Kings Canyon

From Sequoia, we took the road into King's Canyon.

Views like this were not uncommon.

The mountains surrounded us on all sides, and at times seemed to block the very road on which we were driving.

The bottom of the canyon was beautiful.  We hiked the Zumwalt Meadow trail, a mostly-flat easy-going, 1.5 mile walk along the King's River.  Although it was quite the drive there, the walk itself was very family friendly and was full of lovely views and vistas.  The view from the bridge was one of our favorites:

If you look closely, you will see our hearty crew!

The hike was refreshing and relaxing in a number of ways.

 Ascending King's Canyon, we turned toward Yosemite.  

We were onto the next stage of our adventure!

Happily Ever,
Queen B

Candy Math

What could be better for an afternoon after Halloween than some CANDY MATH?!

I think my kids could count their candy pieces all day long.

I gave each of the boys two activities.  

Buddy Bear (3 years) got number puzzle pieces and was asked to count out candy pieces for each number.

Then, I gave him a color wheel and asked him to match a piece of candy to each color space on the wheel.   Nice job, Buddy Bear!

E-Bear (kindergarten) also counted out candy for each number in a number puzzle.

 I also gave E-Bear a bar graph that I made for five different kinds of candy.  He counted the number of each type of candy and filled in the bar graph.

Nice job, E-Bear!

Post-Halloween learning time is the best.

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Sequoias in Sequoia

When we left DisneyLand, we were still at the beginning of our California adventure.  T and I had agreed that we couldn't possibly bring our whole crew out to California and not make an effort to see at least some of the spectacular natural sights.  So, from Anaheim, we embarked on the second stage of our epic journey and headed to Sequoia National Park.

The drive into Sequoia is twisted and surprising.  The mammoth forest appears as you rise out of a fairly arid landscape.  Giant trees greet you even as you arrive.

Spectacular views greeted us as well.  This was just one of many breathtaking sights through the trees on our drive into the mountains.

Our first stop in the park was to climb Moro Rock, which we could preview from the road, though we were still far off.

The hike up Moro was not for the faint of heart.  We made each of the kids hold an adult's hand, as the pathway was narrow and the drop off was steep.  E-Bear told T,  "Daddy, this is scarier than the scariest ride in DisneyLand."  

The kids loved the hike, both up and down.  

At the top, we were rewarded with the most spectacular view.  It was certainly worth the effort to make it to the top.

Breathtaking!

Some of us were quickly ready to head back down, however.  

I'm just keeping it real.

Don't worry, J-Bear settled right down as T the hike back to the car.  

You can be sure I was holding tight to Buddy Bear's hand as we made our way to down.

Our next stop was the short hike to the General Sherman tree, the largest living organism on earth.  One the way down to the tree, we passed through a gorgeous sequoia grove.

The trees grow in curious clusters in areas that harbor just-right conditions.  The trees were awe-inspiring for both the kids and the adults.

Suddenly, we arrived at the General Sherman tree.  I couldn't believe I was looking at a living tree that has been alive for over 2,000 years!

We spent the night in nearby Kings Canyon Park at the John Muir Lodge.  The lodge had simple, clean rooms and a restaurant, which was a blessing.  As you can see, we were a pretty tired group by the time we rolled in for dinner.

In the morning, after a good night sleep, we were ready to explore again.

The kids loved the huge sugar pine pinecones that they found along the hiking paths on our way to the restaurant for breakfast.

It was hard for us to leave them and not keep them!

We also took a moment to document that the giant sequoias aren't the only large pine trees to admire.

She may be small, folks, but I think she has a spirit as tall as that tree.

After breakfast, we hiked the General Grant Trail to see the General Grant Tree, the official Christmas Tree of the U.S.

Yet again, it was an awe-inspiring hike.

Along the way to the General Grant tree, we got to walk through a fallen sequoia that has served as a hotel and saloon in the distant past.  

The hollowed out, fallen giants feel like carefully carved tunnels.

We definitely left the park with a renewed appreciation for God's magnificent creation.  We also left with grateful hearts to the forefathers that foresaw the need to protect these wondrous trees and their habitat.  I hope my grandchildren and great-grandchildren are able to be inspired by these trees like we have been.

Happily Ever,
Queen B

A Happy All Saints Day 2014

Our All Saints celebration this year was truly special!

