California Adventures: Lake Tahoe

We just returned from ten days in Sunny California.  Minus the sunny part.  Why can I not control the weather????

We began our trip with the Kimball family reunion, which was held at The Villages at Northstar in Lake Tahoe.

 If it wasn't for the butt-numbing cold and the absent sets of siblings, it would have been a most perfect 4 days.  We stayed in a huge suite and it was amazingly gorgeous.  Spectacular even. The Village was packed full of fun, and family was out in full-force.  A reunion most certainly done right.

 On one of the chillier days, we headed to King's Beach on the Lake.  Allen and I were frozen to the bone, but the kids seemed unfazed.  They frolicked in the sand and even teased their toes in the frosty Tahoe waters.

 The highlight of the day, and dare I say entire Tahoe excursion, was para sailing.  

 Allen and the two biggies excitedly took flight, while Tess and I were forced to stay on the boat.      Something about one of us being tiny and the other one pregnant.  Unfortunate.

I was admittedly amazed that Linley agreed to go, and better yet, that she had a smile plastered on her face for the duration. I might have a kid to go on roller coasters with me after all.

 Gretchen and Saul were the next lucky ducks to soar over the silky blue water.

 We may have paid the captain ten bucks to soak them instead of simply dabbing their toes in the icy water.  The children (and their father) were most pleased.

 No Kimball reunion is complete without the Olympic games.  Some highlights:

Robed and ready for the hot tub (a most frequented spot during our days in Tahoe.  We don't play well in the cold).

 The ginormous gut.  Only to become more ginormous.

 And the real reason for this season: Grandma K's 90th birthday!!!!  Happy birthday!!  They fully lit 90 candles on that cake.  And we all lived to tell about it.  We call that a success around here.

She is one amazing little lady.  My children and Allen and I are truly privileged to have her in our lives.  She is kind and wise and brave and opinionated and funny and adorable and completely revered by all who know her.  Here's to many more happy, healthy birthdays Grandma K!!!