Camping 2014

We're back from camping! It was the kids' first time camping and my first time camping in almost 10 years. I'm not a fan, but we had fun! We had 11 people and 2 dogs in our group. Brett's sister Brande and her family, JJ, Trip, Patrick, & Collin. And Brett's parents, Momom & Popop. Along with the four of us and Mr. Bishop. 

We went up to Joshua Tree National

park to a group site at Sheep's Pass. We had loads of space and we were tucked into a few rock piles. We had one really cold night but we were comfortable the rest of the time. 

We took the kids hiking, rock climbing, bouldering, played games, played catch, and they filled out a Junior Ranger booklet. 

Day 1

One family picture from the four days we were out there. What was I thinking?

The kiddos scoping out the joint from inside our tent. 

Jax, Maryam, & Collin on top of a rock formation. 

A cool silhouette shot I got of Maryam & a Joshua Tree. 

Collin giving Jax a ride.

Playing catch and enjoying the evening as the sun went down. 

We had a fun first day! The temps were warm, the kids were good, and fun was had by all. 

Day 2

The second day was a bit windy and much colder. Tuesday night was FREEZING. 

My nephew Patrick dug a big hole. 

We all went on a hike. I think this is the only picture I got of all five cousins together.

We saw a rattlesnake! 

Climbed on some rocks. 

And finished the day with some scary stories. Maryam's was the best! It featured a monster saying, Harry Toaaad, Harry Toaaad. It was ADORABLE. 

Another beautiful desert sunset. 

Day 3

We started day 3 with a short hike. That short hike took us across two snakes! We saw a Roseyboa and a CA Striped Racer. I'm not sure why but I didn't get a picture of the Racer! Weird. 

Cruising across the hiking trail. 

Maryam & Daddy at the end of the hike. 

Jax at the end of our hike. :) 

After lunch we went bouldering! This place was great! Brande wandered into a cave that went on and on. The kids loved it! 

Here are Maryam & Jax inside the cave. They're holding hands inside of those two holes. We didn't find any evidence that anything was living in the caves here. They went through them three times!

Collin, Auntie Brande, Maryam, & Jax on top of a huge boulder. 

Maryam & Jax outside of the caves. 

Daddy & Jax chilling on a boulder. 

Here's the third snake we saw on Wednesday. This guy was in our campsite. He's a CA Striped Racer. He ended up going into this bush and we lost him. 

On our last night there Uncle JJ & Auntie Brande cooked us a feast! The kids ate really well. Both Maryam & Jax tried and liked corn on the cob. Maryam are a huge baked potato for the first time too!

Another beautiful desert sunset!

We ended the night with a family edition of Settlers of Catan. 

Day 4

Time to go home! But not without stopping at the visitor's Center so the kids could turn in their Jr. Ranger booklets. 

Getting sworn in. 

 

Hiking in JTNP

Brett & I took the kids hiking yesterday up in Joshua Tree National Park. We did a new trail for us. We did a 2 mile, 2 hour hike to the old Wall Street Mill by Barker Dam. It was about an hour in, because we stopped and looked at many things along the way.

Here are the kids at the trail head. They liked this little Joshua Tree and requested their picture be taken with it. 

The desert is in bloom! We played a game of "find something yellow, find something white..." They had a great time looking for these fun colorful flowers. 

We found an old dilapidated car on our hike. We found some lizards running around on it, under it, and all around it. 

We also came across this old windmill. The kids used this stop for a water break. I'm not sure they really needed it because they had been drinking from their CamelBak the whole time. But I know their little legs do get tired!

Look at this beautiful flowering cactus the kids found! 

Here are the pictures from the mill. It was really neat! 

The actual mill. 

Reading the history of the mill with Daddy. Jax playing in the dirt because he's not that interested in history yet. ;)

We stopped here for a snack and even found a little lizard friend! 

We were also celebrating Maryam's "woulda shoulda" day! Seven years ago on March 22 our little Maryam was supposed to be born. But she decided being a December baby is way cooler than being an April baby. ;) Ha! 

Our miracle girl. 

 

Father's Day 2013

We started off the day with intentions of going hiking at a place called Fallcreek Falls. After about 45 minutes on the Interstate (they don't call them freeways here) we saw a billboard that said, Canoe the Caney. Brett decided he'd rather go canoeing than hiking, so we did! 

The trip was about 6 miles and was supposed to take between two and a half to three hours. We did it in about an hour and fifteen minutes! Ha! I think it's because they turned on the generators on the damn and it gave the river a nice strong current. At some points it felt like we were only rowing to steer ourselves back to the center of the river. 

We all had a real fun time!

Hanging out in the shop

On the bus

About to go in!!

In our canoe 

Fun in the shop (photo is out of order)

After our trip 

On the canoe