Big Trees

My father has been asking for some time (okay, maybe 4-5 months) if we could all take a trip to Big Trees. The hardest part has been trying to figure out a weekend where we were available as well as parents.  Now that my mother is retired and my father more active in some of the Hmong community events, there is always something going on every weekend therefore making it more difficult to schedule.   So my father finally stated at the end of July that he had the first two weekends of August free and wanted to go to Big Trees....so we did.  And it was great. 

Miles was so excited about going to Big Trees even though he had no idea what it was.  We got up early that Saturday morning and prepared for the drive down to Calaveras Big Trees State Park.  Miles was so excited that he stayed awake the entire drive there and kept asking the proverbial question  "are we there yet" in his own manner.  When we finally arrived he was jumping for joy yelling "Mommy, big trees, big trees." My sweet Caleb slept the entire car ride and woke up in a daze surrounded by huge Sequoias. 

We only hiked the North Grove Trail as it as was a 1.7 mile loop which was not too rough and generally "paved" path so it wouldn't bee too hard for the toddlers.  We also brought our little umbrella stroller along just in case and it did great.  The trail took us about 2 hours to walk, this included taking rests, allowing for time to enjoy the scenery, and for Miles to run around.

 Caleb just having woken up 

Miles at the beginning of the trail...he can't wait for us to get started

 Miles and grandma by a fallen tree stump

 Checking out The Old Stump.  The stump is part of the Discovery Tree and this is what 

is left when the large Sequoia fell in 1853.  It measured 24 feet in diameter and was 

said to have been 1,244n years old when it fell.

A part of the Discovery Tree.  The Old Stump is behind this section of the tree.

 Miles and grandma next to a Sequoia

 Strolling through Big Trees by himself....

oh how it makes me think of the path ahead of him and what is to come

 taking a break

 The roots of a fallen Sequoia 

Us in relation to the Sequoias

 Tim and Miles between two trees

(I was hoping to get a shot of me and Miles in front of this set of trees as 

it was noted to be the Mother and Son Trees, but that didn't happen)

 A fallen tree along the path

 Inside of that fallen tree along the path. You could walk all the way through it

 At Pioneer Cabin Tree

 Caleb enjoying his nectarine during lunch

After a nice leisurely hike through the forest we enjoyed a wonderful lunch in the picnic area.  It's so amazing the things that make you stop and take a look at your life.  This little trip made me think about how old some of these trees are and how small I feel next to them (not literally just size). The massiveness of the Sequoias and yet how fragile they can be and that what we do now really can effect how long they will last and if they will be here for my children to enjoy as adults and for my grandchildren to see.  I was glad to be able to share such a wonderful day with my family. 

Santa Cruz

To end the month of July with all it's traveling adventures, we took a day trip to Santa Cruz on the last weekend of the month.  We all packed in the car and caravanned down there.  Miles could not wait to go to the beach.  I hadn't even told him about the rides on the boardwalk.  My cousins and their kids went as well as Miles and Caleb's godparents.  The weather was great as it was not too hot.  We all had a fun filled day playing on the beach.

 We're here...cars parked...let's get down to the beach

 Miles and mommy....and Irene too

 Smile everyone! You ready for the beach?

 trying to find a good spot to put up the umbrella and chairs

 Caleb is already in the sand.  He could not get enough of this.  Even if we moved 

him to the mat he would find his way to the sand.  At one point he had both 

fists full of sand and was just putting it on his head.

 Miles getting in the water.  We had found a little inlet section where the kids 

could play and not worry about the waves ruining the sand castles they built.

 Auntie Janice and Hailey

  

 Building sand castles

 Hailey and Blia

 Miles and Uncle Yeng heading to see the "big waves"

 Holding onto Uncle Yeng and Uncle Meng as the wave comes in

 Miles enjoying the waves run over his feet

Uncle Yeng and Uncle Meng crashing into the wave

 Damien getting buried in the sand...I have to say this was the fastest I've ever seen 

anyone get buried.  It took a total of 3.5 minutes from the time they started digging 

to the time he was completely buried.

 The ladies

 The guys (Captain Morgan Rejects...as someone stated...LOL)

 Finally a family picture

 Lined up against the wall after everyone is all rinsed off....getting ready to head back.

Caleb loved being in the sand and playing around. He probably wouldn't have moved from his little spot in the sand if we didn't have to leave.  When we first got there all Miles asked me was if he could ride the rides on the boardwalk but as soon as he got his feet into the water he could have cared less about the rides....it was all about the beach.  Miles had told me as we left, "I love the beach mommy."  It's these small moments that make me so happy.  I know that my boys enjoyed a fun filled day shared with family. 

New Big Boy Bed

So Caleb has outgrown the bassinet for some time and so we put a small mattress in the play-n-pack to use as his bed, however we needed a better solution to the sleeping issue as some nights he would just end up in bed with us.  We had been thinking about getting Miles a toddler bed for some time but just never did.  So finally, after a friend of our posted that she could not use the toddler bed she bought for her daughter and needed to get rid of it...we were more than happy to take it of her hands.  Thanks Leanna!!!

So for a few days before we changed out the crib and put his new bed in we talked to him about how since he's a big brother now he needed a new big boy bed.  He was all for it.  It was great because yes he was a big boy.  We got sheets to match the current cars theme he had going on in his room and we got him a play rug with streets and a racing track.  He LOVED it.

 His room in all it's mess

So excited he was already in his new bed

 Since we had more room now with the crib gone 

we put up a few more of his car decals on the blue wall

 Enjoying his new mat

Yep....that's how displays his cars.  Anyone who knows my son knows he always has his 

cars lined up in some way or order.  He used to line them all up in a row (made me 

almost wonder if he was OCD.)

I was worried that he might fall out of the toddler bed (even with that rail) as he moves around like crazy when he sleeps, but so far it's only been twice.  The first time he fell was during nap time and he woke up to come and tell me he fell.  The second time he just ended up sleeping on the floor next to his bed, I would never have known except I went in to check on him at one point and found him there.  He was moved back into bed. It really hasn't been that bad and the bed it not too high so I know...I know...he'll be fine...it's just me.  I'll get over it one day.