Walker Fam VACA ~ Part 2: Arnold, CA Cabin / Walker Fam Variety Show

This one little week needs 2 blogs because of all the special events!!  A little suggestion from Lita about doing a special "show" by the grands...turned into a full blown variety program with participation by all --except baby Bree who had been tucked in for the night.

Singing by Azi, Dances by Evy and Maelie, Juggling by Zeal, Gymnastics (with a split) by Trux and (a flip) by Walker, Magic by Jet (with assist from Boppa), Free Throws by Abbott, Pitch Perfect Cup Moves by Mel, Circus Performance by Keith & Teg (we thought it was a wrestling move??), Poem by Lita, "I Can Show you the World" duo by Ben & Jenny, and the finale by Mikkel--a Lip Sync to The MOM song (upside down!).

LOVED this night....so cool to watch the kiddos and applaud their bravery and God-given talents.    


    

 


   

  

 

Walker Fam VACA ~ Part 1: Santa Cruz, CA

I can't believe it's been over 2 weeks since I have posted but the past two weeks have been FULL!  The Walker/Hendren/Tegelaar Tribe has grown to 18!  Between the hospitality of the Hendrens in Santa Cruz and the Walkers in Scotts Valley; we juggled our time and beds during this first week.  We all commented on the best part:  watching the 10 cousins interact, giggle, play and build memories.  Of course, the adults got in on some of that fun too!
Not ONE but TWO Beach Days where Azilea, Jet and Zeal (and Teg!) all tried boogie boarding on the waves!

 


 

Then, there was Boardwalk Day...

   
   





AND Movie Day, Hiking the Redwoods Day, Hot Tub Days, and Seymour Marine Center Day!!

 
 


And always a treat, Ladies Night Out with my beautiful girls...compliments of our fabulous men who feed kids and get them to bed!!

Westward Ho / We Have Landed!

We found our way along beautiful Route 50 again as we headed southwest out of Tahoe.  When we hit our 5 hour mark..we had a heated discussion about continuing to our Santa Cruz destination.  My argument was that Bill was tired and there was a high wind advisory through Pacheco Pass, our final mountain to overcome....he denied tiredness and wanted to disregard our 5 hour driving rule.  Silent treatment ensued for an hour while we retreated at a truck stop to lick our wounds!  Final decision was to hang out at the truck stop for the night which ended up being fun:  great restaurant, card playing, and a drivers' lounge where Bill caught a Tom Cruise movie!!  Father's Day 2018 found us on the road, passing the huge & beautiful San Luis Reservoir, and finally rejoicing when we hit the boardwalk signs!!





We have had a full week of activity:  Boardwalk, Walk on West Cliff with 2 of my kids , holding babies, playing at the park, "tailgate lunch party" before having dessert at Yougurtland!
Today, we are excitedly awaiting the arrival of the Tegelaar Tribe... cousin time for all 10 of our little hooligans!!  They are the best!

Westward Ho / Lake Tahoe, CA / Days 12-16

So glad we scheduled 3 nights at D.L. Bliss State Park in this BEAUTIFUL spot!  Quite remote with no electricity, but quiet, calming and restful.  We didn't realize how "on the go" we had been for the last 2 weeks; so sitting, reading, observing nature, and sleeping were all huge blessings.  Discovering that our propane to the refrigerator was not working, was a bit frustrating; but we just "returned to our roots" and put ice in the refrigerator!  Climbing Route 89 north, on the west side of the lake proved a bit of a challenge for these low-elevation Michiganders ....especially with construction:  being forced to stop on a curved  incline at 7000 feet elevation to wait for oncoming traffic heading south ..😮 .  Thankful for our trusty van, and God's protection.  (The next night I dreamed about the return trip, the van dashing over the edge....).




   

Sitting on the beach for a whole day, hiking the Rubicon Trail, reading books and chatting with our very interesting neighbors...an Israeli American couple.  He was a Rabbi and she a lawyer specializing in Constitutional Rights, with an 8 month old son.  So love understanding their culture and beliefs, and interacting about our shared ministry lives.  We had many questions about how they perceive different Old Testament passages.  So delightful to discuss and learn, with no divisive quarrels.  We have come to realize that openness and love go a long way in reflecting the true Light, Jesus.







Reflected on the light-hearted chipmunks, scurrying and scavenging scraps; and realized how we need to take "play" more seriously; rather than being like the ants dutifully climbing up and down the Ponderosa Pines, doing their jobs.  God calls us to a balance in our lives.
After heading back down to South Lake Tahoe, we decided to spend one last day closer to civilization!  Rode bikes on their fabulous trail, enjoyed delicious Baklava near the Marina, discovered Tallac Historical Site (the premier Resort in the World in the early 1900's), and soaked in one more view of Lake Tahoe (22 miles long by 12 miles wide....72 total miles to drive around).
MEMORABLE