Lake Almanor 2014

Lake Almanor is a magical place. It took away matters from mundane day-to-day life and made me feel tranquil and rejuvenated. Somehow this place figured out how to slow time. We could relax, enjoy each others company, and not have a care in the world about anything else except shooting the breeze with the neighbors -- which happened to be multiple cabins full of extended family.

The Arrival

With a truck bed full of beach gear, personal bags, and lots of FOOD -- we arrive at our cabin and get settled. We anxiously wait for our familial neighbors to drive in from many states. As we meet up, there's always something new to share: a missionary returning home, a newly wed spouse coming for the first time, and even new babies to introduce to the family. We are all genuinely excited to see each other.

Sabbath Day

I loved waking up to the sunrise filtering through the forest trees. As I'd get ready for church, the LDS hymn "For the Beauty of the Earth" would come to mind. Lake Almanor is truly a beautiful scenery and it reminded me how beautiful our world is. 

Starting off vacation with a day to observe the Sabbath was perfect. I loved having the opportunity to spiritually express gratitude and ponder about Jesus Christ amongst many loved ones.

To close off Sunday, all the cousins gathered together for a friendly game of Butts-Up. The parents pulled up chairs around the game to watch and help take care of babies -- thanks!!

This was Calvin's first time being able to join in on the fun -- with Daddy's help, of course :)

Time to Play

There is so much to do at Lake Almanor! Beach, swimming, playground, tennis, soccer, pickle ball, shuffle board, bocci ball, boating, wakeboarding, tubing, relaxing, tanning, reading, etc. You can always find something fun to do at Lake Almanor.

Each morning we walked down and set up camp at our favorite spot on the beach.

Calvin enjoyed all the adventures Almanor had to offer.

He especially had fun playing with his (2nd) cousins in the sand...

...and out in the water.

Calvin also loved visiting the clubhouse to get a delicious treat (at least once).

Family Dinners
Each night, the Green Clan gathered at one of the cabins for dinner. This was a great time to relax, eat some good food and enjoy each others company. 

Except one night we had Adults Night Out: where the younger cousins helped babysit while adults had a night to themselves. This night was so fun! It's always full of laughter and hilarious stories. Hanging out with these guys is never long enough.

Piñata Night

This is definitely a highlight of the week. This year, Calvin finally got the hang of it. And he was pretty good!

Becca, however, tried to figure out how not to damage the bat. Fail.

Calvin liked to help Mom whack the piñata...

...and Dad's, too! Unfortunately, Cal was quite confused and disappointed when the piñata broke and the fun was all done.

Boating

This is our favorite activity at Almanor. We love going out on the water with Uncle Mike. He offers to take whoever wants to go out on the boat to play or to enjoy the scenery. With a family our size, he is literally out driving the boat all day. Uncle Mike has been my driver as I've learned how to wakeboard. I'm so grateful for his patience, kindness, and encouragement as I figured out how to get up on the water and enjoy the ride. Thanks Mike!

This year, however, I was 22 weeks pregnant. So instead of wakeboarding, I was the official photographer. Here are some of my favorite shots:

Jake attempting to jump the wake.

Tyler doing flips and tricks.

Davis looking like a stud.

And Libby falling with style.

Since I couldn't wakeboard, Uncle Mike offered to take me out on a slow tube ride. I'm glad I could do something fun out on the lake. Calvin, however, was not having fun going slow.

So I hopped off and let them go real fast. Calvin loved it! He had the time of his life!

Charlie's Birthday

Charlie was lucky to have his birthday fall on Almanor week! So we surprised him with a birthday party out on a pontoon boat. We spent the day barbecuing, eating birthday cake, swimming in the middle of the lake, reading books, and napping. The day was absolutely perfect.

Calvin refused to go out in the water. The only way we could get him out there was by luring him with a bag of chips...

...and a ball.

Calvin loves hanging out with is Aunties :)

Here's the birthday boy! Calvin is already eyeing the "chwoklate cake."

This kid loves chocolate. Just like his grandpa.

I love capturing moments of Jake being a great Dad :) He's so good with Cal.

*sigh* It was so peaceful and relaxing out in the middle of the lake. We wanted to stay out there forever.

Happy Birthday, Charlie!! Hope it was a good one!

Headed Home

This dreaded day is ignored until the last minute. I hate leaving paradise, but reality is inevitable. This year was especially sad because the annual tradition of the infamous Lake Almanor has come to a close. I am so grateful and honored that I could be a part of the Lake Almanor tradition that Grandma and Grandpa Green began 25 years ago. 

Even though we're not visiting Lake Almanor next year, I have a feeling we'll be back. Lake Almanor has been a significant part of our lives and it will always have a special place in our hearts.

There's no place like home

Trips to visit California are never long enough, but I'm grateful to have BOTH sides of my family living so close to each other. This trip in particular was quite relaxing for me (due to resting/recovering since my Valley Fever diagnosis) Calvin, on the other hand, had a blast playing with friends and family.

Hanging with the Roberts

Calvin and Seth are best friends in the making.

I got to meet baby Karlee!! She is so precious.

It was so great to meet up with Cherise (and Matt!) and have our sons play together. 

They soon found similar interests: SWORD FIGHTS!

These boys are two peas in a pod.

They are so much like their fathers :)

Playing at the Beans

Grammie's house is always about playing whatever Calvin wants to play. He's quite spoiled. I blame it on being the first grandchild.

Nick took Calvin to the park and explored the neighborhood together. Grandpa and Cal played frisbee until the sun went down. And Grammie introduced Nerf guns! They were battling each other at all times.

Calvin's favorite spot to play was at the top of the stairs where he could launch the bullets and watch them soar.

Interviewing Bonding with the Scotts

There's never a dull moment at the Scotts. Especially when there's a newcomer. All the epic stories from childhood start pouring out like a broken dam and the evening fills with laughter. Since Becca was bringing her "boyance" (boyfriend + almost fiance) home to have the family meet him, all the stories were about Becca's childhood. I've been around the Scott family long enough now where I could tell you all the stories myself, maybe I was even there.

Calvin and I were in California a week before Jake could arrive, so we were already getting to know Andrew. This particular evening was the first time Jake met Andrew. We ate at a tasty Japanese restaurant called Mikasa. That place was so delicious! I want to go back each time we visit home.

This is the Mr. Tough Guy look that Charlie gave Andrew. The look didn't last long when it came to telling hilarious stories about Becca.

Overall, we think Andrew is pretty great and we'd love to have him a part of the family. We approve!

While the parents were at work each day, Becca and Rissa spent LOTS of time playing with Calvin and helped out taking pictures so I could rest (Thanks guys!).

Calvin is at the stage where he loves to help. Even though it often adds more time to getting the task done, I love his enthusiasm for helping out.
Calvin saw Jake mowing the lawn, so of course Cal wanted to help.

Calvin loves nothing else more than BUBBLES! Especially when the bubble wand is in the shape of a sword. Throughout our stay, he was always dragging someone outside to play with bubbles or to play soccer.

No one minded playing with him :)

Since we've been back in Arizona, Calvin prays for his family in California each night. It goes something like this:

 "Faader, dank you Momma, Daddy, Baby Oddie....hmmm lemme dink...Papa, Grammie...hmmm let's see...Papa, Gramma....hmmm lemmme dink...Becca, Rissa...hmmm let's see...Tico (Tio Nico = Uncle Nick) an Jesus. Name Jeeesus Chriiiist. Amen." 

Adorable, right? We help him with all the other names in our family, even Uncle Justin and puppy Mia, but he remembers to pray for the CA family each night all on his own. That's how I know that he loves his family and misses them. 

'Til next time California!