Yosemite June 8-12th, 2011

Yosemite requires it's own post. It's that important!

Yosemite this year was so much fun! It was worth the 14 hour drive each way. We had Devin, Julianne, Sheehan, Katie, and me (Kiersten) in the Camry. We left Wednesday night after work and drove all night and got in Yosemite at 8:00 the next morning. We only got a little lost ;) but we made it! It was beautiful! Perfect weather. We had so much family this year. It was so much fun to be around family that I haven't seen since Christmas! We did our usual art class and painted Yosemite falls. We hiked Vernal falls up the mist trail and of course we couldn't miss getting drinks at the Ahwahanee hotel. The whole trip was so worth it. It was fun to see little Max, Kiley, and Zach. They are all getting so big. Sheehan and I are sad that we don't get to see them more often. We are looking forward to them coming to visit us on 4th of July and Pioneer Day Weekend!

Sheehan looks like a serious rock climber in this picture...until you see the next one...

Some pretty scenery pictures of my favorite place on earth!

The picture above is of Illilouette Fall in Yosemite. I've never seen it so full! All of the waterfalls and river were just overflowing. They had 178% of their normal snowpack this last winter. Amazing!!

We all hiked up to Vernal Fall, strollers and all. Some of the group stopped at the bridge, while the rest of us kept going up the mist trail to the top of Vernal. Devin, Julianne, Paola, and Kyle hiked another couple miles all the way to the top of Nevada Fall

Sheehan loved playing with Zach-a-doodle all week. They were buddies.

My Dad and Uncle Clyde with Michael on the right. Takin' a breather.... :)

These was taken on the way up the Mist Trail about half way through to the top of Vernal fall. We were drenched.

It was like walking up a stone staircase in a rainstorm but it was sunny.

We made it to the top of Vernal! I was sore for a week...barely able to walk around the pharmacy.

Sheehan passed out for a while at the top. He was guarding the snacks from the squirrels while he basked in the sun.

I think my favorite part of this picture is the guy passed out on the right side of the picture....Oh wait....that's Sheehan. Devin, Julianna, Paola, and Kyle were much better hikers than we were. hahahahaha

Just passed Vernal there is the Emerald pool and few other smaller falls. I'm not sure if I was trying to point at the gushing water or the man passed out on the rock....take your pick.

Later on in the week we migrated over to the Ahwahnee hotel for drinks! Before and after Sheehan played with baby Max and Zach on the grass.

The Schall's joined for a few days which was so fun to have them with us! They came just in time for Ranger Kevin's nature walk. :)

It was a great trip. So worth the drive and I can't wait to go again next year. Hopefully Tioga Pass will be open next year and we will be able to stay for a little while longer.