Backyard Campout

We have been itching to get up to Yosemite all spring and this past weekend we were finally able to go.  Since Uncle Burke has been eager (major understatement) to go see the waterfalls before the spring snowmelt went away (they've had an unusually high amount this year), we figured we'd drag him and Auntie Jenn along too. Originally we were going to try to do Mist Trail, but realized that a long (straight up!) hike with two little kids probably wasn't in anyone's best interest. Instead we opted for a bike ride around the valley floor, something that just so happens to be one of my favorite things to do in Yosemite anyway. After fighting our way through the crowds down the bike paths, I have to say that we have been spoiled in living so close to Yosemite. We rarely visit the park during tourist season and because of this, I had forgotten just how crowded it can be. There were people everywhere while we were there! Fighting the crowds was all worth it in the end though. The waterfalls really were amazing, and the rivers were so, so full. I don't know if I've ever seen signs posted saying you can't float down the river, but they were there this time and after a little while, we came to realize why. Besides the obvious fact that the river was running incredibly quickly, there was only about a foot of clearance between the water and the bridges you usually would float under right now! Yikes!

Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls

Collin spent a good amount of time trekking around on our shoulders that day

Drew wanted to actually get in the water. We tried to explain that it was too cold, but Nathan finally let him go feel it for himself 

Burke and Jenn

Check out Collin's wind blown hair! The base of the falls were super windy! ...and super wet, and super loud! There was just a ton of water!!

Climbing rocks

Cheese!!

Up at Mirror Lake. Two things: one, this lake is seasonal and usually isn't there this time of year. And two, check out the ridiculous amount of people!!!

And finally, for those of you that didn't know, this past Saturday was National Camp in your Backyard Day (thank you REI for filling us in on all those little known dates!). Nathan found out this day was coming up a while ago and has been looking forward to "camping" out back with the boys ever since. Since Jenn and Burke had already done the wilderness portion of campout night (a.k.a. Yosemite for the day) we roped them into camping with us that night too (the more the merrier, right?) We put a little tent up, pulled out Nathan's telescope, made s'mores, and all around had a pretty fun time. Drew slept in the tent (at least for most of the night, anyway), and we all slept on blow up mattresses on the lawn. Collin started out the night in his bed since he goes to bed earlier than we were going to, and then we moved him to sleep inbetween me and Nathan once Drew and everyone else had fallen asleep. Our campsite was clean, comfortable, and had bathrooms close by! Not a bad way to camp with two young kids, if I do say so myself!

Uncle Burkie and Drew setting up the tent. 

Checking it out as it went up (Drew was only a little excited)

Because Drew was scared of the dark at first, Nathan gave him a headlamp that he had to check everything out with

Thanks to the "no burn" days in Fresno, in lieu of a bonfire, the BBQ served as our sophisticated way of making s'mores for the night :)

Playing Legos in the tent with Auntie Jenn

We actually found Saturn and got to see it's ring with the telescope!

Reading Curious George (of course!) with the headlamp. Don't you love the furry audience? (The two minions Puggies are Jenn and Burke's)

Our hillbilly (and probably most comfortable way I've ever camped) campsite :)

Backyard camping was apparently exhausting for Drew. Ok, it probably had more to do with the fact that he had stayed up most of the night, but still. This was after naptime the next afternoon. He asked for a movie and fell asleep again maybe five minutes after I had turned it on. Not only have I never had him fall asleep on the couch, I've never ever had him fall asleep after already taking a nap! Proof that a good time was had, I guess. :)