A little color at the Carrs' house.

 With cousin Nick.

 Chris and Clare discuss grilling and life.

Isaiah practices being a Knicks fan.

Vacation wears us out.

 Hanging out with the Friedrichs in Long Beach ...

And playing with their toys.

Chasing shadows in Southern California.

 Isaiah runs in the Seal Beach sand with cousin Luke.

Toes in the Pacific Ocean.

 Keith, Liz and Paul enjoy In N Out burgers. Below, Bernadette is curious and Isaiah has some fun.

 

This stop resulted in a long ride through San Francisco in traffic, screaming from the backseat and overpriced gas from the car rental company, but it was worth it. Right?

 Isaiah and Daniel got a seat in the most coveted ride of the reunion: Chris' Sunbeam convertible.

 

And a lamp that Isaiah would love ...

 Isaiah checks out his buried dad.

Sarah helps Paul with his low-budget spa treatment.

Summer

Bernadette now loves slides thanks to Grandpa Friedrichs.

 The aunts and uncles

Back row from left: Mike, Rod, Charlie (Dad), Sharon.
Front row: Val, Kasee, Martha, Betsy (Mom), Doug.
Sue and Denny did not make it this year, and Dave died this spring.

 Dad, Isaiah, Keith and Matt stand atop a big rock near Eagle Falls.

 We pose on the bridge above the falls.

 Paul and Liz above the falls.

Sarah and Marian above the falls.

The Best Farm Ever

Isaiah announced last week that he wants to be a farmer when he grows up. Yesterday, he chose his principal crops.

Isaiah: I am going to be a farmer and grow ice cream.

Mama: You're going to grow ice cream on your farm?

Isaiah: And fireworks.

Bernadette is very interested in animals these days. When we got to the house, she was immediately attracted to Val's dog. Then she got up close and personal, as you'll see below. She was also fascinated by the goats and alpaca when we visited the farm last week.

Up in the Air

Isaiah (flying toy airplane): It's getting really close to the clouds.

Mama: Oh, will it fly right through the clouds?

(Thoughtful pause.) Isaiah: No, it can't, because the clouds are in the way.

 Bernadette samples a rock with Beck.

Bernadette hangs out with Sarah.

Liz, Marian, Matt and Paul jump into Lake Tahoe. It was only cold the first time each day.

Matt, Marian and mountains.

Isaiah and Mama.

Paul, Matt Menke, Keith and Matt balance on the swimming platform. Much hilarity and falling off ensued.

 Part of the view from our house in South Tahoe.

 Isaiah and Daniel clamber on Uncle Paul. Cousin Keith was also a great favorite of the boys.







Daniel holds the bottle of wine he or Isaiah pulled out for supper. Fortunately they don't know how to use a corkscrew, yet.

Liz and Marian hike.

 On Monday of vacation, we hit the varied transport options of the Bay Area. First up was a ferry ride from Oakland, past the huge cranes unloading containers from trans-ocean ships, to the Ferry Terminal in San Francisco.

The we jumped on the antique streetcars along the Embarcadero (after a very tasty pastry) and rode up to Pier 39 to see the sea lions. Bernadette enjoyed both the streetcar and the ferry. Isaiah? Why even ask.

 As we walked toward our next ride, we got a surprise near the Fisherman's Grotto. The driver of this wooden Packard (of Mr. Toad's tours) invited Isaiah to sit and toot the horn. He's a natural (of course).

 Then it was on to the Cable Cars. Of course, we got to the Powell/Hyde turnaround at Aquatic Park right after a large group of international high school students. So we waited, and waited while two cars filled up. Isaiah was starting to get tired. So was Bernadette. Still, we eventually got on. And it was a fun ride.