San Francisco, Napa Valley, Point Reyes

It's never as fun packing to leave a vacation as it is packing to go on one!!  I had to purchase an extra bag and then borrow one of Sue's to get all my treasures home!  Thank you Southwest Airlines for not charging for extra luggage!!  I finally made it to visit Sue in Davis.  I'm not sure what I like the best....visiting, enjoying a variety of restaurants, shopping the unique places, or learning something different each time.  It's always fun, no matter what we do.

We rode Amtrack to San Francisco the first day and then used BART for the rest of our transportation when we weren't walking.  We first stopped in at Macy's for a makeover and sampling of new products!  We shopped around until it was time for an historic walking tour.  We learned so much and enjoyed little insites about the time period and the Gold Rush we had never heard before.  We shopped in ChinaTown where we stopped midday for an amazing foot and body massage, then onto more shopping.  It always looks so festive there.  The hours passed by too quickly with all our fun and we caught the last Amtrack back to Davis.

The next day, we traveled to Sonoma.  I LOVE seeing the fields of giant sunflowers when I visit in the summer.  Rows and rows of lovely yellow flowers nodding their heads.  I enjoyed seeing Napa Valley and Sonoma, better known as--Wine Country.  We shopped around the unique shops there and visited a few museums learning of the history.  Real estate is largely out of my range, though it's fun to dream.  We sampled lots of cheese and resisted the wine.  We were happy drinking our Cokes and enjoying the fresh samples! 

This is General Vallejo's little cottage where family members would go for peace and quiet.  We loved the idea of a "time out" cottage!

This is the main house that sat on 27,000 acres of a cattle ranch and vineyards.  It was beautifully decorated and fun to imagine life on this massive ranch in the 1850s.

We hiked to Point Reyes the next day.  It was a very misty, moist, foggy morning.  This lighthouse is the on the furthest most point of the coast of SoCal.  Prior to there being a lighthouse, there were 200 or more shipwrecks.  A wretched climb in 40-100 mph winds at times and very lonely for the lighthouse keeper!

The climb down was great!

Couldn't see any migrating whales for the fog all around.

Very windy and cool.  The only time I needed my jacket.  Me smiling here prior to climbing back up the 350+ stairs.  (They say it's equivalent to a 30 story building).  I was skeptical about that, but it did kick my butt climbing back up!

Walking around the San Andreas Fault Line.  Only rumblings heard here were from Sue's butt!

Hills and more hills of vineyards!  So amazing to see up close.  Immaculately kept and perfectly spaced apart!

It was such a great little get away prior to school starting!  I LOVE seeing new places in this beautiful country and learning of the history and those who pioneered the west.  Sue and I agreed it was very pleasant to be able to read EVERY sign in the museums, along the paths, and go at our own pace!  We must have inherited the love of history from Dad.  He would have loved accompanying us on such a trip.  Thanks, Sue!!  What a great way to conclude another summer!  Back to school soon for me!

Summer Birthdays

Abby is officially a TEENAGER!!  Ahhh!  Isn't she cute with her hair braided and the curls flowing down?  I made the mistake of erasing birthday pics before I got them downloaded.  For her birthday, Abby chose to go shopping with just her sisters and I.  We had a fun day helping Abby choose clothes to spend her b-day money on.  We went to lunch and made sure to get her a warm brownie with ice cream and hot fudge at Cold Stone!  It was one of my favorite celebrations with her!

Once in a while, I can squeeze a hug in from Abby.  She's a beautiful young lady, but doesn't like to hug much.  She's also at that "I'm too cool for my mom" stage, but I sure enjoy her.  She's my little cleaner who will just get on a roll and not stop.  I appreciate all that she brings into our family!

Chicka, Me, Abby & Whitney right after returning from Lake Powell.  We all have a nice suntan.  Wow!  How did Evan and I get such beautiful young girls?!  They are each so fun and unique!

One of my accomplishments this summer was making my first ever rag-top quilt.  Whitney had selected the fabric nearly two years ago, so I decided to surprise her and complete it for her 21st birthday!  It was so much fun to make!  Taylor designed how the squares should come together and Abby stayed up late visiting with me.  I thought of my mom and how often she sewed into the night hours creating clothes, quilts, curtains, etc. for us and/or our children.  I am so thankful she taught me some sewing skills!!

