School Pictures

Libby got her first ever school pictures at her pre-school this year!  She's so grown up!  What a cutie!

 This is the one we bought - Wow - I LOVE that girl!

Glad they can get her to smile...wish I could!  Though not the best smile ever, it's way better than anything I ever get from her!

Sea World

Since I had the whole week off for Thanksgiving there were a few big items on my to-do list:  Sea World with the girls and the temple with Brad.  So, first day chance we got we headed to Sea World for the day with my friend Shalon and her kids. Super fun!

 The girls loved the spinning starfish ride!

 They had all their fun holiday decorations up to start us into the Christmas spirit.

 Libby loves measuring up to the dolphins whenever we go.

And Lexi loves the sea turtles. 

We did a lot of things that we've never done before on this trip and it was really fun. The girls loved the kid play area and the sky ride at night with the Christmas lights was awesome!  I hope we get to go back once more before the year ends and our passes expire!

Glacier Point in Yosemite

After a brief stop to see a waterfall, my #1 on the list of must-sees was the view from Glacier Point.  It was a race against the clock to beat sundown as we sped up the windy roads (as much as you can speed behind ridiculously slow cars!).  We made it just in the knick of time and boy, oh boy, was it worth the drive! WOW!

 Half-Dome looked amazing!

 We got there just in time to see the last rays of sunlight on the top of the dome.

 

 Truly majestic!

 I love these cuties!

 Libby's living on the wild side!

We were surprised that Glacier Point was more than just that initial amazing view.  Around each turn it got better and better.

 Here we are overlooking all of the valley.  It was incredible! 

 This is Bridal Veil Falls - right before we drove up to Glacier Point.

 Libby is queen of the stump!

What a great way to finish off our quick trip to Yosemite.  Can't wait to go back!

Mirror Lake Hike

For our second day in Yosemite, we opted for a paved, stroller-friendly hike to Mirror Lake.  It was the perfect choice for our group and had amazing views!

 Ready to hit the trail!

 Not really cute of any of us, but the bridge over the stream was beautiful!

 The view of what we affectionately refer to as "Full Dome" - not really sure what its real name is!

 Lexi standing in Mirror Lake.  Yeah, turns out there's no lake in November, but we still loved it!  The fall colors were amazing and the kids LOVED playing in the sand...

 ...and sliding down rocks!  Libby and Ian were sliding fools!

 We all did the slide after this picture - it was super fun!

  

 Pictures don't do it justice - it was so beautiful!

 Again, not a great pic, but  oh well.  You get the idea.

 Like I said, the sand was a big hit!  Sand angels, burying themselves while fully clothed...awesome!

Yosemite Valley

After lots of driving, we finally made it to the Valley at about 3:15pm.  With sunset at 5:00, we didn't have a ton of time to see everything, but here are a few of the shots we got of the GORGEOUS scenery - truly breathtaking!

 Half-dome reflected in the water - so beautiful!

 The fall colors were amazing!  (Weird to have a picture of myself, but the girls fell asleep in the car and Brad went to get food, so I hopped out of the car and had someone take this one for me.)

 Lexi was the first to wake up from their nap - notice the not-so-thrilled-to-be-awake yet face.

 What a perfect afternoon!

 Enjoying some family time in a meadow.

 The Macbeths, the Changs, and Half-Dome!

 The colors got prettier and prettier as the sun was setting.

 Best buds - Libby and Ian.

Our little cutie! 

We couldn't wait to come back for day 2 the next day!

Yosemite Redwoods

For the long weekend for Veteran's day, we headed to Yosemite with our friends, the Changs.  Who cares that it was tons of driving and only 3 days - you say "day off" and I say "where to?!".  We had an amazing trip and fell in love with Yosemite all over again.  Our first stop was the Mariposa Grove of redwood trees.

 The weather was perfect, but the kids were so excited to see a few little patches of snow to crunch!

 These trees are truly unbelievable!

 The roots of a fallen tree - taller than a house!

 Lexi enjoyed climbing all over any and everything.

 What a cutie!

 Some double-piggy-backing when we couldn't handle the little leg pace anymore.

 The Changs and Macbeths in front of the biggest tree in the park.

 It has a diameter of 28 feet and circumference of 93 feet - wow!

Gotta love the tunnel tree!

 A closer view to see who all is there.

Ahhh, how cute! 

Princess Paradise

For Friday fun-day last week, my mom really spoiled the girls and took them to Disneyland all by herself!  And it wasn't just any Disneyland trip, it was a PRINCESS Disneyland trip.  Libby got all dolled up in her princess finest to meet the real-deal princesses.

 It was heaven on earth to meet her favorite princess - Cinderella.

 Trying to pose like her idol.

 Grammy and Lexi got in on the fun, too!

 Poor Lexi is going to need some princess attire, too! I wasn't there to hear it, but I hope Lexi did her Ariel singing for the group!

 What pretty princesses!

And it was a sea of pink when Libby and Lexi got to meet Aurora - whom Libby now claims is one of her favorite since they both had matching pink princess dresses.

Yeah, I'd say these girls are pretty spoiled!  Thank goodness for grandmas - one to make the dress (that got raving reviews from everyone at Disneyland) and one to introduce them to their favorite people!  The happiest place on earth just got happier!