Haka Lu Hepyo

Camping over Memorial Day was a kick for us.  Mark had been stalking weather patterns for days leading up to it, and noted the 30% chance of intermittent showers.  Taking the gamble, we headed up the 4 to our destination.  It POURED!  Not only that, but as we drew nearer, it snowed.  Oh our glorious 1973 Starcraft Stardust Swinger!  I could not be more grateful for that beast of a tent trailer.  The heat inside was lovely as we listened to the rain tapping on the aluminum.  And we had such fun playing in the fresh snow powder at Alpine Lake.  Sunday cleared up and delivered a lovely day at Big Trees followed by an astounding clear starlit evening and a beautiful outdoor breakfast this morning.  What made it all the: free showers!  This was a sweet indulgence for us and made it that much better.

We had a great time.  Judah of course, in typical fashion, cried in bed this evening, sad that it was over and Daddy has to go back to work.  I reminded him that the Lord wants us to live well in the everyday, punctuated by wonderful carefree times, but not defined by them-- until we get to heaven.

Here are some pics.

On the way...

Campsite

Such a comfy sleeping position on the way.

My sweet Boop.

Booper had to wait in the tent-trailer while we set up camp.  Like a prisoner.

Mark and Boop in the snow.

All was fun-- until the kids got frozen hands from throwing snowballs.  There was a chorus of crying in the car as we left, and Judah kept pointing out "my hands are SO painful!"  After about five minutes, their hands felt better and again, our oldest said, "I can't wait to call Grammom to tell her about my hands."  Haddie and Ezzy then chimed in that they couldn't wait, either.  Not about the snow- about their freezing hands.  Weird.

Judah in my reading glasses (another sign of my age).

The Stanislaus River down our campsite trail.

The kids got to do lots of bike-riding and Judah even learned to ride without training wheels.  

Not quite ready for a bike.  This car, meant for 12-18 month-olds is still a fan favorite of all of our kids.  

A few giant sequoias looming large, overhead.

I love this pic that Mark took of a Chickaree.

These pics of the Giant Sequoias does not even do justice to the enormity of these majestic trees!

The walk through the Big Trees was beautiful.  The kids here are running the trail surrounded by Pacific Dogwoods (some of which still had their large blooms) and various conifers.  It was really pretty.

Eating dinner in the trailer.