Yosemite

This week we decided to take a weekend getaway to Yosemite. We've always wanted to go, and there's not much time left, so go we did. We arrived Friday evening just in time for a beautiful sunset dinner at Priest Station Cafe. Really, so beautiful. And as everyone else peacefully ate their dinner and took in the view, Blake and I realized how extremely loud our children's voices are. Especially when Jack announced to everyone, "I can't sit on my chair! I have poops!" Thanks Jack. And to make the situation even better, all I had was size 1 diapers for Baby Gus. It's moments like these that make trips so memorable.
Our deluxe accommodations were at a bed and breakfast in Groveland, about a half hour outside the gate to Yosemite. You have to book campsites 6 months in advance and I'm more of a B&B girl anyway, so it worked out perfectly. We stayed in the "Fireplace Bluff" suite which was definitely not meant for five people to bunk up in. But the large jacuzzi tub definitely made up for it!
After our tasty toaster pancake breakfast (the host was quite adamant that these pancakes were just as good as any others), we hit the road to Yosemite. After several scenic stops, our first real stop was at Bridalveil Falls. Now I've been to Provo's Bridalveil Falls and this one puts that one to shame. Apparently spring is the best time to see the waterfalls crashing down with all the run-off water and we had hardly walked up the trail when we could feel the mist spraying down on us. Max, Gus, and I chickened out, so by default Jack got to accompany Blake as far as Jack would go and the two came back soaked.
Next we made our way to Yosemite Valley. After lunching with squirrels and a monstrous diaper explosion from a very small baby, we went to the visitors center to watch a movie all about Yosemite and figure out our next move. We rode the bus to the base of Yosemite Falls (the tallest waterfall in North America) to start our first hike. I was surprised at how kid-friendly everything was. Max and Jack could easily do several of the hikes and they loved riding the bus all over the park. And speaking of kid-friendly, I need to give a big shout out to Max. We didn't realize we'd be parking our car so far from everything and didn't have anything to carry all our stuff around in...except Max's backpack. So, Max carried jackets, water, and snacks around for us all day. Thank you Max!
Next Blake, Max, and Jack hiked to Mirror Lake at the base of Half Dome while Gus and I took a little break. On the way back they were getting hungry and tired so they ate every last thing Max had in his pack and then Blake took turns carrying each of them back down the path. I'm happy I chose to sit in the visitor's center.
Other noteworthy events from the day included a bear and deer siting. Look how close the bear is to the playground, and to us for that matter. Kind of scary, no?

We finished the day with a sunset view of Half Dome from Sentinel Bridge. Blake's already planning our next visit, complete with REAL camping and bikes. We were quite jealous of all the bikers around the park. Who's in?

Countdown

Back during my working stint, when there was one hour left of the work day, I would start my "countdown." As of today there is one month left for us in San Francisco and I feel like I'm starting a countdown. Except this isn't one I want to make a chain for. I just want my life to stay like this forever.

Cruisin' the City

Have I mentioned that Blake is the best? Well, he is. After I basically threw a fit because we weren't going to have a car for our last little while in San Francisco (we've been renting a car only on Tuesdays for grocerying, etc. since everyone left after Gus's blessing), he rented a full-time car for us to cruise around our city in. And not just any car, a mini van! We are loving it and all the different seating options. Right now we have Max sitting right next to Gus in the middle and Jack in the back by himself. Our rental car situation has been perfect because it forces us to get out and do something every day to get Blake's money's worth. Today we ended up at playing at the park and having a picnic at Alamo Square. I really love it there.
Andy and Bri showed us this video and I think it's hilarious. Everyone in the world may have already seen it since I'm so out of things like this, but really, it's so funny! Enjoy!

Blue Backgrounds

I'm kind of a psycho when it comes to tradition. Just picture me shimmying and singing right along with Tevye. I love my blue background pictures from last year, so you better believe I had to do it again before this year's buzzes. Today I finally got around to doing Gus's pictures so now my set is complete. I really can't get enough of these boys.
{Next year I'll have to do the pictures all at the same time, in the same light, so the blue will look the same and I can really have a set...}

Mother's Day Buzzes

The tradition is going strong! I think this is the longest Max's hair has ever been.

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

Even Jack got a little trim. (Sorry for the stinky pictures.)

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

Let summer begin!

