Nathan is home again!

We picked Nathan up last night at 12 a.m., apparently it is a very popular time to arrive in Sacramento-for what reason I don't know. We are very glad to have him back.

The kids and I mostly entertained our selves by shopping the last couple of days-I know-pathetic. We swam a few times, but Scout's ears are still bad-so guess we shouldn't do that anymore. We went to the Fair again because the last time we were there a very kind gentleman handed me 25 tickets! Nice, but we were about to leave-so we had to come back to use them. Lucky me when we had to go on Tuesday, Nathan was out of town and it was 98 degrees out at 6 p.m., but the kids were ready to party-I just sat and dripped sweat-yummy.... And did they ever party-till Scout puked- literally. Apparently the 3rd time really is the charm on the Gravatron-who knew-I mean besides me, the one that told him not to ride again. Well the good news was we got leave early.

Piper and I did a yoga class together, it was wonderful, we only giggled a few times. However she did ruin my zen moment by asking mid-pose if we could go to the library after class. I had to remember to not be irritated or it would ruin all my hard work. 

Today we ate at The Tower Cafe www.towercafe.com it was fantastic!! This is not to sound like bragging but more like shame-we ate until we were sick-no joke. Then we went to IKEA-I love IKEA....

http://familiesontheroad.com

Folsom Lake

We spent the day in Folsom yesterday-and yes it is the town of THEE Folsom Prison-the one and only.  We never made it to the prison, despite being told that it is a neat tour. We did make it to the lake however-more our speed than prisons anyways. We discovered that yes California is a ridiculously expensive state, the state park day pass is $12, to camp in a tent $33 an RV $58 and an annual entry pass (does not included camping fees) is $125 for partial state use and $190 for the entire state-what? Explains how the once "bankrupt" State Parks Dept. was recently discovered to actually be hiding a surplus of  $54 million dollars- tricky tricky.

Scout getting his trunks on

I alternated between this and the floaty-it was rough

The lake was beautiful and needed- and the kids loved it! But I don't think we are moving to Folsom, maybe just a few more visits.

Hitting our stride

Hot. Hot. HOT!
We are figuring out our "routine" although nothing we do is ever truly "routine." Yesterday Nathan got his military haircut on and Piper and I got waxed-hey, no pain-no gain. Today was my turn-although I didn't go military-just a haircut.
We are trying to beat the heat, but since Scout recently had another ear infection, and we still went to Raging Waters water park-he has now sworn off swimming-"forever" or at least for this weekend.... Swimming is just not the same without him because it leaves me to be the"fun" for Piper and well... I am just not that fun, or so the story goes.
Piper is pumping out the art-wish I were also.
Nathan is making his way in the world today and it takes everything he's got...one night shift at a time. The glory of the city is cultural diversity, and with cultural diversity comes culinary diversity-lucky for Nathan other people like to cook-and then share. Last night was Vietnamese, tonight- who knows.
We have heard great reviews of a town called Folsom, and so tomorrow we are headed there to see what the fuss is about, could be home soon....

California State Fair

We liked this bird that was in the Birds of Paradise display,
Maybe Piper's inspiration?

Piper's Artwork

Unfinished, but still beautiful

My new haircut

It's a dog's life for Scout

"Stuck" under the couch

A Napa kind of day.

Well we started off the day getting Nathan's gear for the reserves in Fairfield, and since we were so close decided to check out Vallejo as a potential future job site. Vallejo was nice, but since we were so close to Napa-well we decided we better continue on....
Well Thursday nights in Napa are a good place to be. They host the Chef's Market on 1st St, which is a "farmers" market, with music, wine, food and wares. We had fun, the kids loved Napa-which the last time they were there was when Nathan and I got married in Sonoma in 2004-so it's been awhile. We are definitely aiming to get a job in the Napa area-and if we win the lottery stay even longer. I don't have any pictures to post of our recent adventures-we have been lying pretty low, and lame.
Swimming, working out, and hanging around our R.V-it's our new routine-well and work for Nathan.

Other Portland Pictures

Fourth Festivities.... Our neighbors were huge 4th fans and even did "homemade" fireworks, they also supplied the kids with sparklers. We were the killjoys and gave them snaps and worms....Yup we gave them worms.

World's smallest campfire? Nah, its a worm

 The JJ Gray and the Moefro, and Toots and Maytals Concert at the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland on the 5th of July.

Never would have known who this was, until he put his finger up his nose.

I hate to burst your bubble but.... I'm 8

I think I had a better one of these, this one I held the camera for the long exposure

 The Japanese Gardens in Portland

Mt. Rainier in the distance

International Rose Test Gardens in Portland,
Piper and I took pictures of all the yellow roses for my late grandmother Deloris, and then found out later that my grandmother had actually been here before.

 Saturday Market in Portland, this was a very hot day! We later stood in line at Voodoo Doughnuts for about 45 minutes, and yes it was worth it.

 This snail showed up to say good-bye from Portland...Thanks Portland, we had a blast.