Blackberry Days 2009

We're currently at Geoff's parents in Auburn, California. We arrived for 'Blackberry Days' (named for the plentiful blackberries around here) and had a great gathering with ALL of Geoff's seven siblings. It gets a little crowded and loud, and the kids get over-tired and cranky, but this is a happy, active, fun group and we always have a great time together.

Mormor and Poppop's cousin sleepover

Adele in a kid-created parade "to celebrate Jesus" (I love Adele's face)

A campfire with s'mores

Uncle Christian (lovingly known as Booch) took the kids on a John Deer ride that made the kids squeal with delight (and the parents shake with terror!)

Day and night boat rides in the pond

We had our first annual mini-triathlon. The kids went first, and then the adults. I had just returned from some errands so took a few photos. I missed out. Next year...

The kids doing their swim...

Tennie's quick transition

Adele during the run across the property

Ceci during the bounce (we didn't have enough bikes so we substituted with a trampoline segment)

Adults at the starting line waiting for the 'GO'

Everyone charged for the pond and leaped in...it was a great sight

Bikes were in shortage for adults, too, so there were all sorts of wheeled items that people had to pick up and ride: dollies, wheelbarrows, scooters, a skateboard, John Deer, strollers, a wagon, etc. Here is Geoff's sister Emily kicking bootie on the Radio Flyer trike.

My camera battery died for the run through the fields. It was a surprisingly non-competitive race in a family of very competitive individuals!

Always something good coming in from the garden

A cousin photo shoot

Ceci's favorite friend and cousin Bailey

I zoomed and cropped this picture of Ceci. Doesn't she look regal?

Self-applied sunscreen and a self-photograph

Tennie keeping herself busy while Geoff's sister Erica, her husband Davey, Geoff and I played a little tennis

Another shot by Tennie, and more self-applied sunscreen

Our dog Kipper

This one is for my Dad...love that summer corn!

The kid's table

Picking a peach for a snack

Lots of swimming in the above-ground pool

I love Geoff's face...

Lots of dress-ups and use of Mormor's make-up drawer

The chicken coop turned "club house"

Tennie getting the hose to clean-up a lot of berry mixing in the clubhouse (notice the berry paint on her forehead)

Club house clean-up

No adults allowed

Good summer times.