Ben's Hiking Adventure

Sam enjoying the view as the tallest Browder on the outing.

A peek of the lake through the trees.

Here's how it feels to step on a snake!


Back at the car...no snakes in sight, all is well.
Notice the new Yakima cargo box...no cramming things in every little space of the car for a road trip again!

We're done hiking? Okay, now I'm happy!

Once the boys woke from their rests this afternoon we set out to hike on a Forest Service road just a little way up the Mount Rose Highway. We had heard from several people that the views of the lake from the road are amazing, as are the rock outcroppings. We also thought it would be nice to have a wide and well-traveled path while hiking with the boys.

In the years that Brian and I have been hiking and driving around the lake we have seen our share of wildlife.....squirrels, chipmunks, lizards, coyotes, fish, and many varieties of birds including Stellar's Jays, hawks and chickadees. In fact, on a snowshoeing outing to a ridge overlooking the lake we were bombarded by several chickadees who were very interested in our lunch.....even being so bold as to land on Brian's hat while he was sitting.

But in our time outside we had never once seen a snake. Until today.

We had made it only about a hundred yards from the car with Brian and Sam (in the backpack) leading the way, me following, and Ben behind me when the excitement began. I paused at one point to snap a photo of the lake through the trees then continued the uphill climb. Ben followed my footsteps toward the edge of the road to see the lake too. The next thing I knew Ben was yelling, "Snake! I saw a snake!" And the kid was running - FAST! Brian and I both turned in time to see a smooth, brownish snake that was at least two feet long slithering over the side of the road to the safety of the forest below. When Ben reached me his heart was racing and he was shaking. Soon the tears began to fall as the fright hit him.

We continued on but now Ben was clinging to my hand with an iron grip and would occasionally let out a sob. He repeatedly told us that he didn't want to see another snake. I could tell that he was still scared by the way his gaze was continually on the ground assessing whether sticks and twigs would move. As we hiked on he said that he didn't want to step on a snake again. Step on a snake?! No wonder the kid was freaked out!

Eventually we turned around, before we hit the really great views of the lake. Ben was further disturbed when a bug of some sort decided to do an up-close fly-by. That was the last straw.

Luckily, he hiked himself back down the hill though he did cry the entire way. Just before we reached the car we encountered two women with some rock climbing gear. I explained that Ben had stepped on a snake. They were both quite understanding and I was relieved that we didn't appear to be parents who force our children to be outside!

Our big concern now is that Ben will no longer want to go hiking due to this traumatic experience. He is the kid who refused to ride his tricycle for weeks because one afternoon Brian accidentally pinched his chin with the buckle on the helmet strap!

Based on the very quick glimpse of the snake and input from Ben, the Internet has led us to believe that the snake Ben encountered was a rubber boa. A rather benign fellow in the snake world. Thank goodness!

Long time, no post

I know I haven't posted anything in over a week but it's only because not much has been happening. The boys eat, play, and sleep. Brian works, works, and sleeps. And I cook, clean, chauffeur, cook, clean, and sleep (if I'm lucky). See, just the normal workings of an average family.

Over the past couple of weeks the boys and I have been spending lots of time at the beaches and playgrounds around town because the weather has been glorious.

During this memorial Day weekend we are blessed with more sunny weather. The past few years the weather has been cold and gray during the Memorial Day weekend even with 18 inches of snow a couple of years ago. The locals and tourists are quite pleased to have a real kick-off to summer this year. We have already taken advantage of the nice weather today to clean the deck and outdoor furniture. The boys are insisting on having all snacks and meals outside now. Fine by me! And Brian and Ben are planning on "camping" on the deck tonight in just sleeping bags. Again, fine by me!

We plan on taking a hike once the boys wake from their naps and we will definitely hit the beach tomorrow and do some grilling.

Happy Memorial Day weekend to you!

Mother's Day

After church on Sunday we spent a beautiful Mother's Day having a picnic lunch at Burnt Cedar beach. We then moved on to the playground then on to the lake shore. The boys loved running free and digging holes in the sand. After the boys had an afternoon rest they played soccer with Daddy while I took some photos with our new camera of the flowering plum trees along the driveway.

It was a perfect day.

Enjoying a little lunch.

Ben and Daddy all ready for the beach.

The beach is that way!

Sam went up and down all by himself.

Looks like Dad is winning.

Plum blossoms.

Not bad for a girl with NO photography skills!

Oops! This one should be further up on the page....Ben trying to reach the next fingerhold.

Ben's Birthday Party

Ben is passionate about Curious George so when it came time to plan his birthday party there really was no question as to what the theme would be. We ordered a bunch of Curious George stickers and sticker books from Mrs. Grossman's Sticker Factory http://www.mrsgrossmans.com/ and started putting together the goody bags and invitations. In the goody bags we included a small container of Curious George bubbles, a Curious George puzzle, the sticker books, lots of stickers, small diary type books with George throughout and a paperback copy of "Curious George goes to the Zoo" (thanks Auntie Beth) , Curious George fruit snacks (thanks Auntie Pauline), a bouncy ball, and finished it all off with a Curious George balloon.

