank you Lake Tahoe. You were just what we needed.

 

Insta-Friday {13th Edition}

I thought about just skipping 13 and making this the 14th edition. You know, like the hotels do with the 13th floor. But that's just silly. 

1.) Our weather has been all sorts of weird lately and I feel bad when it's sunny outside and we're inside. So in an attempt to spend at least an hour outside everyday we suited up and took a walk. It was freezing. I no longer feel bad about being inside.

2.) I made sure our babysitters had some after school snacks. It should be noted that they are of drinking age. And they liked the snacks.

3.) Apparently we have a new routine of hanging out on the deck after lunch.

4.) Mama had an interview and got to get all gussied up.Consequently I figured out my blouse looks even better with the top button buttoned. This couldn't have come at a better time seeing as my knockers are HUMUNGOUS due to weaning. I mean my goodness, I feel on display in a turtle neck.



 

1.) We got to take a nice little weekend retreat up to the in-law's vacation cabin in Tahoe.

2.) Sigh, Tahoe was exactly what we needed this weekend. It was an escape from the real world that we didn't even know we needed so badly.

3.) My nephews flew all the way from Orlando, FL to Las Vegas, NV all by themselves! They are seasoned travelers and have been talking about flying by themselves for months. Can you imagine seeing those two handsome men on your flight?

4.) Sophie looking all cute and cozy. Never you mind that she helped herself to chocolate chips and shortening off the baking shelf in the pantry this week.

Beach Crashers

After discussing our plans for Saturday, it suddenly became apparent that Sir Sunderland was taking a motorcycle joy ride up to Lake Tahoe. Why not join him? So we packed up the family, Gwen and I in the car, Sir Sunderland on his motorcycle, and headed up to the Lake.

After  discovering the original beach we had planned on going to was full we decided to crash the Hyatt hotel's fancy beach. You see, we had been to an event there years ago and had a taste of the luxury. Sir Sunderland attended a work conference there a few weeks back and got the lay of the land. It just might work.

We parked, got the stroller and walked with the confidence of a Hyatt hotel guest. It apparently worked, since we were given hotel guest wristbands by the hotel employee who asked, "going to the beach?"  

We wheeled our stroller down to the beach and discovered that no, you don't look for empty chairs like a chump, you wait for a cabana boy. He not only got us chairs, but also put up an umbrella. Like dug a hole in the sand for the umbrella itself. Amazing.

   Not that I need to defend our actions, but  before you get all preachy on us that we were stealing services from the Hyatt, please know that when Sir Sunderland went to ask a question, an employee asked if we were guests. In full disclosure, Sir Sunderland answered that well no, we're not. But we were given wrist bands. Her response? Eh, whatever.

So we're not that awful. 

I digress. 

We thoroughly enjoyed our day lounging about like we were on a killer vacation and put Gwen in the ice cold Tahoe waters for her first time.

 She wasn't a fan of the ice cold water, which I can't blame her. Tahoe is a beautiful sight but it's always so darn cold.  This is why I love the beaches with giant rocks that you can hop around on. They give you a break from the onset of hypothermia.

She didn't really care for the sand either. She's in a new stage where she analyzes each new texture. And the analysis of the sand wasn't positive. She didn't especially like the (cold) wet sand down by the water either or the sand in her diaper for that matter. I hate sand with a passion, so I could empathize. 

All in all a great Saturday spent as a family. We lounged on the chairs, ate lunch and took in the sights. We now are putting together plans on how we can visit each beach on the North Shore before summer's end. Stay tuned!

Beach Crashers

After discussing our plans for Saturday, it suddenly became apparent that Sir Sunderland was taking a motorcycle joy ride up to Lake Tahoe. Why not join him? So we packed up the family, Gwen and I in the car, Sir Sunderland on his motorcycle, and headed up to the Lake.

After  discovering the original beach we had planned on going to was full we decided to crash the Hyatt hotel's fancy beach. You see, we had been to an event there years ago and had a taste of the luxury. Sir Sunderland attended a work conference there a few weeks back and got the lay of the land. It just might work.

We parked, got the stroller and walked with the confidence of a Hyatt hotel guest. It apparently worked, since we were given hotel guest wristbands by the hotel employee who asked, "going to the beach?"  

We wheeled our stroller down to the beach and discovered that no, you don't look for empty chairs like a chump, you wait for a cabana boy. He not only got us chairs, but also put up an umbrella. Like dug a hole in the sand for the umbrella itself. Amazing.

   Not that I need to defend our actions, but  before you get all preachy on us that we were stealing services from the Hyatt, please know that when Sir Sunderland went to ask a question, an employee asked if we were guests. In full disclosure, Sir Sunderland answered that well no, we're not. But we were given wrist bands. Her response? Eh, whatever.

So we're not that awful. 

I digress. 

