Psalm 19:1

If you don't want to see a bunch of beautiful pictures of Yosemite, skip this post. 

Otherwise, enjoy!

This one was taken back in March when we first went to Yosemite.

"I see skies of blue...and clouds of white, the bright blessed day, the dark sacred night.  And I think to myself, what a wonderful world."

-Louis Armstrong

So beautiful even though the trees were sparse.

We loved how the snow formed at the bottom of the waterfall.  Isn't it gorgeous?

This lake wasn't here when we visited in July.  All dried up.

Evergreens, crystal streams, peaks of Kiliminjaro, deep blue sky, rocks that cry all give praise to my God.  -"I Am" by Avery Stafford

Listening to the waterfall was so peaceful.  I'd like to take out a hammock and nap right here.  If someone could just watch out for bears for me, please.

Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. -Luke 12:27

For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. -Isaiah 55:12

Let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. -Psalm 96:12b

Above: Bridal Veil Falls

Below: Half Dome

Savior.  He can move the mountains.  My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save. -Mighty to Save

View from a lookout near Glacier Point.

Seeing waterfalls from above is priceless.

We are so high up, and yet this shot is not even of the Valley floor.

Another shot of half dome.  I'm just in awe over the fact that people climb this rock!  (Using the steep side, too!)

Storm clouds moving in.

Breathtaking in real life, pictures don't do it justice.

They never do.

We saw people on the top of this using a telescope.  Well, Carl and Ann did.  I have to take their word for it.  :-P

Finally arrived at Glacier Point

I hope that red on the rock on the left is not blood....

Pride Rock, anyone?  Anyone???

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. -Psalm 19:1

There's the Valley floor.

Breathtaking.

Napa Valley

Last weekend, our friend Matt came to visit all the way from Florida!  You have to understand, being in a land where we started out not knowing anyone, well let's just say it makes for really treasured time when an old friend comes over.  Thanks for coming, Matt!  You are welcome back anytime!

Over the weekend, we took Matt up to Napa Valley.  We started out our day not really knowing too much about where we were going, but we knew there would be information for us soon as we reached the Valley.  I, for one, was expecting a little tri-fold bulletin with ten or so wineries to hit up.  Hahaha!  Try two magazines full of wineries and places to see and eat!  This was more than a one day trip, folks! 

We ate at a little French restaurant, called Angele, on the river soon as we entered Napa.  Carl and Matt are braver souls than I... they each ordered rabbit... I stuck with French Onion Soup.  And, might I say, the French sure do know how to make French Onion soup!  It was delish!  

Our waiter recommended a few wineries for us to visit,so we made sure to take him up on his suggestions.  The first winery we went to was called Del Dotto.

After Del Dotto, we started heading down the road and found ourselves in Stag's Leap.  In Stag's Leap, we went to a winery called Darioush.  Darioush was by appointment only, but somehow they let us in when we walked through the door with a huge crowd... hmm...  ;)  It was a very fancy pants type winery.  Beautiful pillars greet you as you walk across a bridge that is built over a pond with lily pads galore.  Upon entrance to the building, the earth tones of the marble floor and the waterfall that stretches from the third floor to the basement really makes you feel as though you are in an important building!

 

After Darioush, we headed to yet another winery.  This one, I must say, was by far my favorite.  It was beautiful.  It was a wonderful atmosphere.  Everything about it was just great.  It was Regusci (pronounced ree-goosh-ee).  We walked in and were asked if we were there for T-Vine or Regusci.  We were there for Regusci but asked what T-Vine was exactly.  "It's an exclusive party held on the roof by T-Vine, a brand we are partnerig with.  But you have to have an invitation....."  Just then, a guy, who I swear is my Uncle Brian's twin (see pic below), told us that if we wanted to take a look, we could pop up there for a minute. 

We settled in on the lanai for some tastings and decided that we would purchase a couple of bottles of wine to enjoy at a later date.  The lanai overlooked the vineyard, and it was just lovely.  We spend the majority of our afternoon here, with an excellent barista.  He was extremely friendly and laid back, just our style.

