Yosemite

It only took two years but we finally made it back to Yosemite. Sarah and Jonathan had never been and with only a couple months left on the West Coast we thought they had better get that crossed off of their list.

We headed up Friday night and after a little drama with a pair of squatters who had staked claim over of our campsite we finally were able to get settled. (The story is pretty funny so just ask us when you see us and we'd be happy to share)

We woke up Saturday and then headed towards the valley to start our hike. We stopped along the highway and took a few photos with Bridalveil Fall in the background.

We kept driving and eventually stopped to go and check out Bridalveil. On the short walk to the fall we saw this random sight. Apparently it was for Esquire magazine (I might have to flip through it in the grocery store lines for a few months to see what exactly they are using it for). Kevin asked to take a picture with the giant clock. The picture is on Sarah's camera but I will definitely be getting it from her.

The fall was really coming down so we didn't spend much time there. All of our rain jackets were still in the car and we didn't feel like getting completely soaked that early in the day.

Bridalveil Fall

View of El Capitan on the way back to our car.

Even though Kevin and I did the Mist Trail on our last trip we thought that would be a good hike to take Sarah and Jonathan on. I enjoyed it just

as much this time as last time. The falls were all bigger than last time. (I think there was more snow this year)

Vernal Fall can be seen in from the Happy Isles footbridge.

Another view of Vernal Fall on the way up Mist Trail.

Vernal Fall with a beautiful rainbow!

Top of Vernal Fall.

We ate lunch up by Vernal Fall before heading on toward Nevada Fall. Kevin found a rock and couldn't help himself.

It wasn't much further to this fantastic view of Nevada Fall. I was really wanting to to keep going and make it to the top of the fall but I wasn't sure how motivated Sarah and Jonathan were feeling that day. We ended up continuing on and I was very excited since we didn't do it last time.

On the way to the top. If you were ever feeling tired you just had to look behind you and take in the view and remember why you started up in the first place.

We made it! Incredible scenery and a little less crowded than the top of Vernal Fall.

This was well worth the climb.

Kevin wanted to get a picture so you could see Nevada Fall and me. Right after this my water bottle (which was caught on the railing) fell to its end. I watched it fall and heard a 'tink' as it hit the side of the mountain and then disappeared into the mist. A little sad to lose the water bottle but it was free from work so I managed to get over it pretty quickly. At least it wasn't my camera!

Sarah and Kevin with Liberty Cap in the background.

From Right to Left: Liberty Cap, Mount Broderick, and Half Dome. Half Dome is what I want to conquer next.

Nevada Fall from the John Muir Trail.

Nevada Fall with Liberty Cap and Mount Broderick in sight.

We wanted to head back down via the John Muir trail to avoid the crowds on Mist Trail. The trail was still officially closed for winter but we kept seeing people continuing on (including a couple with a baby strapped to the mom's chest) so we decided to go too. Apparently that litmus test isn't a very good one. There were a few parts of the trail that weren't quite ready for people. We weren't in any real danger ever but you had to be careful not to slip on ice in a few sections. I couldn't imagine trying to take a baby on that trail.

View from the John Muir Trail.

Taking this trail added a little distance to the return trip but I think we all agreed it was worth it. A change of scenery and fewer people made it much more enjoyable.

After heading back to the campsite we got ready to celebrate Kevin's birthday since it was the next day. We grilled steaks and veggies over the campfire and it was particularly delicious after a long day of hiking.

Kevin requested carrot cake and at one point it looked fantastic. Then it was left in the car while we were at work on Friday and the frosting melted. We tried to spread it out before lighting the candles but it just began looking worse. Still tasted yummy though!

The rest of the evening we just enjoyed hanging out around the campfire and making s'mores with everyone. Jason and Brett had been rock climbing that day so we were glad to be able to catch up.

I think Sarah and Jonathan had a good time and now they have a big thing crossed off their list. It is hard to believe they'll be leaving soon...we're going to miss them!

April Activites

Since May is now here I thought I'd take a minute to do a quick recap on some of our activities for the month of April.

Kevin went to the 'Rugby on the Rocks' Rugby tournament hosted by Duke. He went to it last year and had a blast so I was glad he was able to go again. They played pretty well and even made it to the Elite Eight! Kevin took a disposable camera with him and I was hoping he would bring back at least a few pictures but he didn't get around to it.

The following weekend his team had a friendly game against UCLA that I was able to go to. The Stanford team dominated and Kevin scored a try! I didn't have my camera with me but I took a group shot using my cell phone.

Kevin's intramural softball team had a double header to kick off the softball season. They managed to win one game out of the two. I didn't have my camera (again) but I did have the disposable camera that Kevin never handy.

Group shot!

Sarah and Jonathan hosted a sushi making night which was a lot of fun. I went shopping with Sarah for the supplies and now I'm inspired to make sushi more often.

Kevin attempted to make a roll without using the seaweed wrap but it became just a mess. Still tasted delicious though.

Cheers!

Kevin, Brian and I all went to the Easter service at the Stanford Memorial Church. Moria was singing in the choir that day and they actually got to sit up in the front of the church (Usually they are in the back balcony and you would have to turn around to see them singing). Since it was so crowded there they opened up the side balconies and we got to sit up there. It was fun seeing the beautiful church from another angle since they normally don't allow people up there.

Afterward we sat out on the Oval on campus and had a lovely picnic with friends. It threatened to rain early that day but it turned out to be a perfect day to spend outdoors.

We played a little Poison Ball with the croquet set which was pretty fun. I wasn't originally playing because there were only enough mallets for 6 but later I stepped in to cover for someone and ended up winning!

