Plumas County Fair

Last year we also attended the Plumas County Fair while at Lake Almanor, and we decided to return this year. Last year, one of the competitors in the swine tent let Josh (and us) into his pig's pen to meet him. I remember how ticklish it felt when the pig licked my toes, which he kept doing! This year, one kid tried to show his chicken to Josh, but Josh was a little freaked out at the idea of holding it (I think I would have been too, they seem like wily creatures to hold onto). We visited all the animals but didn't really meet any or get any good pictures, as Josh was tearing through the place and I was busily trying to keep up without rolling the stroller through poo.

We did, however, spend lots of time in the kiddie ride section. Josh was really cute and had a great time. He even left, without a fight, when we said it was time to go.

He told us for the entire duration of his wait in line that he wanted this blue race car. Luckily, he got it.



I was disappointed that the little airplanes came equipped with machine guns, but Josh wasn't. Despite never playing with toy guns before, he seemed to know just what to do as Daddy ran around the circle "hiding" from Josh and getting targeted.


Josh did the bungee at the Rose Festival back in May, and we were excited to see him do it again.





The second time Josh drove the kiddie train, some kid came to sit shotgun with him, and Josh declared his now-overused new expression, "I need space." (I think his teachers taught him this as a nice way to say "go away"). The kid did not give Josh "space," but Josh let him ride along without further protest,which was a huge relief to me.

Looking at this photo as I write, the train seems kinda creepy looking, like it could be in a horror movie with nightmares and bad clowns. It didn't seem that way in real life, just cheesy in a kiddie way.

As with Juniper Lake, Luke spent most of the fair tucked away in his stroller, out of the very hot sun. Next year Luke!

Juniper Lake

During our 2004 Lake Almanor vacation, we decided to venture into the Mt. Lassen national park and explore. That day we hiked down to a geothermal area. The following year, we went into the park land again and visited Juniper Lake for the day. We've return each year since. This year, our brother and sister-in-law Curt and Jeni came along with us. As always, it was a really nice time. It always seems a little strange to leave one lake for another, but the experience at each is so different, we are always glad we made the trip to Juniper Lake. It is fairly still, sparsely occupied, fairly shallow, and just peaceful and wonderful to visit.

Here are Josh and John out in our little boat. John would like me to state that the water was not very deep (as Josh is not wearing his PFD).

Josh is not content to ride and always wants to take the oars.

Aunt Jeni helps Josh to the big rock, much to his delight.

Monica at the oar.

And where was Lucas? Up on the shoreline, under the shade of a tree, staying out of the sunlight.

He'll have more fun next year!

Lake Almanor

Every year we meet up with the Markley clan at Lake Almanor, a mountain lake in Northern California, in the Mount Lassen area. The water is snowmelt (cold, even in summer) and the scenery is alpine (conifers, as we know from Josh's CDs), and there are deer and other wildlife. It is a gated peninsula, and is very serene. We always have a nice time.
Here is a location shot:

Here are my boys. We got a second one of them actually looking at the camera, but this one was somehow cuter. I love how Josh's hand is gently resting on Luke's head.

Josh loved playing frisbee. We loved how he pronounces it.

Surfer dude. I may be biased, but he is going to drive the girls crazy.

Gammy and Poppa:

The week starts off with the Sunday "Family Dinner." There is a long line of barbeque grills and everyone on the peninsula (okay, it is technically called a country club) comes out to eat together, followed by live music. Here are Josh and Gene enjoying their dinners together.

And, here are Josh and Gene the following day, hand in hand (so cute!).
I had to zoom, so I lost some clarity with my less-than-professional grade equipment.

I think this is a really good picture of John and Luke, on the back porch of the house Gail and Gene rented for all of us. We had a great front porch, with a wonderful porch swing, and two back porches, one just off the kitchen, and one down the steps at ground level. It was a really great house.

Morning in the lake house. Dad's job isn't easy either.
Check out Luke's extremely cute vintage hoodie. I am so proud of finding that!

Another cute pic of John and Luke, and of hoodie!

John is rocking the tan already.