Yosemite 2014

Yosemite is our family's spot. 

I think I would go as far as saying that it is my favorite place in the world. 

There's just something so magical about it. 

The trees, the stone, the animals, the streams and fresh mountain air. 

It's definitely God's territory.

This year we decided to visit Big Sur before we headed to Yosemite. 

We made it all the way to San Louis Obispo by breakfast time.

Aaron and I are big fans of leaving early. 

Like really really early (think 2:45 am). 

We decided to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium on our way up to Big Sur as well. 

It was amazing!

Our favorite exhibit was definitely the jelly fish. 

I never knew there were so many different varieties and all of them were so interesting and beautiful. 

What a cool Creator God is! 

He sure came up with a lot of interesting animals.

Monterey seemed to be a really neat town. 

I wish we had more time to explore there (I did get some tasty clam chowder though!)

We met two of our close family friends in Big Sur. 

Those redwood trees are awesome. 

These two. 

I can't even handle it. 

I'm pretty sure we will show this at their wedding slideshow one day. 

Little cuties on a big tree. 

After a couple days in Big Sur we headed to Yosemite.

I think this was one of our best trips yet. 

We spent lots of time in the river, 

riding bikes, 

and going on hikes.

The kids claimed this area as their island and spent hours imagining and exploring there

We visited the nature center and learned all about animal poo (among other things)

picture perfect

Oh and we saw a bear!!! 

Like rode right by him on our bikes.

our gigantic biker gang of bikes

Our happy place

Hasta Luego Yosemite! 

See you next year!

June Lake

Camping is our thing. 

We just can't get enough of it. 

Over Memorial Day we went to June Lake.

It was it beautiful!

The best part of road trips are eating at the yummiest places along the way. 

Thank you yelp. 

Letting the kids run around after a delicious lunch at Schat's bakery  

June lake, 

you purty. 

 I could stare at that view all day long. 

We tried and we tried to catch some fish but they just didn't like us. 

Our campground was pretty cool. 

It was super private which was nice and quiet but it was also super far from the bathrooms (which we quickly learned is not so convenient when you have 3 little kids who use the bathroom every 5 minutes...lesson learned) 

 We were too close to our favorite place in the world not to go so we headed over to Yosemite to see Tuolumne meadows. 

It was beautiful and we even saw a coyote.

This picture captures it all. 

The kids doing their thing, Aaron fishing and that beautiful landscape in the background! 

Another day we explored Bode, a local ghost town. 

We even got a ghost to take our picture. 

 One of my favorite parts of camping is hanging out around the campfire. 

This trip the kids were super into Old Maid. 

It was so fun to be able to actually play it all together.
I love that they are getting to the ages where we can do stuff like this. 

And you guys already know how I feel about campfire treats.
This trip I switched out the graham crackers for Speculoos cookies (from Trader Joes) and was blown away. 

So goooooooood.
Try it. You will thank me. 

I also have a strong love for Banana boats (bananas stuffed with chocolate chips, PB (or Nutella!), marshmallows, then wrapped in foil and cooked on the fire until hot and gooey).
I think I might even love them more than smores (did I just say that?!).

It was such an amazing trip filled with adventure and lots of family time. 

And such constant reminders about God's glory as it's revealed through creation.

It was good. 

Real good.  

And now we are counting down the days till our next adventure...which is only 2 weeks away! 

Camping for Maddie's birthday

 We are camping junkies.

Seriously I think it is addicting.

There is just something so magical about being surrounded by God's creation, breathing in fresh air, getting away from the busyness of life, going to the bathroom in a port a potty (ok maybe that part isn't so magical) but the rest can't be beat. 

 Lately we have been sneaking out on adventures every chance we get. 

Last weekend Maddie requested to celebrate her 3rd birthday camping 

(we have trained her well) so we went to our favorite local park 

Caspers Wilderness Park. 

It was amazing.

Such good family time.

I feel like the outdoors is what my kids NEED.

Running free, climbing trees, collecting sticks, throwing rock, pretending. 

This is what childhood should look like. 

This little guy has me wrapped around his finger 

Camping is the only place I like bubbles

My mom and dad joined us at the campsite for the evening. 

Campfires are my favorite.
And the smell of campfire that stays in your clothes and hair is my favorite too.

so many beautiful oak trees

Caspers is one of the few parks you can go camping with your horses (and a lot of people take them on trial rides). Kenzie loves horses so she is always so excited to see them or when people let us pet them.

Hanging around the campsite 

goofballs

Hudson and my Dad

I still can't believe she's 3.

c.r.a.z.y.

My little riding buddy.
These pull behind trailer/bikes are the best for kids that wouldn't make a long bike ride on their own.

Plus when she pedals it totally helps me. 

I'm not sure if I would make it up the big hills without her! 

exploring 

tree climbing.

all day long.

Testing out her new balance bike

Hot chocolate for the kids and coffee for the adults in the morning is a camping must

All 6 of us out on a bike ride is quite a sight to be seen 

(This time I pulled Kenzie behind my bike and Aaron pulled the 3 littles in a trailer) 

Good morning

"I think I can, I think I can..."

Aaron pulling the 3 little kids up the hill in the bike trailer

Who's that cutie?

My little scavenger.
She could have spent the whole day collecting sticks and rocks  

If you think you aren't the camping type, that is silly. 

You have to try it! 

I promise you will love it. 

And if you are just plain scared or intimidated to try it, don't be! 

I wrote a blog post with all my tips about camping with kids HERE.

It's easy and most of all fun! 

So get out there and go and then come back and tell me how it went.