Adventures in Samanthaland: There's No Crying at Pinecrest (Part One)

Every summer since Al and I first started dating, we have made a trip up to Pinecrest during the summer months. For the two of us, this started in 2002, before I got my first digital camera, so the pictures don't really start until about 2004. This tradition started when Al would go up to Pinecrest as a child with his good friend Pat and Pat's parents, Ric and Margaret. Since the guys loved it so much, they have kept it going and it truly is an adventure that is not to be missed. We figured that with the addition of Samantha this year, Pinecrest would have to be left off the agenda for summer, 2009, but our wonderful friends, Pat, Lacey & Brian were kind (and brave) enough to allow Al and I to bring Samantha this year and the six of us stayed in an "original" Pinecrest cabin for the weekend.

The packing for this trip started on Thursday morning. Not only did we have to pack everything for ourselves, but Allen was planning towing a fishing boat up as well. Packing for the two of us was easy--it was Samantha that had us stressed! :) Stroller, car seat, papasan chair, clothes, diapers, extra diapers, wipes, extra wipes, blankets, bottles, socks, hat and a multitude of other things that I was convinced we would need in the approximately 48 hours that we would be spending up there.

A special shout-out to my cousin Emily and my honorary cousin, Lauren for spending the weekend at Casa Ishibashi with our other babies, Scout and Peter. There is NO way that we could have thrown those two into the mix as well!

Friday morning, the car was packed and we were on our way (only about an hour and a half later than we had planned--not too bad if you ask me!). We had a great trip up--Samantha fell asleep at the Cochrane exit on 101 and slept until we stopped for a break in Sonora. After a quick feeding (for her and for us) we were in Pinecrest before 1:00.

Once we made it, the weather was perfect for a stroll in the Baby Bjorn. Allen and Samantha decided to go and look for Pat and Lacey.

Once the guys saw the lake, they couldn't resist hopping in the boat and heading out for an afternoon fishing trip!

Margaret, Lacey, Sam and I spent the afternoon relaxing and catching up with one another. It was then that I found out that Lacey had a surprise in store for all of us! Unbeknownst to Allen and I, Margaret had planned to make dinner for everyone in the cabin that she and Ric had rented and Lacey decided that dinner needed a "theme" (could I love this girl any more than I already do???)

While Lacey, Sam and I were in the cabin, she informed me that the dinner's theme would be:

Each one of us had a "Gilligan's Island" brown bag complete with a character biography and props! Not only had Lacey arranged all of this ahead of time, she even provided background music (the G.I. theme song) and printed copies of the lyrics!!A shot of Pat in his Captain's hat and Lacey dressed up as Maryanne!Brian was the Professor...