Before Jenn's new season of her show began we decided to take one last trip that would be unencumbered by her work responsibilities. So we hopped in the car and drove north!
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| 24 April 2013 |
"Road trip!," Charlotte announces.
Our first stop was in Fremont, California, where we stayed with Aunt Lauren. And on that very same evening, we had a visit from our friends Jen, Adrian and Alexis.
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| 24 April 2013 |
Max shared the absolutely delightful literary experience of
Dinosaur Train with Adrian and Alexis.
Charlotte and Max had a great time playing with Alexis.
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| 24 April 2013 |
And I think, based on everyone's grins, the feeling was mutual. I note Alexis' affinity for Roo, the stuffed kangaroo toy; is her predisposition for Australian marsupials genetic, I wonder?
The next day we went exploring in San Francisco, California. While stopped at the Ferry Building, we enjoyed a late lunch on the water, during which Max enjoyed some bread that he buttered.
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| 25 April 2013 |
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| 25 April 2013 |
And afterward Charlotte sipped on some yummy hot chocolate! Charlotte and Max were elated to watch each ferry arrive ... and terribly saddened when the ferries would inevitably leave, particularly Charlotte.
We also took a trip on a cable car, which Charlotte and Max thought was pretty cool.
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| 25April 2013 |
And just before leaving town we enjoyed one last meal (lunch) with Aunt Lauren in Oakland, California.
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| 26 April 2013 |
Of course, an iPads is a wonderful tool for keeping two-year-olds happy and occupied ...
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| 26 April 2013 |
especially when you have Angry Birds on it.
Our next stop was Chico, California, where we got to hang out with cousins Natalie and Patrick (and their parents, of course). Max practiced his driving skills while Natalie looked on.
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| 27 April 2013 |
Patrick and Charlotte beat the heat in the kiddie pool.
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| 27 April 2013 |
A lot of time was spent in the pool was spent by everyone, including Hughie, Natalie and Patrick's new golden retriever puppy.
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| 28 April 2013 |
We also spent some more time at the playground in the Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park. Charlotte pioneered the up-and-coming sport of tandem sliding with Natalie and with Max.
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| 29 April 2013 |
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| 29 April 2013 |
Later that day we celebrated Tia Wren's birthday before Wren, Natalie, Patrick and Johnny left for Mammoth Hot Springs, California.
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| 29 April 2013 |
Max and Patrick patiently await their share of the delicious chocolate cake.
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| 29 April 2013 |
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Charlotte and Patrick dove into the chocolate cake as soon as possible. For Charlotte, as soon as possible means sometime
after the candles are blown out, as she's still pretty nervous around fire and lit candles.
The day before leaving we played in the fountains in downtown Chico.
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| 2 May 2013 |
And we met Grandma Judy for a sushi lunch downtown.
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| 2 May 2013 |
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| 2 May 2013 |
Max worked diligently on his chopstick skills, which I daresay already far exceed that of your average American, let alone your average two-year-old child. Charlotte, however, was content to pick at her edamame beans with her fingers.
We stayed at the Harris Ranch Inn on the way back, just was we did on our drive home from Chico this past January. It was a great trip! And I was pleasantly surprised at how peacefully and happily Charlotte and Max played with Patrick and Natalie -- lots of sharing, few tears and plenty of laughter. They're all looking forward to spending time together again. And I hope we can do it soon!
--- Shawn (for Jenn and Charlotte and Max and Lucy and Rufus)