I love celebrating All Saints Day.  After a fun night of trick or treating, it is wonderful to wake up and have a big celebration to continue the fun.  The kids wake up to a decorated dining room, ready to welcome guests (MoMo and Papa) and eat a giant brunch of delicious food. We always have crafts, decorations and stories to help mark the day, and normally (but not this year, because the obligation was transferred to Sunday) we get to go to Mass.

This year, we added a mini prayer service to the morning activities.  Our kids are getting older and plus, we didn't have an All Saints Mass to attend.  Buddy Bear and E-Bear got to hold white votives, which we lit for our prayers.  G-Bear read our opening prayer:

Prayer for All Saints Day
Dear God, thank you for the example of the Saints.
I desire to join in their company, worshiping you forever in Heaven.
Please help me follow their footsteps, and yours, Jesus Christ. 
Please help me to conform myself to Your image, 

seeking Your will in all things, as the Saints did. 
Please help me to devote myself, and all that I do, 

to Your glory, and to the service of my neighbors. 
Amen. 

Then, T led us in the Litany of Saints. What a beautiful devotion it was to pray together!

Next, it was time to eat. This year, we had tomatillo frittata (adults), scrambled eggs (kids), apple cider, bacon, fruit salad, chocolate chip bagels and cream cheese, yogurt and cupcakes. Whew, what a feast.  While I finished the food, the kids got to color their Armor of God for our craft. After our meal, we read Ephesians 6, and everyone followed along with their own armor. Then, we colored and assembled the paper dolls.  I also read James 1:12, which describes the "Crown of Life" that God bestows upon the Saints.  Next year, I'll make "crowns of life" for the kids to wear for the meal, which would make for a fun, festive, and symbolic addition.

The Saints are the real life heroes of our faith.  I am so thankful for the opportunity this feast day gives us to highlight these heroes, celebrate Christ's triumph in everyday lives, and pray for help in our everyday struggles big and small.  

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Happy All Hallows Eve: Halloween at MoMo's

We've been looking forward to this weekend for weeks!

Happy Halloween!

We started our evening at our neighbor's house and then headed over to MoMo and Papa's for dinner and trick or treating.  We were only treating with our crew this year, everyone was so sweet and excited!  E-Bear and G-Bear both enjoyed costume celebrations at school, complete with bingo and prizes.  Buddy Bear was a ninja turtle all day, greeting friends after Mass and showing off his moves. Buddy Bear, J-Bear and I had a fun day at home, complete with pumpkin picture coloring, juice boxes for treats, two fun Halloween finger plays  and our All Saints Cat Chat CD.  I taught them both the "5 Little Pumpkins" finger play, which J-Bear especially loved.  

MoMo's pumpkin was spectacular this year, as usual, but her theme topped the coolness chart coming off the heals of our Disney Land trip.  The Disney Imagineers could take a lesson or two from MoMo!

While we were eating dinner, the kids couldn't stay seated at the table because they were having so much fun opening the doors for trick or treaters and handing out candy.  They were so excited to see other costumes that arrived at the door.

Our crew had a great time Trick or Treating as usual.  J-Bear joined in for the first time this year, and boy, did she figure out the routine!  T would set her down, she would walk up to a door, mumble a greeting and then stick her hand right in the candy bowls.  When she got a piece of candy, she would sit down on the ground (her pumpkin costume was too bulky for her to reach her bucket in her other hand without setting it down), reach over to her pumpkin bucket and put the candy in.  She always thanked her benefactors with a big wave and a smile, "BYE!"  Too cute!

Back at the house, the kids counted their candy (G-Bear, 89!  E-Bear, 92!), and everyone picked a few pieces to enjoy.  J-Bear was so excited to get a lolly pop, and she spent the rest of the night picking the lolly pops out of the candy pile and putting them in a bucket.  It was hard to keep her from eating them!

Thanks to MoMo and Papa for hosting a wonderful celebration.  I am thankful for the wonderful lessons of Halloween that my kids are learning: generosity toward others, being welcoming hosts, gratefulness for gifts and treats, sharing and being patient with each other.  

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Happy All Saints and All Souls

Heading into a Holy Day weekend, I thought this quote quite appropriate for my All Saints reflections:

"They who are engaged with the salvation of their neighbor, will gain more by an humble modesty than by an authoritative manner, and will gain victory sooner in retreat than in combat."  - St. Ignatius of Loyola

And, remember this craft?   We've done it a few years in a row now.

I love making Armor of God paper dolls (from Ministry to Children) on the Feast of All Saints with my children.  We read Ephesians 6 and talk about how to be like the saints, we need the armor of God.  The paper dolls make great decorations for the month of November.

