Yosemite - final - finally

Hello friends. I'm back to give you the final pics from my (now long ago) family trip to Yosemite. Our kitchen renovation is winding down (well, still a couple weeks to go) but I promise, the reveal post will not disappoint (so so excited).

Ok, wrapping up Yosemite....
On the next to last day, we took an (uphill) hike to Vernal Falls. Have you ever taken small children on an uphill hike? Not going to lie, there was (a lot) of complaining. They all did great and they all made it to the top in one piece. It was a great first official hike hike for the family.

(note: Hayden still hangin' loose)

These were the rapids that greeted us at the top of the hike. Yikes.

We were holding on to our kiddos super tight on this bridge.

After we got down to the bottom, it was time for a tasty treat :)

After our treat, we spent some time exploring Happy Isles. Lots of little streams and beautiful scenery all around us.

There are these gorgeous dogwood blooms all over the valley. I couldn't get enough of them.

 

 

Next up was Noah's favorite part of the trip...riding the free valley shuttle. lol.
Happy kid!

Keepin' it real. Me after 3 days without a shower. Eek!

We took the shuttle back to camp and spent the rest of the time relaxing before dinner. My sis in law even did a craft with the kids (I know, she's amazing).

Inspired by pinterest, they made these soda bottle firefly's. Once it got dark we filled them with glow sticks and the kids had fun flying them around. Hayden used hers as a night light :)

After dinner which were super yummy chili dogs, the grandparents entertained the kids while the adults relaxed by the fire.

Ultimately, Hayden made her way to my lap and crashed.

Shhhhhh.
(love her crossed hands and ankles)

The perfect end to a perfect trip!
So, there you have it. Our super fun annual Yosemite trip. I hope I didn't lose you out of boredom along the way :)
I highly recommend that you get to Yosemite some day. It really is an amazing place!!

Stay tuned. Kitchen mania is ALMOST over. YAY!!!!!

Bachelorette Par-tay

(Apologies in advance for anyone who feels that any of the bachelorette-type pics are offensive in any way. We definitely had FUN)

Hello everyone, sorry it has been so long since my last post. I was away with some friends this past weekend at a Bachelorette party and am having trouble getting back in the swing of things. Here are some pictures from our trip. We stayed in a gorgeous rental home in Santa Ynez, CA and had a blast.

Here is a front view f the house named the "Country Charmer" by the owners. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a pool, etc. It was perfect!!

It was the perfect place for 10 girlfriends to relax and do some partying :)

The first night we went out to a yummy dinner at a Mexican food place called Don Carlitos. Here's a pic of the beautiful bride (my college friend Susie) on our way to dinner.

We were thirsty ;) haha.

After dinner, we walked down the country road to a local country bar called Mavericks.
It was authentic (if you know what I mean).

Lots of dollar bills on the ceiling...

REAL cowboys dancing ;)

A REAL country band playin'

Keyboarder roackin' out.

It was a GREAT night!! We ended the night in the hot tub back at the house (which strangely turned into a heated debate about school lunches and healthy vs. convenient foods etc. haha. Go figure).

The next day it was time to do some wine tasting. We had a limo bus take us around which was awesome!!! There was dancing. And champagne. Oh yeah baby!

I'm not really much of a wine drinker, but it was still a very fun activity with a fun group of girls.

After we got back, we spent a good chunk of hours relaxing out by the pool. It was much needed and much appreciated by all of us.

I made this cute banner for the house :)

Which later transformed into this....(a bit hard to read but it says "Dirty Disney Bachelorette"). Susie is a huge Disney princess fan, so we themed Saturday night and we all had some fun being goofy and dressing up like Disney princesses. haha. Yep - you read that right (we-are-dorks). It was sort of a fun half-assed rendition of the princesses....ironically I don't have a pic of myself. Here is my sis and Miranda doing their best Pocahontas. Haha, SOO funny!!!

Lizzie as Belle with her "beast"

Natalie as Ariel, and Susie as Briderella

(Not pictured: Kimi as Mulan and Me as Snow White - I will update later if I get the pics).
The night came to an end after some cupcakes and a fun game of pin the hose on the firefighter ;)
Yep - we're all over 30 and we still had fun playing raunchy bachelorette party games. Total dorks.

It was an absolutely FABULOUS weekend and we all had a blast!!! Susie's wedding is in July where my sis and I will happily stand by her side as bridesmaids and watch her marry her prince. Ain't love grand!?

I hope you all are having a great week so far. Noah's last day of Kindergarten is on Thursday and then Summer officially begins! Bring it on ;)

Yo - Yosemite {Part 2-1}

Happy Monday everyone :)  I had a wonderful Mother's day with my kids, sister, nephew, mom, and brother. Excellent company, yummy food, & shopping. What more do we need!?

Welcome to the second edition of my Yosemite post. SO many fun pictures to share from this awesome trip. Here goes :)

Day 2 (part 1):
That little speck of brown hair is Noah sleeping all warm and cozy in the tent.

WAKE UP!!!! Ha ha, he always woke up excited for the new day...

It is cold at camp first thing in the morning...brrrrrrr.

Here's the girl with her stick :)

Hard at work!

The agenda for the day....Lower Yosemite Falls, a ride on the valley shuttle, Lunch at Yosemite Lodge, and Happy Isles nature walk. Busy busy! These pictures will all be from The shuttle and Lower Falls. There are too many to feature the whole day in just one post. Sorry for picture over load.

First up - piggy back ride from daddy :)

The shuttle is Noah's all time favorite Yosemite experience (which is admittedly a bit strange). He LOVED riding on the shuttle.

Here we are at the base of the trail.

(and yes, Josh is like 8' taller than me)

A quick hike in and.....

(below: disregard strange lady on boulder - yikes)

SO beautiful! The sound of the water rushing down and the light mist falling on our heads was magical.

Silly Uncle James :)

Cuties...

Half Dome

Yosemite Falls from afar

Group shot (I can't believe everyone was looking at the camera and smiling - n-e-v-e-r happens)

And of course, some more Pacific Dogwood blooms :)

Have you been to Yosemite?? If not, do you feel like you have now after all of my pictures?! Stay tuned for more. Put Yosemite on your bucket list people!! You MUST see this magical place with your own 2 eyes :)
Have a great week!!