Summer Vaca week 2: Washington, DC

After returning from our week at the lake, we hopped a plane and headed for the East Coast to visit Matt's family. It was Charlotte's second flight and she did great. Slept about half the time and played the rest of it. It is getting harder to keep her entertained as she gets older. She wants space to throw toys and crawl around and the itty bitty plane seats do not offer much room. Thankfully we have sat next to very nice people who are more than willing to pick up a few dropped toys now and again.

she LOVED the people mover! 

Jim picked us up from the airport and we headed back to their house. We finally got to see the new house! And we got to live it up in our own personal suite in the basement. It was awesome. We also got to check out Nikki and Mike's new house when we went over there for dinner. It's huge!! Lots and lots of space for babies and visiting family! :)

playing in the yard

silly girl with her fire hat!

Charlotte with her Aunties!!!

Her handsome Uncles!!!

Wednesday we got to visit the Greens! Our girls are three months apart and we just had to get them together for a little play date. Adorable...

playing "together", but separate

future bffs!

On the 4th of July we spent the day at the Swan's house....barbecuing, playing hill billy golf, and just hanging out with family. It was relaxing and perfect.

all festive!

And since GranDave was documenting the day and keeping an eye on Charlotte, I could sit back and relax. 

paparazzi

I'm coming to get you GranDave!

baby ogling at it's finest...

And to my surprise, there was a little birthday celebration for me too! Mmm ice cream cake....

three candles...one for each decade! 

There was also a celebration for America, including local fireworks! We just propped up some lawn chairs in the driveway and enjoyed the show. I actually woke up Charlotte just so she could see them too. You can't properly enjoy your first 4th of July without seeing the fireworks! She loved it! 

Friday was the big day.....my birthday....the big 30!! We spent part of the day relaxing by the pool, enjoyed a lovely dinner out with the family, and then hit the bars!

swimming with Uncle Jim!

Family Photos! 

motorboating me!!

And while Grandma and Aunt Jenny babysat (thank you xoxo), Mommy and Daddy enjoyed a night out on the town!

it's a pile of Mommies!

steptoe reunited

We hit up three bars (I only recall two) and drank and talked and had an amazingly wonderful time! I definitely forgot what it was like to drink....a lot. I had way too much and had to nurse one heck of a hangover the next day. Ugh. Well worth it. You only turn 30 once!

It was a great trip. We loved being able to see and spend time with family and friends. And Charlotte loved it too! She really enjoyed being held and playing with everyone. Yay! Thanks everyone for making our trip so great. We can't wait to see you all again soon!

Summer Vaca week 1: Donner Lake

Every year since I was about 10 my family took a trip to Donner Lake during the summer. We rented a cabin near the lake and spent a week swimming and shopping and relaxing. It had been quite a while since I had been up there (5+ years), and when we found out Matt had two weeks of summer vacation, I immediately thought of Donner. With my Mom, Sara, Peter, and Aunt Kathy on board, we reserved our favorite cabin, loaded up the cars, and even brought along the dogs. It was a full house and a lot of fun. 

our cabin. love.

the whole crew....minus Miss Lily

The first two days of our trip were spent inside. It was rainy and cold, very un-summer like weather. We did a couple of puzzles, watched movies, and played some beer pong. It was still fun and I'm glad the bad weather was at the beginning of the trip rather than the end. 

let me outta here!!!

Auntie K playing some beer pong

Wednesday was our first beautiful day, and Matt's birthday! We decided it was the perfect day for our bike ride. We rode along the Truckee river into Lake Tahoe, where we stopped to have a little snack and a drink. It was beautiful outside!!

Lake Tahoe.................................................................Truckee Rive (notice C asleep in the back)

having our snack!

view of Lake Tahoe on the beautiful day

trying clam chowder and LOVING it!!

selfie.

Thursday was a hang around the house and enjoy our surroundings kind of day. Matt, Sara, and Peter ventured out for a hike, but the rest of us just laid low. 

breathtaking

who is this handsome devil??

I spent my day with this beauty....playing with rocks and the dog bowl!

We also enjoyed kayaking, music, and jumping in the lake!

Friday was a really fun day.....rafting down the Truckee river. This was something we did every single year while I was growing up and I was dying to do it again. Man was it fun! My friend from high school, Jenn, went with us too. We spent 7 hours (seriously not sure how it took us that long) rafting and drinking and having the time of our lives! 

Matt's impression of Sara haha

Charlotte stayed behind and got to spend the day with Nana.

splashing in the water...brrrr!

giving Lily her dental exam

Saturday was our last full day. In the morning Matt and I went on a bike ride all around the lake, what a workout! Jenn came by and we did a little paddle-boarding with Charlotte. She did great!! And wow is that paddle-boarding hard work! 

got our life jacket on!

Harley hopped on with Sara but got really freaked out. He had to swim ashore.

And because it was our last day, Sara and I decided we should jump in the lake! It was soo cold....at first...then it wasn't so bad.

We also took some great family photos that day (thanks Jane and Elena!)

And of course there was music and singing...

and lots and lots of swimming

And on Sunday, while my handsome hubby and adorable kiddos slept in, I watched the sunrise with my Mom....

wow.

It was a fabulous trip. My only gripe: wish it could have been longer!! Hopefully we will see you again soon Donner Lake!!