Kings Canyon NP, Jeeping at Lake Isabella and Zane's Birthday

We started the month by hiking in Kings Canyon National Park.  We explored the area the farthest you can drive into that portion of the park.  We stopped and checked out some of the waterfalls that are at the height of flow.

 This is Grizzly falls, it is normally a trickle that allows kids to splash in the pool at the base of the falls.  It was hard to get close because the spray from the falls was so powerful and drenching.

Roaring River

                                       

We did a short two mile hike around Zumwalt Meadows in the Cedar Grove area of the park.

Last weekend we spent three days with my parents and my brother and his family "camping" at Lake Isabella.  The weather was quite rainy, windy and cold and since we were in a tent and my brother's family was in a pop up tent, we decided to get an Airbnb for the camping trip.  It was great to have a nice warm house to come back to after spending the day in the elements.  We spent one whole day in the Jeeps(each family has one) and explored some fun trails.  The pictures don't really show how crazy the trail was that we picked, we ended up turning around because we kept bottoming out.

Casey heading down the hill

Grandpa and Nana

Zac and family

Casey going up a fun hill climb

Group photo at the end of the day

For lunch we took a break along a small stream.  Grandpa tried panning for gold, but none was found.  Zane thought it was great to play in the creek, by the end he was soaked from head to toe and had a great time.

Watching Grandpa pan for gold

Getting wet!!

Happy Camper

Overall it was a great time spent together, even with the weather we made some great memories.


On May 20, we celebrated Zane's 4th birthday!!  We had a party for all the camp kids to attend, where they made superhero masks and ate Spider-Man cupcakes.  We opened presents when we were camping.  One of Zane's presents from us was moving up to a twin size bed and getting a new blanket for his bed. He is excited to have more room for sleeping; he is getting so tall.

Blowing out candles in his mask

Spider-Man cupcakes

Opening the presents

A cool 3D T-rex card

New construction equipment blanket

His favorite new toy-a tow truck!!

Overall it has been a great month, a little wet and cold but that just makes it feel like Washington.  My parents arrived yesterday amid some snow showers!!!  They will be staying for a week or so and Zane is super excited to spend some time with Grandpa and Nana.

Fresno Zoo, Easter in Colorado and Hike It Baby Adentures

A lot has been going on in our lives the past few weeks.  Zane and I have been members of Hike it Baby for three years now.  If you haven't heard of them, it is an awesome organization that gets kids and parents outside, there are local chapters all over the US, and it's a great place to meet new people and find new trails.  The month of April was one of their challenge months, Hike It Baby 30-the basic goals are 30 minutes outside three times a week or 30 miles in 30 days.  Zane and I set our own goal of 65 miles and no zero days(meaning we are spending time outside every day).  Well we smashed our goals and hit 86 miles and 140.5 hours outside for the month of April.  So proud of Zane who did all but about 4 miles on his own two feet!!  We explored some new trails around Hartland and had a great time.

                                                    A cone from a Sugar Pine

                                                      Big rocks along the trail

Earlier in the month we were invited to go to the Fresno Zoo with some friends.  Zane had a great time seeing all the animals and hanging out with his friends.

                                                  Riding a Warthog

                                                   Up close look at a Cheetah

                                                  Feeding a Giraffe!!!

They also had a petting zoo section where they handed out brushes to all the kids.  Zane loved going around and brushing all the goats.

For Easter weekend we flew to Colorado to stay with Casey's brother and family.  His Mom, Sister and her whole family drove out from Iowa to join us.  Zane had a great weekend wrestling with his cousins and jumping on the trampoline.  It was great to spend time with family and we even got to visit with some friends while we were there. 

                                                      Egg hunt in Eaton

                                                    Zane did great gathering eggs

                                                      Coloring eggs

                                                  Coloring eggs with the cousins

                                          Getting ready to open their Easter baskets

                      Cousin photo:  Connor, Tanner, Austin, Wes, Clay and Zane

During the last month Zane has been working very hard on a new skill.  Two days ago we did a mile and he rode about 75% of it on the bike.

Spring has finally arrived and we have had some wonderfully warm days.  Looking forward to the summer months and experiencing Hartland in the busy season.

Have a blessed May.