Camp Baba and Da(v)e summer 2013

Our trip "up north" pretty much went like this the whole way!  These little fellas were awesome travelers, again, on our first driving adventure with just the three of us.  Well, our first that was more than just a couple of hours, and our first of 2013.  I don't know why I'm always surprised at how great they travel.  They were rockstars last summer on our treks to/from WI, and earlier this year going back and forth between nor-cal and so-cal while we moved.  But there was man-to-man defense on those trips.  I really did not expect our drive to go so smoothly.  We only stopped once!  And Arjen didn't put up a fight when I suggested he wear a diaper for the trip, even though he's been so pleased with himself recently, to tell me quite frequently "I'm a big boy! I don't need a diaper anymore!"  Here's to wishing this year's trek to WI goes as smoothly!  

Our drive to Camp Baba and Dae (Arjen hasn't quite figured out how to get the 'v' in there yet), took us about 2 hours less than expected, so we arrived to camp before the directors returned home from their annual Summer-Vacation-has-started trip to Reno.  But no matter. The boys were more than happy to make themselves at home right away:

Within minutes, every box of toys Baba had left out, was inspected, then quickly dumped out

We even had enough daylight and warmth left to have an impromptu pool party with our friend Summer from down the street:

 

The pool partying pretty much never stopped the whole three days we were there.  Saved me on bath time every night!

"fishing" with Baba

rehydrating

                                      

Practicing for water wars (see video below)!

Swimsuit? Who needs a swimsuit when you've got a perfectly good birthday suit?!

Popper break

Our friends James and Kaitlyn came to visit with their mom, my good friend, Anne-Marie.  We also got to take them to the Davis Farmer's Market for dinner!

Every summer, Arjen manages to find some fun new way to incorporate an ice chest into silly, fun, play:

Arjen (in the orange, just incase you didn't recognize the hair), showing off his hops

Summer, in the blue, is always showing Arjen new adventures.  Last year it was learning how to really ride the Strider bike, this year it was holding his own in the bounce house!

Giggles with GGma

If only every bedtime was as chill as this one:

Clearly, these little dudes didn't tire of sitting in their carseats.  Even out of the car they were happy to have a little snack time in their seats!

Shannon and Brian drove up from San Franciso Friday afternoon to play.  We may have forgot to tell them they should bring their swimsuits:

 In addition to water fun, there's always fun to be had harvesting fruit and helping Grandpa:

Apricots and grapefruit.  Yum!!

pruning back the dead flowers, helping open father's day gifts, sweeping the kitchen, and taking out all of the plastic cutlery!  Such helpers they are!

Then there's playtime with Baba, as well as helping start summer off right with a little lounging:

Gus is constantly showing us how he can be one of the big kids these days:

Monkey see, monkey do: I can eat corn just like you!

Sooo big!

I can carry bags to the car too!

The obligatory ride around the yard before we hit the road to go home.  Not sure who enjoys it more!

And this year, a new pre-drive home game was added:

 Thanks Baba and Dave for a great time at camp!  We can't wait to do it again!