Silly kids, our getaway, and fun in the yard

 Trey and Lily were playing with packing peanuts (the dissolving kind) and then they got this idea...

 I planned a surprise getaway with Carl overnight.  Here is what I wrote to give him a clue:

 We drove to Ft. Bragg and went to Glass Beach--so beautiful!

 It was so fun to hang out and see the ocean!

 We got to play minigolf, eat DELICIOUS fish 'n chips, catch up, and relax.  We also went to the botanical gardens...

 ...which had a very cool gate.

 This is Carl's normal stance at the beach--looking at the waves and analyzing the sets!

 We had lunch in Mendocino, where I got a really gorgeous ring and drank delicious chai by this flower.

Today we had such fun today picking peaches, boysenberries, (some tomatoes, apples, pears, plums), and cutting lavender.  We baked boysenberry almond muffins and lavender cookies.  Lily made a nice picnic on the lawn, and Trey and Lily rode their "horses."

WDW 2012

I had the privilege of attending the Women Discipling Women Conference in LA.  On the way down, I stopped by my brother's house and got to see my sister-in-law and nieces. 

 I also got to see my dad and Heidi as Hanna and Maggie were going to spend some time with them while I was at the conference.

 It was such a wonderful time for me--I got to pick up my friend and sister-in-Christ Christy from the airport and spend the days attending the conference and hanging out with her.  What a joy!

Christy and I enjoyed eating out together, sharing things from the last 9 years, staying up late, praying, and just really encouraging each other.  What a gift!

 Opa and Oma brought Hanna and Maggie back to me...we dropped Christy off at the airport, and then back home.

This one's one of my favorites:

A great prayer

My Dear Father,
Thank you for your mercy.  Thank you that you've done for me what I could have never done for myself.  You've sovereignly made me your treasured possession because you've granted to me the righteous record of your Son.  Forgive me when I become impatient with my growth in holiness, rely on myself and my good intentions, and seek to nullify grace.  Keep me from trusting in myself and make me love you today, I pray.
AMEN.

Discovery Kingdom

We got to go to Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo.   First stop, Butterfly Pavilion.

 Next stop, rides!

 Hanna and Maggie kept coming back to this one....I think they did it 10 times!

 We saw the sea lion show, the orca show, and the dolphin show.  This was the highlight for Lily as she wants to be a dolphin trainer when she grows up (if that's God's will, or she would also like to have sheep).

 Lily gets closer. 

 Lily got to speak with the dolphin trainers, as well as get an email address to ask questions.

 Back to the rides!

We also went on a really high swing ride, the Medusa (Maggie went 3 times, I went 2), and the rafting adventure.  Then we were wet and headed out to In 'N Out for dinner.  Fun day!

Gerle Creek Camping

We had the privilege of going camping in the Sierras at Gerle Creek.  This beautiful "Welcome Fletchers" greeted us!

We set up our camp.  The kids were so helpful, especially as Carl wasn't with us.
 

 The creek is so beautiful and fun to play at.

 

Maggie loves to fly from rock to rock.

Trey, Hanna, and Lily watch while warming themselves on a rock.

We had such a great time camping.

 Trey found a tree frog.

 The kids found fun places to climb and hang out when it was still cool in the morning.

 The reservoir was also beautiful and fun for swimming, boating, and fishing.

 We loved roasting hot dogs and marshmellows.

The trail to Angel Creek Picnic Area has a fun bridge and boulders to climb on.

Trey

Maggie

Lily

 Looking for geocaches

Hanna really wanted to go out to the island, so we donned our wetsuits and...shiver, shiver, swam/tubed out and back.

Another time we got to borrow a raft...a much warmer way to go!

The kids had a "castle" with Maggie as queen, Trey as her son, and Lily as cook and maid.  Here is Lily in her kitchen, and the three of them in their "castle".

More fun at the creek.

Maggie leaps and leaps again.

Brrrr...

 Bonus pics:  Lily and Trey love playing school together!