After relaxing there for quite a while, we headed upstairs to the "Private Party."  We walked in and a lady stopped us... "Did you RSVP?"

"No."  The three of us answered.

"Okay, well I'll show you around..."  There we enjoyed more wine tasting, live music, baby back ribs, fried mac and cheese bites (yum), and some amaaaazing cheese.  We even got to meet one of the winery dogs (that's really what they are called...), Trixie.  Trixie lives on the winery.  She's a (very full) corgi. 

The three of us had a very terrific day up in Napa.  We learned that one day in Napa is not nearly enough and we have agreed that on Matt's next trip out here, we will go visit Sonoma.  Although, I must say, I couldn't have chosen a better time of year to visit the vineyards.  They were absolutely gorgeous with the leaves changing colors!  And the weather was ideal!  All around, it was just a wonderful day.

Yosemite Wildlife

I spy with my little eye..... something with horns.  (No, not all these cars... you guys.)

My father in law got a much better look than I did.  Here's his shot:

If you couldn't see him in my shot, look straight through the cars.  He's that brown patch at the end.  He's eating a tree.

On our last trip to Yosemite, we saw this pretty girl:

And I like to think that you know, boy met girl, and thus we stumbled upon this little precious.

Can you see her?  She's kind of small.  She's to the left of the tree that is closest to the fence.

We also got to see Miss Featherbottom, pictured below. 

I'm told that she's a grouse.  Up close, she appears to be a cross between a chicken and a turkey.  Hey, no judgement.

And then we also saw this fellow.  Just minding his own business.  I'm not sure if coyotes hybernate or not, but this one looks to me like he just woke up.  He was very chillaxed.

And no we did not get out of the car to get this picture.  Next to a grouse, sure why not.  But a coyote?  Hey, unless his name is Wiley and he in the form of a cardboard cutout, we'll stay in the car thankyouverymuch.

Speaking of cartoon friends like ole Wiley, we also ran into Chip.  I mean Dale.  No I mean Chip.  Ugh... I don't know.  I always get those two little rascals mixed up.

One of these days, we will see a bear.  From a distance.  But close enough to get a good picture.  But not close enough that it eats my camera.  Or my family.  K?  We're working on it.

The Difference of 6 Months

Six months ago, when we went to Yosemite, we stopped to take these pictures.

Are those pretty?

And check this out...

Is it normal for a boy to change so much in six months?!

Seriously.

Then:

Now:

WOAH.

"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." -Ecclesiastes 3:1

"A season for snow capped hills, a season for lush green bushes.  A season for a boy to look like a boy and a season for a boy to look more like a man." -Lindsey

Something tells me these next few years are going to be flying by.

Monterey

The morning we all ventured to Monterey, we began our day at Huckleberry's here in town.  Now would be a good time to note that I didn't take many pictures during the day, so these pictures are from my father in law.  Thank you for letting me use them! :)

We then made our way to Monterey, where the boys walked down by bay (where the watermelons grow....back to my home, I dare not go...).  Wait, do watermelons really grow by the bay?  Am I missing something here?  I digress.

Austin has been wearing his jacket like that lately.  I'm really not sure why.  I remember being a little younger than him and attempting to wear my sweater like that because that's how the girls would wear it in old fashioned movies, but it didn't really stay on me very well.  It seems to work for Austin.  Maybe he likes thinking of it as a cape instead of a jacket :)

This quote was on the wall of the aquarium... along with things like "Don't flash the octopus" which had Carl and I in stitches.  (They meant camera flashes, guys, California isn't that crazy....)  I don't know why we didn't get a picture of one of the funny quotes.  I'm kind of kicking myself now.

We ended our day in Santa Cruz where Carl, Austin and Tom rode some rides.  Ann and I chowed down on some ice cream even though it was super cold outside (who can resist Dippin Dots and a dipped cone? I mean seriously..)  The only ride that Ann and I indulged in was the gondola.  And that was to get us from point A to point B.  We are practical ladies ;)

I love how the guy in blue is smiling for this picture as well.

It was really a fun day had by all. 

Tom and Ann, come back any time.  We enjoyed our adventures with you!  Love ya'll!