Camp Norge: Memorial Weekend with the YSC

Memorial weekend we headed up to Alta California for memorial weekend in the sierras with the Young Scandinavian Club at Camp Norge.  Ten years earlier, Arne and I met on a YSC trip during Memorial weekend, making this an anniversary adventure.  On Saturday, we enjoyed exploring the local area, from playgrounds to historic hotels.

That night, Liam was tired, and slept through dinner in my arms.

On Sunday, we headed up to Donner Pass to check out the old Train Snow Tunnels.  They were built about 150 years ago and are no longer in use, but cool and a bit wet to walk through. 

After that exploration, we headed down to the Emerald Pools.  We were told it was a short walk, but ended up on an hour hike, accidentally detouring just before reaching the Pools.  It was a beautiful hike, although the kids found it a bit hot, and didn't wear their shirts for most of the hike.

Arne was excited to see a rattlesnake!

We then hiked back to the pools and had a lot of fun swimming in the runoff (cold water) and bouldering around.

After a day out and about, we headed back to camp.  Elsa had fun making fun of me and singing. She was also excited to win the raffle for some heated vibrating foot warmers. We enjoyed seeing their fire making method - using a blow torch.

 Liam enjoyed making s'mores, but did not like all the mosquito bites.

We had a great time in the mountains.

Liam's PreSchool Graduation

On May 22nd, Liam had his pre-school graduation!  It was a wonderful night. The graduates gathered outside and then walked in to Pomp and Circumstance. There were siblings, parents and grandparents there to cheer. 

Then they put on a "Soup Opera."  Liam was the star, singing "I can't eat the soup."

 After the opera it was time for the presentation of the certificates.

Then it was potluck time. Liam was excited to see his old teacher Mikenna.

The graduates all wrote about what they want to be when they grow up.  Liam wants to be an inventor.

We are so excited for our pre-school graduate!

Mother's Day 2018

We had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend.  The day started out with trip to Fort Funston, similar to many past trips. We hiked down the sand stairs. 

Liam and Elsa enjoy getting me to carry them.

Similar to how they were 5 years ago, on Liam's first Mother's Day.

It was great to play in the water and sand.

We then headed home for some Strawberry Jam Making!

It was a wonderful day.

Girl Scout Camping Spring 2018

On May 5th, I took Elsa's girl scout troop out on another awesome camping adventure.  After meeting up at Addison, we drove only 20 minutes to the Foothills Park. Once there, the girls quickly set to work building their tents.

Once the tents were built, it was time to play.  The girls really liked a game they called river tag.  They also went on a 2 mile hike.

After hiking was done, it was time to make dinner.  They chopped up the vegetables, then we started a fire, packed the vegetables in foil and made packets to heat by the fire.

 The girls BBQed Hot Dogs and had a nice dinner. Once the dishes were done, it was time for dessert.

 Roasting marshmallows was fun, but I think they also really liked the spooky story time!

The girls had fun in their tents playing human dominos and other tent games.  At 9, we left the tents to go watch the stars. 

 Morning came too soon, and with morning it was time for breakfast.

Then more play.  They created hill trails, calling them things like Mt. Fuji, Mt. Everest, Mt. Girl Scout, and Mt. Marshmallow.

 It was so great to watch the girls really come together, working and having fun. 

 And it was awesome to have moms that helped make this a magical weekend for the girls.