We thoroughly enjoyed our day lounging about like we were on a killer vacation and put Gwen in the ice cold Tahoe waters for her first time.

 She wasn't a fan of the ice cold water, which I can't blame her. Tahoe is a beautiful sight but it's always so darn cold.  This is why I love the beaches with giant rocks that you can hop around on. They give you a break from the onset of hypothermia.

She didn't really care for the sand either. She's in a new stage where she analyzes each new texture. And the analysis of the sand wasn't positive. She didn't especially like the (cold) wet sand down by the water either or the sand in her diaper for that matter. I hate sand with a passion, so I could empathize. 

All in all a great Saturday spent as a family. We lounged on the chairs, ate lunch and took in the sights. We now are putting together plans on how we can visit each beach on the North Shore before summer's end. Stay tuned!

Annual Tahoe Pligrimage

This weekend we made our annual pilgrimage to Lake Tahoe. This consists of going to our favorite (and only) art gallery that carries Dr. Seuss artwork, the all holiday store, the actual Lake itself and enjoying a meal at a delicious local Mexican restaurant. This year we threw a hike into the mix, which turned out to be amazing.

You hike through this paved trail (does that still count?) where you wind up at this awesome viewing area underneath a creek, like a natural aquarium, if you will.

Apparently if you come in October, there are some crazy bright pink salmon going on in there. We will be back.

All in all a great day. It was, unfortunately, cold and stormy which put a damper on the actual lake part, but who are we kidding, the water is FREEZING. Not like we really swim anyways.

Annual Tahoe Pligrimage

This weekend we made our annual pilgrimage to Lake Tahoe. This consists of going to our favorite (and only) art gallery that carries Dr. Seuss artwork, the all holiday store, the actual Lake itself and enjoying a meal at a delicious local Mexican restaurant. This year we threw a hike into the mix, which turned out to be amazing.

You hike through this paved trail (does that still count?) where you wind up at this awesome viewing area underneath a creek, like a natural aquarium, if you will.

Apparently if you come in October, there are some crazy bright pink salmon going on in there. We will be back.

All in all a great day. It was, unfortunately, cold and stormy which put a damper on the actual lake part, but who are we kidding, the water is FREEZING. Not like we really swim anyways.

Tahoe

*This is an entire post about a trip to Tahoe, without any photos of the Lake*

We wanted to get out of the house over the weekend without breaking the bank. Naturally we headed up to the Lake (Tahoe) with Sophie panting in the back seat. After stopping at the first beach that didn't include risking a $100 parking ticket or a hike, we took our lunch to our favorite part of the lake.
There's a historic site where you can go and walk around the rich people's mansions from back in the day that's right on the beach. Lined with pine trees and sand, it is one of the only dog friendly beaches. Sophie got to ran around with the other dogs while we tried to coax her into the water. We enjoyed our picnic on the beach, put our feet in the water and finished the day imagining how life would be as rich folks with guest cabins, nanny quarters and a tutor on site. Sophie especially enjoyed herself, as Tahoe is pet friendly. When she was barking outside an art gallery as we sipped our beers (it was an art reception, apparently) they invited her in. Her leash wound around a stand for a bajillion dollar statue, while the curator talked about how cute and scruffy she is. Are these people crazy?! We also walked into a store full of figurines, martini glasses, etc. and intended on having Jake stay outside with her while I browsed. That was until the girl behind the register let us know that she could come in and that they're not a "you break it you buy it" type store. Tahoe people are a whole different breed, and that is exactly why it's such a great escape from the heat and non-Tahoe atmosphere down here in the valley.

Tahoe

*This is an entire post about a trip to Tahoe, without any photos of the Lake*

We wanted to get out of the house over the weekend without breaking the bank. Naturally we headed up to the Lake (Tahoe) with Sophie panting in the back seat. After stopping at the first beach that didn't include risking a $100 parking ticket or a hike, we took our lunch to our favorite part of the lake.
There's a historic site where you can go and walk around the rich people's mansions from back in the day that's right on the beach. Lined with pine trees and sand, it is one of the only dog friendly beaches. Sophie got to ran around with the other dogs while we tried to coax her into the water. We enjoyed our picnic on the beach, put our feet in the water and finished the day imagining how life would be as rich folks with guest cabins, nanny quarters and a tutor on site. Sophie especially enjoyed herself, as Tahoe is pet friendly. When she was barking outside an art gallery as we sipped our beers (it was an art reception, apparently) they invited her in. Her leash wound around a stand for a bajillion dollar statue, while the curator talked about how cute and scruffy she is. Are these people crazy?! We also walked into a store full of figurines, martini glasses, etc. and intended on having Jake stay outside with her while I browsed. That was until the girl behind the register let us know that she could come in and that they're not a "you break it you buy it" type store. Tahoe people are a whole different breed, and that is exactly why it's such a great escape from the heat and non-Tahoe atmosphere down here in the valley.