The kids had a great time playing on the playground by the beach in Kings Beach then having lunch at Jason's. Friends in attendance included Ben and Sam, Joseph and his little sister Katie, Ashley, Ella, and Julianna. Moms included me, Kristen, Janna, Cris, and Auntie Steph. With everybody seated at a big table for lunch I got so caught up in visiting that I took very few photos. The one I really regret missing is Ben with his cupcake tower of strawberry cupcakes with vanilla icing topped with fresh strawberries and mint leaves.

All in all, everyone had a great time.

The invitation.....made to read like the beginning of a George story.

Ben with his goody bag and George shirt for the big day.

Sweet brothers.

Ben enjoying the slide despite the cold, damp weather.

Sam trying out the structure.

Whee!

Julianna at lunch.

Ashley, Ella, and Ben before Joseph arrived.

Ashley and Ella at the park.

Whoa, Ashley!

Julianna holding her own with the big kids.

Sam's Sermon

It was exactly a year ago that we had many family members here to visit and be part of Ben and Sam's baptism at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church here in Incline. The entire service was beautiful with Matt and Steph taking on the roles of godparents for the boys and our Reverends Jim Beebe, and Dave Mussatti, along with our local ordained monk, Santa Claus, carrying out the blessings. I remember being teary-eyed watching our babies become "real" members of the church and feeling the love from the congregation all around us.

I guess it's only appropriate that today Sam let his voice be heard.

Reverend Beebe always delivers great sermons. They are thoughtful, engaging, sometimes humorous, and often have a touch of pop-culture to bring the point home. My only issue with his sermons are that they are so interesting that I am disappointed to miss about 60% of each one because of my attempts to keep the boys quiet and in their seats. Today's sermon was no different. Jim was talking about people's needs. He spoke of the sisters, Mary and Martha, sitting with Jesus and listening to him speak - well, Mary was listening but Martha was distracted by all the things she needed to do. She was annoyed that her sister was so caught up by Jesus' words. (I may have gotten that wrong but you can check out this link to Jim's actual sermon notes to clarify :) http://tahoeepiscopal.com/doc/sermons/INeedINeedINeed.html)

Jim went on to quote the movie, "What About Bob?" In the movie a successful psychiatrist (played by Richard Dreyfus) loses his mind after one of his most dependent patients - Bob (Bill Murray), a highly manipulative obsessive-compulsive, tracks him down during his family vacation. At one point in the movie Bob says, "I need. I need"

As Reverend Beebe came to this quote in his sermon Sam piped in with his own, "I nee, I nee!" You can imagine the response from the congregation - chuckles, and even a few belly laughs erupted in the sanctuary. Brian and I both began laughing to the point of tears. Sam immediately saw the reaction and continued on with his chanting, "I nee, I nee!"
Jim came back with, "We couldn't have timed that better!"

After the service Jim came up to us and jokingly asked if we had cued Sam. He also added that it's always nice to know people are listening to his sermon. Jim seems especially impressed with how pious Sam is...when receiving communion Sam will stand at the altar and let Jim place the bread in his mouth rather then having it placed in his hands ("What is he?" Jim asks while smiling, "a Roman Catholic?"). And upon sneezing Sam will say, "Amen," rather than, "Bless you."

So, exactly one year after getting teary-eyed at St. Pat's during the boys' baptism I did it again as I rejoiced the marvel that is my little boy, Sam.

Ben's Birthday - Take 2

A few more pictures from Ben's 3rd birthday and some from his first couple of weeks of life as well.....

I hadn't planned on making a cake since Ben has never eaten any at other kids' birthday parties but when several people asked him throughout the day if he was going to have a cake he enthusiastically replied, "Yes!"

Luckily I found a recipe in my Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook for a One-Bowl Chocolate Cake that only made one 8-inch round or a dozen cupcakes - and I also happened to have everything to make it in my cupboards so no trip to the store was necessary. We kept three for ourselves, delivered four to Daddy's office for the guys there, and delivered the rest to the guys at the meat counter at Village Market. Thank goodness we seem to know a plethora of twenty-something guys who are happy to take chocolate cupcakes off our hands! As I suspected would happen, I was the only one in the house to eat any cupcakes! They were quite good especially with the strawberry ice cream that Ben had requested for his birthday several days in advance. Ben and Sam are both big fans of frozen desserts....ice cream, sorbet, popsicles...send them our way.

We are planning to have a birthday party for Ben with some of his friends exactly one week after his actual birthday. One of his friends, Ashley, has been out of town and we didn't want to see the heartbreak from either Ben or Ashley if she couldn't be there. So, I will soon post MORE birthday photos and subject myself to a second round of cupcake baking!

Ben was excited to wear his carpenter's belt, suspenders, and hardhat to "fix" things around the house. He wore the suspenders ALL DAY!

Uncle Pete gave Ben a baseball glove and ball on the day he was born since he was born during baseball season (remember those pics of Sam with his football? Also a gift from Uncle Pete when he was born during football season).