YOSEMITE WITH OPRAH

YOSEMITE

It was AWESOME. We picked the kids up from school early on Friday and headed up to Yosemite(my favorite place to be in the whole wide world). We had no idea what was in store for us. So get this.

• 6:10 pm ~ I get a text from Gretchen's teacher, Renae. "Oprah's in Yosemite this weekend too! Camping!"
• 7:30 pm ~ Tent finally set up and dinner dishes done.
• 8:00 pm~ We set out on foot to see Oprah's campsite.
• 8:10 pm ~ We got swooped into Oprah's campsite where the kids were set down right next her. We meet Oprah and Gayle and listened to Shelton Johnson tell stories about the Buffalo Soilders.
• 8:45 pm ~ Shelton leaves and we proceed to hang out with Oprah, while 5 camera men zoom in on the action. We talked about camping, how long we've been campers, how to put a s'more together, and enjoyed her campfire.
• 9:15 pm ~ We sign release waivers while thinking...DID THIS JUST HAPPEN?
• 9:20 pm ~ Say good night to Oprah and Gayle.

We still can't believe we hung out with Oprah and roasted marshmallows with her. Although the kids can't quite grasp the magnitude of the entire ordeal(all they cared about were how big the marshmallows were), we know how incredibly awesome that experience was.

I couldn't get very many pictures in, because the production crew asked we put our cameras away, but here is the best shot.

Ray in the green sweatshirt, Gretchie next to him, our friend Cayden next to Oprah, and then Gayle! It really did happen, folks.

Although Oprah was a considerable high for our Yosemite trip, there were many more things that solidify why I love Yosemite so much.

The view of Half Dome from our campsite.

Meadow by Sentinel Beach.

I love the timer feature on our camera. We are standing on the foot bridge, crossing the Merced River, heading into Lower Yosemite Falls. We have talked about this trail for years, but this was the first time we've been on it. It was such a neat bike ride. A little long, but good.

We got rained out. =( Our tent only had a few minor leaks, but it put a damper on our usual hikes.

We had SUCH an amazing visit. We were told this particular "Oprah's 1st camping trip" episode, will air Nov. 1st! You better believe, we'll be watching. Hope we don't end up on the cutting room floor.

I have issues...

I have issues...

Just look at the contents of my purse!!! Something is wrong with me. Why must I carry around all of this?!

Summer luvin...

Let the summer fun begin!!!!

School is OUT!!! We have graduated from Preschool and completed Kindergarten...so let the summer fun begin! First on the agenda was a day trip to my most favorite place in the whole wide world. Yosemite in June is a little slice of heaven. Water water everywhere. Raymond rode around Yosemite Valley on his bike with no training wheels and never crashed once. He's getting so big and we love how he constantly likes to throw things in like this..."Only big 1st graders can do that, huh mom?!"

We may live in the central valley where the concrete will melt your tootsies on a hot summer day, but we are so close to some of the coolest and most beautiful places. Next up was working on the backyard. My backyard is by far my haven in the summer. This year I slacked on getting my garden planted on time, but we still have a few beauties to show off.

My beautiful Fuschia.

For months, we had a camping trip planned with our friends from church. We couldn't wait to get up on the lake and enjoy time with other families. It was all we could have asked for and more, EXCEPT we got bombarded with red ants and hot temps. It was fun while it lasted though.

And might I add, the wave runner has never run better!!

We had fun, but like I said, red ants are not my favorite, especially when they are covering your pillow. Not only do we enjoy camping, but we get to take day trips up to Shaver and spend time with family on the party barge.

A few days later, our cousin Maggie flew in from Oregon and guess where we went the next day..

We went up to Shaver to spend time on the lake, of course. For how many miles separate Maggie and Gretchen, it's amazing to me how much love they have for each other.

We were so excited the fam came down to celebrate the 4th with us. Ray was ALL ABOUT the fireworks, but Gretchen liked them only from afar.

We've got a little over a month of summer luvin left. We've got a camping trip planned, Gretchen's 5th birthday, a trip to the central coast to visit and celebrate birthdays with Troy's side of the family and much much more. I heart summer.

A RIGHT OF PASSAGE

ALONE TIME

When you have children, so much in your life changes. Grocery story visits go from a simple task to something you have to psyche your self up to do. By the time you get home with the groceries and the two kids you feel like you've ran a marathon. Taking a shower requires a well thought out plan, and I am the first to admit that I have gone several days without bathing because I was worried the baby would wake up and I wouldn't hear him/her cry. Making a doctor's appointment requires getting a babysitter because having your 3 year old with you for your annual gynecologist appointment isn't appropriate. I can not say fruit salad without saying YUMMY YUMMY after it, etc. etc. Basically, when you become a Mom you devote the majority of your time to your kids. I am no different. I LIVE for my kids. They have done more for me than they will ever know and I cherish every second I get with them. I wish they knew how much I appreciate them, but I think they will eventually realize that in due time. I know I am a good Mom and I go to bed every night knowing I have given them 100 percent of the time they deserve. They are GREAT kids and I'm so very proud of them. They are good listeners, best friends, smart, FUNNY, respectful, a joy to be around, and they are PERFECT.

So this year was the year that Raymond started Kindergarten and Gretchen started preschool. For the first time in nearly 6 years I was going to be ALONE. Ray has been in preschool for two years so he's no rookie to school and being dropped off and saying good bye. It was Gretchen(mama's girl) who I was worried about. She did fine. SEE YA!!! It was bitter sweet, but all in all I was sooooo proud of her, because being away from me is not her cup of tea. We must have prepared her enough.

What I didn't prepare for was this empty feeling I would have once they were both gone. I'm sure it can't compare to a parent experiencing an empty nest, but it felt weird. I don't think the reality of it hit me for about a week. I went from lonely to OVERJOYED. I really feel like it was my RIGHT OF PASSAGE. I totally earned this. It's like social security. I'm getting my check. GET IT? I am able to send them to school knowing they are GREAT kids and I can RELAX. I can go to the grocery store ALONE. I can watch a movie of MY choice WITHOUT interruption. I can make a doctor's appointment without having to get a babysitter. I can do my homework, and wrap beads, and do the yard work, and go to Starbucks, and read a book, and SO MUCH MORE. It's been AMAZING and it's only 3 hours a day. I love being able to do all these things, but oddly enough,,,,I can't wait to volunteer in their classrooms. I'm crazy right?!?!

Getting my feet wet.

I'm new to the things of the "blog" world. I'm not a fan of doing things outside of my comfort zone, but I occasionally like to try new things. I grew up in the Sierra Nevada mountains. I was lucky to be surrounded by the beautiful world God created and I certainly understood how fortunate I was. I don't live there now, but I live close enough to enjoy it today. I take our kids there and encourage them to,,,,get their feet wet. I realize they won't be able to experience the entire aspect of living in a mountain town, but I am grateful for the opportunity to introduce them to my ROOTS. So these last few months of summer we've been able to enjoy spending time up on the lake and taking rides on the boat. Raymond caught his first fish,,,and although he would NOT touch it,,, it was a proud moment for me. One of those things neither he nor I will forget. There's something so very cool about reeling a fish in,,,and to be able to see that enjoyment on his face was awesome.