And, there were Deer!

There are lots of deer on the peninsula, and in the past we've enjoyed evening walks to the golf course, where they congregate at night to eat grass and lounge. But this year was even better, because our house had a grassy lawn (being a mountain lake community, it is not particularly grassy, so a lawn is somewhat rare), and we received not one but TWO visits to our very own front yard. (Two that we know of, at least.) Needless to say, the boys were thrilled. Josh really thought that if he moved very slowly, and very carefully, he could walk up and pet one without it noticing. Sadly, it did not work.

Lake Almanor 2009

Last weekend we returned from our annual trip to Lake Almanor with John's family. Lake Almanor is in Northern California, in the Mt. Lassen national forest. John's parents have been going every year since before John was born, so it's quite a tradition. We've gone every year since Josh was born, and once or twice before that. The peninsula, where we stay, is gated and has very little commerce, so there is nothing to do but relax, play golf or tennis, and go to the beach. Of course, when you're 2 and 5, that is simply not enough. So while Gail and Gene (John's parents) settled into their routine of morning walks, reading the paper, and heading to the beach for the afternoon, we were up each day at 7, playing tennis volleys in the driveway, riding bikes, playing Uno, Connect Four, and Go Fish, and finding other activities to keep our boys happy until we went to the beach. They did really well and settled in pretty easily.

Josh quickly decided his favorite place was the Point, where the peninsula comes to its end. It's rocky and pretty, and Josh could play his "stepping stone" game and make sure not to fall in the "hot lava." The rest of us could enjoy skipping rocks and watching the beautiful sunsets.