If you live in in northern California then you know about the record-breaking rainfall we had on Sunday. I measured 6.8” in 24 hours here. Our average for the whole year is usually 24.5” and I think we had less than 8” last season.

We had big plans for the weekend. Chris had entered the Ironman Triathlon to be held in Sacramento for the first time. Ironman athletes train all year for an event of that magnitude and he fit his training regime into his smokejumper job all summer with this focus. My daughter and granddaughter flew from Texas to be here for the event. So this post is some about family and some about the rain.

Katie and Kirby got here very late on Thursday evening. When Kirby got up Friday morning she went to the barn with me. Kirby didn’t have full access to all the sheep because right now they are in breeding groups and there are rams with the ewes. We brought selected sheep out where they could be petted. Hazel was ready for attention.

Kirby made a hopscotch grid in the sand.

Back at the house we got out this box of toys that Kirby remembered from her July visit. That box holds many, many Playmobil sets that we had bought when Matt and Katie and Chris were this age.

Ginny became a pest with her constant need for attention. She brought a fuzzy squirrel to each of us hoping that we’d throw it. Katie found a new way to interact with her.

I don’t think Ginny was amused, but she tolerated it. I found myself thinking that Katie was the big sister teasing the little sister. After all, Ginny is one of my kids now, right?

On Saturday we drove to Apple Hill to get together with Matt and Kaleena.

Kirby made quick work of the maze at this farm.

Aunt Kaleena treated Kirby to a princess type headdress with ribbon streamers.

There were three states represented by these cutting boards and two of them were appropriately California and Texas.

We drove up the highway to one of the stations of the El Dorado National Forest. Matt’s main work helicopter is gone now, but this one is still there, so we had a look inside.

Kirby got to try out the seating arrangement.

I sat in front. I am amazed at all those switches and dials. A bit overwhelming to think of learning all of those.

I was amused by the simple calculator attached below all the sophisticated controls. Matt said that you have to calculate the load, fuel, etc. while you’re loading so that is a very important component here.

I have realized that this is really a two blog post weekend. To be continued…