Lake Tahoe-Day 5

Each morning while we were at Lake Tahoe we spent with one of us at the condo while Tyler took a nap. We'd take turns going on bike rides, or running, or going for a walk with the boys. Of course, we also took our time getting moving in the morning. After all, we were on vacation! In the afternoon we went somewhere as a family. On Day 5 (Tuesday) I went running and upon returning to the condo took Aaron and Andrew for a bike ride. These boys have become much heavier since the last time I pulled them in the trailer on my bike!

The following two pictures were actually taken the previous day when I took the boys for a walk to the lake in the morning while Steve stayed at home with Tyler. Aaron and Andrew could've thrown rocks in the water ALL day!

In the afternoon we went to Tahoe City and had lunch at a pizza place with a great view of the lake. Following lunch we put Tyler in a carrier on my back while Steve pushed the boys in our sit and stand stroller. We then walked down main street and went in a couple of shops, crossed over Fanny Bridge and walked to an area on the other side of the dam. Tyler slept most of the time on my back. We made it dark for him and out of the sun. (Fanny Bridge is what I've always known it. It's a bridge that crosses over the Truckee River that flows from the lake with a view of the dam. All you see are behinds as people stand there and view the river/dam/lake.)

Throwing rocks from the shore with a view of Tahoe City

on the left background

Tyler peeking out from under the blanket.

Lake Tahoe- Day 4

Just a part of Eagle Falls

On a bridge that crosses over the falls

Monday, July 18, 2011

Since Tyler's best naps are usually in the morning one of us would always stay at the condo so he could nap and in the afternoon we went as a family to do something. So on Monday morning I went with Aaron and Andrew on a walk to the lake where the mansion is. We walked around a little and then, of course, we had to find lots of rocks to throw. They could've done that all day, every day we were there!

Late in the afternoon we all went on a hike to Eagle Falls which flow into Emerald Bay. It is a short hike to the falls but can be made longer by going on the way to Eagle Lake, which is beautiful. We just went to Eagle Falls which was plenty long for Aaron and Andrew. We used our hiking backpack to put Tyler in. We snuggled him tight, shaded his head, made it dark for him, and he could still breathe, of course. Tyler slept on the hike almost the entire way!

Stopping for a quick snack

Walking sticks we found along the way.

They became very attached to them but lost them a day or two later.

Hiking down from the falls

Lake Tahoe- Day 3

July 17, 2011

This day was pretty much a relaxing day as well. Aaron came down with a cold the day before and was nice enough to pass it on to Tyler today. For that reason we only stayed for the 1st hour of church. On our way back to the condo from church we stopped at the bike shop in Tahoe City to see if Steve's bike (that he took it to the day before to get fixed) was finished. All that was needed was a new wheel and some adjustments! Phew! We lucked out big time!

Lake Tahoe- Days 2

"Smiler Tyler" and me

Saturday, July 16

We pretty much hung around the condo and relaxed. Later in the day we went for a walk to the lake ("the mansion" as we always call it because there's a State Park with an early 1900's big mansion at the top of a hill with a dock just below it at the lake). The walk down there is on a wooded trail about 1.5 miles from the condo. Steve had devised a fishing pole using materials around the condo and attaching pieces of bacon to the end. He used it to fish for crawdads while sitting on the dock with Aaron and Andrew. I stood on the shore with Tyler and fed him while watching them. It made me nervous as I watched the twins moving around on the edge of the dock because it looked like any minute one of them was going to fall in the water! Thank goodness they didn't but the fishing experiences didn't last long for that very reason. They seemed to be more interested in throwing rocks in the water so Steve brought them ashore and that's what they did for probably an hour!

Fishing for Crawdads- you can see Steve's legs

hanging off the higher part of the dock

Lake Tahoe- Days 1

(Oops! Posted Day 2 first, then Day 1. Oh well!)

Monitor Pass- viewing Antelope Valley down below

Every year we hope to make a trip to Lake Tahoe. Since I was a young girl I have been visiting there about once a year or every other. It is a place I will never get tired of because there is an endless amount of activities there any time of the year, it is gorgeous and the weather is great (especially in July and August). Not to mention the family condo we can stay in that's in a great area.

Our trip there was from July 15-22. Even though both Aaron and Tyler-and Steve too- were sick we managed to do several fun things. And relax, of course! With 3-year old twins and a baby we are a bit limited on the activities we could do but we made it fun for them. And we had a great time too!