I realize I look a little silly in these pictures. I had meant to bring a set of clothes to change into after church but left them at home. All I had in the car was this red pair of pants and I figured that was better for sports than just the dress.

After croquet we set up the net and played a little badminton, volleyball, and volleyball using a Giant volleyball. This is Kevin after serving.

There was no Easter egg hunt but we did play a game that Brian used to playing growing up in New Jersey. Apparently it is from the Great Depression Era and I think it was called 'Epper' Basically you hold the egg in your hand and the other person uses their egg to hit yours. You do it on both sides and if your egg cracks you give it to the other person. Then that person challenges the next player and if they lose they give both eggs to the challenger. Winning is getting all the eggs and therefore having the most food. I had never heard of it before but it was a lot of fun!

We were having such a great time that we ended up staying the entire afternoon and into early evening. It was a wonderful day and I loved being able to spend it with such fantastic friends!

Coit Tower and Golden Gate Bridge

Last week I had a couple of day long workshops in San Francisco for continuing education. One of the workshops was on Friday so we figured we'd take advantage of the trip and try to do a few things on our list of 'Things to do while still in the Bay Area'. Kevin had to go to Berkeley that day so he dropped me off in the morning and met up with me that evening (after sitting on the Bay Bridge in traffic for over an hour).

We had a hotel near Union Square so we walked there and had a lovely dinner at Annabelle's Bar and Bistro. The next day we had an early lunch at this adorable place in North Beach called Piazza Pellegrini before heading to Coit Tower.
The tower was built in 1933 on Telegraph Hill with money donated to the city by Lillie Hitchcock Coit and serves as a monument to the firefighters of San Francisco. We were there on a beautiful day and had a great view of the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the rest of the city.

The famous Lombard Street as seen from the tower. Driving on the crookedest street in the world is a little overrated but you should definitely do it once if you have the chance.

In the viewing area of the tower.
The Bay Bridge and the San Francisco Ferry Building.
Golden Gate Bridge in the background if you zoom in.
Our next mission was to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. We've both driven across it many times but in our almost 5 years we have never walked or biked across it.

I'm glad we finally took the time to do this. The bridge is so impressive.
A view of downtown San Fran from the bridge. We spent quite a bit of time watching a couple of body surfers down below. This one guy in particular was amazing. He could ride this waves in so far and then he'd turn around and head back out to do it again. (He was wearing flippers to get out quickly)
They had a display of one of the cables next to the gift shop areas. It really allows you to appreciate what a huge and magnificent bridge the Golden Gate really is.
A lot of people only go halfway across the bridge and then head back to their car but if we were going to do it we were going to do it right. We went all the way across and back. Luckily it was a gorgeous day and not too windy.

It was a fun little getaway and I was happy to check a few things off of my list!

A Birthday Party and Spring Break

March was such a hectic month and while there were some great times I'm glad it is April and things are settling down for a little bit. Before April can really start I need to fill you in on our trip to Kansas (my second in only a few weeks). We were there to celebrate Patti's 50th B-day party. I wasn't sure at first if I was going to be able to come back for the party or not but luckily I was able to finagle my work schedule and get home.

Kevin flew in the day before me and they spent the day before the party getting the place decorated. The upstairs part of the place was purple themed and the downstairs had a St. Patrick's Day theme. Some of Patti's friends from work helped the boys decorate and the place looked fantastic.

They ordered this for the entrance and there were some great pictures taken.

Seth wasn't able to come to the party due to a high fever but Hailie came and I think she had a blast. She and Kevin's cousin's son Luke were really getting into dancing and and tumbling around the floor. Luke especially was a major ham and kept doing the robot and other cool moves in the middle of the dance circle. It was adorable. Kevin thinks Hailie looks funny in this picture...I think the flash is the cause...but I think it is cute and I wanted to post it anyway.

The beautiful cake! Was very delicious too.

Patti let all the kid's help her blow out the candles.
Since K-State was playing that night they had the game on downstairs. I think my Dad (and all the other KSU fans) were happy there was an awesome dance going on that they could use to get over the loss to Wisconsin.
Our friends Pat and Michelle were able to come and bring their son Charlie. Michelle was one of my bridesmaids and Pat was an usher. We hadn't seen these guys since their wedding almost 4 years ago and it was about time for us to meet their little guy. I had a wonderful time chatting and catching up with them. You know true friends though when you can just pick up like no time has passed at all!

Kevin with family friend Austin.

There were quite a few dance pictures to choose from but I picked this one because Kevin laughed every time he saw it.
Party on!
Just the girls!
All of the kids helped get ready for the party and clean up but Joe gets the credit for planning and organizing everything. He did a fantastic job and I know we were all appreciative of his hard work.
Kevin really cracked up every time he saw this photo of Thomas so it had to get posted. I think he was doing a line dance but I can't be sure.
I love this picture of Patti and Kevin dancing....they look so sweet!
I had a few days in Kansas after the party and it worked out well because my Mom was off of work and the kid's were on spring break. I was able to see Grandad and Grandmom for a little bit one day and just sort of hang out with the family.
Seth was still getting over being sick and I got a little bit of a cold so we were kind of bums for part of the time. It felt kind of good not to be rushing around and just relaxing. The kid's and I did spend an afternoon at Barnes and Noble and Mom and I helped Hailie work on her George Washington costume and presentation for school.
We headed to Kansas City a little early so we could stop at Cabella's and get lunch before my flight. The kids really enjoyed the aquarium. The catfish were HUGE and Hailie and Seth really enjoyed the turtles that would dive down and then swim back up to the surface.

Another great trip to Kansas!