One more....

While we were in California we ate at In-N-Out Burger twice, once on the way to camp and then on the way to the airport after camp.  Ben was in love!

Ben sweet talked his way into the cockpit to get a first hand look at how to fly a plane.  He's ready for take off!

Middle School

Summer is quickly coming to an end.  We had back to school days where the boys got their lockers, schedules and school pictures taken.  The first day of school is right around the corner!

All 3 are in the middle school this year!  

One school, one schedule for me.

Ben was excited to take on this next adventure in his education, and to see if he could actually fit into his locker.  

Turns out, he can!

More family camp fun!

When we weren't at the camp, we were hiking on some beautiful trails in the mountains and checking out some mighty large trees!

Eric and I went on a hike alone a couple of times while the kids were at camp.  It was so peaceful!

We visited the giant sequoias.  We went as a family, but first Eric and I went.  I accidentally left my hiking and tennis shoes behind at the hotel in Oakland.  After a few conversations and a phone call, I found that the camp store near the sequoias had hiking boots.  So, off we went to get me some shoes.  After our shopping trip we traveled 10 more minutes to see the largest tree in the world, General Sherman.  It was amazing.  It's crazy to think that these trees are nearly indestructible, thriving with wild fires.  It makes perfect sense that they are thousands of years old!

Later in the week we took the boys out of camp to visit the Sequoias.  It was a rainy, cool afternoon.  

Tunnel Log.  This sequoia fell in 1937.  A tunnel was dug out of the center to accommodate the road the following year.

The circumference of General Sherman is 102.6 feet.

It's height is 275 feet, and is an estimation of 2300-2700 years old! 

Family Camp 2019

We tried something new for our summer vacation, family camp!  Montecito Sequoia Family Camp is nestled in-between Kings Canyon and Sequoia Nathional parks in California, and was our summer vacation destination.  

Everything about family camp was agreeable with our family.  We were surrounded by beautiful nature and scenery that we don't have in the midwest.  The camp activities were all so much fun for the boys, and Eric and I, too.  The day began with breakfast, followed by the Pow Wow, where we learned about the day's activities, and then the boys went off with their groups and their camp counselors who led them through all of the daily activities.  A few of their favorite activities were boating, swimming, air rifles, fort building, ultimate frisbee, horseback riding and fishing.  We would catch up with the boys at lunch, and then again after the afternoon activities at dinner.  While the kids were busy with their activities, Eric and I were free to do what we wanted.  We could join the kids with their camp activities, or join another open activity.  We did both.  We played ultimate frisbee with all 3 kids, painted graffiti art, we tried out yoga, had massages, and left the camp to hike.  Each night the kids retuned to us tired and oh so dirty!  They had a ball!

Each night there was a special evening activity planned as well as a theme for the week. The theme for our week at camp was 'Guests at the Royal Wedding'.  We were encouraged to dress in royal wedding costumes. Eric and I happily played along in our King and Queen attire.  The boys weren't as excited to participate as us, but pleased their mom by dressing just long enough for a picture!  The camp counselors put on a funny play about Prince Harry and Megan and a dance party followed!  

I took a night photography class to learn how to capture the Milky Way.  This was a highlight for me!  I took lots of notes in the hopes of repeating my skills learned that night.

What started as an unknown, unsure adventure, turned into a memory, making fun time!  

Monticeto Magic has captured us and we are already making our plans to return next summer!