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Thursday, July 21, 2011

Girls Cross Country Camping Trip

Benji worked one full week before we were out of town once again.  This time we were chaperoning the girls cross country team on a camping/hiking trip to Mt. St. Helens.  We did the same trip two summers ago when I was pregnant with McKinley, but this time proved to be a bit more challenging. Chasing after a curious 18-month-old sucked all of the relaxation out of camping! The hike itself was also more difficult. Our cool summer temperatures prevented a lot of the snow from melting, and with no crampons, we decided to turn around about three quarters of the way up. Being 25 weeks pregnant with Munch #2 slowed me down to where I was constantly bring up the rear, but I was determined to keep up and in the end was proud of what I accomplished.

The mischievous expression says it all!

Our six-person tent we rented from REI....so spacious!




At the Climber's Bivouac about to start our hike. 
Nice summer weather....huh?

McKinley and Dadda turn around at tree line. 

Momma and the girls.

Climbing one of the many rock ridges. 

We turned around at this pole. 


Resting before climbing down.


Back at camp we take a walk around Yale Reservoir.

She discovered a camping staple.....chips!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

California Summer Vacation

Now that we're back home, I am truly appreciating the cooler summer temperatures and loving the rain. I've come to the realization that I'd rather be wet from the rain than from sweat. It was hot in CA!  And for the short time we stayed with Cassie and Alan in Victorville (high desert), it was hot and humid....bad combination.  Overall, we enjoyed our time with family and ate alot of In and Out cheeseburgers...a record five times to be exact.

We stayed the night with Alan & Cassie after leaving Bishop.
McKinley couldn't wait to go to the park behind their new house.

Scoping out the swimming competition at a private
lake in Victorville.

Time to get wet!

 
 
She sat and splashed for about five minutes
and thought it was the funniest thing ever.

Cousin Lizzie joins her for some splashing action.

Back in San Diego, we sunned and swam at
Nana & Boppy's black-bottom pool. 

Uncle Eddie, Auntie Shawna, McKinley and Dadda
pose for a pool shot.

We love family time at the pool!

Chillin' with cousin Mikey, when we went to visit
Uncle Eric and Aunt Debra in La Jolla.
 
Testing out the water temperature at Cornado Beach.

Dadda made her a wall to protect her from the incoming tide.


McKinley with her cousin Leyton, behind the "wall."



Beach day with Auntie Shannon, Uncle Ryan & Leyton..so much fun!

Another pool party at Nana & Boppy's.

Pretty hydrangeas!

Cousin shot with Abby, Lizzie, Luke and Micah-moo.

We couldn't wait to show McKinley the San Diego Zoo!

Although, she enjoyed the petting zoo the most.



I look like a Galapagos...very fitting.

Ahmma, Shawna and Eddie joined us at the zoo.

Getting soaked at Santee Lakes water fountains.

She was fearless!

Without her sun hat she resembles a wet rat.
 
Hangin' with cousin Leyton one last time.

At least Leyton was enjoying it!

Posing with Shannon, Ryan and Leyton 
before saying goodbye.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Bishop Camping Trip

We had a wonderful time with Benji's family in Bishop, renting cabins up in the mountains for a couple of nights.  The family fished, hiked, and had relaxing meals around the campfire.

McKinley with Nathan and Pablo.

We crashed at Nathan and Selene's place in Colfax on
our way down to Bishop. Benji has know Nathan since Little League.

Benji's little sister, Shawna, and I at 22 weeks.

Relaxing at the Bishop city park.

In front of the world famous Schat's Bakery.

Storytime with all the cousins in our cozy cabin.

Lizzie, Abby and McKinners in matching fleece.

Beautiful mountain scenery.

Our first Bishop hike to Tyee Lake.


Tyee Lake

Eating dinner around the campfire.


McKinley's first smores.


Getting our feet wet in Bishop creek.



Celebrating Uncle Travis' birthday.