Author: Carey

Well, our vacation is coming to a close. We spent Memorial Day with Gino’s family, Gino made BBQ baby back ribs, Gino’s mom made her great tasting 7-layer salad, and we had loaded potato salad. Yummo!

Cousin Shelby and Isabel share a lounge chair.

Aunt Crystal (Gino’s sister) and cousin Abby with Nana’s dog Sal.

Before we left, Gino and I celebrated our anniversary and my parents watched Isabel for us, while we went out and celebrated the day together.

Gma and Isabel coloring.

Coloring with Gma is fun!

By the time we got pack to my parents house, Isabel was worn out from all the adventures she shared with Gma and Gmpa while we were out celebrating.

Taking a power nap in Gmpa’s recliner.
We left Utah on Thursday and arrived home on Friday evening.

These are the last photos from this day. Enjoy!

Gma plays a game of croquette with the kids.

Jerry helping Bryndee and Bryson lining up his next shot.

Everyone got stuck around the peg.

My brother Jerry and his family.
Brenden, Angie, Bryndee, Jerry and Brienna.

My brother Daniel and his family.
Bryson, Marci, Daniel and Kaylie.

My family.
Gino later pointed out to me that all my nieces and nephews are all taller then me except for Bryndee – she will be too though! :o)

These are just photos of the kids.

The girls: Brienna, Kaylie, Bryndee, and Isabel.

The boys: Brenden and Bryson.

All the cousins: Bryndee, Brienna, Brenden, Kaylie, and Bryson
(minus Isabel who was taking a much needed nap at the time!).

Kaylie and Gma.

Brienna and Gma.

Bryndee and Gma.

On Sunday the 25th we had a big family dinner over at my parents house for Memorial Day. My mother made pulled pork BBQ sandwiches and everyone else brought something to share with the crowd. We spent the day visiting, blowing bubbles, playing cards, eating, playing croquette, and even went up to the pool again to do some more swimming with Isabel. I’m going to break this post up into 2 or 3 posting because there are so many great photos. Enjoy!

Isabel, Bryndee, and Brienna.

Lots of bubbles flying this day.

Bryndee sharing her bubble wand with Isabel.

Kaylie can really make lots of bubbles.

Brenden, Bryson, Kaylie, and Brienna filling the air with tons of bubbles!

Bryndee blowing by herself.

Daniel even blew some too – but he decided he didn’t like bubbles because they are to sticky!

Everyone trying to blow bigger bubbles.

Get bubbles out and everyone’s a kid at heart!
Marci blowing some really big ones!

On Friday the 23rd, we went over to my parents house to visit and to take Isabel swimming in their community pool. My Dad had taken the week off while we were in town unfortunately my mother had to work during the week so we only got to see her in the evenings and the weekend. So with my Dad’s help, I took Isabel into the pool for the first time. She did really well.

She clung to me tightly at first and wouldn’t let my Dad take her.

Starting to loosen up a bit.

Hurray! she went to Gmpa!

Motor-boating around the pool with Gmpa! She really likes this.

The three of us!

After awhile she let me hold out away from me and float on her own.

I think she likes it!

We came back again to the pool on Sunday with all the “kids” and at that time she actually did a few jumps into the water from the steps inside the pool. We had a great time! Thanks Gma and Gmpa!

Between California and Utah, Isabel takes a much needed nap.
After arriving in Utah on the evening of the 20th, we spent the first two days just putting around Gino’s parents house and visiting my parents after they get off work.

Gmpa and Isabel spend some time doing her favorite outdoor activity.

Blowing bubbles with Gmpa is so much fun!

Gmpa holds the bubble bottle, so Isabel doesn’t spill.

We headed to Yosemite on Monday the 19th. It was a very delightful day of 94 degrees. We entered the park at the Big Oak Flat Entrance at an elevation of 4,872. As we made our way down to the valley floor, we kept our eyes open for an wildlife but unfortunately we didn’t see any. It took us about 2 hours to get to the Valley floor – what with road construction and site seeing stops along the way. Enjoy!

Yosemite valley.
The park was established on October 1st, 1890 and is 747,956 in size – roughly the size of the state of Rhode Island. There are over 800 miles of hiking trails and 13 campgrounds in the park. The waterfall in the back is Bridalveil Falls (see below) which flows into Merced River.

This is called Elephant Peak (can you see it?)

Cascade Falls is along the roadway as we winded our way down to the valley floor.

Isabel and Gino in front of Cascade Falls.

Wild flowers along the way were few but very pretty shouts of color along the way.

A closer look of Bridalveil Falls which tumbles over a smooth rock face at 1,328 feet.

Yosemite Falls (upper). Yosemite Falls is the 5th highest waterfall on the planet,
it is 2,425 feet and is the tallest waterfall in the U.S.

Yosemite Falls (lower).

Isabel enjoying the hike back to Yosemite Falls!

Isabel and I; as we take a break while hiking back to the Falls.
We watched the river flow and 2 ladies painting the Falls.

Dipping our toes in some very cold water!

North Dome.

Yosemite Falls at the base.

Isabel loved the wind and mist spray from the falls. While everyone else ran over the bridge for cover from the wind and spray; Isabel squealed with glee!
(We didn’t even think to get it on video -it would have been priceless!)

Heading back to the car and she’s still all excited from the falls!

As the Yosemite t-shirt states: Go climb a rock!

Lizardbel says “hi” from Yosemite.

The famous Half Dome -which rises 4,000 feet above the valley floor!

The valley floor in front of Half Dome and Glacier Point (on the right)