California Trip: Yosemite

Our first view of Yosemite Valley. Simply amazing.

This was our most beautiful lunch picnic spot. Ever. Anywhere. Hands down.

We hiked among some waterfalls. Then I rested a bit and J.T. climbed even higher.

On our second (and final) night in Yosemite, we slept at the Inn at the Falls

and dined at the historic Ahwahnee Hotel.

California Trip August 2009: San Francisco

My parents kindly came to keep our kids during the first week of August so I could join J.T. on his business trip to the Bay Area.


Our first evening in San Francisco: We walked down to the touristy wharf area in search of dinner. We ended up retracing our steps away from The Wharf to the Cafe Pescatore, a charming Italian restaurant. Their balsamic vinegar traditionale was unforgettable.

We rented bikes and rode around town, across the Bay Bridge to Sauaslaito, and back to town. In the top center part of the photo above, you can see the curvy section of Lombard Street. J.T. walked down that section while I took a city bus (AKA 'sag wagon') back to the bike shop.




City view from Coit Tower. Our Hilton Hotel is the 2nd building to the right of the iconic Transamerica Building.



We had lunch at The Spinnaker, which is literally on the water in Sausalito (upon the great recommendation of Rick and Phoebe Clawson from Georgia).


Our final dinner in San Francisco: At Pelligrini's. We were wedged in their charming outdoor cafe. Notice that the gentleman behind us hid behind his menu as the waiter took our photo. :)

10 Years in Greensboro Celebration and Bishops' Month at Camp

This summer, we invited the Bishops over for a party to celebrate 10 years since we moved from Baltimore to be near them in Greensboro. Aunt Liz brought this pretty card for us (above).

The Bishop ladies went away on assignment to Colorado for Elisabeth's job with Young Life. Both girls caught the swine flu there and the camp had to be shut down for a week due to this new virus.

I sent this message to the girls at camp:

Hello to my favorite ladies. Please give Bethany a hug for me too (I don't see her here on FB). Just a quick note to say that we miss you all and can't wait to see you again! I'm trusting that God's grace is sufficient for each of you as you go through your time at camp: 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. Russell talks about all of you. He's here at my feet playing with his cars. Yesterday, he put stickers over both eyes and walked into the kitchen to show them off (Is he like Bethany, or what?!). Ross and Lydia are doing a choir camp at First Pres. GSO this week. They couldn't believe how big the church looked from the street. Ross said, "wow! It's like one of the big churches I see on the Tour De France!" Lydia said, "Cool camp, mom! It's a castle as big as 3 mansions!"

Love,

Aunt Jen

Dot Pen, Pets, Etc.

Ross accidentally broke my favorite polka-dot pen. Seeing this, Lydia slipped away. She found me 5 minutes later and handed me a pen that she had wrapped with paper, punched-out shapes and tape. I'll keep it forever. That girl has such a big heart for the hurting!

********
Random stories:
Overheard snippet: Russell to Daddy "No I don't want to. YOU can go to bed." and later "No I don't want to. YOU can go potty... I went potty last weekend!"

Ross desperately wants a pet (remember the old story about how he asked to keep a dry, flat grasshopper? Poor guy! Now he's got a container of fireflies- out on the deck.

Russell was the victim of a misunderstanding... Russell: I don't like this TV show. Lydia: Me neither. Russell: I not a 'mean-ie'! You a 'mean-ie'!

Russell refused to apply hand sanitizing gel. When I asked, "Why?" (thinking it might have hurt a previous cut) he corrected me, offering the real reason for his objection: "Because it makes my thumb taste bad!"

Post-Reunion Trip to Lake Tuscaloosa

We so enjoyed staying for an extra day after the reunion to see Mark and Carolyn's new house in Tuscaloosa and playing on the lake with J.T.'s cousins.

Jennifer, Todd, Jen, Russell on her Dad's boat. Fun times!

Uncle Ralph, J.T., Ross (in the water on the raft), Aunt Tant, Chris, Lydia, Todd, Jennifer, and Russell.

Thomas Family Reunion 2009

This was the house that JT's great-grandparents built for themselves and their 11 children near their mill.

Here are two old photos of J.T. at the family reunion when he was 4 years old.

Above: a celebratory cake from that reunion
Below: This year's special 100th anniversary reunion cake

This year, Ross and Lydia sang in the choir (notice the Pa-parazzi , aka Jim Thomas, in the front row of parents). Below: Russell prefers cake to choir duties.

More 2009 Thomas Family Reunion Photos

The Vera and Russell "Uncle Russ" line of the family

Russell swinging in the hot Alabama sun

Gamma Beth thomas helping Russell shuck corn for dinner with Lydia nearby