Big Bear (Calif) with Cousins

We spent 2 days at Big Bear with my niece Tracey (Alderson) James and her family. Tracey's boys Pete & Jon play really well with Dan & Ben, and Nadia *loves* to spend time with Sydney, Sam & Emma. Here Nadia (on the left) is at the pool with Sam.


One of the boys' favorite activities was catching lizards in the woods just behind the condo.

Summer fun in Northern California

We enjoyed a week in Monterey Bay (unfortunately without Rich - who has reached the stage where work preempts family outings. Bummer!).

The ocean is COLD and not great for playing in, but we did find lots of great sand dollars, build good sand castles, enjoy tide-pooling, have great fun in the pool, visit an interesting Spanish mission, and experience awesome whale and dolphin watching.

More pics from Northern Calif...

Mission San Juan Bautista, then whale watching with a marine biologist as a guide. Incredible despite a little sea sickness! We saw LOTS and a few of them were coming RIGHT under the boat - back and forth. We could smell their breath - UGH - talk about halitosis!!