Green Level Reunion--NC Trip

The whole reason for our trip back east was the Green Level reunion.  I wasn't a blood family reunion but a community family reunion.  All the kids have grown up and moved away and some families moved away but the bond of Green Level has remained.  Some of the ladies got together and decided it was time to get everyone together again...thus the reunion was planned.  I was so good to see so many folks that had an impact on my young life as well as friends I hadn't seen in years who are now parents themselves.

My brother's BBQ business did the food....such yummy brisket!!!

The party was at Mom and Dad's house and they were such great hosts to over 75 people!

There were plenty of kids running around for Timo to play with.  Cameron was a little more reserved...the ants and mosquito got the best of her.

Some of the old Green Level youth group...all grown up and parents now.  It was a special time growing up together...We definitely has lighting in a bottle!

Family Time--NC

The best part of visiting the NC is the family time. Even though we were there for a few short days, we made time to go visit Grandma and Aunt Patricia.  We spent the day with them that included lunch at my favorite, Cracker Barrel. The kids were fascinated watching Aunt Patricia come down her steps in her riding chair.

Nothing like checkers in the rocking chairs while we wait for our table...

Timo was showing off his toy gun to Grandma and was totally taken back when she wanted to hold it and show him how to shoot like a real hunter...classic!!  One of the many reasons I love my Grandma!

And when we visit, Kaylee pretty much comes over to stay for the whole time.  They all play together so well, creating new adventures along the way.  They rode bikes 98% of the time but did take a break for some snacks and a little indoor play.  I loved one afternoon Kaylee had them playing school!  She was their teacher, teaching them how to spell and write words...Timo and Cameron LOVED it.

Timo and Cameron had fun going into her class for church and then lunch after at a BBQ place.  Cameron devoured the 1000 hushpuppies along with having a little fun...she a walrus!

We saw a lot more family than this but now realize I didn't take many pictures.  Oh well, sometimes I guess I'm enjoying my family and the moments and not thinking of much else...

Quick Trip To NC-Day 1

Last weekend the kids and I took a last minute trip to NC for a church family reunion. I say it was last minute because it was something we weren't planning on going to. With Young's business still growing, we are trying to be good stewards of our resources and miles, so going back for just a weekend just didn't fit in the budget.  But a few day before the event a very close family called and blessed us with some miles so we could make the trip.  Being three days before, Young couldn't leave work but I was able to pull the kids out of school, we packed up quick and headed to North Carolina!

Our flight was supposed to leave at 1pm so I stopped and got burritos on the way to the airport, knowing we would hit lunch time while waiting to board.  Turns out our flight got delayed two hours before we could board and then another 45min sitting on the runway!  Looks like our years of successful flying ran out on this trip.  Luckily the burritos kept the kids full for a while!

Once we got going the flight was great.  Somehow Timo and Cameron were the only kids on the flight so they got pampered by the flight attendants.   Cameron enjoyed an ice cream sundae from first class leftovers and both got a bag full of snacks, chips, nuts, and fruit along with golden wings to pin on their shirts.  AND, since we sat on the runway for so long, the flight attendants gave everyone free TV!  The kids watched the Disney Channel the whole time! Doc McStuffins and Aquanots were the favorites.

Because of our delay, we didn't land in NC until midnight.  It was well past 1am by the time we got home and the kids in bed.  It was a long day and they slept till almost 10am the next morning.  But it didn't take long for them to dress and head outside!!  They love being outdoors at Granny and Grandpa's.  First thing was pumping up the bike tires and they were on their way.

Timo just can't get enough of his Grandpa.  He was like his shadow the whole time.  They picked grapes, mowed grass and worked on a few projects together.

A late lunch at one of our favorite places...and then off to get the kids a special treat.  They both were so good on the flight, with all the delays, using such good manners and helping me with all our luggage, I told them they deserved a special treat....

Cameron finally got her Iron Man action figure she's been longing for and Timo took forever picking out just the right one, but decided on a toy shotgun that makes sounds.  It's amazing how many toy guns are at the toy stores in NC compared to here in SF.  He was overwhelmed and overjoyed at the same time.  That toy did not leave his side the whole weekend...

We got to see Uncle Kevin, Aunt Angie and Kenzie that night for dinner (my phone battery was dead, so no pics) and got to bed early to try and catch up on some sleep!

Argonne Field Day!

The kids' school had their annual Field Day last week. I remember how much fun field days were when I was in school and was excited for them to experience one.  I volunteered for Cameron's class as Timo's class had enough parents.

We had short walk over to Golden Gate Park and the children got to walk over with their 3rd grade reading buddies.  Cameron was so excited!

Once we got to the park and set up Cameron set out to find her brother among the massive field full of 400 kids...she spotted him right away and off they went to join the tug of war!  Their team lost but I think Timo learned a valuable lesson in letting go of the rope when you lose your momentum...he got rope burn on his hands and dragged a little in the dirt.

Timo decided to stick to something a little less physical for a while and planted himself at the paper airplane station and lead classes on how to fold airplanes.  The parent volunteer thought it was so funny how he naturally started teaching...

Cameron and I left Timo to his airplanes and went to explore the rest of the activities.  She was so excited to join in on all the races...sack races, 40yard dash, obstacle course and three legged race.  If you look closely at the pictures, you can see the big smile on her face...she just loves to have fun even though she was the smallest and in last place on most races.

Timo eventually found a few things he wanted to do other than airplanes, but only individual sports, not requiring a race.  He is so competitive, if there is even a chance he won't win, he doesn't want to try it.

Lunch break!  A good ol' fashion brown bag lunch.  I had to take off after lunch and didn't get to see the remaining of the day, but by the looks of them when I picked them up from school, the whole day was a success.  Cameron got her face and nails painted!

Here are the class pictures taken just before they headed back to school.  It looks like it's not easy to get 22-five year olds to all look in the same direction at the same time.  I'm guessing it's easier to get a "silly face" out of them than a "smile!"