2009 Summer Vacation/Anniversary Trip - Part 2

What a blessing it was to drive up into the Sierra Nevada for our 10th anniversary getaway! We are really thankful to the Claytons for allowing us to use their cabin and to the Ferreiras for helping us arrange for our time there.

The cabin is on highway 4 near Camp Connell, CA (above Arnold). It is a beautiful cabin surrounded by God's amazing Creation! We stayed two nights and really enjoyed our time up above 5,000 feet!

Enjoying dinner on the deck


We went to this nearby state park...


... and took a 5-mile hike out and around a grove of Sequoia trees






This particular tree is the 2nd biggest Sequoia in the world (I think =)

From the website: "The largest redwood in Calaveras Big Trees State Park is the Louis Agassiz tree. It is located in the South Grove. This tree is "only" 250 feet tall, but it is over 25 feet in diameter six feet above the ground!"


Same tree, opposite side.
It's diameter is the size of the length of our rec room... Now's that's a BIG TREE!


After the hike, we went into town and enjoyed a Giant Burger


Then, we went back to the state park and as the day heated up, we cooled off by playing in the river... one of my favorite pastimes!

2009 Summer Vacation/Anniversary Trip - Part 1

In July we took a trip to NorCal for vacation and for Amy and I to celebrate our 10th anniversary. We drove up to Pittsburg, CA (where my parents live) on the day of our anniversary, July 17th. It was great to great to visit with them for a few days!

My parents surprised us that evening by sending Amy and I out to dinner while they hung out with the kids. Thanks Mom and Dad! Here we are at dinner that night:

Then, on the 19th, Amy and I got to head up to the mountains for an anniversary getaway! Kaylin and TJ got to have more special time with Grams and Papa. Amy and I really enjoyed a chance to be alone together to celebrate our 10 years of marriage! HUGE THANKS and LOTS of LOVE to Mom and Dad for making that possible!

Grams is a photographer... so she always gets great shots to document our visits and special occasions. The next three pics are just some of the ones she took while they watched the kids for a couple days:

Cute shot of the kids down at the dock on the Delta


Kaylin showing off moves she learned in her dance class


TJ as "The Hulk" - He loves that gift from Grams and Papa!

The kids also got their chance at being photographers. Here's one that TJ took:

And here are three photos that Kaylin took:

We all enjoyed our visit with Grams and Papa... we love you both very much!