Genoa and Gadzooks!

This past week Matt's Grandma called to invite Chase and Sadi to her art studio for a night of fun.  They were invited to wear their pj's, bring a stuffed friend, and be ready to hear a story.  Since Matt had the day off, we decided to make a day of it and do some exploring.   We decided to go to Genoa for the day.  I have only been there once, and I remembered it was small, I neglected to remember how small.  We walked the entire town s-l-o-w-l-y in less than an hour.  We walked through the Mormon Station state park and the old trading post.

We paid to go into the museum (small cabin) which houses pioneer-era artifacts.  There is still debate amoungst people everywhere about which is the real "first" settlement of Nevada.  Dayton has a stone plaque stating it as the first settlement, as does Genoa.  We all know it is Dayton...but when the woman who was working in the museum asked us where we were from, and we told her we were from Dayton the first settlement in Nevada she DID NOT find the humor of this as we did.  She rambled on and on about how they ARE the first settlement.  I thought it was quite humorous.  Of course when we were outside out of earshot we let our kids decide which Genoa is......that's right number 2.

Grandpa and Gradma had invited us to go to dinner before story time so we headed over to their house a bit later.  Grandma had to go to the art studio to set up, so we picked up Grandpa and he took us to a new place for dinner, the Wild Horse Saloon.  Chase loved telling people Grandpa took him to a bar...and of course Sadi added that he bought them beer! (root)

After dinner we headed to Grandma's new Art Studio in downtown Gardnerville.  With their jammies on and stuffies in tow they were ready for storytime.

They had a couple of people playing guitar and they had an interactive singing time which took them around the world with music and instruments.  They also told a story, and then had popcorn and juice.  It was a really fun night and glad we were able to spend some time with Grandma at her other home.

Lifeguard on Duty

Wednesday we took a trip to Lake Tahoe as we have every week this summer.  The day began like all the others have...building sand castles, splashing in the water, relaxing on the beach chairs.  I didn't know that by the time I left, I would feel like a different person.  I had no idea I was the lifeguard this day.

Early in the day my eye was drawn to a little girl about 12 months (maybe younger) who I had pointed out to Matt because she was wearing the cutest little bathing suit.  A few hours later while Matt was off making a work call and Chase and Sadi were swimming this same little girl was splashing around with another little girl about the same age when she tripped head first into the water.  She was completely submerged and convulsively splashing and then flipped face up and was still submerged.  She was a good 20 yards from us...no one noticed, except me.  I FLEW off my chair raced across the sand jumped into the water and lifted what was now a still baby into my arms and screamed "Whose baby is this?!"  I went to lay her down terrified I was going to have to give CPR to this girl...water poured from her mouth and I lifted her back up as more water fell from her nose, mouth, and eyes.  She started gaging, and finally sucked in air.  Her mother who was 3 umbrellas back on the beach was grateful as she took her daughter.  I returned to my beach chair shaking as Chase said 6 little words that changed how he looked at me "Wow, Mom your like a hero!".   The rest of the day I was on edge and just before we were about to go home an elderly woman on the opposite side of the beach who had an artificial leg was walking along the waters edge when her leg got caught and face first she went.  Although she was on all fours she could not get up...I again ran over to help her to which she was grateful, because she couldn't stand alone because her leg was floating up behind her.   Before we left, both parties once again thanked me.  This was no ordinary day at the beach....definitely not a relaxing one, but for one day in the eyes of my kids I got to be their hero!

Whizzing through Utah

We just got home from a whirlwind of a trip to Utah to take Kelsey up to spend time with her cousins for what may be her last summer of fun before real life (a.k.a. a job).  We left on Tuesday and was home before dinner on Thursday...whew!  We had one day to spend time with some of the family before heading back.  We spent that day mostly at Oquirrh Lake (some of you may refer to it by Daybreak Lake).  We had a few cousins with us and Grandpa.  Grandma got stuck with Jury duty so we missed seeing her.

It was a beautiful day.  They said it got above 100 degrees, but it felt like 70 to me.  We walked part of the lake, and spent time at the park there.  Chase was loving this spider web.

Sadi loved the slide,

but really loved the swings!  She was swinging away talking to herself and giggling.

Even the older kids got in on the playground action on this thing-a-ma jig.  I don't know what it is called, but it is fun!

We then hit the splash pad there.  I had only one rule since we didn't have bathing suits on, and I hadn't planned on going there:  Don't get soaking wet!  It started out like this,

and ended like this....

We decided after drying off a little to go grab lunch.  If you move away from Utah and there is no fry sauce to be found, when you go back for a visit there is only one place to go...Arctic Circle.  Plus you can't pass up the chance to get a lime rickey (which I also have never found anywhere else).  Yumm.

Later we went back to Aunt Susan and Uncle Luckie's house for a family get together at their new house (which used to be Grandma Smith's house and where Grandpa grew up).  They have done so much to fix up this house, and it looks amazing!

We loved getting to see Tifani (who we haven't seen in 2 years) and spend some time with her.  She was up visiting from New Mexico for a week.

We got to see some of our other cousins too, but wish all of them could have been there.  This is 11 of the 18 (if my count is correct).

It surprised me how my kids seemed to link up with some of them right away since we see them so little.  Sadi couldn't even remember Ashly's name when she got there, but by the end of the night they seemed to be "besties".

They spent most of the night swinging in the tire swing and laughing together.

Before we knew it the night had come to an end and it was time to pack up and head home.  We were leaving Kelsey for a few weeks but look what good hands she is in.....

I have no doubt these girls will make it a summer to remember!

Kickin' off July

It's hard to believe June is over..and we have just ended the first week of July!  We have been keeping busy!  Uncle David came the last day of June, and spent a jam packed week of fun with us.  We started the week off by going to Lake Tahoe for the day.  We got up EARLY to head to the lake because Matt was sure it was going to be busy.  He was right.  This was the best part of the day when no one was there.  It didn't take long until the beach was packed!

 The next day we headed to Reno for the day, and then we headed to the ballpark that night.

 We had a nice section almost all to ourselves to watch the Aces play the Salt Lake Bees.

This is how Sadi liked watching them Bees....she decided she liked baseball after all :)  Pretty sure her and Kelsey liked watching these boys warm-up.

Wednesday we shopped all day and got ready for the 4th..and had a pre-Barbecue Barbecue.  Matt says you can't have too many barbecue's...I tend to agree, less cooking for me.  Thursday was the 4th, we got up and headed to Virginia City for the parade....it was hot one!

 Kyle and his girlfriend met us there and braved the heat with us.

The parade this year was just...eh.  Of course there are always some favorites, but this year seemed longer and not as exciting.  One of these guys stopped and asked Chase to join the Calvary...of course he agreed. 

I liked the army tanks decked out in all the American flags.  Not a single band or float was seen.  Less candy this year too...I have to admit I appreciated that part.  After the parade we came back home had a huge barbecue with WAY to much food, relaxed for a bit then headed back up the mt. to see the fireworks...they too were just so-so this year.

Friday we got up early...again.  We headed out to Gardnerville and met Grandma and Grandpa and some friends for breakfast.  After breakfast we headed out for a day hike that Matt picked out...bad idea.  We were headed for Crater Lake, if anyone has heard of it or KNOWS where it is I would love to know.  We hiked for HOURS...UPHILL...which for some learned a lesson about eating a big breakfast before hiking...bahahaha (ya not me...I ate light).

Although it was not very successful, we saw some beautiful sights including this waterfall...which we hiked above looking for the lake.

It was a fun day and really fun week, but now I am looking forward to a little relaxation and some sleeping in!