Yosemite... Again!

Hello!

Yes, it's true.  We were in Yosemite this past weekend. This time around we were fortunate to have gotten reservations for Tuolomne Meadows.  The best part?  We scored big time with a site that was steps away from the Tuolomne River, a meandering river that was very child friendly in that it was shallow in many spots near out camp site.  It was perfection.  Of all the camping trips we have taken as a family, this might very well be my most favorite camping experiences to date.  

We lucked out and had excellent neighbors who had two daughters only a year older than each of our boys. They quickly became friends and hung out at each others' camp site.  The boys loved helping them with dishwashing while leaving me to wash our dishes on my own!  Ha!  :-)  Typical, right?   A highlight for the boys was a shared s'mores night full of fun tales and kiddie laughter. 

The scenery is breathtaking in this part of Yosemite. Every turn in the road opened to an even more picturesque scene than the one before. We didn't hike every trail but those few that we did left us longing for more time to further enjoy Tuolomne Meadows. It's undeniable-- we've been hit with the Yosemite bug big time!

When Sunday morning arrived and we were all a bit sad that our weekend had to end. Luckily we have photographs to prove to ourselves that the fabulous weekend really did happen.      :-)

Crossing the Tuolomne River near our camp site.

 It simply isn't camping without stone soup.        :-)

Rock stacker in training.

Tenaya Lake is unbelievably beautiful and incredibly cold.  Brrr!

A trip to Nature would not be complete without adorable animal encounters.  ;-)

If you visit Tuolomne Meadows, make sure to make time for a stop at Olmsted Point.  The parking lot may be busy but it is worth a stop for an impressive view of the other side of Half Dome.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time,
--Carolina

Mud + Boys = Peace

Hello!

I grew up in a very small town named Hopland located almost two hours north of San Francisco.  Highway 101 cuts right through Hopland so if you find yourself driving on 101 North and blink, you just might miss it.  While growing up I couldn't wait to leave and often day dreamed about the day I would leave.  Now that I live in the Bay Area and have two small boys, I wonder what their lives would be like if we lived in the country.  Truthfully, that's as far as it goes for I LOVE living in the Bay Area and more than anything, I love the anonymity of living in the city.  

I have a brother in Hopland that I visit so I'm able to get glimpses of what country living with my two boys would be like.  This past weekend I took my boys to visit my brother and beautiful SIL and their two handsome boys.  (Side note: Her boys are each 8 months older than my two boys!  Totally unplanned. Truly!)

Here are some images from that visit.  

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time!

--Carolina

Alameda Flea Market

Hello!

A couple of weekends ago I had the pleasure of going to the Alameda Point Antiques Faire.  If you haven't had the chance to go, you must make every effort to go!  It's that amazing. Almost everything is antique or is antique looking. Feeling patriotic and long for an antique looking flag made out of wood?  Check.  Have a crazy desire for gorgeous bright beads? Check. How about some old bottles or a vintage bicycle?  Check and check!  

If you don't have the funds or the need to purchase anything, it's still a fun place to go for window shopping and good food. The outer areas within the Faire grounds are lined with food trucks from traditional Mexican food to fresh organic green dishes and lots of desert options.   

Here are some images from that day. 

Until next time!

--Carolina 

Recap of Hawaii Family Vacation

Hello!

My little family and I were fortunate to be invited by my gorgeous SIL to vacation with her and her family (my brother and their two little ones) on the Big Island back in March.  Dad joined in as well.  The hubby and I have vacationed in Maui in the past (pre-babies) and loved it there.  Well, the Big Island and Maui are two very different Islands, to say the least, but I fell in love with the Big Island because of those differences.  There are so many things to love about the Big Island. Especially the small town of Waimea.  We drove up one morning and happened upon a farmer's market in progress.  It was small but had a variety of vendors offering everything from organic honey, organic coffee, handmade aprons, large avocados, and the most incredibly delicious and addictive popsicles.  Yes, I was ready to move to Waimea after that experience!  :-)

A bit after we arrived the clouds rolled in and blanketed the area and soon we were enveloped in a warm downpour!  Every excursion was special but this one was a standout visit for me.

Excuse the photo bomb!  

Until next time!  :-)

--Carolina

4th of July

Hello!

This summer has been quite busy for my little family.  We've had birthday parties, camping trips, day trips galore to fun kid friendly places around the Bay Area, and a few stay-at-home lazy days where nothing got done.  All in all I would deem this summer a success thus far.   :-)

Here are a few photos from our 4th of July.  I ran to Michaels earlier that morning to pick up some quick decorations. I made a few paper star garlands that I hung around the back yard along with some patriotic streamers.  Simple decorations and not very noticeable in the photos but fun and festive in person.

Meat somehow always features in our family gatherings.  I guess it wouldn't be very patriotic without meat, right?  We just add a Latin twist.  ;-)

Hope your 4th was equally awesome and fun.
Thanks for stopping by!

--Carolina

Yosemite...In A Day!

Hello,

Yes, you read that right. Yosemite in a day.  That means we left the East Bay at the crack of dawn and drove straight to Yosemite, hung around for a few hours and turned around and drove back home that same day.  We got home around midnight. Tiring but it made for a fund and adventurous day!  :-)

My family and I go to Yosemite several times throughout the year but always avoid major holidays.  This time we happened to go the 4th of July weekend and it was PACKED. Still peaceful, still majestic, but packed. It was difficult to find parking but once we did we spent the day walking and enjoying the natural beauty around us. Along with ten thousand other park visitors!  :-)

If you happen to be in the Bay Area and you have an insane desire to surround yourself in majestic natural scenery, making the several hours long drive to Yosemite is well worth it. 

Until next time!
--Carolina