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Monday, May 22, 2006

Tunnel Tree


Tunnel Tree
Originally uploaded by beeladie.
This is the closest thing we could find to driving our car through a large tree. It's not near as exciting when the tree has fallen down...although our car does look rather small undernieth this tree.

Fallen Sequoia Tunnel Tree - Sequoia NP


Micah explores the grass


Micah explores the grass
Originally uploaded by beeladie.
Micah would not get off the blanket but he did like picking up the grass & gravel. I'm not very quick at catching him as he likes to put anything that resembles gravel in his mouth.

Micah and Daddy horse around


Micah and Daddy horse around
Originally uploaded by beeladie.

Micah enjoys a picnic at Sequoia NP

So, in good "Fast Family Tradition" (as Ryan likes to put it) we decided to do Sequoia right & packed a picnic lunch. The weather was gorgious, although Micah wasn't too much into eating (there was too much to explore).

Ryan's Future Road Project - Maybe??

Saturday the weather was beautiful & we wanted to get out of the house, so we decided a drive down to Ryan's potential next job (although we know how this all works). So we took the 2 hr drive down to Sequoia NP & drove the roads. We found the project about halfway up the 5,000 foot climb up into the Sierras. The drive was CRAZY! & I was glad I wasn't driving. It will be a fun job with lots of unique challenges! Ryan said the road reminded him of driving up into the Himmilas in India.

Micah tries to stay dry at Yosemite Falls

Well, we made it to the base of the waterfall & the spray was amazing! I couldn't stay dry...although Micah faired much better! I think my camera was soaked after taking a couple shots. But it was kinda refreshing in the spring heat.

Micah smiles in front of Yosemite Falls

Micah enjoys the sunshine before we prepare to hike up to the base of Yosemite falls. It's kinda awkward when it's just the two of us to take pictures...but we make do.

Yosemite Falls during flood season

This picture is specifically for Richard & Laura. When they were out to visit us last fall I talked about how grand & glorious the waterfalls were. Well when we showed up at Yosemite falls there was only a trickle coming down the mountian. I don't think you could have even washed your hair in it. Well, it's quite different this time of year!

Recent trip to Yosemite Valley


Recent trip to Yosemite Valley
Originally uploaded by beeladie.
Well with all of the warm weather we have been receiving I had heard reports that Yosemite Valley was absolutly beautiful right now. So on Friday Micah & I decided to head over there after a quick visit to Daddy at work. The weather had finally cooled down to 75 degrees, so we knew we would enjoy ourselves.

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

What Micah does on a hot spring day!

Today it was 98 degrees in Fresno (I'm not sure how hot it was up here)...so that meant fill up the pool & have some fun. The water was over 80 degrees by mid-afternoon. Micah wasn't too sure about the pool at first, but once he got in he had a blast. I was jelous I hadn't tought to put my suit on...it was crazy hot sitting out there watching him play.

Micah sports his trendy summer hat

Micah actually let me leave this hat on his head for over 5 min, before he realized it was there & kept ripping it off :-)

Swimming pool + ball = TONS of Fun!!

I bought this ball at WinCo last week & Micah has been in love with it ever since. No need to spend major $$ on fancy toys....just buy him a ball at the grocery store & we're set.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Micah peeks out at customers at the market

Micah & Ella were quite the attraction as they played in the pack n' play. Kids & other would come over & visit with them (& hopefully buy candles & honey).

Our booth at the Hollywood Farmer's Market


Micah & Ella ride around the market in the wagon

Last weekend was the first weekend of the Hollywood Farmer's market. It was exciting to have the kids old enough to enjoy riding aroudn in their red wagon. Grandma Johnson was very proud to pull her grandkids around & show them off.

Us at the Canal Park Museum


Us at the Canal Park Museum
Originally uploaded by beeladie.

Micah steers our ship


Micah steers out ship
Originally uploaded by beeladie.
We visited the Army Corps museum at the Canal Park bridge. Micah enjoyed grabbing hold the the wheel & pretending to steer the boat.

Canal Park Bridge


Canal Park Bridge
Originally uploaded by beeladie.
This bridge is a landmark of Duluth. It is the only way into the port area & was built 100 years ago. The lower span of the bridge will rise to allow the boats through. It was fun to see & a little scary to drive across.

Entry to Canal Park


Entry to Canal Park
Originally uploaded by beeladie.
Duluth is set on the southern most point of Lake Superior & is a major shipping port. We stayed at a hotel right on the lake, where we were able to watch the shipping boats come into port. These massive boats were amazing to watch on a fresh water lake! It made me wish Micah was older & could enjoy the wonder of a massive boat that seems so close that you could reach out & touch it.

Two Harbor's Lighthouse on Lake Superior

We took a drive up the North Shore of Lake Superior. It was neat & see the ports & the views of the lake (which looked a lot like an Ocean to us).

Grandma's brother, Walter, & his family

We specifically went to duluth to visit my Grandma's only surviving brother, Walter (he's 2 years younger). We visited with him & his only Daughter, Laurie & her husband Jeff.

St. Scolastica College


St. Scolastica College
Originally uploaded by beeladie.
This is the college where my Grandma attened for two years. Because she had such good grades in High School she received a full-ride scholarship to attend St. Scolastica for two years. Unfortunatly, she did not have the money to complete her education, although she is very proud of the time she did finish there.

