Week 1, Family Fun

Back to California we go to finish up the posts from our August vacation. But first, let me just say that I am really excited to realize that all of the difficulties I have had with this blog site (it was taking me HOURS to post an entry) have been solved. I would love to tell you that it was all due to some high-tech problem with the coding or that it was someone else's fault, but the truth is I didn't pay attention when Google told me they were no longer going to support my browser. I downloaded chrome and voila! I no longer have to upload pictures one at a time in HTML. 

Thanks to this amazing discovery you will likely be seeing many more posts from me. You can thank (or blame) Google Chrome! :) Woo-hoo! 

Here are a few photos from our time during the first week: 

Both Andy & Dad and Mikayla & Annalie matched on this day, although one of the guys quickly changed after realizing this. I snuck a picture first, though! 

 Annalie "helping" Mikayla.

 Water play at the park

 The girls with Mimi

 Annalie and Mikayla arguing over whose armrest it was

 Hanging out at Uncle Steve & Aunt LeeAnn's house for the evening

 Andy & Steven watching funny videos

 Grandma Noani helping Annalie with a puzzle

 We finally got back to Slater's 50/50 - they opened one near our old place, so we had to try it. It was as good as ever! 

 Celebrating Dad's actual birthday with the church staff at Old Spaghetti Factory

 Me & my California sisters, Staci & Loleta. One by blood, the other by heart. 

 Amberlin & Anya. She loves Anya so much... seeing her is always a highlight of our trips home! And they matched this night, too. :) Here comes Annalie... she wanted to be in the shot.

 Amberlin was excited when we headed out early for our first day at Disneyland! It was just her, me, Daddy & Pop.

 In line for Star Tours

 Getting advise from Pop

 What a ham. :)

 Splash Mountain wasn't as well-received as I had hoped... we probably won't try the laughing place again for a few more years. It's funny how you see things so differently when you're with a child! The music and sounds totally freaked her out.

 But there was good music, too! 

 Pop took Amberlin on Rocket Rods so that Andy and I could enjoy Space Mountain together. That was the first time I have been able to ride in years. So much fun! And this picture came out great, too. You can tell there are a lot of frequent visitors.

 Checking out the submarine

 This, my friends, is the expression that reflects pure adoration!

Mimi, Staci, Annalie and Mik joined us at lunch time. After eating at our favorite sandwich shop at Downtown Disney we went to CA Adventure. 

 Mik "helping" push the stroller

 DANCE PARTY!! (I'm so sad that they just closed this, it was fun!)

I'm also sad that the videos of my niece won't upload because they're too long - but let me tell you, she OWNED that dance floor! That girl has some moves. Here are a couple of Amberlin...

Dancing with Daisy

And one of the step sisters... 

 And, of course, a Ghirardelli chocolate shake to cool off from the sun.

 We headed back early that night to have a tea party with Aunt LeeAnn & Brixtynn... more to follow!

Labor Day at Taylor Park Reservoir

We went camping for the first time in years over Labor Day Weekend. We joined a group of friends from church and headed up to Taylor Park Reservoir for a few days of fun! Annalie stayed with Nana & Papa for the trip, but Amberlin came along for her first camping experience!  

 The ride there was a long one, so we needed a little fun, so we broke out the silly face making on the way...

We made pipe cleaner flowers & screamed on some "roller coaster hills". (Remember that, Mom & Dad?) 

We enjoyed some beautiful views on the way there! Also notable was the drive through South Park, CO. Apparently that is the town the show is based on. Hmmph... Who knew? 

The first thing that happened when we got there was a kids' hike. Steve was a brave man to set out with all of the kids with only the support of one other adult and a teenager. I believe there were 17 children - it was a big job! He did great, though, and it was nice for the rest of us to just sit around the fire and enjoy some peace and quiet. He came back with all of the kids and, just as impressive, he came back in one piece! :)

Our contemporary art fire... 

The kids playing on the quads. I'm keeping this one... I could see this pose happening again in 10 years or so.

Ms. Sarah took Amberlin for a ride... she said she screamed the whole time. :) She was so excited and had so much fun!

Sweet EBug

The guys did some target and skeet shooting. Amberlin was not a big fan of the noise! :) 

Sweet Ben.... Playing and getting dirty like camping kids should! 

Aw... sweet moment! 

One of the dads built a see-saw for the kids. Amberlin keeps saying that was her favorite part of the weekend! (Thanks Jeff!) 

Amberlin and her buddies

A nice little walk with some of the moms & kids

 Such beautiful views!! 

 Ms. Katie reading to the kids

Isabella is as good at playing in the dirt as her brother is!! She is such a sweetie...

Sarah enjoying a little fly fishing. The guys all went at night, as well. Andy had his first experience and loved it! 

The views out here are so gorgeous! 

The kids playing in the river (and parents trying to make sure no one gets swept away!)

These roads were pretty steep in some areas. They made me think of my mom... she would be freaking out! 

 On our way home we did a final hike at Cottonwood Pass. 

The families that stayed back for the hike

Amberlin & Audrey

For some reason Amberlin has decided to pose in funny ways when I tell her to smile. Here is one of her poses...

 The hike

The kids at the top

The climbing clan - all 15 of us! 

Crazy people having way too much fun! 

We found a heart shaped rock arrangement and couldn't resist snapping a shot.

I am so thankful for the special friends God places in my life. These ladies are pretty amazing... definitely a gift!

Amberlin stopped every time she found a wild flower 

Then she never failed to offer it to me! :) I'm trying to figure out if her intent is to give me flowers or to get me to carry them for her? I'm just going to say it's the first.

The hike back down sure is easier than the hike up! 

Playing at the base

 On the way home we stopped to get some lunch and let the kids play at a park for a while before we had to sit in the car for hours. 

Sweet Isabella

Lunch at the park

Amberlin having a moment with Isabella

We love friends!

A little bit of creativity on the way home. Amberlin made flowers, sealed her mouth with them and gave herself a pedicure... we're getting good at these long drives!