Summer began with Sam and I (Amy) going to their first Young Scholar Summit in Reno, NV. It was truly magical to see Sam spend a weekend with kids so much like him. While he will tell you quite sincerely that the "incredible" college cafeteria was his favorite part, I can attest to the wide-eyed wonder and giant smiles that came from a game room full of other kids who love strategy games and want to follow ALL the rules and the interesting lectures and workshops. Playing in the laser maze and 'high ballocity pass' at the local family fun center one of the nights didn't hurt, either!
While we were gone, Milo and Keith had a wonderful, special weekend together. There was swimming, ice-cream and several playgrounds, and they both really enjoyed the uninterrupted time together. We didn't get many shots during this part of the summer, but since we need a little reading break by this point, here are a few fun pictures from around that time:
Milo demonstrating the "roving writing station" that he helped Sam and Keith build
Milo, taking it easy at breakfast time
Sam posing with Lego creation #1,259
Next, I took the two boys for 3+ weeks to Silver Bay! While we missed Keith terribly (and he would have been quite happy to be doing anything other than balancing teaching and getting his book proposal finished up and off to publishers) we had a wonderful time with Mimi, Grampa and the Saul family. Crickets and Woozles were a hit this year (hooray for free time!) and there was much joy in spending time with family in such a beautiful place. Poppy's memorial service was also a beautiful tribute and provided the chance to see much of the extended family.
Aunt Nicole was the official photographer and she kindly sent along her pictures. They can be viewed by clicking on this link: Silver Bay 2013 Pictures (by Nicole).
Sam's favorite parts of our time at Silver Bay were going to Fort Ti with Jamie and Grampa, playing Zeus on the Loose and having "long conversations" with Mimi, playing Monopoly and talking Pokemon with Jamie, Max and Thomas, swimming out to Pudding with Uncle Ben and, later, Aunt Joan, and Aunt Nicole's Rock and Roll Donut Mobile. Milo couldn't really articulate his favorite parts for me, but he keeps talking about swimming with Kellan and Tristan and how they went "all the way under," which he found quite impressive! Milo also really loved Louie the Buoy, going for row boat rides and being doted on by Ethan. Oh, and he got his first taste of soda at the Fourth of July picnic. In fact, I think he might have managed, with Ethan and Max's help, to covertly consume three cans of Sprite. I would be remiss if I did not mention what a huge impression that made on him, not to mention how hard it was for him to sleep that night!
After our return (and what a very unpleasant return it was-- with a cancelled flight, surprise night in a hotel, and a mama holding back tears for the 24-hour ordeal!), things were not quite as exciting for awhile. The boys had the continuation of their school year programs, but we also had fun going on many local adventures. I'm kind of surprised, but the hit of the summer seemed to be a trip to the Jelly Belly Factory and both boys are citing that, of all things, as the best part of their summer. Free candy, folks, is nothing to take lightly. Here are some pictures from that time, all taken, unfortunately, with a subpar camera phone:
After the return trip from Hell, the boys are very relieved to see Keith!
Milo and I at Habitot, enjoying his carefully constructed (deconstructed?) fruit salad
Sam and Milo in the old fashioned jail at Fairyland. Milo didn't get the memo about trying to act the part.
Biggest hoola-hoop ever!
Hoola hooping at the Crab Cove Friday night concert with Jon Miller, a.k.a. Yon-Mega.
Chuck E Cheese (or "Yucky Yeese," as Milo aptly calls it)
Legofest in San Jose!
Ready for our hot date to see "Great White Shark: 3D" (because that's how much I love him!)
Ready for the Jelly Belly Factory tour and the dozens of free jelly beans being handed out.
Milo, thoroughly confused about why he can't seem to do "two thumbs up just like Sammy!" with only one hand.
Finally, it was time for Keith to take a real break and for us to head on our much anticipated trip to Yosemite! Things didn't turn out quite as planned, due to a large forest fire (the Rim Fire of 2013-- now known to be a record-setting and very devastating fire) and the forced evacuation of the Evergreen Lodge. Somehow, we made it work, despite logistics and one, ah-hem, nearly three-year-old who didn't make things much easier, ah-hem, and we created some truly beautiful family memories together. Here are several of the many lovely shots we got:
Smoke from the Rim Fire (day three)
So that is it, in one very large and unwieldy nutshell! What a busy, fun summer it was. We are so very lucky and we appreciate that fact every day.