Great-Grandma's High School, Central High School

After our visit to Moose Lake we drove up to Duluth. Where grandma grew up & spent the first 30 years of her life. This is the High School that my Grandma attended. It was a very impressive & massive structure. She lived only blocks from the school & walked to school...which was quite a task. The old city of Duluth is situated on a VERY steep hill (much like downtown Seattle or San Francisco) so walking to school developed quite the leg muscles. This explains why shes such an amazing walker now.

Micah & Great-Grandma visit Moose Lake, MN

Grandma & Micah pose at the Visitor's Center in Moose Lake.

Micah & Great-Grandma visit Moose Lake, MN

Grandma & Micah pose at the Visitor's Center in Moose Lake.

Train station & 1918 Fire Museum in Moose Lake, MN

The next stop on our trip was Moose Lake, MN. This is the city where my grandmother's family settled in when they immigrated from Sweden. Moose Lake is a small town of 3,00o people. We stopped by the Visitor Center & they were very familiar with our family history. We even took a drive out to the local cemetary & were able to find one of my Grandmother's Uncle's grave.

Home where Great-Grandpa Obinger grew up, Robinsdale,MN

Based upon an address from the 1930 Census, I found the home that I believe my grandpa Obinger grew up in. It was neat to be able to track down these things.

Great-Grandma's Nieces, Ariel & Barb

There are my mom's cousins (even though they are 20+ years older). They are the daughters of my Grandpa Obinger's oldest brother, Paul. Barb, the one on the right, hosted us at her house for a wonderful meal! It was great to visit with family I hadn't met before & hear stories of our family.

Great-Grandma with friend from youth, Ethel

The first day we visited with some friends & family of Grandma's. This is Ethel who helped bring my Grandpa Obinger to the Lord.

On the plane to Minnesota


On the plane to Minnesota
Originally uploaded by beeladie.
As many of you know, my mom & I decided to take my Grandma out to Minnesota to visit family. It was a 6 day trip that Micah joined us for. The trip involved visits to Minneapolis, Moose Lake & Duluth.

Uncle Jon shows Micah how to play


Ella & Micah jam on the guitar


Ella & Micah jam on the guitar
Originally uploaded by beeladie.
Ella wasn't quite as interested as Micah, but she played anyway.

Micah tries out a new insturment


Micah tries out a new insturment
Originally uploaded by beeladie.
While Micah & I were staying in Uncle Jon's room, Micah spotted his guitar. Uncle Jon has been playing his guitar for Micah since he was an infant. Therefore Micah didn't hessitate to crawl over there & instantly start struming the strings (no instruction needed).

Micah tickles the ivories


Micah tickles the ivories
Originally uploaded by beeladie.
Our little musician continued to show his stuff during our visit to Oregon. On the way up there Micah enjoyed to have his little piano on his lap while we drove. During our visit in Oregon & Minnesota you could find Micah spotting the nearest piano, crawling over & pulling himself up, then playing whatever notes he could reach.

Jonathan & Christina with Ella & Micah

Jonathan & Christina got all dressed up for the annual George Fox Formal. Andree & I were there (at Christina's home) to take pictures & the two of them couldn't resist to pose with the kids.

Micah shows of his new haircut


Micah shows of his new haircut
Originally uploaded by beeladie.

Micah give Jennifer a thumb's up on a job well done

In the end we cut off a lot of hair off the back of Micah's head & streightend out his bangs. He still looks like he has a comb-over in the front but his hair is starting to thicken up.

Micah sat very still & coorperated


Micah shows his "silly face"


Micah shows his "silly face"
Originally uploaded by beeladie.
Micah has been into making "silly faces" at people lately. Therefore he did not hessitate to do it for the camera, too.

Micah's haircut 2


Micah's haircut 2
Originally uploaded by beeladie.
Micah makes a serious face during his haircut.

The first snips


The first snips
Originally uploaded by beeladie.
I had to make sure that I got a little keepsake lock of hair for Micah's baby book. Especially since everyone seems to think his hair is turning red (I may be in denial) I can always have proof that at one time it was brown :-)

Micah is very cautious before the haircut

Although, Micah looks like he's resisting in this picture, he was actually very cooperative. He sat very still & did not complain.

Micah's First Haircut - The before shot

After spending Easter with our family & friends, everybody insisted that it was time for Micah to get his first haircut. I was kinda sad because I had always wanted my boys to grow out a little mullet in the back that showed off their beautiful locks. Unfortunatly Micah's hair was not that cooperative. It is VERY streight & gave no hint of curling. Additionally, it LOVED to stand up in all odd places. So we decided to visit Jennifer Rettburg, a childhood friend of Ryan's, for a little TLC haircut.

Micah helps Great-Grandma celebrate her birthday


Micah discovers the joystick on Great-Aunt Gigi's wheelchair

Once Micah discovered what Gigi's joystick on her wheelchair would do (tilt her backwards), it was hard to pry him away.

The Johnsons


The Johnsons
Originally uploaded by beeladie.

The Fasts


The Fasts
Originally uploaded by beeladie.
Our first Easter with Micah.

Micah & his Grandma Johnson celebrate Easter


Ella & Gigi


Ella & Gigi
Originally uploaded by beeladie.