Mother's Day

Today is a special Mother's Day for me. My first Mother's Day with a made-at-school present. I love the bouquet of hand flowers Max made for me. I think I'll keep them forever. And Max also completed this lovely questionnaire all about his favorite mom!

How tall is your mom? Tall
What color are your mom's eyes? Blue
What color is your mom's hair? Brown
What is your mom's favorite food? Cereal
What is your mom's favorite color? Pink
My mom is____________.
And what was Max's answer? Not nice, not fun, not pretty, not smart. His answer was...A COW. Nice, Max. I thought we were over this, but I guess not.

I had a fabulous Mother's Day and didn't have to do anything motherly at all! Blake even had all three boys down for a Sunday nap, all at the same time. I can't even get them all to take naps, let alone at the same time. Some days I think Blake is a better mom than I am. :)

Oh how I love being the mother of these three very, very special boys.

NBA Playoffs

Every year Blake and I do NBA Playoff brackets. You know, there's nothing like some good marital competition. And every year I win. Well, except last year. And probably this year. It's only the second round and I'm about 98% sure my bracket's a bust. Oh well. Since we don't get TV channels at our house, at least I get a yummy meal in the bar at Chili's so we can watch the game.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!

A big thank you to Grandma and Grandpa for watching Max and Jack while we were in DC. I love the pictures that came back on Grandma's camera. Everything from working in the garden, the zoo, bubbles, lunch at McDonald's (or as the boy's say "Old McDonald's"), to snow balls in MAY! Utah sure is crazy! And I hear they did a lot of playing on Grandma and Grandpa's new swing set. Apparently, Max took them on a lot of "adventures" on the swing set to everywhere from the moon to Africa. They think that is the best birthday present Grandma has ever received. What lucky, lucky boys to have such fun grandparents!

Gus Goes to Washington

This past week, Blake, Gus and I were in Washington DC for an ortho conference, but really we were there to see Blythe, Vaughn and Baby B. In fact, the only part of the conference that we went to was the opening ceremony to hear Frankie Valli play. Remember, I love Frankie. Too bad I thought it was going to be the real deal and it was just a fakester group. Oh well--I still sang along and even yelled to choose me when they came in the audience looking for someone to serenade. But instead of me, they chose the AAO President's wife. I'm sure I was a close second.
But really, it worked out perfectly that AAO was in DC this year--I am so happy Gus finally got to meet the remaining three members of the family. I think he is going to be good friends with Baby B. It's just too bad most of their time spent together was either being packed around in the bjorns or riding in their car seats. And remember how much Gus loves (cough--HATES) his car seat. Gus would mad scream and Braddock would happy scream right along with him. See--good friends, I tell you.

I was so excited to be in DC with just a little baby so we could go to all the museums and monuments without worrying about losing someone or a little hand breaking some valuable piece of history. And boy did we go all over! During the the 3.5 hot and incredibly humid days we were there, we went to the Holocaust, Native American, Natural History, American History, and 2 Air and Space Museums along with Arlington Cemetery, Iwo Jima Memorial, and up and down the National Mall.
One of the highlights of the trip was a professional tour of the Capitol from none other than Vaughn himself. He even scored us tickets to the Senate Floor (very, very hard to come by) and the House Floor. Blake invited some of his classmates along and we were all super impressed with Vaughn's knowledge of history. To quote a line from National Treasure, "What's one step below crazy?...Obsessed?...No, passionate!" And Vaughn is definitely passionate! It made me wish I remembered more from my American History class.

And wow did we eat some yummy food. Rays Hell Burgers, Good Stuff, Hard Times, Navajo Tacos at the National Museum of the American Indian, and Georgetown Cupcakes (my personal favorite). And even some Sushi place complete with octopus tentacles and salmon eggs. Here is Blake sampling some octopus. Can you see the suction cups? Nasty. But even I tried the salmon eggs that Vaughn accurately described as Fishy-Seawater Gushers. Blythe was the only wimpy/smart one that wouldn't give into the fun experience! :)

We had so much fun in DC. Vaughn, Blythe, Braddock, and Bonni were the best tour guides. Not only did Vaughn give us one incredible tour of the Capitol, but Blythe picked us up from the airport at a very, very late hour, they drove us all over their city, and even let us bunk with them when our hotel was over-booked one night. Plus, how many people do you know who would go this far to get a good picture?
Thank you, thank you! We can't wait to visit again!