A bit of catch-up: our mini-vacation

Last month, back before Daddy came down with mono, we packed up the circus and headed up to Clear Lake, California for a bit of a mini-vacation. We were there to celebrate -- along with the rest of Grandpa's family -- Mama's Aunt Maureen, who has been serving the Catholic church and her people as a nun for fifty years.

We gathered for a barbecue and pool party at the home of Mama's Aunt Sheila and her husband John-- and we got the perfect sunny day for it. Our hosts thought of everything. They even greeted the girls with sticker books, bubbles, and fish toys for the pool. We ate great food, let the girls splash in the pool (Kathleen tested out their diving board!), and visited with lots of family. This was a particularly nice treat for the circus; because we've lived so far away for so long, we've not gotten to see much of our extended family. We really enjoyed being able to catch up a bit.

We lounged on the porch (which was cooled by ceiling fans!) taking in the views and the company.

Grandpa and his siblings.

As is typical, Mama's camera lay forgotten in the van, so we don't have many pictures to share from the party. (The ones we have here were actually taken by Auntie Caroline -- thanks!) This is truly unfortunate because there were such gorgeous views of the lake from our hosts' home in the hills.

Since Clear Lake is a few hours from our home, Nan and Grandpa very generously arranged for the circus to stay at a nearby hotel the night before and the night after the party. Cousin Emily and her family did the same, too! So, in some ways, the party just kept going! We all enjoyed hanging out by the hotel's pools.

Sweet cousin Emily and her parents checked out the wading pool.

Nan snuggled with Indy while Daddy and Grandpa chatted.

The girls, of course, really enjoyed themselves.

It never ceases to amaze me -- these children don't need to learn to relax. They're just born knowing. Kathleen demonstrates her natural ability.

Jumping into the "big" pool was a big favorite.

Does this girl love the water, or what?

Our first big -- well, mini, I suppose -- trip as a family of five was a big success! The children were remarkably well-behaved on the car trip, and even cooperated in sleeping reasonably well in the one hotel room. (We were always among the first at breakfast, though, when the restaurant opened at 8!) It went well enough that the circus even started plotting more mini-vacations.

But it's a good thing we went when we did, because all we've done since then is recuperate!