Just Add Water & Sunshine

An extended weekend at Lake Almanor was just the ticket to get the Kern kids away for a change of pace and also help Pop and Grammy while they cared for cousins Zach and Reagan. (My sister and her husband are away traveling to Ethiopia to bring home their adoptive baby boy--child #3 for their family.)

The lake has long proved it's ability to zap the energy out of little ones with the sunshine, sand play and cool mountain water. Add touch football, smores, bubbles, and a little dirt and imagination --then it's official: we call the trip a success!

Due Representation

So the kids and I were talking today that Gilligan has not had fair representation on the KernTeam family blog. He usually snores at my feet-- lulled by the dancing of my fingers across the keyboard, but the blog is all about life and well frankly Gilligan sleeps through much of it. Sure, he can still be spry, but a walk around the block or trip upstairs to give the kids kisses at night, sends him right back to his favorite sleeping chair.
He's inherited a variety of nicknames around here, many thanks to Karly and her creativity: Gillamonster (this was popular when he was still chewing everything), Chubby Butt, Mime Kern, Gill, Gilly, Gillybaby, and a few others that make absolutely no sense at all.

Gilligan is a part of the KernTeam. He can sound mean with his throaty bark at the door (especially if Kent isn't around) and the highlight of his days are when he gets to ride in the front seat to pick up the kids from school. All I have to say is, "want to go get the kids?" and he's at the garage door whining. He sits tall in the front seat, truly, I think he thinks he's human. He also has discretion with the kids. He sits so sweetly with Karly, he'll back right in (yes bottom first) to her lap, but with Kyle it's all playing ball. Gill plays sports. He now has his own football, basketball and baseball so he can carry his own around when Kyle plays. Otherwise he's right in the mix. Human I tell you.
All this to say he is adored and I do doubt we'll ever have another breed. He's a 65 pound lapdogs who require very little from life, and makes people smile with his crooked teeth and social spirit! He fits right in I think!

Budding Artist

Our budding artist, whose love language is clearly the giving of gifts, was pleased as punch to offer her two oil pastel projects to Grandpa and Pop for their July birthdays. Over only four days of lessons, Karly created these two pieces of art and knew right away what she would do with them. Not for Mommy, not for Daddy, but for two of her biggest fans! It was a no-brainer for her. She just knew they would make great birthday gifts! What a kid and an art class that came with a life lesson too! Giving so freely, of what one works so hard to create, is rewarding!

One Great Fit

15 years together has proved to be one great fit. Kent and I truly complete each other and I would have to get TOO mushy for the blog to really explain the phenomena of the "US" factor. Traveling together is a passion and a catapult for continuing to embrace life together and living in the now. We are hopeful that Karly and Kyle are watching and will find the same joys in their future.

When people ask about our trip, even with it's few bumps in the road, Kent is offering a fabulous response that can only brighten a girls day. He says, "On a scale of 1 to 10............it was a 68."

Yes, I think that about sums it all up!

Those We Met

Of course we had to share the beach with a few! Among those who crossed our paths:

This creature was above us in the trees one night as we rested before dinner. He was a lemur like creature, totally quiet and came out of no where munching on the tree fruit. Some guests said you can hold out a leaf or fruit and they will come take it from you but--we were more interested in getting the picture.
Beneath the water we found some color. Kent was also surprised by a larger fish, 3-4 feet, and it wasn't very pretty. Other snorkelers saw rays, octopi and lobsters not far from shore.
Our pelican friend. A regular beach pal. He'd swoop in, grab a bite to eat, and soar once more. Great entertainment.
Of course we did meet other people as well! We shared our balcony with two older couples from Louisiana that kept us laughing with their drawls and sassy poking fun with each other --they were a hoot! We also found new friends-- a couple from Missouri who knew the area well and took us into Playa Del Carmen for lunch one day. We were able to spend some great days chatting on the beach with these two!

