Going back to Cali: Part 2

As a "favor" to Kerstin and Magnus, we decided to take 3 days at Kamp Karlsson, the family cabin up on the South Fork of the American River. We thought we should help them out by doing some "cabin maintenance" and invited the Tumer Family, Mel, and Willie to come along. What we thought would be total relaxation began with 2 hours of cleaning up mouse poop. It covered every surface and filled every orifice of the cabin- I guess that's what happens when no one's around for a year...


The river flowed and the ladybugs mated in all of nature's splendor.


Both mornings we took breakfast on the patio overlooking the river, and learned how to make coffee without a coffee maker.


It was pretty hot but we managed a short hike along an aqueduct.


Clariza and Linus sitting in a Pack-N-Play, k-i-c-k-i-n-g. First comes love, then comes a beating, then comes Linus at the crib side screaming.


Cooling off in the kiddie pool.


And when the babies went to sleep, we drank, took pictures, talked, and then fell asleep by 10:30. By the end of the getaway, we were pretty tired and ready for the comforts of modern living.


So the next day we made it back up to the city for some burrito eating in Duboce Park. That's some fine carnitas wrapped in tortilla goodness-- something that you can't find in the DC area.


We then met up with my good friend Basant, who I've known since I was pregnant with Linus. We met in prenatal yoga, had the same due date, and gave birth 12 hours apart. While they're not pictured, we took a walk to Alamo Square Park for some fun with the baby swings. San Francisco is really the only place where you can have a kid's park with this kind of view ;)

Then, to check off another item on our to-do list, we headed to one of our fave sushi spots- Sushi Zone. We spent too much money, but again, we can't get this kind of sushi back home :(


Linus checking out all the gay people walking outside- it was Gay Pride weekend.


My favorite guys in my favorite 'hood.


Then we were off to Yosemite for our good friends Lauren and Ed's wedding. This was a ranch affair, as you can see by the Longhorns below.


Lauren was gorgeous, and I loved watching her walk down the aisle barefoot.


This ranch was prepared especially for this big day, and the platform they stood on was newly built. We sat on bales of hay and laughed as Lauren forgot the vows she had written.


Then they rode off into the hills on this ATV.


Linus date, Auntie Tricia. This is their 2nd wedding together.
It was a beautiful night under the trees, stars, and string lights. Everyone laughed and smiled, and the positive energy present was an amazing start to these 2 lovebirds' lives.


Then for the main event: Linus' 1st birthday bash.


My mom and dad worked so hard to make the party happen-- and it was the best party ever.


While we didn't have the whole traditional lechon (roast pig) we were able to secure the head for the same festive effect. Because nothing says party better than a dead pig's head.


Dad and Alvin working hard at the grill. It was about 100 degrees that day, so they deserve extra props.


Auntie Amy came and only made Linus cry once.


For entertainment, we had this little baby stripper who specialized in pole dancing. He wasn't too happy about the tips.


And what better time for a family photo op?The cousins on my mom's side of the family (the Navarros)
And the cousins on my dad's side of the family (the Mangosings)

While our flight home was nothing short of horrific, we were just happy to be home in our own beds. Poor Linus was such a trooper, tolerating all the car time and sleeping in a different place each night. Here he is konking out on his favorite blanket in the middle of the living room floor.