Full Moon Hike

I found out through Facebook that every month on the Saturday closest to the full moon, Devil's Punchbowl does a night time hike for free. We went to go try it out. My Mom had Emma in the back carrier, and Katie was walking by me. Her friend Kayle and her Mom met us there. After walking for a few minutes, Vicki got very behind and since Kayle was sticking with Katie, she ended up being stuck with us. She was worried about her Mom, but a worker was behind with her, so we knew she would be okay. When the hike was over, Vicki still wasn't back, and they sent another worker out there to help them. They had marshmallows and sticks for everyone, so they could roast marshmallows for a small after hike snack, as well as hot cocoa. The kids of course wanted to try it all. Thirty minutes later, we couldn't leave, because Vicki still hadn't returned, and we couldn't just leave Kayle there, so we sat around waiting. She finally made it up, and had some hot cocoa before heading home. It ended up being a long night, haha. Fun though. It was tricky to see in the dark, and they didn't allow flashlights. I think my Grandma had the hardest time. Blake tried using the flashlight on his cell phone for her, but the tour people got annoyed and said no lights please. But, when your Grandma is about to twist her ankle or something, I think you can bend the rules a little, lol. Not sure we'll go again, but it was nice to try it. It was only a short one mile hike.

Valentine's Day Hike

My Mom planned a Valentine's Day hike for whoever wants to go from the family. She did a New Year's one as well, but I didn't go to that one. Everyone was told to wear red or pink for pictures during the hike. Almost everyone got car sick on the ride up and was so grateful to finally arrive. My Mom had told us it was 45 minutes away. I didn't remember it being that short, but she was pretty insistent. We were supposed to pack a lunch/snacks for the hike, but no one did besides my Mom. She packed some for Katie and me as well, but I think she ended up passing most of her things around to all the hungry people that didn't bring anything :p

 I was glad my Grandma came with us. It's nice to have her on our trips =)

So thankful for my daughters. They're wonderful.

 This is how most of our hike went. I'm not sure if she got car sick, or if it was just because it was her nap time, but goodness she was not happy. It was really hard with her. Plus, she's getting heavier, so carrying her for 2 miles was no easy task either. Thankfully Lauryn helped too.

 Last time we went on the hike, we didn't get to go down below where the heart is. My Mom didn't think it was safe with the kids. This time, we did it anyway. It WAS tricky, and it was hard getting in there! But worth it when you get a picture out of it ;) Getting back out was a whole 'nother story! So funny trying not to slip in the wet gunk.

It was a pretty nice day, besides Emma's crankiness. We all dreaded the ride home though! I'm not sure we will ever willingly go back on that drive, haha.

Emma's Hike

Lauryn, Oscar, and I took Emma on a hike this morning, just by the aqueduct. She enjoys the time outdoors, and it was nice to exercise for a bit. The only bummer, I tried to get her tired so she would take a nice nap for me after. She was up most of the day until it was time to pick up Katie from school. Bummer!

Crestline "Heart Rock"

My Mom found a neat photographer "California Through My Lens" and he goes to cool places to eat, hike, explore. One of the places he blogged about was the Heart Rock and my Mom wanted to go. She said it was short, a mile each way or so, so we gave it a try. My oh my the carsickness. It was terrible. The winding hills. Ugh. Made me so sick.Then Emma cried for food when we got there, so I made her a bottle real quick while Katie and my Mom explored a little waiting for Emma to eat.

 We tried the backpack thingy for Emma, but I think she was too little still, because she was sinking in it. After 20 minutes or so I carried her in my arms instead.

 They had cool little blue painted hearts with arrows along the path to show you where to go, so you know you didn't get lost.

 This is as close as we could get to the Heart Rock. We got a little lost, and had just come up from a steep hill, when we realized we would have to go down another to get close to the heart. Which would have been easy, but we had two kids with us, so we didn't want to chance it.

 My Mom was nice enough to pack sandwiches and chips and cookies for us =)

 Katie asked if we could stop to take a picture on the way home. Love this girl.

The hike wasn't so bad, it was just the car ride that made me tell my Mom "No more far hikes!" haha.

Katie's Classroom Pet

Katie was chosen to take her class pet home this weekend. Every kid gets a turn during the year. You take him home and take pictures of what you do together during the weekend. Today they went to the grocery store with Daddy, and then hiking and to Berry Star with my Mom and Mary =)

Horse Trail Gone Long

My friend Laura said she would walk the horse trail with me today. She brought her daughter Emma in the stroller and off we went up the dirt hills. By the time we got to the end, she was so tired she did not want to go back the way we came and have to deal with the hills again, so she made us take a long way back to the car. By the time we got there it was so dark and we were so tired! Crazy girl! Haha. At least the night started off nice, and at least we got lots of exercise in! lol

For whatever reason, Emma loves chewing on her teething ring like this. I was cracking up.

Hiking

My Mom likes to take Katie on fun trips when I have class. Fair? Depends on how you look at it I guess, haha. Katie is lucky to be doing fun things, but Mommy is bummed to be missing it :p

But then when I see photos like this, I think "maybe I am glad I wasn't there" haha. She got tired apparently.

Was able to get to the top and finish.

But wasn't able to get back down without help :p

Hollywood Bound

My Mom and Mary took Katie hiking to the Hollywood sign while I was stuck in class at AVC. Was I jealous? Pretty much. But Katie had a lot of fun, so I'm glad about that.

Hiking Up The Hill

We went hiking up a new hill Mary found, starting at the aquaduct. Katie's a good hiker :p
At the top, woohoo! "I did it!"

3 miles, woohoo! :)