Camping at Memorial Park

This summer we've been lucky enough to sneak away on two separate camping trips. The destination last weekend was Memorial Park in San Mateo County. I love this place because it has everything -- redwood trees, a perfect creek for wading, large sites, a general store and flush toilets. Hurray! In fact, I love this campground so much that I got up at midnight a year ago to book the exact sites that I wanted. Some might call me crazy (Scott), but I believe that a little organization goes a long way. A good time was had by all and the three sites we had down a private little cul-de-sac were just perfect (and yes, I already have them booked again for next summer. If you're really nice to me, maybe I'll invite you to join us!).

My three guys

Henry helps with the tent

By the fire

Christy and Camille on dish duty

Scott and his "mini-me"

Jake playing with the gang

Henry and Claire make mud pies

Cute Max

More kids in the mud

Seneca tests the water

Alice

Best Friends

Jen reading to the kids

Baby Ari wants some real food!

Max's Fifth Birthday

July Fourth Revelry

We really know how to celebrate Independence Day here in Alameda! We started things off with a kick-ass hometown parade followed by a BBQ and illicit fireworks with friends. Nobody lost a limb or ended up with a hangover, so I'd call that a success.

All decked out in our holiday finery for the parade

Lovely neighbors Emily and Addie

More lovely neighbors, Liz and Bea

A gorgeous patriotic girl!

Watching the parade

Max and his first sparkler

The kids watching Mark blow stuff up in the street

Friends having fun

A budding pyro?

Even Dodie got in on the action

Ah, sweet freedom!

This past weekend Scott and I went away to stunning Carmel. It was the first time since Max was born five years ago that we were able to get away for a whole weekend, and it was absolutely lovely! We ate out, read on the beach, went to a movie, lounged by the pool, and found that without two little people to look after, we could completely relax. Thank you, Mom, for coming up to Alameda to babysit! Hopefully it won't be another five years before we can sneak away again.

Taking a photo of ourselves

Our hotel

The beautiful hotel garden

More from the garden

Scott on 17-mile-drive

Seals!

A rocky bit of the coast

The view from our room was not too shabby!

Pebble Beach Golf Course in the distance

Camping at Big Basin

It finally feels like summer around here! The weather has warmed up and we were able to get out of town to enjoy a fantastic camping trip with the Luton family. We stayed in Big Basin State Park up in the Santa Cruz mountains. It was kid heaven up there -- tons of space to roam, tree "caves" galore, banana slugs, s'mores, a cozy tent for sleeping. What more do you need?

All the kids on top of a redwood stump

Max in a tree "cave"

Emily and Michael

A REALLY BIG redwood tree

Cuties among the trees

Max Gerber AKA Spiderman

Dappled kids by the falls

Hiking

Gotta love the name of this tree!

Taking a break

Listening to the ranger (sort of)

In the roots of a fallen tree

The Luton Family

Sempervirens Falls