It's Green in the Spring

I have two sons left at home.  One that lives there and one who thinks he lives there.  Dane is one of Gabe's best friends and a frequent member at the dinner table.  This was the last year to have Gabe for spring break, and not wanting to spend it alone with dear old mom, he invited his best bud to join us for the week.  We headed to Cameron Park, because it is beautiful in the spring.  (Identify the tree house in this oak at Dave's house)

We headed down Hwy 49, infamous for the gold mining days, and stopped to visit with an artist, who was painting by the side of the road.  He was glad to visit with us and share his talent. 

Amador county has many of the same shops that have been there for over a century, and is quintessential quaint.

Our goal was to find the right place to skip rocks, so we drove until we came to a river that looked suitable.  The green field at the end of the clip was actually in Dave's backyard. Below:  Calif state flower - the poppy.

Later in the week Luke joined us and we headed off for a day of adventure to San Francisco and Muir Woods

We stopped by Ghirardelli Square to see some serious chocolate making and eat huge ice cream cones.

I lost a bet with Trevor once about the length of the Golden Gate Bridge.... 1.2 miles across, 692 feet above water, and the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time it was built (1937)

We loved Golden Gate Park, and even paid 

extra to get into the Japanese Gardens

Of course everyone needs to include Pier 39 in any trip to SF

Gathering at Grandmas

Before and after San Diego I spent time with Grandma, who is a really good sport, but having a tough time with a body that is getting worn out.  She has a lady that comes in the morning to help her get up, showered, and dressed and gets her breakfast, does laundry, gives foot rubs, whatever else needs doing, and leaves after lunch.  Kerry, a goodly neighbor, is literally "on call" for the rest of the day, with Grandma giving her a call when she needs to get up, move, get ready for bed, or do anything else.  Diane checks in with her after work and makes her dinner.  We owe Diane a debt of gratitude, as she is the unpaid overseer of just about everything.   We honored Grandma with a Mother's Day dinner that Diane cooked (yummy spare ribs).  We all brought our meager gifts to the matriarch, but Grandma got tears in her eyes as she told us that the best gift ever is our righteous lives.  

Ditto that to all my kids....

Rex's family was out for the week to visit 

and do the theme parks of So. Cal.

 Rex's daughter:  Sisters

Can you tell that Eli is in dance?  He is actually a very good ballroom dancer, on the BYU youth team.

With Michael home from his mission in NY, the Hatch's enjoy their entire family together again.  Uncle Kent continues to be a miracle as he has had many heart problems this year, along with that persistent ankliosing spondelitis (nasty form of arthritis that bends the spine), but is now equipped with a pacemaker that will give him an electric shock (similar to the paddles) if the the old ticker takes a break.

Baby Colt

 Little Colt is a cutey to be sure.  He has that slight dimple in the chin thing that makes the Barnes boys so enduring.  

Totally huggable!!

 

 Three generations of Barnes....

 Colt show off his dad's green thumb.  This was a gorgeous amaryllis that Jordan coaxed into bloom.

The Tulip Festival and a Farewell

While the family was in town for Connor's farewell, we took advantage of the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point.  This is a highlight for me every year to visit 55 acres of beautiful gardens planted with thousands of tulips in bloom.

Brook has me take a few shots of possible wedding announcement photos.  They are a handsome couple!

Shelley (on right) is one happy mama - last of six kids,

 all married in the temple

 My brother,Rex, poses with his little ones

 Grandma Clo flys in to support Connor

Aunt Diane drove up from So. Cal.

 

 Shelleys favorite color - orange

The next day we invite friends and family after the church block for taco salad and goodbyes for Connor

 Lyle (right) has been a good mentor for Connor and his home teaching partner for 3 years.

 The Nielsen's - the gang next door

 Girls from Connor's high school choir

 Proud sister

 Caleb with Erica, yep she is officially his girlfriend (yippee!!)

Harry was Connor's YM pres for several years