Dinner & Camping (Probably My Longest Post Ever)

Father's Day Dinner
Ben & Anna hosted the Father's Day Dinner on Monday following the actual Father's Day. We had pork chops, mashed potatoes, gravy, etc., plus homemade ice cream as requested by my Dad. Afterwards, there was the usual Wii action. My mom got in on it and loved it. Here she is doing it while my Dad watches (rare photo since my Dad usually won't take pictures.)

For those who don't know my mom, she is quiet. Most people think it's because she's shy. She's not shy, just quiet and reserved. However, she knows how to have fun and jump right into a game.

Little Miss Tara trying her hand at tennis. Notice Brynne keeping a close watch on Katelynn.

Anna asked Brynne if she'd like to help bathe Katelynn and she was thrilled at the chance.

Katelynn all clean. She's such a cutie! She's her mother's spittin' image.

Red's Meadow

Kevin's parents camp at Red's Meadow every year. It's a small camping area just west of Mammoth mountain. We took the northern route thru Yosemite and over Tioga Pass this time and loved it. Much nicer of a drive (and shorter!) than the southern route. As you will soon see, we took a ton of pictures.

Half Dome in Yosemite

I couldn't get over how blue the sky was. Gorgeous!

Ellery Lake

This area reminded me of the land of desolation since there were so many huge logs laying all over like bones or something. But obviously much prettier.

Picture taken by Tara from the backseat. This valley we entered on the Tioga Pass made you feel about this big (imagine me holding my fingers up about 1 inch apart).

Each time you walked to the restroom, we walked over this little bridge. Brynne would run to the little ledge to watch the water fall out of the conduit. She loved looking at it.

The first day we were there, we got to visit with Cara (Kevin's sister) and her boyfriend Paul. This is the reader's group.

Brynne was upset that she had to do something I asked her to do. This is what she did. Normally, she would be in big trouble for sticking her tongue out at me. But I couldn't help laugh at the situation and couldn't keep a straight face, which made her even more mad. How can someone so cute be that upset?

Now that Tara & Brynne see their parents taking pictures so frequently, they want to join in the fun. This is Brynne making me laugh as she's taking my picture at the campfire.

Ben (Kevin's brother) gives us a demonstration of his craftiness as he makes his own flies for fly fishing.

Kevin's parents and Kevin, going on a mini hike to Sotcher Lake.

Ben took Tara & Brynne fly fishing with him to Sotcher Lake, their first time fishing. So cute!

Pretty water and blue sky at Sotcher Lake.

Ben & Kevin fly fishing.

Kevin with the girls hiking up the little hill by our campsite.

The lumberjacks chopping the wood.

Kris Duggan, Evaun, Kevin, & I helping complete a 1000-piece puzzle.

Brynne begged and pleaded for Kevin to take her training wheels off (this is the 3rd time in the last year she's asked and everytime Kevin does it, she ends up wanting them back on). So we had to make sure her interest in learning to ride without them on was real. She saw all the other kids riding around without them and I think it motivated her. With a 20-minute practice session with Daddy, SHE GOT IT!

High tens with Daddy to celebrate her accomplishment!

The committe in deliberation (Brynne in the middle with her cousins Raia & Evan on each side).

Bradon (another cousin) attempts to feed one of the chickarees a peanut.

Look at how stoked he is when it worked.

Mark & Brynne visiting the Duggans. Tim & Kris Duggan were so fun and comical to visit with.

Brynne just riding along as an official 2-wheeler. Kevin is more than pleased to see her take off on her own.

I can't get enough blue sky and clouds.

The group going on a hike to Rainbow Falls.

Me and my sweetie pie.

Can you imagine being so good as a photographer that an entire region of national forest is named after you? Wow, what an honor for good old, inspirational Ansel!

Finally made it! Aren't the falls beautiful?

See the two rainbows?

We're heading back to the trailhead. You can see Mammoth Mountain in the distant and the forest is still recovering from the fire it experienced 17 years ago.

The 1000-piece puzzle finished. It only took 3 straight days. Kris did most of the work and the rest of us helped here and there.

On the morning we left, it began to sprinkle. It was so wierd to think we were enjoying 50-60 degree weather when it was over 100 at home. The weather was pretty much perfect the entire time...just wish there were fewer mosquitos. I can dream, right???

Starkweather Lake (the fisherman really like this lake)

Look at all that snow that's still here and it's June! Things are so different at a 10,000 foot elevation.

This is Ben-ville (referring to my brother). This is also known as Mammoth Lakes or the city of Mammoth. I don't know anyone who like to ski, snowboard, mountain bike, and rock climb as much as my brother. He's pretty hard core. I told him he should be the mayor of this city. I just saw his name everywhere I looked, LOL!

Tara and Brynne loved the Mammoth sculpture.

Climbing wall

I cracked up to see they even had a "Sports School." If Ben wasn't elected mayor, he could at least be the principal here.

This is definitely Ben's playground.

An earthquake fault....scary and interesting all at the same time.

Tioga pass again where you feel an inch big.

Loved the contrasting colors of this one.

Loving my clouds and blue sky again.

Ellery Lake on the way back home.

Tuolumne Meadows

This was a huge rock mountain. I think it was "Pothole Dome." The little specks are people. Again, my brothers would love this mountain.

Ellery Lake again.

Half Dome in the distance.

Merced River on the Yosemite Valley floor.

Bridalveil Falls.

El Capitan (on the left) & Half Dome in the distance.

Alas, home sweet home! And if you made it this far, congratulations and thanks for reading! :-)