Tahoe 2011

As it turns out, 9 days old  is an ideal time to take an infant on vacation!  At least, that's what we're telling ourselves now that we're home from a quick trip to Tahoe to give the girls some much deserved beach time.  Mary was along for the ride, and has proven that she's a Tahoe baby!  Some babies don't do very well with the altitude there, but Mary had her best nights of sleep so far there, giving us a six hour stretch one night!  I think she decided she needs to go with the flow with this crazy family -- she is our most mellow baby yet.  I really hope I'm not jinxing us by writing that here!!

We spent four days in Tahoe this year, a lot less than our normal two weeks, but it was just enough time for the girls to build some sandcastles,

go snorkeling (or at least try the snorkels on),

don their "floaties" for some dips in the lake,

ride Daddy the Whale a few times,

and soak up some sun.

In the past, we've always prided ourselves on getting the girls to nap on the beach every day, more for our own sake than theirs'.  It was always nice to be able to relax for an hour or two, and maybe play a card game or read a book.  Well, our napping tent didn't see much napping this year.  Tessa did take a nap one day,

but otherwise, it was just another play spot. 

And, Mary was there at the beach with us!  She was as relaxed as can be in her car seat most of the time, parked under an umbrella.

She, and the other girls, made it into a big Stecher cousin picture, too.  And even though we stayed with Cecchin cousins at our cabin in South Lake Tahoe, we forgot to get a group shot of all of the kids.

Maybe the trip was worth it.  These girls look like they had an okay time.

Can someone rescue this baby from excessive petting?

And this family picture won't be hanging on our wall anytime soon.  Maybe we'll position ourselves a little better next year, and not have us all look right into the sun :)