Laying Bricks with Dad

August 27, 2016

Brandon restored the driveway planter box this afternoon, and Owen wanted to help. Owen helped hold the level to make sure Dad's work was up to par (it always is!).
I asked Brandon how he knew how to cut and lay bricks, and where he got all the tools, and he said it was from working with his late Uncle Kenny. Brandon laid the bricks in the front patio of Grandma Eloise's house with Uncle Kenny when he was 5 years old. It was fitting that Brandon drove Uncle Kenny's old masonry truck to pick up our bricks from Lowes.
I asked Brandon, "you remembered how to lay bricks after all those years?" "Of course!" he said. "Wouldn't you?"

Reef, the project foreman

M+C Bachelor/ette Party, Mammoth Lakes

August 12-14, 2016

We were fortunate enough to get invited to Mike and Chanell's bachelor/ette party in Mammoth Lakes. We stayed in their friend's amazing slope-side mansion near Eagle Lodge. It was such an incredible house, location, and group of friends. We had an amazing time.  Everyone helped out so much with Owen, holding him so we could get packed up and ready for hiking and fishing trips, or just helping us get set up with a cup of coffee in the morning.  Grandma and Grandpa Mellberg even drove up and spent the weekend in town so they could watch Owen overnight one evening! We had a great time with friends and family, and can't wait to go back!

Morning playtime with Lisa and Chanell

Ian was a baby whisperer! Owen loved snuggling with Ian in the morning.

The house was amazing! The dogs watched deer next to the deck in the morning.

Our evening games of dominos "chicki-foot". It always gets intense!

We hiked up our favorite Little Lakes Valley in Rock Creek, and spent the day at the third lake.  The water was a little cold for Owen, but we had a blast relaxing on the shore and watching everyone swim and fish.  

A beautiful day in the mountains!

Christmas card?

Hiking in with Dad and Reef!

Owen loves his hiking pack!

We spent the next day fishing, swimming and rock jumping at Lake George. This was a new lake for us to explore, and we had a great time. Eric and Clint rented boats, and shuttled the group to the far side of the lake. We had a great spot and the group was stoked. Owen had fun putting his feet in the water and feeling the pebbles between his toes.

What a cutie!

Technically, you aren't allowed to swim in Lake George. The boat rental guy said we wouldn't
have a problem on the far side of the lake, so of course we all got wet. We did the rock jump together;
it felt higher than it looked!

Great day on the water!

Hanging with Uncle E and Blake

Toes in the water and happy!

 It's tiring being so cute!

Special thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Mellberg for watching Owen so we could have our first night away! 

Tire Change with Dad

August 9, 2016

Owen, learning the ropes with Dad!

Summer Beach Days

Summer 2016

Owen loves the beach! We have been taking him since his first few weeks, and every times we go, he seems to find a new fascination.  Lately, he has loved putting his feet in the wet sand, and feeling the all the textures between his toes. The water has been warm this summer, and he loves going for a dip!

We have two methods of getting down to the beach: the hiking backpack and the stroller. We try to pack light, but man, kids have so much gear! Getting the stroller up and over the steps at Trestles is tough, but we have it down to a science. Owen better remember this and give us waves when he's older!

Hiking backpack from Grandma Annette 

In the stroller heading down to Trestles

Our typical set up

Hanging with Aunt Christine

Owen, sleeping with world class waves breaking behind him.

Brandon surfing on the wave behind Owen.

Morning swim at Riviera before work!

Toes in the sand!

Swim time at Riviera

Convict Lake

July 23, 2016

We went to Convict Lake this weekend to camp and visit with the Draguesku Family, and attend a memorial for Brandon's uncle Jack. Grandpa Mike had 8 brothers and sisters, and Uncle Jack was the oldest of the family.  Grandpa Mike and Uncle Jack lived together throughout their lives, most recently in Texas for the last few years. Convict Lake was one of Jack's favorite places, and Brandon was fortunate enough to camp with Uncle Jack at Convict Lake when he was growing up.  Cousin Blake spread Jack's ashes under a big tree at the shoreline. It was a beautiful way to say goodbye. You will be very missed, Uncle Jack!

It was great to have all the aunts and uncles together for the memorial. This was the first time Owen got to meet the whole Draguesku family.

All the siblings- Carol, Tony, Susan, Jimmy, Joanne, Mike, Jeanie, MaryAnne

The weather was beautiful and we had a great time hiking and fishing with the family. This was Owen's third camping trip before this 3 month birthday. He has now spent a total of a week in the Eastern Sierras.

Baby on board fishing

Owen's First Trip to the Owens

July 8, 2016

We left San Clemente around 5am and drove to the Upper Owen's River outside of Mammoth Lakes. This is one of our favorite places on Earth, and we named Owen after the valley. It was such a special trip for us to share the Owen's with Owen, and to spend time with some of our close friends.  We've been coming up to Mammoth every summer with our friend Blake for the last 4 years, and this year we were joined by the Davidson's, Mike and Chanell, Kevin, and Brice.

We camped at the end of a dirt road off Owen's River Road on U.S. Forest Service property.  We've become masters at "dispersed" camping, which is camping off the grid and away from campgrounds on federal land. It's legal in many areas of BLM and Forest Service land, you just have to know the rules and know where to look. This campsite was nestled in a valley between two mountain ranges.  We saw about 5 fisherman and 1 vehicle during the entire 4 day weekend. It was the perfect spot to get away and soak in the view. I think it might be the best view Owen will ever have during his bathtime.

The Upper Owen's River was about 200 yards from our campsite, and it was perfect for fishing, swimming and playing with the dogs. The water was about 64 degrees. We thought it was really warm for swimming compared to the icy lakes nearby, but Owen was still not impressed when we took him for a dip.

We rode motorcycles and had a blast. Unfortunately, I ran over barbed wire that was sitting along the side of the road from the ongoing ranching operations in the valley.  Brandon and Blake were able the cut through the wire, piece by piece, with very minimal damage to the bike.  We were very lucky! The riding trails around mammoth are spectacular, and we had a great time. The boys did a 50 mile loop on Sunday through the Mono Craters.

We drove up Rock Creek and parked at the Mosquito Flat Trailhead one afternoon. We hiked up the Little Lakes Valley and hung out for an afternoon of fishing. The views were amazing, and Owen had a great nap in pines with Brandon.