Friday, July 15

The trip from Las Vegas to Tahoma, CA (on the west side of the Lake) is NOT a short trip! According to mapquest the drive is about 9.5 hours. With a young family that requires more and longer stops the realistic drive is about 11-12 hrs. The trip there took us 12 hrs with arrival time being 9:30. Thank goodness for the DVD play in our car! The boys watched a lot of TV in the car. About 2 hrs after getting on the road I happened to be turned around helping the boys when I saw one of our bikes fly off, hit the road, and bounce off the side into the desert. I yelled, "We lost a bike!!" Thank goodness it was in the middle of nowhere and now other cars were around. We turned around and found the bike and were able to reattach it on the car w/o any further excitement. We assumed the bike was a goner but were fortunate enough to learn a couple of days later that it only cost $90 to repair. If I hadn't happened to be turned around we wouldn't lost the bike for good. Other than that we had a smooth ride. We arrived tired and worn out and same with the boys. They are not good car sleepers (all 3) so it was only the last hour or two that they got any rest.

There are several options for routes from Las Vegas to Tahoe- most of them mostly through the desert in the middle of nowhere! But there are some pretty areas, cute towns, and great views. This was one of my favorite views about 3 hrs before reaching Lake Tahoe. Walker, CA is the largest town in the valley below.

We Love Our Daddy

Even though Father's Day was a few days ago I thought it would be fun to still do this survey. A friend of mine did this with her 3-year-old. I loved his answers so much that I was interested to know how Aaron and Andrew would respond to questions about their daddy.

Survey about Daddy

by Andrew (age 3)

1. What is something dad always says to you?

I love you

2. What makes dad happy?

(Said nothing, just made a happy face.)

3. What makes dad sad?

(Said nothing; just made a sad face.)

4. How does your dad make you laugh?

When I lay on his tummy.

5. How old is your daddy?

Uhhh...he's old.

6. How tall is your dad?

Big! (And he threw his arms straight up in this air.)

7. What is his favorite thing to do?

Climb up a ladder and fix.

8. What does your dad do when you are not home?

Go to work.

9. What is your dad really good at?

Pulling weeds.

10. What is your dad not good at?

No. Happy.

11. What does your dad do at work?

Grow hairs on his chin.

12. What is your dad's favorite food?

Sloppy joes.

13. What makes you proud of your dad?

Do Family Home Evening

14. What do you and daddy do together?

Umm....stay home.

15. What does daddy like to do in the backyard?

16. What is Daddy's favorite color?

Blue. No, red.

Survey about Daddy

by Aaron (age 3)

1. What is something dad always says to you?

Happy Father's Day

2. What makes dad happy?

When he comes home.

3. What makes dad sad?

That. (while making a sad face)

4. How does your dad do to make you laugh?

Happy. (My answer: tickle him)

5. How old is your daddy?

Three. (scrunched his forehead as if confused)

6. How tall is your dad?

Bigger. (while pointing to the top of his head)

7. What is his favorite thing to do?

Happy Father's Day

8. What does your dad do when you are not home?

Work

9. What is your dad really good at?

At the store

10. What is your dad not good at?

Tools (should've been the answer for the previous question)

11. What does your dad do at work?

Stuff. Buy something.

12. What is your dad's favorite food?

Ham

13. What makes you proud of your dad?

Hmmm ...Happy Father's Day!

14. What do you and daddy do together?

Do a game.

What is daddy's favorite color?

orange

15. What does daddy like to do in the backyard?

Pull weeds

I love these boys!

From other moms and relative of twins (boys especially) Aaron and Andrew are typical 3-year-old twins. Best of friends yet worst of enemies at the same time. Fortunately they get along most times. It makes the rough time worth it. Especially moments like this-

Andrew thinks Aaron is hilarious- except the times

when he gets hit, pushed, and bit by Aaron

Smiler Tyler is the name we often call our sweet little guy. He is ALWAYS happy!! This morning when he awoke at 4:15a.m. all he wanted to do was smile and laugh in my arms rather than eat. All I wanted was to go back to bed! Even so, I am in love with this adorable, little man!! I love his smiles, his laughs, his coos, the joy he brings me every day. I can't believe he is over 4 months old. He is growing way too fast. Is there any way to slow things down??

Tyler sitting in his Bumbo seat for the first time. As usual he is all smiles. Notice the cute behind in the background. :) Most of the time the twins are shorts/pants-free around the house. It's much easier- for them and me- when they need to go to the bathroom to only have to drop their undies.

Smiler Tyler

Finally, Aaron and Andrew learn to ride tricycles!! Santa Claus bought the bikes for them when they were about 18 months. Ever since then they have not been interested or were unable to ride them. Recently, Andrew has been practicing and trying. About a week ago he finally got the hang of it! Yeah Andrew! When Aaron saw that Andrew could ride it he didn't want to be outdone. So he got on his and away he went!

Andrew

Aaron