Disneyland 2009

Our third annual trip to Disneyland with our great friends the Peterson's. Amazingly, I have no pictures with them. We went a day early and I guess we got pictured out???? We did the two day Disneyland/California Adventure hopper pass and had a blast. Stayed in the Disneyland Hotel which was a new adventure also as well as the fun of having Brandon along who had never been to California Adventure before. It was beautiful weather and so much fun.
We ate breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen the first morning which was really fun. Very pricey for a buffet but we had fun with Chip and Dale, Jasmine and dancing with Goofy. Along Disney walk, Brandon drooled over the Lego store. Still into all that, at his age.... We watched fireworks, rode our favorite rides (our favorites: Indiana Jones, Pirates, California Scream'in, Soarin California, Tower of Terror, Peter Pan and Haunted Mansion) as well as a little nostalgia like the carousel and the Dumbo ride! We stayed up late and giggled in the hotel room before sleeping and had an awesome time!

October day trip...#2

We had so much fun in the mountains last week that we decided to go again. Unfortunately only Bethany and I could go. We decided to go to Crystal Cave. The hike down to the entrance was about half a mile long and it was a beautiful sunny day. There were lots of little waterfalls all along the trail. We had a wonderful time and a picnic lunch before driving home again. I have found that I love to drive the winding roads....quite fun!
Below is the picture at the entrance of the cave. They said it is alway a cool 48 degrees whether it is summer or winter. It was discovered in 1918 and opened to the public in 1940. They said there are many many more caves that have been and are being discovered throughout the park. Crystal Cave is in Marble Ridge. Beautiful !!!

There is an underground river that runs through the cave. It smelled so fresh but I bet it was very cold! We went on the regular tour. A 45 minute guided tour. We both decided we want to try the "Wild Cave Tour" that is longer and you spend more time climbing around in the cave.

This is just one of the pictures of inside the cave. What was once muddy sea deposits, quartzite, and sand all mixed into what they call schist, was then metamorphosed by the heat and pressure of the mountain building process. The different rooms and spaces along the path were amazing. There were so many shapes and ripples and shapes.

More waterfalls. I love them!!!

October Day trip...

I have needed to get out of town and do something other than work. Decided to find some adventure in my own "backyard." The kids and I got up in the morning and headed off to Kings Canyon National Park. It was a beautiful day and the drive was fun. I love listening to my girls sing songs in the truck and listening to the three of them laughing and joking. We had sunshine, beautiful fall colors and fresh air to enjoy.
It was fun to be surrounded by all the tall trees. This is my favorite pictures from the trip.

I also love waterfalls. We pulled off the side of the road not long after entering the park and climbed down to explore. I could have spent the afternoon here.

This was the Sentinel Tree. The Giant Sequoias are awesome. I think the last time we were here was when the kids were very young. They are so huge, I had to stand way back and still couldn't really get the whole picture.

On the way back down we stopped at Hospital Rock and climbed all around in the rocks by the river. I have always loved hiking and climbing over, under and around rocks. The girls are sitting in a "cave" we found that was really cool. We think that probably when the winter run-off is going and the river is high it is filled with water. So much fun!

We stopped several times on the way back down the mountain to view the scenery. There are supposed to 11 peaks to view from this one spot. I imagine it would have to be a totally clear day but it was fun to look. The pictures don't do the real thing justice!

Day trip continued...

All Taylor could talk about was that she wanted to see a bear. I did not think that would really be a good idea. She would have to settle for all the little squirrels we saw running around.

Then amazing as it was, we were coming back up the trail from the General Sherman Tree and down off the path there was bear just meandering along pawing at the ground and downed trees. I know I said I didn't think it would be a good idea but it was amazing! Taylor spent the rest of the walk back trying to tell the people we passed about there being a bear up ahead. Unfortunately we think most of them spoke other languages because she mostly just got odd looks. It was however fairly entertaining for us to watch her!

We ended the day with lunch in the back of the truck. Don't know what exactly Brandon was doing here but the food was really good. We had a lot of fun and plan to go back again soon.

September 3, 2009

I know after the last several posts you were expecting another post about New York. Actually this one is about something far more important. My son has enlisted in the United States AirForce. He had been thinking and investigating the different military options and had decided on AirForce. He actually left for the physical/medical testing the day before I left for NYC and when finished they swore him in right then and there. Now it is just a wait for a date of departure!

New York-post 7

I love architecture and texture and colors...New York City has so much of all of that. So many monuments and buildings to see. I could go back to just wander and look some more!

This is one of my favorite pictures I took. We had alread been to the top of the Empire State Building (thank goodness for elevators) which was awesome. The view 360° around the city and also the extra look from the top observatory! We were then on our way to check out Macy's and I saw this view of the Chrysler Building. Love it!!!

Washington Square Arch. One of the many monuements and statues. Supposedly there is a secret door somewhere in it. It was in a beautiful park with all the usual street vendors, musicians, etc...

I loved all the water-marking on this building!

St. Patrick's Cathedral...love all the detail and it was interesting to wander the old cemetery that was on the grounds next to the church. We were able to go inside and look and it was neat but very uncomfortable when we discovered there was a wedding going on! Weird to see all the people in there talking and taking pictures when something like that was taking place up in the front!

Just a view to see how small I am in comparison! Sometimes it seemed like the buildings were closing in around you. Still amazing. I love all the views, and shapes and colors but definately love the open space at home without all the tall buildings around.

New York-post 6 Sunday...

Sunday we went to church. We had an adventurous ride in a taxi to get there which was weird in and of itself to pay to get to church. And not my five minute door to door trip here at home. You can't see in the picture, but just above the door is a marble plaque which says The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Other than that, the building looks just like all the other brownstones and brick buildings along that block. Inside it all felt and looked familiar...though we did ride an elevator to the fourth floor where the chapel was. It was testimony meeting. It is nice to go so far from home and be able to have something...the gospel...there so familiar.
We had hoped to go to the Temple while here but it was closed for cleaning so we just got to see the outside.

We were looking for the address for the Temple and looking at street signs and when we looked up one time, there it was. Right at the corner of a busy intersection. This is a better view as we crossed the street and came down a block. The first picture I took (which frustrating enough, won't load for me) you could see better how the building blends in. The angel Moroni was "hidden" in the building structure of the building across the street. I love the one way sign that point to the name on the building. So interesting to be in the middle of the city and have no grounds around the Temple to enjoy.

Sunday we also spent our day wandering some of the museums. So many paintings and so many things to see. I think you could spend a whole week in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum. It was amazing to see up close paintings that I have heard and read about my whole life...Matisse, Picasso, Michaelangelo, Vincent van Gogh.... Above was one of my favorites, Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh.

Another one I have seen pictures of several times but did not know who had done it. It is "The Boulevard Montmartre on a Winter Morning" by Camille Pissaro. I liked several of his paintings.