Yosemite

We recently went to Yosemite with Josh and Steph in celebration of Steph's birthday. This past year, we celebrated each other's birthdays by going on some sort of adventure (November-beach, March-snow, and June-Yosemite). We really enjoy having friends who like to go on adventures like us! We went last year at the beginning of June and had winter-like weather and rain (which was fun!) and this year, the weather was about as perfect as it could get - perfect for hiking! Steph wanted to hike up to Vernal Falls, which is an absolutely beautiful hike. However, with Jon carrying Ethan on his back, me a backpack full of food and water, and Josh and Steph taking turns carrying Abi on their back, we made it as far as Mist Bridge.

The change in altitude, weighed down, and walking up hill wore us all out, that Steph made the call to just walk to the bridge (which was unanimously agreed upon!). There were lots of people also hiking that day (first weekend of summer vacation for most people), but we managed to find a nice, shady spot to have a picnic and let the kids walk around for a bit. The kids even walked hand in hand for a little bit past the bridge. They loved it!
We had a lot of fun on our day trip! The kids were such troopers and incredibly well behaved (No whining here!). We did learn something about our kids, though. When we were getting out the car and unloading, Abi got very upset, resulting in her throwing up all over the place. Ethan did fine, until a few minutes after they left and we were trying to get him into the bath. He started screaming and running to the front door, trying to open it and peering out the window. We think he was calling for Abi. Our theory is that Abi and Ethan got so worked up that they didn't get to say goodbye to each other. We will now be making sure that happens.

The best small group ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have been so blessed with our small group! Although, over the years we have welcomed new friends into our group and said goodbye to some, we have continued to meet on a regular basis for about 4 years! Our group is such a blessing and source of encouragement - we laugh a lot, get off topic a lot, study the Bible, and share each others hopes, dreams, and burdens. It truly is a special find to have that kind of small group!

One of our annual traditions is a memorial weekend BBQ. So instead of getting into the Word (right now, we are studying the women of Genesis), we took some time to fire up the grill and cook some delicious kabobs! Man, were they good! Amelia even made us up some yummy Sangria. It was such a relaxing night of fellowship! Can't wait for the next one!

Snow Day

Jon celebrated his 3oth birthday this month. As with every year, he gave me his wish list which was filled with a couple of "material" possessions of desire and some items that would bring memories. The one, the thought would be so much fun was a trip to the snow before it melted. The problem was it just kept on raining. . . and raining. Finally, when the rain seemed to subside, it rained again. I was really not getting my hopes up about getting Jon up there, because I am absolutely terrified of driving in the snow! But thankfully our friends Josh and Steph thought it would be fun and wanted to go, too! So, despite it raining the day before, we packed warm clothes, borrowed snow clothes from Jon's brother's family, and packed some lunch for a day in the snow.

We had so much fun! We drove to a snow play area just above Shaver Lake. We were glad we got there early, because by the time we packed up to go, it was crowded! We loved how California spells snow - SNO. Kind of funny. Josh and Steph borrowed a sled and snowball maker from the Hoopers, which made our day so very Awesome!

Ethan was bundled up so nice and warm, wearing socks on his hands to keep toasty (by the end of the day, he was wearing Jon's socks!). He had fun playing in the snow, going on the sled (one time, he even snuck onto Jon's lap so he could go for a ride too!), building a snow man, and eating the snow (wasn't all that into the PBJ, when there was some yummy snow to fill the tummy!). Jon even stuck him into a snow drift to keep him from wandering off. . . it was so funny!

Jon's favorite part was going down the hills over and over again. Between him and Josh, they made some pretty awesome paths. I think a few times, I watched him catch some air and go down head first!

The day ended up being the most perfect day to go. On the drive home, it started snowing really large snow flurries and it felt like we were in a very large snow globe! It was so amazingly beautiful!!!!!!

Play Time!

I thought it was about time I give you an update on Ethan. . .

He is keeping us very busy with his rambunctious, adventurous spirit. He absolutely loves our new house with all the places to run around. He enjoys going outside all the time, taking baths, flipping through books, and watching Signing Times (He can sign quite a few words!).
Last weekend, we had some adventures in Riverpark, which meant Ethan got to play on the little playground by the theater. He had so much fun running around and going down the slide. His favorite thing to do was climb onto the benches and sit and then slide off.
Then, that afternoon, Jon got to get Ethan's new soccer ball and kick it around with Ethan after his nap. He has so much fun. . . especially since Jon showed him the hose. He also loves to play on his toy quad. . . although he sometimes gets on backwards. Sometimes, he likes to be sneaky and try to sneak a taste of some rocks. . . he gets so sad when we catch him (parents are so mean . . . ha ha).

Finally, yesterday Steph and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful February (pre-spring weather) day and take the kids to the park, before our husbands came home from work. We tried out the park on Shepard and Maple in Fresno. So much to do, Ethan and Abi had a blast. Ethan was probably the most content playing in the dirt (what can I say, he's a boy!). We had so much fun!

A trip to the zoo

Last Friday, Ethan, Stephanie, Abi and I headed for a morning at the zoo. My mom's first graders were going to be there, so we thought we would say hi. Another friend, Dorothy (we used to be roommates) and her son were also there. So, it was a great morning to hang out with friends! We had so much fun!

Here are some highlights:

:: Ethan got to pet his first llama.

:: He enjoyed walking around the zoo for the first time.

:: He really likes the orangutans.

Pumpkin Patch - take 2

Ethan joined our friends, Stephanie and Abi Mikow, last week on an adventure to the Pumpkin King Pumpkin patch. We had so much fun getting out of the house and playing in the straw amongst rows and rows of various sized pumpkins. There was a lot of laughter between the two as they played throughout the whole patch! Ethan kept wanting to join a call of preschoolers on their field trip. We had so much fun!

Fish Taco Night

Tuesday nights mark $1.25 fish taco night at Rubio's. Last night, despite the downpour of rain, Josh, Steph, Abi, Chris, and Amelia joined us for dinner (this isn't the first time, either!). We feel very blessed to have such great friends in our lives and some mid-week fellowship is just so refreshing. The rain was nice. . . but the lack of Farmer's Market was missing.