Another special event we got to be there for was Drea's baby shower. She and her family welcomed their new son into the world this week, and she has been there for so many life events, and supported me in so many ways-it felt so good to be able to support her in this one small one. I also loved being able to spend time with so many of friends I grew up with. It almost felt like the best parts of high school all over again haha. I also got to enjoy a few more visits with them at parks and beaches, museums and other fun things.
One of the biggest events we had was a little getaway with my family. We had all been planning and looking forward to it for a while, and when it came, I think it lived up to its expectations for all of us. The first day we camped at our favorite Kirby Cove. Somehow, my family had never been there! It was so so much fun. We spent our days in the hammock, exploring the barracks, playing in the waves, rocks, cliffs and trees. Our nights were spent roasting hot dogs and making s'mores, star gazing and seeing the purple color the sky gets around the lights from the bridge, and so much more. We played games and talked late into the night around the campfire. I think some time out in nature was everything I needed. The next morning we took our sweet time eating breakfast, visiting the beach again, and packing up. From there, we grabbed some lunch at In N Out and headed to Hillary and Andrew's new place in Sacramento. We spent the night doing things we all wished we could have done together, but couldn't during the pandemic, like and Easter egg hunt that my Mom planned, and having an outside movie night in the backyard, and some of us adults grabbing ice cream at good old Leatherby's. I think all camping should include a beach from now on...plus, all of life haha.
The next day of the vacation we drove 15 min to a spot on the American River the Dobbins had scouted out for us and spent the morning and afternoon lounging there. Andrew brought his kayak and after showing us how it was done and ferrying most of the kids around, we all took a turn. We all splashed and played and enjoyed ourselves for hours. I loved seeing all the cousins being able to spend endless time together and enjoy being outside.
When we got back to the house and all had a bit of a break, Luke and Lester helped me set up the rainbow/color themed party I had been planning for the last few months for all our July bday kids [Isla, Bear and Eli]. We started out with dinner [Lester had smoked some meat and I made coleslaw and watermelon] and then went right into it. First, we all made tie dye shirts. It was our first time doing it, and there were lots of lessons learned haha. But all in all I think we all had fun with it, and we were able to use the shirts and coordinate later which was fun.
Afterwards, we did the part Isla had been looking forward to the most. Ever since she fell in love with the Mira Royal Detective show, she's been wanting to have a color celebration with holi powder. So, we finally did it and it was so fun and hilarious and messy and I think she loved it. We cleaned up by engaging with Grandpa in a massive water balloon fight. It got pretty violent there, but in the best possible way haha. We finished up the party with Italian ice, singing happy bday, and presents. It was a super busy, super fun day.
The next day was the last we spent together and we all packed it up together and went to Old Town Sac in our matching tie dye. I haven't been there since I was a kid, and it was fun checking out all the shops and sights. I think I would definitely want to go back.
Lastly, Isla got spoiled rotten when we got to celebrate her and Daddy's bday yet again with my inlaws. As usual, my MIL put out quite the spread and we feasted on filipino food [a whole pig included] and got to visit with Lester's siblings and play games and do bike rides.
I am sure there will be events that we don't get to share over the years, and we still have each other regardless of if that's in person or not. But I have cherished these ones we DID get during our time at home.
