Monday, May 31, 2010

Black Rock Ranch

Memorial Weekend (May 28-31)
Still catchin' up...
Love it here.



Lots of families. Lots of fun.

Staceys, Blatters, Edgrens, Callaways, (and Greenlaws not pictured)

Playing at the beach...

Tubing...

Canoeing...



Jet skiing...


Quad riding...

Mule riding...





We made a visit to Sutter's Mill where gold was found in 1848 by Mormon settlers...



Campfire fun followed by an awesome dance party...

Oh, and some gun shooting and rocket launching...

Never a dull moment!
Funny story (in retrospect only): When the guns came out for skeet shooting, there were a couple of kids (2) led by a passionate Maren who formed a little protest group. They were anti-guns and they made little signs with a sharpie and napkins that they held up against the window that said "Guns are stupid" and "Say no to guns". Alex, my 6 year old went inside with the group and started to make a sign. Apparently he started to write with the sharpie on the marble floor and the ink seeped through!! Britt caught it in time but there was a little streak on the immaculate, expensive, beautiful floors! I ran inside in a panic and we found some vinegar and it took the mark right off but I made Alex come out and apologize to Brad. Alex was mortified and distraught and embarrassed. Brad asked him what he was going to write and Alex said, "Guns are cool" and Brad said "Oh, You're forgiven. I was more upset that you were going to join the protesters, then I was about a little mark on the floor!"

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Owen and the Poppies

I could eat this kid up...





Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So in love. Even as he looks like he's going to strangle those poppies. Mmmm.
More to come of Black Rock Ranch.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Blue and Gold and Cub Stuff

May 25th
(still a month or so behind!)
Great success. My Wolf cub den did that fabulous poster! Jake rocked the mike.


Great night. Here's some pics from the 100th Jamboree of a rope bridge that they waited 2 hours in line for. (That's nothing...they waited 2 1/2 hours for a hamburger.) Crazy!




Jake loves scouts.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Births and Birthdays

I have a new niece and she is scrumptious...Avery Isabelle Barlow was born on Saturday, May 1st.

I'm in love. Seriously in love.
And last month on April 12th I had a birthday. Celebrated all week long with dinners and lunches with some of my amazingly wonderful friends...


(I didn't get the whole group, dang it. There's Lisa on the far right with Avery still in the tummy!)
and sisters...

and got some of these on my doorstep...

and many sweet calls and well wishes from the facebook world.
I am seriously the luckiest girl in the world with the most amazing friends and family a girl could ever ask for.
Love you all! Thanks for being in my life!
Love,
Annie
xoxo

Monday, May 3, 2010

Yosemite on Bikes

(April 30-May 2)

I'm sold. There's no other way to go. We've been going to Yosemite every Spring for the past 5 years (almost since we moved back to this great state) but we've never brought bikes. "Too much work" scoffed my husband. I insisted this year. I made a believer out of him too!
With 7 families (half on bikes, half on foot) 14 adults and 24 kids, we were quite the spectacle with all our gear, but parking was never an issue...

and naptimes were no problem...

We hiked up to all the falls--Yosemite, Bridal Veil, Lower Nevada. I can't wait until my kids are bigger and we can REALLY hike the falls! I love this place...


Callaways took us to a spot we'd never been before called Mirror Lake. It was a great bike ride, a little steep but the kids never complained, and it was well worth it. A beautiful view of half dome and a great place to put your feet in...

Or get nekkid and jump like a banshee in...

The dads bribed the kids with "doll hairs" (said fast and slurred) to get in...

Nothing like a dare with money involved.


Even John got in on a dare. He cleared it!



Edgrens, Andersons, Suttons, Tuttles, Callaways, Blatters, Stemmons...
Want in on the action? Let me know for next year! Anyone welcome!

From there, we had plenty of log crossing...



Rock climbing...



Cave exploring...

Snowball fighting...



And snow jumping...

Forest walking...

(Love Sammie's little kick!)
And general camaraderie! Good times with good friends...





More of the gang...



Another family shot with the Yosemite Falls...

I love this place. Awe-some, Awe-inspiring! Let me know if you want to come next year!
(The best pics were all done by Britt, the rest were mine!)