Hola-Bound To The Beach

Kent and I are easily content when it comes to being bound to the beach. As long as the beach concierge continued to bring beverages and the rain clouds held off in the distance--we were charmed. The rhythm of the timid waves coming in and then retreating back to the sea was soothing for rest and yet also provided the perfect foothold for a nice walk along the beach. Then there was the dive-bombing pelicans whose only disruption to the quiet is their plunder into the water for lunch. Such subtleties are among our reasons for loving beach vacations so much!

And yes, we were "bound to the beach" so to speak. We knew our resort had an ATM, so we chose to take a smaller amount of cash knowing we could access funds anytime. Well, I made a huge error in forgetting the ATM card-thus rendering us limited in dollar supply. What a dork! Seeing how much of Mexico runs on "cash only" basis, our Visa was of little helps and thus we had to choose wisely where we would spend the actual cash we had. While this created a little panic, it was also a fabulous thing-note the KernTeam optimism. It meant more relaxation time, more just us time, and it also means someday we'll have to go back again!

We highly recommend the art of being Beach Bound!

This picture looks like sunset, but it is sunrise. We enjoyed our morning walks and scanned the beach for shells to bring home to the kids--yes we thought of them now and then!
For those of you who don't know, Kent and I enjoy playing cribbage. Can you think of a better place to play?
Plenty of hammocks were about to enjoy and I'm happy to report that neither of us took a dive getting in and out of them.
In all honesty, I must say, this beach and it's water clarity was not amongst our top picks that we have enjoyed. The hurricanes have taken their toll down there (bringing seaweed inland and causing erosion), NONETHELESS, it was lovely and one would be remiss to not appreciate the natural beauty and it's contribution bringing pleasure to those looking for a little R & R.

Sweet Ride!

Our Limo driver was right on time, in fact a little early-- allowing the Kern kids and their pals to take a quick ride around the block before we headed off to our destination. We absolutely have no regrets about taking a limo to SF--a great decision it was. It was a smooth drive, and the scene perfect with the sun setting as if in perfect tempo with our leaving reality behind. We were able to really allow a bit of relaxation to begin to creep in. A fantastic way to start our vacation together!

Kerns Out!

It's time! I am officially switching off my Mama brain--vacation has begun and I think I like it! Back in a week!

Happy 4th!

Cheers to you all! We're celebrating all day today! Grandpa's birthday and then the neighborhood ice cream feast and fireworks bonanza! Calories don't count on Independence Day..... right?!!!

Who's Counting?

We are! Three days left ..... until my feet hit the sand! Suitcases are out, errands run, to-do's nearly completed and we're just a little excited here! We'll sure miss the kids, but there's no doubt about it--we're ready for some "us" time! Can't wait!

Too Much Fun--What's That Mean?

There's no such thing --as too much fun! The Kernteam took their first trip to the waterpark yesterday and had a fabulous time in ideal weather. Kent had planned to take the day off for a month and the kids anticipated going--imagine our surprise to find Auntie Janell there with the cousins as well!

Karly once again taught us a life lesson. Her perpetual smile and embrace of each moment is remarkable. Never was the water "too" cold, the lines "too" long, the ride "too" scary or the walk "too" far. She pranced, twirled, jumped and swam even when the rest of us took a moment to warm in the sunshine. She's so free with herself and with her joy--no hang ups or thoughts about what comes next. Amazing!


Kyle had moments of self discovery. After the first ride we took down a slide as a family, we weren't sure Kyle would ride another ride. His eyes nearly popped out of his head with fear! However, he soon figured out what the meaning of THRILL was and that sometimes it can be fun to be a little scared. A hard concept for the literal minded child he is. He learned to embrace the fear factor as part of the ride and was able to pull together courage to try new rides, even though he was skeptical about their safety and the lump in his throat. He surprised himself by the end of the day with how many rides he rode. I think he thought fun rides should be absent of fear--I think now he gets it. A light-bulb experience.
Such a time we had! Thanks Daddy for taking a day off for play!