I am sure the dates of all my next posts will be out of order so I am going to put the dates inside the post so I can remember once I print this journal out one day....
Last week... July 18-21....We were in our favorite place in the whole world. YOSEMITE. I know it sounds crazy how I can say that a place so close to home is our favorite especially after Eric and I have traveled quite a bit (Europe, Costa Rica, Mexico, Canada, Caribbean...) but it is true. Yosemite is so close to our hearts!
This trip was special for so many reasons. ONE was that is was Colton's FIRST trip! It was amazing to share the partial week : ( with our completed family of 4! So amazing to watch the kids enjoy each other and their surroundings. I love that Eric and I were in Yosemite in the exact same river, same campgrounds (well eric in lower pines), same bike trails, when we were their age. So amazing...who knew this would be a family tradition that we both had as children...
SECOND the simplicity. Mainly because of how many changes our life has gone through the past month (more on this soon) It is so wonderful to think about how amazingly beautiful the world around us is and how blessed we are for the simple things God created for us to enjoy.
THIRD and most important FAMILY. Our Yosemite family is getting smaller. The Johnston tradition began with 3 best friends... Grandpa, Uncle Moe & Uncle Frank...Now all of their families have grown but it sure has changed. Uncle Frank has passed, Uncle Moe & Aunt Ev are not well enough to camp anymore, it is sooooo hard for all of us to get camp sites together, it is just different. Eric and I talked about it so many times this week. This post just inspired me to write a story of our Yosemite history.... maybe soon I'll interview my grandpa and get all the facts straight...then I can journal/post and never forget it!
Ok on to some pictures to tell the story of our week... beware I might go crazy I have not posted pictures in over 4 weeks... WAY TO LONG of a break!
Sunday night we ate with Uncle Greg & Lala Lisa....Colton was lovin it... he was so cute slurping up the noodles... he ate more than all of us it seemed
Uncle Greg was pushing Ashlyn in the hammock....they were having a ball!
Don't know what happened my settings were messed up...but can't part with the next few pictures anyway...sorry ahead of time.
Brian and Ashlyn! Love how sweet she looks holding on...I love family
The next morning.... Ashlyn's first time in the river this year!
Seriously this is our backdrop when we play in the river behind upper pines camp ground... Half Dome my favorite piece of Granite!
Grandma, Grandpa, Dad & Cathy camped in Groveland and came in Monday. This year was a tough year for us with campsites... We have devised a new plan and hopefully next year will be better. Crossing our fingers!
Colton's FIRST time fully submerged in the Yosemite water! He loved it and splashed the whole time!
I love this kid's smile!
...and how sweet are these eyes under his helmet that he did not want to wear!
Grandpa (dad) brought Ashlyn's wagon up~ I love that wagon... poor Colt in a pink wagon...
Dad is hoping someone from the PD gets ahold of this picture....
Cathy and Ashlyn playing...haha what a joke to think the kids will stay on the green carpet...
grandkid & great grandkid picture!
Michael, Kevin & Brian ~ boy oh boy how these boys have grown!
Colton's first bath in Yosemite...He loved it!
Ashlyn with her sleeping bag...on her "MAT"
Colton had a tough time at night because he broke his 3rd tooth!
Colton & Gigi reading a magazine together... not a great picture but a great memory. Grams was teaching Colton how to say "hello" with the play phone and he has been doing it ever since....not with the word hello but with the sound and tone that matches! So adorable!
Great Gramps & Colt-Man
Yosemite Falls~ Pretty full for this time of year. The water level was high this year & the river was moving fast!
We took the kids on a bike ride to the stables. Both kids loved the horsey's! Colton was kicking and grunting.
Then off for a Mommy tradition... Ice Cream in the middle of the day at Camp Curry!
Then we headed down to the river to cool off, let the kids play, and relax a little bit. Really, that was the only time we could cause they wouldn't wander off from this spot. I will never forget sand toys again but there was something special about the simplicity of cups and plastic spoons. They worked just fine!
Love the way the kids are beginning to play together. Warms my soul!
she was worried about her spoon. it was lost... love the capture of emotion here... love these expressive eyebrows...hope I never forget them...
Love this face!
Mommy & little man!
love how much these two love each other...their little relationship is starting to grow!
last day river bath... sad to leave...but we always come back!
bye bye camp site 41 ~ thanks for the great memories!
Goodbye Yosemite Summer 2010!
Can't wait to come back to our favorite place in the whole world!
It was a great trip!
