Finally, an update from our summer...
We were blessed with the opportunity to visit Yosemite National Park for the first time this year, as we went camping with a group of friends from church. I've always heard what an incredible place Yosemite is, but didn't really understand until we were there. It is the most beautiful place we have ever been camping! If you haven't been there yet, I highly recommend it! There are some scenery pictures below, but they just don't do justice to the real thing.
In addition to the great scenery, we also had so much fun visiting with old friends and making new friends. We even got to teach a few others to play pinochle and enjoyed playing after the kids went to bed. And the best part... someone else organized and did all the cooking!!! That is a huge plus when you're dealing with a crawling toddler while camping. :) Thanks Doug and Tammy for inviting us and doing all the work! We were so blessed!!!
Yosemite Falls
Ashlyn had fun hanging out on Daddy's back during our first hike.
Micah and Kelly having fun in the sand
Micah even ventured in to the freezing cold water!
Mirror Lake
Ashlyn, Nathan, Micah and Kelly
A group of friends out on a bike ride. Micah had so much fun with his bike up there!
And he was thrilled to be able to see some wildlife up close.
Micah and Paul - good buddies!
Enjoying Yosemite Falls after a little hike.
With the rest of the gang at the base of the falls.
And of course, you can't go camping without roasting marshmallows!
Eating smores is truly the best part of camping!
Ashlyn even enjoyed a baby version of smores - graham crackers!
In the mornings Nathan and Micah invited the other kids to share their "Joe time" with them, as they read the Scriptures together. Ashlyn enjoyed being a part of it too!
We enjoyed a family bike ride around the valley one day.
Taking a break to enjoy the view of Yosemite Falls.
Although Ashlyn had started walking a little before our camping trip, she preferred crawling in the dirt to walking on the uneven ground. Here in this beautiful meadow though, she was happy to walk as long as I was holding her hands. The meadows there were amazing!!
Half Done - Yosemite's famous landmark. About 10 people from our group hiked to the top on our last day, and survived to tell about it. Nathan is hoping to go back another time to take part in that hike.
Ashlyn was so tired from missing her nap. But she got a little catnap in during our bike ride.
Digging out this hole occupied Micah (and several other kids) for hours! They were trying to make a trap for the many squirrels around the camp.
On our last day Micah found a caterpillar and had fun playing with him... at least until the little guy drowned because Micah wanted to give him some water!
Showing off his find to his friends!
Ashlyn loved this little tree. She climbed in it herself and wouldn't leave until I pulled her out. And she wasn't very happy about that.
And Micah always loves climing in trees!
Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls
Ashlyn loved the camelback during our hikes. It's the new favorite for both kids.
Resting while eating lunch. Ashlyn loved her reclining seat!
Our family in front of Half Dome.
Josiah came to spend the night the night before Micah's birthday. They enjoyed waking up together to begin the celebration!
Micah waiting to blow out the candle on his Breakfast Birthday Cake
This year we told Micah he could pick two friends to go do something fun with. So he picked Kelly and Josiah - and they went to play at Scooter's Jungle.
All three of them, ready to slide.
Wheeeee!
Climbing back up again...
Going down was lots of fun, but it was a feat to try to get them to come down together
Playing on the zip line
And everyone had their turn at air hockey
Micah even tried out the "stilts."
They had a blast in this jump house, trying to hold down all of the pillars at the same time.
They managed to get at least two down.
It was a crazy time, but they had so much fun!
This was their response when I asked if they had fun
After playing hard, Micah chose California Pizza Kitchen for lunch, one of his favorite restaurants.
Josh and Ashlyn joined us (along with Micah and Bonnie). Ashlyn had her first sleepover at the Thomas house the night before.
Yeah!!! So excited for Micah's birthday!
Nothing's better than a birthday sundae!
