An Abbreviated Summer Round-Up

I totally failed at taking pictures this summer.  My convenient excuse is that I was pregnant and tired, but the reality is that I was just lazy.  However, I did manage to capture a few important events that took place over the last 3 months, including....

 Carissa's culmination from elementary school and the 5th grade in late June!  She has been at Balboa Magnet since the 2nd grade and was very sad to go.  Hard to believe she is a "tween".

 Here are her best friends from Balboa.  The 2 on the left will join her at the Middle School.  And yes- Grayson is taller than the girl in the front row.

 Carissa in the back row.  Not sure if you can pick her out in that sea of dark hair.

 After the ceremony with her friends.  I missed her walking across the stage with her name being called.  Chalk it up to being pregnant.

 A few days after the end of school, we headed north.  First we stopped at the Sac. Steeds overnight, then headed to San Fran. the next morning. Our limited time in the city allowed us only a few attractions, unfortunately, but we loved the beautiful bridge and Fort Point just below.

 Carissa felt that it was  "too windy!!!  and freezing!!!"  And the boys scared me on that bridge, trying to climb up the railings.

 It was an absolutely beautiful day.  We even watched a fully loaded container ship pull into the bay right underneath us.

 That evening we dumped the kids with Auntie Erin and met the Baileys at the Giants/Dodgers game.  This was the first time I have ever worn Dodger apparel to a game (my conversion has been slow, but Lee has been persistent), and those Dodgers did NOT do me proud!  I think the final score was 9-0.  Totally humiliated!  But we loved the stadium and the vibe and even Lee had to admit what a great place it is to watch a ball game.

 After SF it was straight up to Carnelian Bay in North Tahoe to stay at Sue's cabin.  It was cozy, rustic and best of all- it had a pull down ladder!!!

 Not sure how many times they went up and down the ladder, but it was the highlight of the place, for sure.  The sleeping loft was also a big hit.  We all slept upstairs together.

 We set out on the beautiful Rubicon Trail our first morning, which follows the shoreline,

 and ends at the beach.  Which was freezing.

 But you know how to motivate a Bradford:  promise a chocolate dipped ice cream cone to anyone who goes all the way in, and you'll see some swimmers.  Not surprisingly, Derek went first.

 The next day we rented some cruisers in Tahoe City and set out for Squaw Valley.  It is the most beautiful bike trail I've ever been on, following the Truckee River the whole way.  It was cool to see the Olympic flame still burning in Squaw Valley.  I was personally proud to have been able to bike that many miles in my "condition".

 Derek kept a great pace, and this 8 month pregnant lady barely kept up with him.

 We drove back to a lovely spot on the river for lunch to watch the rafters go by and, of course, throw rocks.

 All tuckered out.

 After another week at the Baileys, it was time to head home to prepare for baby and finally replace our 56 year old windows!  The kids were very helpful and we only had one injury, a near put-out eye on Derek, which is pretty good considering they were using crowbars, hammers, screwdrivers and power drills.

 17 windows later, our house is quieter, cooler, and looks a whole lot better!

Summer ended quickly this year, with school starting 4 weeks earlier than normal.  Lots of swimming, trips to the water park and the beach, BBQ parties and backyard campouts rounded out the remaining weeks.  On August 3 we said goodbye to Kevin, who headed back to school, put the baby's things in the closet, and finished off the summer with Brooke's birth!  Don't know if we can top that next summer.