Yosemite Trip With Gigi

After going through the bridge we came out to see this Beautiful and familiar view. I can see that view every year and be just as struck by how amazing it is every time. It is just unreal. 

After leaving for Vegas on Friday evening, then going to the beach Sunday night, Sheehan flew back home to work Thursday morning. Since I am now a stay-at-home mom and have no pending schedules I thought I'm going to take the boys and keep having a great time! And we did.

We hadn't even parked in the Lodge before we saw our first bear! I haven't seen a bear in years so this was very exciting. My Mom got really close to the bear and was holding Lincoln. Lincoln kept pointing and saying, "Duck!" The ranger was close by and started laughing. 

We also saw a bear on our drive out of the park. They are just such beautiful animals. If I were to be any animal in the world it would be a Yosemite bear. They have it good!

After checking in we walked across the street to see Yosemite Fall. I was surprised how full the fall was despite it being so dry this year. 

We stayed in the Yosemite Lodge for my Mom and I's first time ever! It was so cool! Now my Mom never wants to stay in Yosemite any other way. The lodge or bust. She is going to leave the camping to us young families. Although I'm sure the boys love the dirt tent camping, Lincoln and Vance were really happy to go back to the cool, quiet room to nap and take a nice bath!

I really enjoyed this trip and, for the most part, the boys did really good. Lincoln had minimal meltdowns and Vance was happy as ever just hanging in the baby carrier.

The park was packed as usual. Gotta love the tram. People were really nice to let me sit with the baby and let my Mom have a seat with Lincoln. 

On Sunday my Dad was able to come up and join us. We went to the cute little chapel and attended sacrament there. I love when the timing works out for us to be able to go to church in Yosemite. Before church started we let Lincoln play in the woods. He thought he was so cool climbing the rocks, jumping off them, crawling through the fallen trees, and throwing sticks. He is all boy.

Before church this biker gang pulled into the chapel parking lot. At first, my judgmental self, thought, "Great! These inconsiderate people are filling up our parking lot and members that want to attend are not going to be able to park." Turns out these tough looking bikers are faithful Latter-day Saints. Their biker club as shown in the picture below is the Sons of Helaman and their symbol is a sword and it says Return With Honor. They were so nice and so cool. My Dad was ready to buy a motorcycle again and sign up! Lincoln liked their shiny motorcycles. 

Little baby Vance was happy to sit in the stroller like a big guy and just give us smiles. He is so sweet!

After church we walked around the valley floor and got some lunch. 

We, of course, had our yearly Awhanee dream drinks. So yummy! Even baby Vance had some cool whip thanks to Papi.

We ended Sunday with a walk through Happy Isles. My Dad was so fun and relaxed. It was really nice having him around. He played with Lincoln and held baby Vance. I'm really glad he came up for the day.

I love Happy Isles in Yosemite. We've been coming here since I was a baby and I just can't get enough of it. I will always want to come back as often as possible and enjoy this beautiful place that I love. It makes me so happy to see my boys here and enjoy Yosemite as much as I do. 

 It is so nice to have my Mom around. Lincoln cannot get enough of his Gigi. Going and doing things is so much easier when I have my Mom there to help me. I'm really grateful I have such a good relationship with my Mom and that she wants to spend time with me and my boys.

On the drive home we saw some amazing views. It was long but very pretty. 

On the drive home we stopped at this famous Mobil Gas Station in Le Vine. They have a restaurant inside that offers gourmet food and amazing desserts. It is some of the best food I've ever had and so worth the pit stop. So Good.