Grandma Pat's Visit

Grandma Pat came to visit again and we all had a great time. We went to Yosemite, Sequoia, a pumpkin patch and all kinds of other fun places. Here are a few pictures from her visit. Thanks for coming out to visit Mom...we all miss you already.

At Yosemite Valley


Can you spot the climbers?

Way too crazy to be climbing El Captain

El Cap

Here is a cabin that I would die to live in......the next picture is the view from the front yard.



Harvest Hallow!

Lainey loves wagons. That is her sole request for Christmas, a wagon

She had been waiting weeks to go pick out a pumpkin.


Ethan trying not to look excited.....hes too cool for pumpkins


Tharps Log in Sequoia. We hiked up to the log not having a clue what it was. Turns out it was the home of the first white man to enter the Giant Forest in Sequoia. In 1858 he made a summer home out of a hollow sequoia that had fallen. It was very cool to see and go inside.

The inside of the log


And the rest of the photos are from Yosemite and Sequoia

Half Dome

Merced River and the Yosemite Valley

El Cap

The Valley...one of the most breathtaking places in the world. Well in my opinion.

Our hike to Tharps Log in Sequoia. It was amazing the be in the fog and have such cool colors.

Love the fall colors and the fog....very Halloween...ish



Closeup of the moss growing up the trees

Camping....again

A few pictures of Ethan and I camping at Hume Lake in Sequoia NP. Ethan was very excited to go fishing and shoot his wrist rocket. We had a blast and even convinced Annie to come with us in the spring. Lainey saw the pictures and asked if she could go next time too. Time to buy a family size tent (anything other than a tent is NOT camping, don't lie to yourself).






Our camp site

Ethan being a pyro

one happy boy




Sunrise through the woods

A few Lainey pics to brighten your day!

The other day Lainey decided to dress up to "go shopping". She had to have a purse for each hand:




And she's off!

Yes, Lainey got a hold of the sunscreen.....


Here are a few shots of my little grease monkey:

She said WHAT?!

Here is a fun story that shows a little bit of Lainey's personality:
We take turns each night saying the dinner prayer. The other day it was Lainey's turn. She usually just repeats the last word that I say in each sentence. At the end we say "in the name of the Father, the Mother and the Holy Spirit. This was how it ends according to Lainey: "In the name of the Father, the Mother and the HOLY CRAP! AMEN!
Our dear Ethan almost peed his pants he thought it was so funny. Andy and I thought it was quite amusing as well!


Here are some of our recent photos:






She is SUCH a monkey!!!




I put this picture on just to show how high up that window is!!


Andy got Ethan with the tape:







Lainey just HAD to make cupcakes the other day so I indulged her and we made some. Little did I know that she would have to eat them every morning for breakfast for 3 days in a row (please don't judge, YOU try to quiet down Lainey when she wants something!). I did however make her eat some cereal each morning before she devoured her cuppy cake. We had to sing her happy birthday each morning as well. Here is a clip of her this morning. Notice how pretty my icing job is, I just slapped that stuff on..it's not like it is her REAL birthday!

Wow, it's September already!?!

This past month just FLEW by! We all started school...Lainey is at the CDC doing incredibly well, loving going "to school" like a big girl, Ethan is now in 2nd grade(and is loving it too), Andy is doing online studies and I am FINALLY back to college. Needless to say, it's been a bit busy around here!



Both the kids started Gymnastics about a month ago and they love it! Here are a few photos:










The other day Andy did crafts with the kiddos. They they had a great time! Ethan and Andy decided to make a bird house and as you can see, Lainey painted, glued and glittered to her hearts content.





Another favorite activity is to play in their dad's car:


We went to a Sesame Street Live show and it was okay, but the sound sucked so we really couldn't hear what they were saying/singing. Oh well though, the kids had fun despite the sound issues and hey, it was free so I guess I can't complain too much.


Even though it looks like an 11 year old made this cell model, it was in fact, ME. I know that it doesn't look like much, but this sucker took me so long to construct! I ended up getting extra credit on it so I guess the instructor liked it despite my lack of artistic skills. Next up is a model of a knee or shoulder joint. Fun times!