Soccer

We survived another soccer season!  It's such a crazy time of year - going from the kids & I being off to being so busy with back-to-school/work, homework (Cameron's 5th grade homework is approx. 90 min a night) and soccer season.  We have 4 games and 2 practices a week which is a lot!  It's all so worth it though.  Both boys had a great season.

Cooper's team was undefeated the entire season including the Harvest Cup which is the tournament at the end of the season.  Cooper is an amazing soccer player.  He scored several (he thinks at least 8) goals over the season and often had the coach asking us "what'd you feed this kid?"

Here is Cooper getting busy on the field.  I think the kid behind him should for sure take ballet class if he doesn't already!

 Cameron got "drafted" by a different team this year.  We were kind-of taken back at first because he has had the same coaches for several years as well as the same kids on his team.  We then realized it was a good thing to get a new coaching perspective and to play with new kids.  He embraced it.  He scored a few goals over the season and played great as a mid-fielder.  His team did great - this picture below is them celebrating their 2nd place regular season standing.  Cameron is standing in front of the coach.

 Now this was some celebrating ...Cameron's team beat out an undefeated team to take 1st in the Harvest Cup.  It was a huge upset and even the other teams were celebrating for Cameron's team. You can see how stoked they were!

 Cameron with his swag.  2nd in the season, 1st in the tournement

Cameron's team celebrating the win.  He is back row 2nd from the left.

Here we are on the way to the Harvest Cup.  Cooper likes to bring some intimidation!

 Cooper & his trophy. Undefeated!

So now what are we going to do with all of our spare time?  Must be time to go riding.

Random

Eddie, Billy & I went to a wedding a couple of weekends ago.  It was a "no kids allowed" affair so we had a grown up day!  We had a bunch of fun (but ugh had a headache the next day)!

 Random shot of this blimp flying overhead.  I guess it was on it's final mission but don't know many details.  I do remember my mom, dad & sister going on a blimp ride when I was a tiny thing.  Apparently too tiny to go with them because I got left at my great-grandma's house!

Hanging with Carol

 What a great shot of the bay.  We were on our way to meet my step-mom Carol in the city for the day. She lives in Florida and was on a long layover on her way to Korea so we got to spend the day with her!  We had a great brunch at the Cliff House.  If any of you are looking for a place to eat in the city this is a great spot.  It has beautiful views of the ocean and as long as you eat at the Bistro the prices are reasonable.  The even have a fun gift shop for your collectables.

 Here is the gang (minus Eddie who was our camera man) - even my sister's husband made it down - that was a miracle!
Oh...there he is.  Eddie, Carol & the boys outside the Cliff House.

 Carol, Becky & I

 Here we are leaving the zoo.  What a place that is.  Maybe I'll post a few shots from there it was pretty impressive-but for now this was us after a great day.  I think Cooper was mad at me for not buying cotton candy!

It was so nice getting to see you Carol!  Can't wait for next time.

Yosemite

How can one do a post about 5 days in Yosemite without posting a ton of pictures?  If you figure it out let me know.  In the mean time I have included several pictures from our trip there this summer.  It was the first time any of us had been there.  Funny how when you live so close (5hrs) from somewhere sometimes you don't appreciate it and never think to vacation there. We stepped outside the box and went this summer.  We were literally in awe the entire week.  The sheer rocks are so huge and the beauty is beyond description~it's no wonder people come from all over the world to enjoy this place!  An added bonus is the cost for $20/night I can't think of anywhere to get so much bang for your buck.

This was our first hike on day one to Mirror Lake.  Behind us is Half Dome.  When we got to the lake we renamed it Mirror Puddle.  Due to the low rain/snowfall earlier in the season the water level was very lot.  It is considered an easy trail.  Still an amazing hike and gave us a good sense for how much hiking the boys could handle.

Cool rocks near Mirror Lake.

Loved these signs.  We never did see any bears but they are everywhere there.  Several precautions have to be take in the camping areas to keep them away and large fines are issued if you don't take them.

Pretty stuff

The hike up to the top of Vernal Falls- it is an amazing hike.  Cameron & Cooper did awesome.  The hike is considered strenuous, it took us 5 hours in all and the experience is indescribable.

The top of Vernal Falls

On our way back down

A special spot!

Back down the trail.

On the way to Tuolumne Meadows.  Half Dome is in the far distance.  The guides had a telescope set-up we got to look through and see the climbers on the Half Dome cables.  So inspiring Eddie & I would love to do it.

Bridalveil Falls

A cool down in the Merced River.

This was our major mode of transportation around the valley.  It's a much better way to travel than the shuttles.  Half Dome in the background.

Hiking up to Lower Yosemite Falls.

Yosemite falls with the trickle of water.  Eddie & the boys swam here.  Freezing water but beautiful.

Hiking back from Yosemite Falls.  Cool rock climbers for entertainment.

El Capitan

Merced River

We had a great week there.  Originally I figured we'd get bored and last 3 days but the beauty goes on & on  We actually can't wait to go again.  I think we are going to have to wait awhile.  All this talk of the Hantovirus makes us feel so lucky to have been sleeping in our RV and not one of those tents.  If any of you ever have the chance to go to Yosemite, we highly recommend it.

First day of school

OK, I've got some catching up to do.  

Here we are on the boys 1st day of school.  Cameron is in 5th grade this year.  That is the highest grade of the school and he is loving being the big guy on campus.  Cooper is in 2nd grade.  He is in a 2/3 combo class which will work out great for him.  

I need to dig out the old bell pictures and compare their growing.  I will have to save that for another day.  

We are ready for an exciting school year.  I promise to post some pictures from summer vacation.  We had a great time and can't wait to share with you.

A day at play

Where the heck have we been?

Funny how when I'm off work for the summer and have all this free time I can't seem to manage time for a blog post.  I've got some catching up to do!

We spent our last day of summer vacation (yep, our vacation is already over.  The boys started back yesterday & I started today) in San Francisco.  Our little trip was a last minuted idea and turned out to be a great day.  

We got a late start but made a quick stop at this awesome picture spot. Went to lunch at this great sandwich shop we hadn't eaten at for years - "Pluto's" if any of you are familiar with it - yum!  

Then we headed to the Academy of Science for an afternoon of exploring.  The place is pretty amazing.  They have a new earth quake exhibit.  You enter this "house" complete with wall hanging, china, fish tank & bookshelves and they simulate the 1989 (which Eddie & I clearly remember) and the 1906 earthquake. It was very cool and a great experience for the boys if they ever have to deal with one.   

 To bad the city was so foggy - still beautiful

 Cool fish feeding & coral show

It was a great day in the city.  We hung out with Grandma Sylvia on the way home and had a nice dinner together.  It was a great way to spend our last day off.

Hanging out

The boys & I have been hanging out enjoying our time off.  It's amazing how busy we can stay I wonder how we ever have time for work & school. 

Here's a couple of pictures of our latest adventures....

A great hike we took the other morning.  There were so many trails we didn't know where to begin.  Definitely going back to do this again soon!

 A summer bridge we crossed on the hike.

After all that walking nothing felt better than a dip in the pool.  Billy even joined us - amazing!  Cameron & Cooper had a blast playing with him and showing off all their tricks.

We love summer vacation!