And though she's of legal age now, she was thrilled to have a new quilt for her condo bedroom.  She thought she may be too old to pose with her "wubba", but I told her to smile anyway!  LOVE IT!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, ABBY, AND WHITNEY!!

Small Town Celebrations

Long before we moved to Lincoln County, Evan & I came out to visit the Wiscombes.  Evan loved the small town celebrations and was usually playing on a softball team.  Now we have been here 10 years and enjoy family coming out to celebrate with us. 

Poor Uncle Wayne hadn't been feeling well since Grandma's 90th celebration.  Little did we know here, he had come down with pneumonia and was admitted into the hospital the next day.  Removed a large mass of infection and lung tissue.  No wonder he didn't want to visit with anyone!

Evan showing the German boys and Josh some of his exciting adventures while patroling the land of Lincoln!

It's not a Schimbeck gathering without a couple games of Nertz!  Very competitive bunch of girls, especially Grandma Linda!  I do better at taking pictures!

Aunt Mindy and Body gathering coins at the traditional fireman's game.  It's a sure way to cool off in a hurry!

Chicka and Jacey tumbling after losing balance and rhythm in the wheelbarrow race!

Chicka w/Jacey. . . . Marc w/Jonas at the ready mark!

Waiting for the parade!  Siggi LOVES photographs and LOVES all the crazy Schimbeck boys!

Jacey, Abby, Sydney and Chicka looking pretty cute in their red, white & blue!

Gpa Deon giving hugs and advice (I'm sure) to Whitney and Allie while Gma Linda grins at all her family!

Waiting for parade to start!  Girls have their sodas, boys have their sacks for gathering candy!

Whitney organized a "dance off" competition with all the family!  Wish I had the energy of these boys!

PARADISE aka Lake Powell

Ahhh!  Beautiful scenery, cool water, plenty of sun and fun for everyone!  What's not to love about this amazing vacation spot?!  It's been tradition in my family since before I was even thought of.  Dad & Mom used to tell us about their first trip to the lake when it was still filling up.  They'd drive 20 or more miles down the canyon just to reach water!  If you ask me, Lake Powell is right up there with the other 8 wonders of the world!!  I'm so glad that the Schimbeck Family loves Lake Powell too; it has become one of their favorites as well with the exception of Gpa Deon.  With a few teenage grandchildren talking to him, he's usually a good sport about coming and we've learned to ignore his whining!

In keeping with tradition, we usually bring along a few extra kids--friends, cousins, or roommates. I can never get good action shots, but this is Hannah wake boarding.

It is also tradition to take a cruise to the marina for an ice cream and look at all the houseboats that cost more than our own house.  Here we have Evan, Aaron and Kirby no doubt solving all the world's problems together!  he he

German cousins!!  Mark, Tonja and Tom posing at the marina.

It's rough; but somebody's got to do it!  There are enough water toys for everyone to lounge on to get a real good tan.  If you're not careful...a real good sunburn!

Sydney, Evan, Whitney, Abby, Tay, Hannah, Stephanie

Parker LOVES his older women!!

Jonas posing on back of boat.  He loves visiting America every few years!

Catching some rays on the bow are Parker, Whitney, Stephanie, Taylor, Hannah & Abby.

Such bathing beauties!!  Parker keeps us all entertained!

It was too hot to sleep in the tents so we all brought our air mattresses out in the sand.  We all snored harmoniously together until the bright morning sun woke us up along with the squawking crows!

Well, atleast MOST of us slept comfortably.  For whatever reason, Parker slept in this very small food tent between three coolers and two bins of food.  How he did this remains a mystery.  Not a morning person either!!

Parker and his harem of women visiting after ice cream at marina.

Linda and Siggi posing at the Sand Hill.  They may be in their 60s and 70s, but they climbed the massive sand hill like champs!!  Everyone LOVES Aunt Siggi! 

Polka Dotty Grandma Turns 90

Grandma Ruthie turned 90 on June 3rd. This big birthday event had been in the planning for the past year. It was a grand occasion and nearly all her living children and their families were able to attend. What a wonderful posterity she has. Wayne, Siggie, Tonja and the boys flew over from Germany to celebrate and spend some time with everyone. We all took family pics together. The room was decorated with a time line of her life with clothing, documents, photographs and other memorabilia.

