There's nothing wrong with being a little stinky

Last weekend we joined the Gurney's for yet another camping trip! It was great fun and so nice to visit with family... and we got to eat more smores!!! Friday we all went to the mariposa grove of giant sequoia trees in Yosemite and unintentionally went hiking... and hiking, and more hiking. It was a grand ole adventure that we wished we'd had more water for, but when we finally got to the little museum they had a water fountain! (Bless their souls- they must be used to crazy city folk thinking 'only six miles? We can do that with 6 children, a stroller, and not much water in 90 degree weather. No sweat!') But we all made it and I was impressed with the hiking capabilities of the Gurney clan! We got to see a really cool telescope tree that you can step inside and look up to the sky through it. And the tree is still living too! So all in all camping is fast becoming a price family favorite... besides the stinkiness.

Enjoying some pancakes!

Sophie "helping" me do the dishes. Griff sent her in place of himself.

The Tunnel Tree. Appropriately named.

Inside the telescope tree

Below: the view from inside the telescope tree.

Below is a great group shot at the tree museum that Griff took with the timer setting on our camera.

Here are the BEFORE shots taken with the timer setting. Just not quite enough time.

The campsite we stayed at had a little petting zoo and a pool!

And here are some cute pictures of Sophie... (Okay I think everything of Sophie is cute) where she is wearing the sear sucker dress Grandma Jan bought for her.

Happy Birthday - Part Deux!

Sophie wanted us to show the pictures from her big bash. She's turning out to be quite the party animal... Staying up till 11, eating junk, and playing with her boy friends (two words). Mom and Dad are hoping that she's got it all out of her system so they have nothing to worry about on her 16th birthday.

One of the games we played.... not sure what to call it. Basically eat a donut on a string with no hands race. Much much funner and funnier than in sounds.

Sophie's FIRST cake above... Yes our child is spoiled.

Sophie's SECOND cake.... this is the one I made!!!

She wasn't too keen on getting herself messy so Griff and I had to help her out.

She DID enjoy the cake though.

Lil' girls gone wild.

Our budget was tight but I was able to afford this illusionist. In fact he gave me a steal of a deal and was quite entertaining.

And just to make your day complete... here is a shot of Griff demonstrating his midlife crisis. Even though it is unethical I will NOT treat his impending concussion. Serves him right.

Aahhhh, to be ONE again!

Well, we can't believe it but we officially have a one year old! Sophie woke up on the big day in High spirits. Then we explained what exactly a birthday entails and she got really excited!

The actual date of her B-day we had a small family party where we opened presents and then proceeded to feed our child frozen yogurt until she puked. (literally). But she didn't complain.... until the frozen yogurt was all gone. She got a walker from mommy and daddy about a month ago that we were hoping would do just that. But nope, she sits and plays with it. We also got her a cabbage patch doll, her version of Mini me, which she LOVES! (hence the video below) Lola got her a farming toy that sings and makes the sounds of all the animals and she LOVES that as well! It was a great day that left mom and dad feeling slightly bewildered that one year could pass that quickly. And in high anticipation for the next one to arrive........ in a couple of years.

The Stash

Loving the wrapping paper and ribbon!

Playing with her musical toy

Griff's coworker bought Sophie these CUTE barrettes with her name!

Kissing her Baby

Mini Me

Giving Loves

Laughing that the baby can drink a bottle too!


Footage of Sophie playing with her Baby!

Today being FATHER'S DAY we thought we would share pictures of how Sophie woke up her Daddy today:

We think that Sophie is showing her Dad her muscles above.

Griff wasn't sure whether to be offended or appreciative. We Love all our Grandpa's out there and hope that you have a great Day!

Our Latest Adventure

Last weekend we thought we would head north a few miles and check out a historical town called knights ferry, home to the longest covered bridge in CA. Sophie could hardly contain her enthusiasm.


Or maybe she was just happy because in her new forward facing car seat she can actually feel the Air Conditioning. It was a hot one, but we cooled off in the river and at the local creamery.









The Cruel parents that we are we decided to throw our child in the freezing cold river and get video footage of it, so we could relive the moment of torture over and over again.



Well, we did put Sophie's feet in. She enjoyed it more than Bonnie. That's all for now... but we should have some birthday pics to post soon!!! Sophie, can you blow kisses bye bye?

It only took her a year.

Here she is, on the move. FINALLY!!! I never thought I'd be so excited to have the kid getting into my cupboards.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST!!!

To view our camping trip in it's chronological order (*RECOMMENDED / IT'S THE BEST) please scroll down to the post titled "Camping at last" and slowly work your way back to the top (repeat as many times as you like).

Why I didn't just post it in it's right order will remain a mystery.

Maybe I'm "difficult", probably I'm "dyslexic", but one things for sure, I'm "entertaining", so do it MY WAY and we'll all get along fine.

Here's a little treat!!

As a bonus for our faithful readers - here's footage of Sophie at the Lake.

It really is a TREAT.

You could say: "this movie ROCKS"

Just watch to see what I mean.

Bathing Beauty

Here I am at the lake. I'm having fun even though Mommy bought me a skimpy bathing suit that doesn't even cover my water-diaper. (sorry Mom, Dad made me say that).

They kinda just sat me down and left me, someone call Child Protection Services.
I KID!
I had fun, I just needed a moment to get used to the water temperature.

See, I'm good now.
FYI - you're looking at the future Miss California.

Drying off. The warm sand feels good. I don't suggest tasting it though. It doesn't taste anything like a lollipop. I don't know why I continually put this stuff in my mouth.

My water diaper absorbed too much lake water, expanded, and I busted out of my bottoms. I told you you they were too tight Mom. Just Kidding.
You can't really tell from this picture, but I got sand EVERYWHERE!!! So why did I post this picture? Because I'm cute and you can't get enough of me.
All in all, I had a pretty good time. I seem to enjoy camping (it's WAY more fun then just sitting around the house - like last weekend).
My parents are pretty cool! I mention this because I realize - things could be worse - I could be the one locked up in the garage (sorry Bonnie).
I hope you've enjoyed learning about my camping trip. This is the first, with PLENTY more to come (my parents have promised me).