We started the month off by heading down to California for a little vacation time. We stopped in Ashland, OR to see our old neighbors from dental school. This is one fabulous family and we sure wish we could see them more often. We spent quite a bit of time together those last two years, shared many meals, swapped the kids and just enjoyed hanging out. Aubrey & Dane have grown so much and Aubrey was one of the Dallin's first words, but unfortunately he doesn't have much memory of her. It was so wonderful to spend a little time catching up and enjoying this beautiful family.
We stopped off at the Nielsen homestead for a night before heading out to Yosemite. We stocked our food and picked up Meghan and off to the mountains we did go. The boys LOVE camping, and that includes Matthew too. Always fun family memories when we head off into the woods.
Where we were staying is actually outside of Yosemite park, but you have to drive through the park to get there, so we get to see it all. We (I) love Reds Meadow because of the hot springs that they run into free showers. It is our favorite spot!
Of course, the boys took every opportunity to play in the water.
And then there is D who also took every opportunity to swim in the dirt as well. He was little pig-pen, making dirt angels. He was brown from head to toe, but he just couldn't get enough of it. Silly kid!
We hiked out to rainbow falls, and it was the first time we didn't have to carry anybody. These boys are getting all grown-up. In fact they usually left us in their dust as they ran here and there exploring.
The special part about this particular trip was that Evan went on his first backpacking excursion. The first of many I'm sure. It was They were all glad to be back to camp, but Evan still talks about it and is pretty proud of himself. We're pretty proud of him too. Wish we could have joined him, but Dallin and I stayed at camp and had our own adventures.
On our way home after having so much fun in that beautiful country behind us.
It wouldn't be a trip to Yosemite if we didn't stop in Mono Lake for some soft-serve. Delicious!
