climbing at Joshua Tree

On Tuesday, we drove to Joshua Tree National Park to do some rock climbing on the amazing formations there. Liesl had never climbed outside before, and it had been years for me, so it was exciting (and nerve-wracking). It turned out to be so fun for both of us.

Kim led our routes and set our anchors; the rest of us top-roped. Kim set 4 routes -- two easy ones, that everyone did, a 10c, and then an 11-something that only Danica climbed. I struggled a bit to figure out how to move, and what to hold on to, especially with my cold fingers and toes, but after I warmed up a bit it felt great. I was especially proud of Liesl for persisting -- for finishing her first climb, which was scary and unknown, and even more for doing a second climb, which turned out to be easier.

 

 

 

 

Palm Springs

We flew to Palm Springs for Thanksgiving break, meeting up with Carl, Kim, and their girls. Sunday was a packing and travel day for both families - we arrived late in the day to our rental house in Desert Springs. And then everyone slept badly, so Monday was a lazy day. We grocery shopped - I bought a pineapple to remember last year in Hawaii - the girls played in the pool - the boys watched NCAA volleyball and World Cup soccer.

And then in the afternoon we gathered ourselves up and went to Palm Springs. We got ice cream and toffee, did some window shopping, and then had dinner at a really wonderful Mexican restaurant, Tah/Quila.

learner's permit!

Watch out, world! Sebastian successfully passed the knowledge test and earned his driver's learners permit on Thursday. I would say he's been waiting for this moment -- the opportunity to drive -- since about age 4. 

Sebastian turns 15!

We celebrated Sebastian's birthday on Friday with a few presents and cards and a weekend-long smorgasbord of his favorite foods: cinnamon buns, Hawaiian pizza, chicken pot pie, cheeseburgers and Caesar salad, French toast, black bean nachos, and strawberry shortcake. He hung out with his friends at the field every day -- soccer on Friday, basketball and bike riding on Saturday, and football on Sunday. It was a good, low-key celebration weekend. Happy 15th!

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