You can take the Eckerts out of the Mountains.....

.... but you can't take the mountains out of the Eckerts.

The San Juan Capistrano Rodeo was in town, so we dusted off our boots and went. Well, Ron was really the only one with boots that needed dusting. My friend Brieann was there saving us seats. She sent me a text saying, "I have great seats."

I texted her back saying, "and I have Ricky Bobby."

I laughed so hard at Ron wearing his Wranglers, boots and "American Made" shirt that I bought him at the Mariposa Fair a few years back (as a joke). I thought people at an Orange County Rodeo would give him a hard time... funny thing, he fit right in.

Although the rodeo was fun, the jump house and face painting were more fun.

Sadie's On the Move

She's growing up, folks! Baby Sadie is crawling, pulling herself up, swinging, and just tonight i noticed her BRAND NEW FIRST TOOTH!! Oh my goodness!

Listen for the "person" (oh, who am I kidding, it's me) psychotically scrambling eggs in the background.

The House That Built Me

THE HOUSE THAT BUILT ME
TOM DOUGLAS / ALLEN

I know they say you can’t go home again

I just had to come back one last time

Ma’am, I know you don’t know me from Adam

But these handprints on the front steps are mine

Up those stairs in that little back bedroom
Is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar
I bet you didn’t know under that live oak
My favorite dog is buried in the yard

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me

Mama cut out pictures of houses for years
From Better Homes and Gardens magazine
Plans were drawn and concrete poured
Nail by nail and board by board
Daddy gave life to mama’s dream

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me

You leave home and you move on and you do the best you can
I got lost in this old world and forgot who I am

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me

I have a tradition of driving by my childhood house whenever I am up near Bass Lake. I lived there for almost 20 years. Ron and I drove by the house on Sunday and it was vacant.... and for sale. We walked all around the property, I peaked in all of the windows and we each took a turn swinging on the rope swing that I got for my 7th birthday. I remember my dad climbing up the giant Oak tree to hang it, and getting covered in ants. Such memories.

Vacation

Oh, Bass Lake. I adore you. You are home to me. You are Blackberries and Birthday cakes, early morning jogs and pancake breakfasts, cousins and camp, train rides and swimming, you are relaxing and napping, reading, snacking and boating. You smell like fresh air, pine trees and boat fuel. You are hot sunny days and cool crisp nights. You refresh me and remind me of the things that are important to our family. Thank you for such a wonderful week.

Eckert Brothers Go Rafting

Last week Ron and his 4 brothers went on a rafting/camping trip in New Mexico. He had an amazing time... I feel pure joy when I think of the 5 of them together laughing and playing. Ron had some fun stories to tell when he returned. I think the trip was certainly refreshing and rejuvenating for all of them. What a gift to have such an amazing family.

Fair Time!

A trip to the Orange County Fair marks the end of another ECDC season for our family. In addition to the fair, we dropped Ron off at the airport where he headed to New Mexico for a rafting trip with his 4 brothers. More pictures to follow. While the Cat was away, The Mice celebrated Rosie's birthday.... again... this time with the Hunts and Welches.