Yosemite Vacation 2008

We just got back from Yosemite and fun was had by all. We arrived on Sunday afternoon. It took us quite awhile to get there. We all met at Kelly's house in Sutter Creek and then followed each other all the way there. The kids loved that we stopped at a fish hatchery that Brad knew about on the way there. Of course they were starving so we headed to Groveland to stop at a park and picnic there before entering Yosemite. Tom and I decided not to allow food to be eaten in the car due to the bear situation in Yosemite. Mom, Emily, Kelly and Macie all saw a little bear in the camp. Mom got pictures of course I did not. I'm sure I was either feeding someone or trying to get someone to take a nap. The children had the time of their lives which makes all the work of going on the trip worth it. Sunday evening before dinner we took a bus ride around the valley. According to Julia this was her favorite of the whole trip. Matthew loved climbing a rock that was near our cabin. Thomas loved going rafting and Macie like seeing Yosemite Falls. By the way that is all I saw of the valley this trip due to having 5 kids that needed to be fed, napped, or taken to the swimming pool. I loved it though. Monday everyone went rafting and Dad stayed back with me to help me with Julia, Matthew, and Henry. We saw the gang come down the river from Sentinel Bridge. Tuesday we took a hike to Yosemite Falls and saw beautiful scenery. There was a fire nearby and the valley was full of smoke. Every pretty sight we saw was just a little hazy. The Hunkins went to Vernal Falls and then we all went to the Awahnee to have a drink. The Hay Gang had 2 yummy drinks one was even called the Awahnee Dream. What fun. Emily, Ali and Ashley had to go home Tuesday evening and we went to eat Hamburgers and fries. The kids got ice-cream and watched the nightly show in the amphitheater. We went swimming everyday in the pool at Curry Village. Henry even got in. Matthew had a very special private swim lesson with Auntie and he is surprisingly happy in the water. We packed up and came home on Wednesday. We were all sad to see Yosemite go, but know that we will be back. Macie even spent some of her hard earned money at Yosemite. She loved being able to do that. The Gang, of course, couldn't make it all the way home without stopping so we fixed a picnic and ate at the Groveland park. Henry was very happy to get home where he could crawl around to his heart's content. You see we had to keep him pretty much locked up the whole trip because of all the hazards that camping brings. Sticks, dirt, leaves all seam to end up in the mouth. Here are some of my favorite shots of the trip. Enjoy!
Matthew became quite the rock climber.
Everyone just loved rafting.The kids at Yosemite Falls.Emily and Julia at the famous Awahnee Fireplace.
Thomas enjoying the Awahnee Dream.
Scary Matthew.The Hay Gang.
Julia's dirty little foot on the way home. I'm not sure how much dirt I cleaned off of people during our stay, but this is the most I saw at one time. :)