Each of her eight children was assigned to bring a cake that represented their family. Evan volunteered to make a JAZZ cake to remember the time he took his Grandma and Mom to a Jazz game. (They are big fans of the JAZZ!) This was his first time making fondant. Move over Martha Stewart!! It was a great evening spent together seeing family we don't get to see too often.

Good Ole Summertime

Oh, what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green?  Do you fish in a stream, or lazily dream on the banks as the clouds roll by?  Is that what you do?  So do I!

Oh, what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green?  Do you swim in a pool, to keep yourself cool, or swing in a tree up high?  Is that what you do?  So do I!  (visiting with friends at Kershaw)

Summer, Kaylee and Taylor posing between dance numbers.
"Just Dance" has been a favorite in our household this year!

Oh, what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green?  Do you march in parades, or drink lemonades, or count all the stars in the sky?  Is that what you do?  So do I!
(a favorite Primary song)

Abby, Taylor and Chesnee posing on the grass at Kershaw.

Bathing beauties catching some summer sun.

I think I could write several more verses, but I'll just get some pics posted for now.  I haven't done much this summer except nap, plan and prepare for Girls Camp.  I haven't even blogged lately.  No motivation.  No events.  No energy.  Nada.  Just been planning Girls Camp pretty much since school let out with the exception of a quick get away for my birthday.  (Evan knows the only way to get me to relax and let go of things (at times) is to take me away from it all.)  We enjoyed a weekend in Mesquite just lounging by the pool or in the air-conditioned room reading, sleeping, and watching movies.  We only left once to eat out.  We brought food into the suite and ate quite simply as we wanted.  It was great; the very thing I needed to regroup and focus on what matters most.  Now I'm off to Girls Camp early in the morning.  This year I'll be with the Stake Youth Leaders (SYL).  I'm pretty excited and hope it's everything I expect it to be!

Dance Dynamics

This past weekend was Taylor's dance recital; it was amazing! She has taken dance classes all year with Aunt Mindy and performed on the Dance Team. We are so proud of her dedication to homework, keeping up with her responsibilities, and doing something she loves. We are grateful to have Aunt Mindy's talents here in Lincoln County as are about 90 other dancers! It was one of the finest entertainments in the county.

Cousin Sydney makes dance classes so much fun!

Taylor has been so committed to dance and has worked hard to improve her skills and flexibility. She looks so graceful and calm dancing in front of an audience.

Disturbia:  One of my favorite numbers of the evening.

In Loving Memory of Uncle Gordon

Gordon Freeman, loving husband, father, grandfather, school teacher of art for 29 years, artist, classical music enthusiast, avid reader, chocolate lover, roofer, chess coach, soccer coach and regional competition director, sports lover, racer of pigeons, temple servant and oldest brother of nine, passed away at the age of 73 on Saturday evening, May 7, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.in Salt Lake City, Utah. Gordon was born in Murray, Utah on December 12, 1937 to Russell Hamblin and Ruth Olsen Freeman. Gordon was the first of nine children, and he helped to financially support the family starting at the age of eight, by helping his father Russell roof homes. Gordon also became a father figure to his eight siblings and when he was 18 years old his father died.

Today we attended the funeral of Uncle Gordon.  Listed above is only a portion of the magnificent things he did during his mortal life.  He was one of Evan's favorite uncles.  Uncle Gordon and Aunt Colleen were always so good to everyone.  During our time of crisis, with Abby coming early and both of us in the hospital, they opened their beautiful home up to us and any of my family members to stay whenever and however long we needed to at any given time.  It was such a relief to have their home as a refuge from the hospitals and to ease some of our financial burdens.  Taylor was only two at the time and lovingly referred to them as, "Aunt Gordeen".  She loved helping Colleen water the flowers and looking in the pigeon coops with Gordon.  We will always be grateful to them for that.  It was a full day to SLC and back, but I am so glad we made it there.  The funeral was a loving tribute to a wonderful man.  I'm so glad to have known him and his family.  

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Softball season is here again! Abby and Evan are practicing at the fields nearly every day except game days. There are very serious moments and then hysterically funny moments. Abby made an awesome hit which took her sliding into second. Then she went on to steal third base and tripped on her own feet as she was overrunning it. She was going down head first and broke into laughter as she landed. The coach had to remind her to hurry and get back on base. She was still laughing long after she came home in the dugout. It is so embarrassing when her mother's genes interrupt a good play! We enjoy watching her play and seeing Evan coach a bunch of middle-school girls full of emotions, opinions, and attitude!