Lambtown 2014

This weekend our family seemed to scatter in different directions. Michael was in L.A. for a job while Valerie headed off to a sheep show in Dixon as Amira and went to honor our friend and former neighbor, Eunice, as she turned 90! Where was Rex? He was in movie theater lockdown as a car chase complete with guns tore through North Valley Plaza. Yes, he was safely inside the theater watching the Maze Runner with some friends.

Amira and I briefly stopped into the Goodwill at North Valley Plaza oblivious of the drama unfolding outside. I guess Goodwill doesn't go into lock down. But it should! These shoes we found are criminal!







Mother/daughter key lime stiletto set. Holy moly!

Okay, on to the sheep show report. Bambi (show name Feather) placed 3rd amongst the primitive breed ewe lambs.







But our man, Forbes, got first place amongst ram lambs and champion in the set.







Here's Valerie with her award winning boy:








Amira and I came down just for the show and a quick lunch today. Here's the super selfie:







On the way out, it was pointed out that the place is crawling with enormous black widows. Lots of them.







Well, at least it wasn't snakes.

Have fun cleaning the sheep pens, Valerie! We'll see you back at home.

It's Sunday night and we are preparing for another action packed week! Rex has baseball & scouts. He's enjoying some Fall ball at the moment.




Valerie catches up with school, 4-H, orchestra, cello & piano lessons. Amira is in a school groove and is enjoying guitar.

In the meantime, because I am a livestock & school bus driver in addition to my other duties and day job, the van has become the farm and field trip vehicle.




Yes, the sheep are in the back seat.

Michael brought home a real commuter car that runs on all electricity!!







This is our new little snowball. It gets about 100 miles to a full charge. It fits a family of 5 or 4 of us & a cello. It's going to save us gas $$$! It's actually a fun little car. It's been so nice to not stop at the gas station.

Crawfish Boil Among Other Things

When was the last time you went to a crawfish boil? We went this afternoon! Our friends, Holly & Casey hosted a big old crawfish boil at their home. They have the most interesting get togethers! (Sometimes they'll serve up pork they raised themselves ... And they are always pulling stuff out of their beautiful garden).

Here's how I found Casey upon our arrival.

Tons of kids got together to play & eat watermelon before the main event.










Here's Holly & Casey dumping out a trough of spicy crawfish on the paper covered table. Dinner is served!














After a brief lesson on how to eat the critters, everyone swooped in.














Thanks, Holly & Casey!!! That was so much fun.

In older news, I thought I'd put up some photos of Valerie in her 4-H gear from the county fair with her prize winning sheep.















Here's a photo of the signage above her sheep pen at the fair.














Valerie is checking and setting feet during the show. Bambi (show name: Feather) won reserve champion in the fiber sheep category.














Amira celebrated her last days of summer at our neighbor's birthday party at the Orland pool. Apparently they had a high dive. Apparently Amira has no fear 😝















Back at home Amira got hold of my phone I'm assuming as I found several photos of Spot eating cilantro under her desk.







I also found what appears to be a self portrait.








Our garden was partially successful this year in spite of my neglect. I was out hunting for any potato stragglers I could find the other day (found 3!) and pulled up the "carrot king" shown here. Carrot muffins, soups, salads, bunny treats, etc. it was pretty darn sweet!














In other news, Valerie has upgraded to a full size cello! Michael bought her a really nice cello with a lovely hard case. This cute little sticker came with it. I love it!














Here are an excited Valerie & Rex unveiling the cello from its box.














Rex was apparently excited about the box.














It's a beautiful instrument with a very rich tone compared to her old one (that was a rental). She's been playing all weekend. Well, she took a break for the crawfish boil.

What I did on summer break

Valerie & Madelyn are apprentice CIT's at Camp Chi Da Ca. They sing songs, play games and get splashed by 4 to 7 year olds in the creek.



Amira signed up for an art camp (and a pottery camp and an activities & field trip camp). I was stunned at how quiet & intense the art camp was. Amira is in the back by the window. Sketching, scratching, painting, negative space, right brain drawing, etc.


Ah, orthodontist camp! Well, camping out in the waiting room. Thrilling!


Bambi & Forbes have been at sheep camp getting ready for fairs. Valerie's 4-H teacher sent us a photo of Forbes driving the rest of the sheep back from the fields.


Now they are back home & getting ready for county fair.





Rex has been making creme brûlée.








We got a new batch of chicks. The kids have been working on hypnotizing them.








Amira got a haircut & some new glasses.




Monday school starts for Rex & Amira. Valerie takes the sheep to another fair.

Reunion of friends

Last year we descended upon San Clemente to visit the Bogusiewicz family for Independence Day (and to escape the heat of Chico). This year they made the trek up the hot, hot valley in August to visit us. Always hospitable, our home chef, Rex, whipped up some doughnuts from scratch. Mmmmm .... Donuts!















After a couple days rambling around our place (sorry, too much fun to photograph) we headed down to Santa Cruz with the Bogusiewicz's. But since we were in Santa Cruz we had to drop in on Uncle Dave. He invited us into his bachelor pad where he had converted the guest room into a home theater. It was mighty impressive! Reclining theater seats, cup holders, surround sound, non-sticky floors ... It was luxury!







We followed the home theater event with a traditional sushi binge and some good laughs.







The following morning we hooked up with the Bogusiewicz's again at the Boardwalk and anticipated the arrival of another of their UC Santa Cruz alumni, Dave Lewak (and family).






Rex & Amira had to go on the Wipeout. For the uninitiated it's the spinning cars on top of a spinning disc that spins around a dark room with strobe lights. Why, yes, I believe the term vomit comet may apply here. But these two are tough.














Bumper cars! A game all the families can play!













Let's top off those rolling and spinning rides with some sugary treats. Remember, you don't want to hurl on an empty stomach.













Rex took me on the carousel. It's the one spinning ride I can handle. This was followed by a dinosaur shooting spree in the arcade. Quality mother-son time!







We followed up all that Boardwalk excitement with some beach action. There were dolphins frolicking off the shore that provided plenty of entertainment. No Sharknados were spotted. Good thing as we had left the chainsaw at home.







One did, however, need to be concerned with sand sharks. None were found but that didn't stop Valerie from digging the world's deepest hole.












Eek! A sand shark! Oh, wait, that's Amira.







We capped off the day with dinner for 12 in downtown.












Ah, the kids table ...










Uncle Dave made a special guest appearance and hobnobbed with the younger crowd. That guy can work a room.










And, finally, a picture of the three Amigos reuniting in their college town. Go Banana Slugs!