At the end of August (when we had our other small heat wave) Katie called to let me know that they were getting out of their hot house to have dinner at Fenton's. It was during the week and Taki was going to be at a work happy hour so I jumped at the chance to meet up with them for dinner.
Jack and Brookie dig into their desserts.
Olive shows off the latest in "my mom just picked me up from daycare and yes I am wearing this white trash onesie out" looks.
Nikos and Brookie hug hello.
Olive wastes no time dipping her fries in ranch. (?? Think she gets this from me doing it with my Island's fries.)
And finally - our ice cream. I meant to order the smaller version of this but I got distracted. Whoops.
I mean, it was bigger than Jack IV's head.
Nikos dives in.
And ends up like this.
You should have seen me wheeling the kids out of there. "Don't touch anything! Don't touch anyone!"
I met Taki at the Giants game (he was late) where he bought me beer and peanuts. After the game we headed to Zeke's to have some drinks and say hi to Steve and then wrapped up the night at Bison for the opening of the Dragonfly restaurant.
Right before this picture I introduced myself to a bunch of people as Taki's girlfriend. Ha.
On the way home from Sarah's cabin we stopped by my parents' house for a bbq to celebrate Bennie's visit. I took the latest set of cousin pics - but sadly only got one picture of Ben. Looks like he will have to come out again for another visit!
So when I was posting tonight I happened to come across the pic of Nikos the last time we went to Crepevine and he had the Mickey Mouse pancakes.
And check out how weird this is. This year we went on September 20 and our last visit was September 19 (2009.) Shows you what it takes to convince Taki to go out to eat. Ha.
Niko's preschool has a community clothes bin for the kids to use if their own clothes get muddy/wet, etc. Yesterday to battle the heat they indulged in a lot of water play and when I picked him up this is what he was wearing.
Hee! Not sure if he picked it out on his own or had help.
In August (the weekend after Twain Harte) we drove up to Sarah's cabin for a great weekend with the Cecchins.
The girls and kids headed up in Jeff's car.
The kids occupy themselves - for the beginning of the trip anyway.
Sarah knew how to make me happy by suggesting a pit stop at Islands. We let the boys lead.
Olive enjoyed the cheese fries (as did we.)
We burnt off a little energy before hopping back in the car.
Thanks to the cheese fries we had a little bit of an emergency bathroom stop in Placerville - where one of the adults had to run in to use the restroom while the other one was left to her one devices to entertain the kids in the car. The Panda came in handy.
After the long drive we relaxed awhile on the deck and then walked over to the resort. Luckily it is a short walk and only involves illegally walking through a few private properties.
Don't they look like they are checking out a chic here?
All three.
Olive proves she is good enough to grace their marketing pieces.
We sprung for hot coco for the kids and beer for the mamas.
There was a group of older kids (maybe 12-14 years old?) that had a fake lizard attached to a fishing pole. They would cast the lizard out and then wait for it to freak people out. Nikos and Marco didn't totally understand what was going on but they did enjoy stalking the lizard.
After all of the playing the kids were filthy so we took them back to the cabin and washed them up.
Don't you love Olive in this one? Ha.
Tyke and Jeff arrived that night and the next day we all headed over to the beach.
Comparison shot from last year...
Back in the cabin Olive ponders life and then rocks out in the chair.
And finally - the kids on the bridge Sarah's grandfather built.
I really need to start taking pictures of the adults I hang out with.
We wrapped up our Sunday with a little Family Swim at the Y.
Olive waiting patiently for our swim to start. Doesn't she look like a big girl! Cute suit courtesy of cousin K.
The kids took a little while to warm up to the water (which had me lamenting the fact that we practically only swim while on vacation.) By the end of the swim they were jumping in though...phew! Next swim lessons start up at the end of October - solo for Nikos and parent/child again for Olive.
Afterwards, in a rare coup for me I convinced Taki that we should go out to eat. He suggested Barneys, I wanted Crepevine (right next door.) It was decided when we walked into Crepevine to check out the menu and Nikos said "I want the Mickey pancakes!" WTH? I know he can't read the menu so I can only assume he remembers the last time we ate here...seriously like 9 months ago. Crazy.
Pumped about Mickey. He asked if Olive was getting Minnie. We didn't have the heart to explain that she would be eating Mickey's ears.
Working on the right ear.
Last bite!
PS - I do not advocate the Y's shampoo, I mean look at the flat hair on display! Must bring Method next time - no sudsy lather (boo) but full hair afterwards!