camping trip #2-Calaveras Big Trees State Park

We had a super fun weekend camping at Calaveras Big Trees State Park.  We went with the Krings family and it just made the trip that much better.  Camping with friends is the best!  This is our second of 4 planned camping trips this summer.  We will be pros by the end of this all!

The kids were all playing together, the little ones were too cute, running around, trying to keep up with the big boys.  I loved watching the big boys playing with the little ones.  Kekoa loved playing with Ryan and Cole loved playing with Malia...simply adorable.  And of course, the big boys were "hunting" and there was a lot of playing with sticks.

The one bummer thing about this place was the mosquitoes.  Poor Kekoa has about 50 bites on his face, head, and neck.  It looks like he has chicken pox.  Next time we go, we will definitely bring better bug spray.  

A little nap on the way up to the campsite.  It was a really long, long drive....lots of traffic.  Unfortunately, the kids only slept about 30 minutes and had another 3 1/2 hours left in the car to be awake!  They did great though.

Malia peeking out of the tent when she should be napping. 

In the bear box

 On a nature walk in the dark.  Malia is loving being carried by Jake!

Scott took these amazing night photos. 

Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

 Playing in the Stanislaus River.  It is a gorgeous place.  Kekoa had a little water accident and freaked me out, he was getting swept down the river.  Luckily the current was really slow.

Malia freaking out about sand in her Croc and Kekoa being a monkey.

I love the bark of the giant seqouia.  It looks like skin.

 Scott took us on a trek to the amazing rapids.  We were climbing all over the rocks.  It was challenging and really fun.

Cole and his beautiful mama, Sara.

love this

Standing on a giant sequoia!

The boys play bocce ball.  It was so fun to watch them.  Cole and Kekoa were so into it.

 Helpling prep dinner.  Malia is cutting butter for the potato packets.

 What's up Ryan?  Oh, nothing, just eating my s'more.

 The next morning in the tent...It's Father's Day!

Father's day snuggles!

 The 4 super kiddo campers!

lots of playing with sticks

 Loungin' for breakfast

morning smooches

Kekoa went fishing yesterday and caught his first fish, a blue gill.  He is now hooked on fishing.  The look on his face was priceless as he reeled in the fish.

While the big boys fished, the tots played at the playground.

 After fishing snack...

On our way out yesterday, we stopped and walked among the "big trees".  It was just magical.  The trees were the biggest ones I have ever seen, just massive.  It felt as if we were walking through prehistoric lands.

Kekoa itching one of his many mosquito bites in the big trees

The Pioneer Cabin Tree

"I want you to carry me!"

A great camping weekend means sleepy kids in the car on the way home...

Zonked out!  Malia slept for over 2 hours in the car, something she never does!

Kekoa's last day of preschool

I can't believe Kekoa is done with preschool...how did this happen?  I just want to stop time sometimes.  I thought I would be in tears today, but I was able to hold it together. Plus, Kekoa will be going to a couple of summer camps at Mulberry, so it didn't feel like a true good-bye.  

We had a luau end of the year party, which Malia especially enjoyed.  She loves her Ge Ge's school too.  Next year we will be dropping off Kekoa at his new school, he will be going to transitional kinder.

Kekoa loves Teacher Leslie and insisted on taking a picture with her.  He was so worried he wasn't going to get to take one.  We will miss her for sure. 

Enjoying the picnic

Kekoa and his little posse of friends...

Tonight I had such a great time.  I was invited to a surprise party for one of my former student's mom.  I haven't seen my student since she was 11 years old and now she is 18 and getting ready to go to college!  I was able to see many of my teacher friends that I haven't seen in years either.  It was so much fun, a lot of laughs and memories.  I felt so honored to have been such a big part of this family's life, that they still talk about me fondly.  It was also so nice to be around so much positive energy, not to mention the location of the party was in a gorgeous location, the Palo Alto Country Club.  

Last Monday at preschool

Kekoa is almost done with preschool and I can't even believe it.  He only has one more day left.  Today he had his birthday celebration, his birthday crown, which he was so happy about.

How much he has grown this year.

 His buddy Mel.

 Actually ate a snack today at school...

 Awesome shark yoga pose...