California.

Last week we went to California for our first official family vacation.  Of course we've been on trips and the like - but they were always to a family reunion or something like that.  This was our first ever trip that wasn't related to anything else but fun.  We went to Capitola, California and it was wonderful.  Here are some pictures from the trip.  I went 99% film on these - except for a shot in Muir Woods that I couldn't get with my 50mm lens so I had to use my digital camera. I still have some things to learn about film - even though I was consistently shooting 3 stops over they are still a little underexposed.  Oh well, there is always next time.  So, here goes with the LONGEST post EVER...

Since Capitola is on Monterrey Bay the mornings were chilly and misty.  Our first morning there we went and explored the town and the dock.   The mist was actually really beautiful and created such a soft light.  Perfect weather to take pictures of one-legged pigeons.

Once afternoon arrived the mist would burn off and leave you with PERFECT weather - and I mean perfect.  So, of course we'd set up camp at the beach!

It was wonderful.  The next morning we headed out early to explore the tide pools at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz.  Tide Pools are full of sea life that's right at your fingertips.  They're always worth a visit.

After that we headed over to the touristy Mystery Spot in the redwoods above Santa Cruz.  It IS a tourist trap but it's worth every penny.  I won't reveal too much about the mystery except that it's really cool and fun.

On our final day in California we went to San Francisco and it lived up to all the hype.  It was beautiful and interesting and colorful and dreamy.  I hope we get to visit there again some day.  For lunch we ate in Chinatown and to my surprise my kids GOBBLED up their totally authentic Chinese cuisine.   After lunch we rode a street car across town only to find out it was a one way trip so we had to hoof it back across town.  Even though none of use planned on walking a few miles across the city it was a great way to really see and experience San Fran - and it's never ending hills!

After the city we drove across the Golden Gate Bride - which was hidden in a beautiful chilly mist and drove up to Muir Woods.  My old friend Lindsay and her darling boys met us there and we walked through one of the most beautiful places on earth.  Though I wish we could have stayed longer than we did, our two tired babies were done so we ate some amazing food, said our goodbyes, and headed back to Capitola.

On our way home in order to spread the 13 hour drive over two days we stayed in Reno at a casino.  The boys loved it and thought we were staying in the lap of luxury.  It was fun and was the perfect way to end a beautiful week.

McCall of the Wild...

After the Fourth Mike had to head back to Utah for work while the rest of the family headed up to McCall for the week.  McCall is a beautiful mountain town two hours north of Boise. It's where Mike and I honeymooned and where his family gathers almost every year for a family reunion.  It was a beautiful week with cool weather and lots of rest and relaxation.  But we sure missed Mike.

While we were there everyone got together for a little letterboxing.  Ever heard of it?  Letterboxing is essentially hiking to hidden boxes according to a set of clues you find online.  The box contains a stamp and a book.  You bring along a stamp for your family and stamp it and your name and the date in the book from the box - and use their stamp to put in your own book.  It's really fun and there are letterboxing sites all over the world.

While in McCall we mostly hung out - playing games, watching movies, and reading but the main attraction is Lake Payette... One evening we went late in the afternoon when everyone else had cleared out.  While everyone took turns on the boat we watched the sunset, challenged each other to swimming contests, and built sand castles - it was dreamy.  I love swimming in cold lakes and then sitting on warm sand with a sweat shirt over my swimsuit.  It really doesn't get much better than that.

In the end, the trip wouldn't have been possible if I didn't have such awesome in-laws. Not having Mike on a trip is hard but everyone was always so helpful and gracious. Especially Jodi, whose husband also had to get back to work. We were like sister wives...  Thanks everyone!

God Bless America - or How I Spent My Independence Day

I really don't know if the Fourth of July could be much more American than it is at my in-laws house in Boise, Idaho.  We usually get up early and head over to the church pancake breakfast - listening to a great program on freedom while eating way too many pancakes.  Once we head home the rest of the day is spent decorating bikes for their street's parade, swimming, jumping on the trampoline(crack the egg, anyone?), as well as all sorts of general fun.  In the evening their street does their very own parade - with decorated bikes, cars, motorcycles, and this year we even had a police car!  It's really a dream come true for the boys.  Afterwards we start with our sparklers and smaller fireworks - though the true show is across the street.  Mike's childhood friend, Evan Green, puts on THE best pyrotechnic show you've ever seen.  He dresses from head to toe in black - drenches himself with water - turns on some sweet tunes - and dances with firework nun-chucks.  It rocks.  Every year he becomes my kid's hero all over again.  So, that was a lot of talk... how about some pictures?

So, thanks for hosting us so graciously every year, Billy and Sandra.  This is the making of some seriously happy memories for my family.