We just got back from a 2 night camping trip to Yosemite with our homegroup (minus 2 families that were missed mucho). We had a great time and here are some pictures to prove it. Yosemite is so amazingly beautiful. It doesn't matter how many times I've been there, I'm still amazed at God's creation. I was reminded of this verse as we were driving into the valley. Psalms 125:1-2 "Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which sits unmoved forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, the LORD surrounds his people now and forever." Seeing how the mountains were surrounding us gave a good visual image of this verse.
Josiah's first camping trip. He seemed to enjoy himself. It will be even better when he's walking. We had to keep him contained a lot of the time, which he didn't like. He's a natural outdoors man.
This is the only BEAR I saw...Kylie Bear. Pretty cute don't you think? Her mommy saw a bear early in the morning near our camp site though. I think I'd like to see a real one but I know I'd be scared. We thought it was funny that Josiah looked like a hunter and Kylie a bear.
So, we weren't exactly roughing it. Look at that breakfast...pancakes with strawberries and whip cream.
Janet enjoying a squash soup lunch.
Todd with Kylie
We tried to all go on a hike down to the river our first morning but as you'll see in the next picture...
This maneuver didn't work out so well. This was taken seconds before Tori fell off the log into the water. She didn't get hurt just wet. We did have dry clothes in our backpack but she was embarrassed so we sent the group ahead of us but...we forgot to ask where they were going. We ended up wandering around the forest and river with Tori in wet clothes (she refused to change). We had a nice time though but we missed the group. We eventually met up back at the camp.
Later that day Jeff took Siah on a bike ride (yes, under that pink helmet is Josiah). He loved it and then fell asleep. Tori enjoyed the bikes as well.
Later in the day we went rock climbing. Even our youngest campers got into it.
Josiah actually sat with Jen the entire time...for those of you that know his personality you know he doesn't sit with anyone for very long. He's too busy!
Next generation of rock climber.
I made it up the rock too. Tori was below screaming and not watching because she thought it was too dangerous. I had to make it to the top to prove that it wasn't. Thanks Janet and Naomi for helping us climb. (They're amazing rock climbers...they've done Half Dome...yes, the face! El Capitan too!)
After Tori explained why she was having a fit about me climbing we talked about safety and she decided she'd like to climb a rock on her own. So she did. She's a determined little thing.
We brought scooters for Caleb and Tori. They had a lot of fun with them. They also enjoyed kicking the soccer ball and playing on the rocks and in the tent. Tori said her favorite thing was the marshmallows and riding a bus for the first time.
Headlamps on a kid are really helpful. She wasn't afraid of the dark at all.
Pondering life from the tent. We thought she looked like a little contemplative turtle.
It was cold so we brought nearly every blanket in the house, really warm jammies and hats. It was pretty cozy. The kids slept decent. Tori had a battery powered candle as a nightlight and she asked to go to bed each night because she loved sleeping in the tent so much.
Part of our group on Sunday went to the Indian Village before heading home.
A cracker war was started by Jeff while we were waiting at this bridge. He actually threw a cracker from our truck and it went into Janet and Naomi's open window...then it was ON! Crackers were flying everywhere and pegging the targets pretty good. Ah, GOOD TIMES! We'll definitely go camping again. Hopefully for longer next time. (Jen, your Jeep looked good in Yosemite).
On the way up to go camping we stopped to visit Nana. She hasn't been able to see the kids very often so it was great to get together. Tori and Josiah both did well on our quick stop over. We sure are glad that you're feeling better Nana. We Love you!
This is the only BEAR I saw...Kylie Bear. Pretty cute don't you think? Her mommy saw a bear early in the morning near our camp site though. I think I'd like to see a real one but I know I'd be scared. We thought it was funny that Josiah looked like a hunter and Kylie a bear.So, we weren't exactly roughing it. Look at that breakfast...pancakes with strawberries and whip cream.Janet enjoying a squash soup lunch.Todd with KylieWe tried to all go on a hike down to the river our first morning but as you'll see in the next picture...This maneuver didn't work out so well. This was taken seconds before Tori fell off the log into the water. She didn't get hurt just wet. We did have dry clothes in our backpack but she was embarrassed so we sent the group ahead of us but...we forgot to ask where they were going. We ended up wandering around the forest and river with Tori in wet clothes (she refused to change). We had a nice time though but we missed the group. We eventually met up back at the camp. Later that day Jeff took Siah on a bike ride (yes, under that pink helmet is Josiah). He loved it and then fell asleep. Tori enjoyed the bikes as well.Later in the day we went rock climbing. Even our youngest campers got into it.
Josiah actually sat with Jen the entire time...for those of you that know his personality you know he doesn't sit with anyone for very long. He's too busy!Next generation of rock climber.I made it up the rock too. Tori was below screaming and not watching because she thought it was too dangerous. I had to make it to the top to prove that it wasn't. Thanks Janet and Naomi for helping us climb. (They're amazing rock climbers...they've done Half Dome...yes, the face! El Capitan too!)
After Tori explained why she was having a fit about me climbing we talked about safety and she decided she'd like to climb a rock on her own. So she did. She's a determined little thing. We brought scooters for Caleb and Tori. They had a lot of fun with them. They also enjoyed kicking the soccer ball and playing on the rocks and in the tent. Tori said her favorite thing was the marshmallows and riding a bus for the first time.Headlamps on a kid are really helpful. She wasn't afraid of the dark at all.
Pondering life from the tent. We thought she looked like a little contemplative turtle.
It was cold so we brought nearly every blanket in the house, really warm jammies and hats. It was pretty cozy. The kids slept decent. Tori had a battery powered candle as a nightlight and she asked to go to bed each night because she loved sleeping in the tent so much.
Part of our group on Sunday went to the Indian Village before heading home.
A cracker war was started by Jeff while we were waiting at this bridge. He actually threw a cracker from our truck and it went into Janet and Naomi's open window...then it was ON! Crackers were flying everywhere and pegging the targets pretty good. Ah, GOOD TIMES! We'll definitely go camping again. Hopefully for longer next time. (Jen, your Jeep looked good in Yosemite). On the way up to go camping we stopped to visit Nana. She hasn't been able to see the kids very often so it was great to get together. Tori and Josiah both did well on our quick stop over. We sure are glad that you're feeling better Nana. We Love you! 
Mimi & Papa
Cupcake time
Happy 1 year old...priceless
We were able to give him a bike...that we needed to fix but we got it for free. Thanks McConnells! He loves it. We do too.
Thanks to all our friends and family for making his birthday extra special. He loves all of his new toys and clothes. Tori thanks you for all the new toys too. She loved "helping" him unwrap his gifts.
