Camping: Big Basin

sky from our campsite

stellar jay

Slippery Rock

Semper Virens Falls

burls on the tree

crazy tree patterns

Chimney Tree, a hole burned in it but still alive

Mother of the Forest

We spent the week at Big Basin.  We saw the Semper Virens Falls, and the Slippery Rock, a long rock that went all the way up the hill.  Tony climbed to the top.  Charity and Caleb went for a day walk to Berry Creek Falls.  We did the Redwood Nature Trail while they were gone.   Anthony spent the last day with us.  I had several long afternoon naps.  We did have some rain, and it was cold at night, but over all we had a good time.

Life in Manteca: 8, Tony and I Continue the Park Review.

Tony and I traveled to Mountain House yesterday to check out more parks.  We had heard there was a web park there, and we actually discovered two web parks.  The first was ***Wicklund.  It had a very pretty lay out, and lots of cottonwood trees to block the wind.  The had some spinning toys, a couple of which needed new grease, but one spun really well.  I spun Tony, and he insisting on spinning me.  I thought I might die.  Tony also tried the webs.  They were scary to me, as their was a big jump from web to web.  The funnest was the rides and slides Tony gave to his toys.  They also had a pioneer type layout set and Tony played there.  I also gave him a swing.  

We met a couple with a with a two-year-old and I ventured to give them a Mormon.org card and discovered they were members and his father is the bishop of the Chester ward in Tracy. 

The couple we met told us about another web park, ***^Central park.  This park had lots of palm trees, but not as much wind break as the first.  Mountain House is at the base of the Altamont Mountains, and the wind farm.  It is very windy there.  Tony loved the sand park at this park.  They also had a couple web toys, one for younger children and one for older.  Tony had fun climbing.  There is a water park here, and Tony took off his shirt to make a run through, but then didn't venture in because the wind was making it very cold.  There is a nice teeter totter. 

We see the climbing, but also Tony's reaction to the wind

What I Heard in Sacrament Meeting Sunday, and what it made me think

Caleb sang and Miranda played, "I do believe."  They set a good mood.

I have been mulling over how to respond to my older two sons for some time, who have both given themselves to "riotous" living as in the words from the "Parable of the Prodigal Son."  I have been wondering if I should send them something, calling them to repentance. 

In sacrament meeting Brother Joe Cazier spoke.  He quoted a story from Russel M. Nelson.  It was about a rafting trip his family took.  Elder Nelson, going over the first rapid, held to his family, and himself ended in the water.  The next rapids he held to the ropes of the raft.  He explained that as parents, we need to hold fast to Jesus and the iron rod of the gospel.  In so doing we set an example for our children, and then the can cling to us or the iron rod, and make it through troubling times.  http://lds.org/general-conference/2001/10/set-in-order-thy-house?lang=eng&query=russell+m+nelson+rafting

Elder Nelson tells us:  Parents are to be living examples of “kindness, and pure knowledge, which … greatly enlarge the soul.”  Each mother and father should lay aside selfish interests and avoid any thought of hypocrisy, physical force, or evil speaking.  Would it be evil speaking to call my sons to repentance.  Or is their a better way.  Elder Nelson says, "All of us can cling to the Lord."

I have been looking at myself.  Are their areas I have fallen short?  I know my sons would probably say yes.  And so I need to rededicate myself, and some how find a way to overcome weakness.  

Memorial Day: Helping Hands and Breakfast

Mormon Helping Hands in the morning.  We cleaned Woodward Park after the big celebration on Sunday.  We were all there but I only have pictures of Tony.  I tried to get Marin and Tony together, but Tony didn't want his picture with her and took off to the playground.  This is Tony's "orange" park that he really likes.  I had to leave early, which is why I don't have pictures of the other kids.  There was a large group there.  I know they ran out of trash bags for everyone.

We put Mark's picture on the table

The high-priest sponsored the memorial day breakfast.  We served pancakes, sausage and eggs, with milk orange juice or water.  There was a very large crowd.  Sister Chance presented on Memorial Day and the sacrifices made by fallen heroes.  It was very moving.  There was a flag ceremony.  Caleb carried the flag.  A group of women sang "The Star Spangled Banner."  Then there was conversation.  Tony had a great time "playing with his friends."  He climbed trees, ran around, climbed hills, and rolled lemons off the hill.  There was a tree with lemons falling on the ground, and more on the tree.  I tried my hand at juggling, and was good for maybe ten juggles.

Memorial Day: Manteca

Concerts, playground, and memorial, helicopter, fire engine, fireworks, etc.  The had kids play section with bouncy obstacle courses, and Tony enjoyed the "orange park."  It was a fun time.  Late concert by Josh Gracin of American Idol fame.  The kids went to watch.