www.micahandlindsey.com

The trip was a success.  Besides the first day of wet and cold, our weather was terrific, the Zimms –our traveling companions– were easy and low maintenance, the kids got along great (minus my kid’s obsession with teasing and hitting and poking), the wildlife was in full force, the waterfalls were spectacular and our house pet, Mickey Mouse only stayed for one night — although it did make for a long night as I was woken up abruptly three times from a deep sleep to, “babe….babe…there is something in here”  and a flashlight shining in my eyes.  In honor of the bears, Micah was meticulous about getting every single speck of food out of our car.  Funny how those “specks” ended up in my bag in the room.  Funnier that I woke up the first morning to a ransacked bag with sunflower seed shells everywhere!

There were so many things about the trip that were great, but the best was just spending time with my family.  Micah has been gone so much lately, that it is fun to spend time together uninterrupted.  Especially because T Mobile didn’t work in the valley!!!

Mirror Lake that actually had ice floating in it.

In front of a huge fallen Sequoia that was over a century old — although “you can’t prove that”.

This is what happens when some random takes your photo when it is pitch black outside.

On our way, we stopped at the Sun Maid factory.  Their shop was totally cute, and I wanted about six things.  None of them having to do with raisins.

It’s me and the kids one morning after we all woke up to Micah being “quiet” on his way out to the facilities.

The Zimms joined us on our little adventure.  Although they were anxious for weeks prior to the trip, once we got there they never let us see them sweat.  In fact, Jim Zimm seemed as cool as a cucumber the whole way through.  It was a little more telling when Miss Zimm hid behind her screen the last night to avoid our furry friends.  All in all, they turned out to being perfect traveling companions for a few reasons.  AZ thinks Micah is funny, and I think Jim is funny.  We both have a toddler boy and infant girl.  They have Kate who is 5 and was a perfect little helper, and I am proud to report that she called me her BFF on the way home.  They were game for any sort of adventure, and most importantly….Miss Zimm packed Veggie Sticks.

Picnicking after a morning ride.

Exploring.

On top of the boulder by our tents.

Playing with the  punching balls Micah brought.

The men couldn’t go completely without.

All boy….and I don’t understand how these two could spend days upon days throwing rocks.

Nothing is more fun than to watch the world through my kid’s eyes.  Scout was in pure heaven with all of the new things he was able to do and see.  One thing that was verified on this trip was that he is one fearless little boy.  Whether it was climbing huge rocks, hopping into freezing water, or climbing shaky fences near waterfalls that are above a 100 foot drop, he is up to the task.  It was also confirmed to me that Navy is a very good-natured little thing.  She was totally pleasant the whole time, and I was lucky enough to sleep with her all three nights, and she is the best coozier!

Ickity Dickity Dock playing in the river rocks.  And having a little taste.

His jeans and tennis shoes didn’t stop him from going into the freezing cold water for a three hour session of fun.

The only complaining came when he fell in from the pretty heavy current, and I had to rescue him with a stick.

His hike to Vernal Falls and the Mist Trail.  According to Micah — he loved it.

Steps on the half dome hike.  They are half the size of his body!

The little climber discovered this rock on the last day with Kate and Ezra.  They loved it.

Navy and Micah playing.

Hiking and talking to himself amongst the Sequoias was slow going, but he was having a great time, so I didn’t want to rush him too much.

Mirror Lake Hiking.  He reminds me of leprechaun.

Our kids played so hard, that they were wiped by the afternoon.  Even the parents were usually checking into bed by about 9:30.  Here are a few moments of giving into the exhaustion.

After a bike ride and three hours of freezing cold river fun, Scout just sat on a log in utter exhaustion.

A few moments later, both boys were either deep in prayer or sleeping.  My guess is the latter.

Even after transferring them, they both slept another hour or so.

During the same bike ride.

After the bike ride.  Poor little Ivy seems to be a good pillow for Navy.

This tummy sleeper didn’t even have the energy to turn over.

Within the first ten minutes of being in Yosemite, we were taking pictures.  Our was fine:

When the Zimms took theirs, Jim accidentally dropped Kate’s shoe down the very steep slope behind us.  Kate’s tears and Miss Zimms frustration got him to go down to retrieve it.

Little did we know that he is totally scared of heights.  And even if you weren’t, this drop was a little sketchy.

Even fearless Scout was worried for Jim.  Look at his face!

The second classic came when in one fell swoop, Adrienne fell off her bike, and in the background, Jim was walking his due to complications.  Micah just yelled out, “get a picture of the whole pathetic family” — so I did. Micah…you are too kind.

Apparently Micah was a crazy baby.  Glad to see history repeat itself in the form of Baby Icka.  The girl who will never keep a bow in her hair.  The girl who grunts whenever she wants something.  The girl who climbs anything she is near.  The girl who won’t sit still on my lap for more than a minute before she starts arching.  Talk about a mover and a shaker.  This girl NEVER stops!  So when I had my mom take her downstairs, while I finished getting my Sunday best on, I understood what I saw.  So what if it is a crockpot that’s slowing this wild girl down for a few seconds.  Notice I said seconds and not minutes!

Sidenote:  I am not dreaming this up.  At church today, one sweet lady told me I needed a cage for her.