Friday, August 24, 2012

California Dreamin'

This summer, we took our first Burkhart-Savage-Wilbanks vacation with Elysen. We flew to San Francisco at the beginning of July, then drove to Yosemite National Park.

I felt completely terrified at the thought of 1- flying with Elysen, 2- packing for Elysen, 3- sleeping in strange hotel rooms with Elysen, 4- hiking with Elysen, 5- driving for extended periods of time with Elysen. As you can see, I felt like I had a lot to fear.

As it turned out, Elysen did wonderfully. Everyone on the trip helped out here and there, and she loved being around Uncle JB, Aunt Allison, Aunt Ashley, and Grandad and Marmee. She slept perfectly because she was so exhausted by all of the activity.

The only flaw in the trip was that Elysen was sick for the first few days, and she decided to give me that illness, so I ended up sick for the last 4 days of the trip. Thankfully, I only got really sick on the last day or so.

Here are a few of our pictures to chronicle the trip. We had such a wonderful time!

On the Pier in San Francisco

Looking at the sea lions....there were only 2 that day.

Resting on Aunt Ash

Ready to hike!

At the end of the hike

Mirror Lake (not really a lake this time of year)

The girls went to play by a stream while the boys hiked Half Dome.

Not sure about the cold water

Ok, now I like the water!

On the bus back to Yosemite Lodge

Eating a fry at the Wawona Hotel outside Yosemite

Standing outside the Wawona

Someone loves her aunts!

So tired on a drive through the giant sequoias 

Looking at a duck!

Playing with Grandad at the San Fran airport

Someone was quite hyper when we got home to Dallas. Here she is playing with Ginny and Daddy.

Glad to be in a place where she could play!

We are so blessed to be a part of a family who loves to travel. I pray that we can take our children on more fun family vacations as they grow. It's such a great time to bond and laugh together. Thanks to Mom and Dad for planning the trip, and thanks to everyone for playing with this squirrel-y girl (especially Aunt Ash who slept in the same room with us every night!)

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