Yosemite: check!

Yay! We get to check off the first item on our list of things to see in our area. It was a quick and semi-impromptu trip inspired by our Aussie friends who are on a five week road trip around the U.S. They invited us to camp with them while they were at the national park and we leaped at the chance. It was about a three and a half hour drive from here, which was really easy on Sunday morning going there, a bit more of a drag mid-morning on Monday on our way home. It was B and C's first camping trip and they did much better than expected...well, we really didn't have any expectations, but they did very well. B absolutely loved everything about it: running, jumping, getting dirty. And she slept wonderfully in her new pink sleeping bag (well, at about sunrise T awoke to a B sized finger in her face and the complaint of an owie, but that problem was quickly dispatched with a Mama Kiss and B fell right back to sleep). C was wonderful all day, but had trouble sleeping under such unusual circumstances. It certainly didn't help that he was awoken by the first light of the day shining through the tent, try as he might he just couldn't ignore it and continue sleeping. Happily, his rough night did not have any negative effects on his attitude once out and about.

We didn't get to see or do nearly as much as we would have liked, so another trip will definitely occur (probably next summer, in addition to a winter trip at some point). But we did hike into a sequoia grove, drive the entire loop of the Yosemite Valley (including an area clearly marked "authorized vehicles only") and climbed our way up to the base of Bridal Veil Falls at sunset. C had to sit that last one out, but between J and our friend Grant, B was able to go as far as any of us. It was beautiful and we had a wonderful time with great friends.

These are just a few highlights of the trip. See more photos here.