lake tahoe [mini film]

the other day I was heading to a training early one morning, and I passed the apartment complex where I know several of my students live.  it is one of those complexes that looked like it was pretty nice in the 60's, but now, it has seen too many years, and too many people, and it would not be on your top choice of places to live.  but for these kids, it is their only choice. and on this morning, we were in the middle of a horrific heat wave, and two of my former students were already sitting out in front of the complex, right next to the main street, watching the cars drive by.  it was 7:00 a.m., and the second week of summer, and my heart hurt for them.  this was going to be their day, either kicked out of the apartment because it was too hot, or because their parents were at work for the day and they didn't want them in the house alone, either way, this was their summer.  I instantly thought of my family, and the summer my daughter had already had, a trip to Lake Tahoe and a day in San Francisco, two places we go without much thought, and two destinations that people from around the world come to see.  for us, they are just over an hour from where we live, and always on our summer visit list.  I feel that I am a pretty thankful person, but on this day, I was overwhelmed with emotion.

so here's a glimpse of our latest trip to Lake Tahoe, an experience I am so lucky to have.

I love the faces my kid is giving me these days.  and the fact that she never stops running, or moving, even while eating.
Lake Tahoe Summer 2017 from Lyndsay Lewis on Vimeo.

shot on our Sony a6000
music by Panic at the Disco - Pretty Odd, "When the Day Met the Night"

first week of summer break

summer break, a time when having your husband works weekends really pays off, because getting away in midweek is pretty sweet!  lake tahoe was so quiet, and even though it was snowing over the weekend, the weather for us was perfect.  a little chilly in the shade, pretty warm in the sun, and everly didn't seem to mind any of it!       
 

first snow!

yesterday, the mr. and I finally made our way to the snow.  on our way up to Lake Tahoe we were reminiscing on how long it had been since we had been to the snow - and considering everly had never been, we were realizing it had been well over five years!  turns out, our four hour drive home [it should have taken a little under two] reminded us why we don't go to the snow more often. even so, seeing our baby in the snow for the very first time was well worth it.

next time, more snow gear, and spending the night!

First Snow from Lyndsay Lewis on Vimeo.

shot on our sony A6000

music:
She & Him: Christmas Party - A Marshmallow World

28/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2016."

in this moment:

right now, in this moment, I'm in love with your little old soul.  while others are running around screaming covered in four layers of food, you are walking up to me asking to wipe your hands.  when outside, you love to play in the dirt and be free, but you also are so serious when around other grown-ups, maybe a little too serious because I'm already embarrassing you on a regular basis.  you love helping other kids, and are always concerned when other littles around you are crying.  but best of all was the expression on your face as you ate your ice cream cone and it tickled your nose.  and I laughed so hard, so you did it again, just to see me laugh that hard again.  and I melted, in this moment. 

Lake Tahoe [mini-film]

our family decided to get away for a few days to Lake Tahoe.  we are very lucky to live just a little over an hour away from this gorgeous destination.  I went several years not really appreciating Lake Tahoe.  I think because it was such a magical place for me as a kid, then it just didn't really have the same feeling when I was in my twenties.  now that I'm a mom, it's back to being all kinds of magical.  it's strange how different stages in your life feel so different, even at the same geographic location.  so for now, I'm so in love with Lake Tahoe, and thankful for our ability to visit there so easily.

we went up right after the fourth of july.  it was really the perfect time to sneak away.  I have read a few articles that said that volunteers picked up over 1,500 pounds of trash off Lake Tahoe's beaches [boooo to littering people] and I can hardly believe it.  we were there july fifth and the lake was as pristine as ever.  not to mention, we had the beach pretty much to ourselves, and that really is the best.

we stayed at the Forest Suites in at Heavenly Village and waking up to the gondolas running right over our heads made everly certain that she needed to ride that 'ride'.  daddy on the other hand wasn't quite so sure.  I learned my lesson on our engagement trip to disneyland when I made the mr. ride on tower of terror and quickly realized that when the mr. says that he doesn't want to do something, you shouldn't make him do it.  I was pretty certain that he was having a heart-attack about an hour after proposing.  so, after almost eight years of marriage, if he isn't sure about going on a 'ride', I just don't force the issue; especially when the 'ride' has you trapped in a small space suspended over a mountain for a period of time.  but, we had a three year old that wanted to, and so did I.  so the mr. got to do a little shopping, and we went on a little adventure up to the top of Heavenly Mountain.

here's some of the highlights of our days in Tahoe!

Lake Tahoe from Lyndsay Lewis on Vimeo.

shot on our Sony A6000
songs:
"Maps" by Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs
"Wish You Were Here" by Incubus
[to my students, this is the band I referenced one day during WOW]

places of interest:
Baldwin Beach
Heavenly Gondolas
Sno-Flake Drive In

35/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

everly says -
"Mama, we are going to the mountains.  We went to the mountains in Grandpa's car.  We saw a bear. It was a mommy bear.  It was really big."
"Look, mountains!  What's that?  Snow?"
"I play with the big girl.  She has long hair.  I want to be a big girl too, have long hair too."
"This is my wand.  Jess got it for mommy.  Taaaaaahhhhhtoooooooo." [her spell]
"I want a big girl pony.  Look, my hair is like auntie."

lake tahoe

Right before we all headed back to school officially, we snuck up to Lake Tahoe for a night away.  I loved how much time Everly got to spend in the water this summer, whether it was a lake, a river, the ocean, and of course, her great-grandma Rose's swimming pool.  While in Tahoe we kept our visit pretty low key and just enjoyed the stoney shores at Sunnyside Lodge, and the breathtaking water and sandy beaches at Sand Harbor.  Here are just a few images of Everly enjoying her first visit [outside of her mama's tummy] to Lake Tahoe on the beach at Sunnyside Lodge.

And yes, my kid can throw stones.  Softball is clearly in the genes.

Mom Blogger Note:  This post was written while my child napped at 5pm, too much fun with daddy today means a very late nap time for this mama.  Thank god I got an early birthday coffee brought to work today - thanks Casey, I'm going to need it right around 9:30 this evening!