Yosemite

We packed up and headed north to visit Yosemite for 4 days in August!

Car was loaded and ready

We stayed at the housekeeping camp.  Tent like camping but it had 3 concrete walls with a canvas to close at night and beds so there was no sleeping on the floor. A full size bed and bunk beds.  Dave and Sydney ended up in the full and Cole and I were in the bottom bunk. 

Outside our tent - tons of space... and dirt :) 

There was great shade and each tent had a picnic table and fire pit - the only place in Yosemite that still allows fires. 

Not much more room left!

When we arrived Cole was a bit under the weather. Had a high fever and was so sleepy.  We rested while daddy and Sydney unpacked.  Thankfully, after tylenol and a nap, he was a new boy!

Nap time

Nani and Poppa were in Mammoth for a few days but met us up in Yosemite :)  We had a tent right next to each other and were so thankful they were there with us!

Nani was very patient and did french braids in Sydney's hair

These tree stumps were so wonderful to have right outside our camp

Lots of jumping

See the deer???

Nani and kids looking at deer

Nani & Poppa with kiddos outside visitors center

Playing in the tee-pee

Snack break

Kids doing the balance beam with half-dome in the background.  

Spectacular!

Cole was done with pics by this point.  We had been biking for awhile and were almost back to our camp.  He was not happy about taking a picture!

Sydney was excited though :) 

Poppa had a great idea and put him on his head for a picture - all of a sudden, Cole was all about the photos.

Bike riding

River right by our campsite

Kiddos walking to our campsite

More deer :) 

Smores :) 

The second day we took the park shuttle a few stops and tried a hike to the only water that was still flowing in the park - Vernal Falls. 

Poppa giving Cole a ride to the trailhead

Daddy & Syd getting ready to hike

Love!

Poppa & Cole

Nani & Sydney skipping to the start

Cole found a good walking stick so we were off

Having fun on rocks

Rest stop

Sweet girl.

Sydney and Cole had the best rides

Boys

Poppa, Nani, Laura, Dave

Cole, Sydney

Almost done!

Finishing the vernal falls hike

He fell asleep on the shuttle ride home!

Happy hour and card playing

More Smores!

Hot cocoa by the river

Cole 

3 1/2

Fishing

The kids were fishing and all of a sudden we spotted 4 deer across the river eating and drinking!

wow!!!

Taken by Sydney!

"Whoa!  This is freezing!"

Cooling off

No zoom - this deer walked right in front of our campsite!

Playing cards

Happy & dirty boy

Dave and I snuck away for a bike ride one afternoon during rest time.  This was our view during the bike ride... 

Outside our camp when we got back - Poppa asleep and Nani was reading while kids were inside tent not sleeping :)

Sweet boy braving the cold water

Playing in the river

Cole looking at the little fish

Nani putting Syd in the tube

Crazy girl - this water was SO cold

Lounging in the FREEZING river with beautiful scenery

Half-dome - you don't disappoint

Yum!

Cole & Poppa trying to catch a big fish

Syd and Daddy

They had a ranger talk/toddler story time.

Each child got to make a ranger hat about something in the forest. Sydney drew herself pregnant with a baby in her belly.   Hahaha!

Thankfully the only black bear we saw the entire trip

Fun by the fire

Until next time, half-dome... 

Panoramic view while on our way out.

Such a great trip!

8 loads of laundry... but happy to be home!