Yosemite 2014

Another year, and another fantastic trip to Yosemite with our great friends the Van Akens!  This year we decided to take an extra day, and we stayed 3 nights and 4 days.  We had a wonderful trip, and as always, a GREAT VIEW!  We stayed, again, in Lower Pines, thanks to Bill getting up early and getting the site on time - some slackers, who we shall not name, missed the bus this year, and didn't wake up.... However we still got the site!!!! 

The first day we hiked to Mirror Lake - we weren't all that impressed, but it was a beautiful hike.  I think we were thinking a bigger lake and more of the "mirror" feel than what we got.  It was a great hike and we had fun, but not what we expected at the end of the trail.  The next day, Mother's day, Meghan and I took a Mule ride to Mirror lake.  Meghan was riding Sampson, while I was riding Lil' Sis.  It was a 2 hour ride, and it was beautiful.  It was a nice different perspective.  Lil' Sis had a LOT of spunk in her and kept trying to take off running - it was a riot!  Meghan and I laughed so hard, and just really had a great time.  When we got back to camp, we took a bike ride over to Swinging Bridge.  It was beautiful with great views of Yosemite Falls!!!  We then rode back to Yosemite Falls, parked the bikes, and hiked up to the beautiful falls.  We have decided that every year this is always a must!  After the falls we rode our bikes over the the Ahwahnee Hotel for some cocktails - another must every year!  The kids played on the grass, and had a great time.  We rode back to camp, and had some dinner.  One of the days we were there, the kids put on a play for us.  In Lower Pines, there is a stage area, so Kara, Liam, and Elsa went over and created a play for us to watch, it was so adorable.  I believe it was called "Ice Skating Massacre"  I am pretty sure Liam came up with the name!

Over all it was another great year in the books - our 3rd year in fact!  We love and look forward to this trip every year!  Nothing beats camping with great friends and making fun memories!  OH and let's be honest, it is truly the most beautiful place to camp!  Waking up and looking out at Half Done NEVER GETS OLD!!!!!

Posting Pictures From My Phone

Attempting to post some adorable pictures I have of Kara from my phone. I have downloaded a few apps to try and make this all possible...here goes!

New Blog

Hello everyone!  Well it's been almost a year now..... Seriously where does time go?!?  Anyway, I wanted to share with everyone that I have now started another blog - one strictly dedicated to teaching. I am hoping to continuously update both blogs now that I have my head in the game again!  My new blog address is www.adventuresandtalesofteaching.blogspot.com I know that is such a long title. I'm working on that!  Anyway now that I am back at blogging I hope you will head to my new page to follow me!  I will be posting some family pics again this weekend!  We have a lot of catching up to do, hahaha!

Summer

Yesterday Kara jumped off of the diving board for the first time!  I was a bit nervous that she would get to the end, and then not want to go.... SO NOT THE CASE!  She LOVED jumping off the board, and can't wait to go back and do it again today.  I love summer! 

Diving Board

Hawaii 2012

Well the DFV for 2012 had been decided on, and off we went to HAWAII!  To make the absolute most of our trip, Brian and i decided to take our family to the big island for a few nights first.  we stayed at the Waikoloa Village, and had a wonderful time.  After our trip to the big island, we met up with the rest of the family on Oahu.  my parents rented a HUGE house there with a pool, just minutes from the beach!  As you can tell from the pictures, nothing but good times were had!  We visited Pearl Harbor, and our friends the Gerwigs, treated us to an amazing day on the sandbar!  Some of us went snorkeling, some of us went hiking, and we all learned a thing or two about island dancing while at the Polynesian Cultural Center!  All in all it was an unforgettable tvacation.  Thanks for the memories Hawaii, Aloha!