Happy All Hallows Eve, and Happy Feasts of All Saints and All Souls!

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Our Disney Land Adventures

Disney Land is fantastic.

For us, at our stage with our still-young crew, it hits a sweet spot.

First of all, for a fraction of the Disney World Deluxe Hotel price, you can stay ACROSS THE STREET from Disney Land, and walk into the park in the morning. We stayed at the Howard Johnson across the street from the main gate, and we strolled up to the park entrance for the opening, stress and bus free. We might as well have been staying at the Cozy Cone.

We spent two days in Disney Land, giving us one day for each park. We easily could have stayed longer! We tackled California Adventure first, because we were so excited to visit Radiator Springs. We felt like we were in the movie, everything looked so realistic. 

 

The Cars Racer ride was at the end of the street and was definitely worth a Fast Pass.  Our best choice would have been to send one member of the group to get a Fast Pass first thing in the park, while the others explore Cars Land for a few minutes.  In the end, we had a great ride.  What a blessing, Buddy Bear was juuuuust tall enough to make the 38" cut. He was so crushed for a moment when he thought I wasn't tall enough to go through. It was certainly a highlight of the trip, and it remains the ride that we talk about the most.

Of course, along with the Racers ride, there were plenty of other wonderful attractions in Cars Land.   We loved riding those crazy tractors...

...and we made a stop at Luigi's Casa Della Tires for a twisty and turning good time.

Of course, you can eat a Flo's, which we didn't do, but we enjoyed the view from the gas pumps.  There is also a cute playground and photo op spots with Lightning and Mater.

From Cars Land, we walked next door to A Bug's Life, where we met flick and rode a bunch of rides that were perfect for our younger crew. 

The littlest ladies watched the bumper bugs from the sidelines.

We also loved the Toy Story ride, which is very similar to the one in Disney World.  We love shooting with blasters! It was definitely worth the wait.

Paradise Pier really did look like paradise the day we were there.  We loved walking around the Pier, both during the day and night.  T and I got to do the roller coaster several times, coming back at night once the kids were in bed.  I think it was the best roller coaster I have ever ridden.  We really enjoyed the other rides along the pier walk.

We ate dinner at Wine Country Trattoria, a worthy splurge, not only because the food is great, but because we were right in front of the parade route and also because FastPasses to the evening World of Color light show were included.  We loved waving to all the Pixar friends right before our meal.  Disney parades are my favorite.

T and I went back for World of Color after the kids were in bed.  I wish they could have stayed awake for it, but we'll save that for another trip.  World of Color was truly impressive.

Our second day at the parks was devoted to Disney Land.  It is right across the plaza from California Adventure!  While we have never considered paying for Park Hopper tickets in Disney World, given the young age and slow moving speed of our crew, the option seems more plausible for Disney Land. The parks are so close together, we could conceivably enjoy parts of both in one day.

Walking into Disney Land, we noticed so many similarities to the Magic Kingdom. But, the two parks are actually more different than I expected.  Certainly, they are not carbon copies.   The Land was decked out for Halloween, and impressive decorations were everywhere.  We particularly enjoyed watching the carmel apple making window at the bakery. Yum:

We enjoyed plenty of princess moments, including watching the very creative Tangled show with front row seats for the kids, a walk-through tour of Sleeping Beauty's castle, and a stop by Anna and Elsa's Frozen Boutique.

There were also highlights for the boys, including a visit to Autopia to ride the cars, and a submarine trip with Nemo.

We enjoyed the new experience of Toon Town, which feels like you've walked into Mickey's neighborhood.  The roller coaster was just right for the older kids.  J-Bear and I found a super-fun play spot in Goofy's "House" where she could run around, climb and explore with other tots.

Of course, we had to take the Small World cruise. No trip with Papa or me would be complete without Small World.

Even though we were close enough to our hotels to go back for naps in the afternoon, we never did.  The littlest ones snoozed in the backpacks for an hour or two each afternoon, but otherwise held out really well.  As you can imagine, we slept well at night after such long days of walking, riding and exploring.

We finished our day new Pooh's Thoughtful Spot, and I thought this was a perfect picture to capture the fun of our Disney Land trip.  It was such a sweet experience because we were all together, exploring and enjoying it together, which was pretty impressive for a group of fifteen.

Disney Land is a re-do for us if we are ever blessed with the chance.  It is charming and manageable, even for a crew of our ages and size.  What a spectacular way to start our California adventure!

Happily Ever,
Queen B