YOSEMITE!

We had 6 wonderful nights in Yosemite! Words do not express what that place does for my soul...EVERY time we are there I feel so close to the Lord. Is it because of the lack of distractions, no cell service, no Internet service- except at the business center at the Awahnee (wish we didn't find that out!...but we only checked once after a yummy breakfast treat!), or the simplicity of life, or possibly because I'm with my beloved family 24/7 with no other care in the world, or possibly just looking at God's beautiful amazing creation every time you look up.? I don't really know what it is, I'm sure it is all of those reasons and more that I'm not even aware of...but, I am so thankful for the refreshing time! The last evening we were there Gary put both kids down (like he does so often! Thank you my love!) and I went on a bike ride at dusk. I rode to the meadow and just stared at Halfdome for 15 minutes and just prayed. Prayed a prayer of thanksgiving...I could not be more thankful for all the blessings in my life, and it is times like this, when I feel so close to the Lord that thanksgiving prayers are really all I can pray. I don't believe there is 1 more thing I could possibly ask for with all I feel He has given me/allowed me to have. My salvation, my husband, my children, our family-who loves us unconditionally, our friends-old and new-who love us unconditionally. I have far more blessings than I deserve. I am so grateful that Yosemite is just a 5 hour drive away-pretty good time I think pulling a trailer and with 2 little ones who need pit stops! We love every opportunity we get to go!
Okay enough of my ramblings...here are the pics!
We had a BLAST! Makenzie was in heaven with the outdoors! She is so much fun! And Zach was really at the perfect stage for my anal germ phobias! He is crawling all over the place and standing but not walking yet so he would just crawl around the trailer but when we were out and about he didn't touch anything we didn't want him to! It was great! The next trip when he is walking I'm sure is going to help me grow in that germ area...but for now I'm thankful! ;)
The 1 pic of all of us! :)

piggy back time!

They were going on a walk...obviously someone wanted to cuddle!

We had eggs in the trailer from our last trip in the toy box and they were a huge hit this trip too! yeah for Easter eggs! :) Can you see her cozy little bed next to her! She loves it! I should of taken a pic of Gary reading her stories...scrunched! :)

beauty...

my man can park! Yes our site was like a 90 degree angel to get the trailer in! CRAZY! He parked it on his 1st try! We could not believe it he thought for sure it would take 3 or 4 maneuvers! I would of given up and went to the Lodge! Yeah Gary! :)

This is pretty much a theme...our kids love Daddy holding them! Even if it is together! ;)

My bike partner!

She was so excited her skirt had pink on it and it matched her shirt! She wanted a picture!

Daddy and Maki riding!

Happy Boy!

SO GLAD WE BROUGHT THIS TOY! He loved having it outside too!

The River was COLD! Gary jumped in! I thought he was CRAZY! Well he is crazy, he loves me! ;)

I love my boy!

picnic time!

Again, Happy Boy! :)

My boys!

Throwing rocks! Every AM...

Playing in the trailer! Yes that trash can is disinfected! ;)

Mommy I'm so tired...

I love my baby girl!

Sorry this is actually the only shot I took of scenery...we took so many last time I figured nothing changed. ;)

Oh my gosh I love this little girl! :)

Look.at.those.eyes.

Mommy I don't need a nap! ;)

I love this man!

Daddy carried both kids most of the way on a hike...thankfully he is in such great shape! He actually enjoyed it! I enjoyed my relaxing hike too! LOL! ;)

My life... :)

Fall is here!

Today was Makenzie's 1st day of Mommy & me preschool for this year! She has been so excited to go back to all her friends and of course Teacher Diane! Gary stayed home with Zach so I could just focus on Maki at school...we are trying to build it in to our schedules so every week Makenzie and Gary or me goes and the other one stays home with Zach...that way they each are getting our undivided attention for a bit. Hopefully it works out like this for the year! :) The class is so great and we just love the program! I love that it is a preschool environment but I'm there with her. And I can not say enough about Teacher Diane...WONDERFUL! :) We are also are back on track with gymnastics and swim too...wow who would of thought a 3 year old would have so much going on! LOL! Swim actually only goes a few more weeks and then we just have preschool 1 day a week and gymnastics...so there is plenty of room for our spontaneous life! ;)
Here are some pics from this week!
**also, I'm almost done going through all the pics from our trip to Yosemite last week...I'll post it soon!
Hope everyone is having a great week! Happy Fall! :)
1st day! Of course she wanted her scarf Nonnie Pat made her! She is all about accessories! And she refused to smile so this is the best one... ;)

My little painter!

This was last night after gymnastics..I could not find her anywhere in the house...she was not responding to my calls either so I was a bit frantic...I found her in between her bed and dresser reading her new bible! I was so excited to find her doing this! Now my prayer is she does it all of her days! Please Lord! :)

Shayna's Wedding photos!

Yes, I am finally posting Shayna's wedding photos! The top pics are the 2nd ceremony in Lodi and the bottom half are from the ceremony in San Diego! Here are my other blogs (San Diego, Lodi) about the Wedding in case you missed them...or if you just love my writing so much you can read them again! LOL! ;)
And they lived happily ever after...

This is one of my favorite pics! I love all the smiles! Gary had said something funny, everyone laughed and then at the end of everyone laughing Makenzie did this fake really loud laugh...and then everyone laughed again! It was hilarious! **Side note...Makenzie did the same thing in a Church service when she was a year old! She has always had this funny fake laugh! So cute! ;)

Yes, she is this pretty and yes her gown was that gorgeous! She could be a model!

The most beautiful flower girl. EVER!

I love these pics of G and Shay.

Tiegra and Nina, 2 of Shayna's best friends on the left were her bridesmaids for the ceremony in Lodi...and me.

Kev's best friends. Very nice guys!...and hilarious!

Gary bringing it! I love how he talks with his hands.

Proud Daddy.

Daddy/daughter dance

lining the aisle in S.D.

waiting...with the coordinator.

finally getting ready to walk down the aisle!

2 becoming 1...i love this sand symbolism.

flower girl entertained herself during the beach ceremony...love it!

I love the joy in their faces!

San Diego's wedding party. Chelsea was her bridesmaid in S.D...but she couldn't make it up for the Lodi ceremony.

Yup, I'm the shortest...love it.

The end of the photos...but the beginning of their life. YEAH for Shayna and Kevin! Love you guys! :)