Backpacking, fun with cousins, and Easter

During our trip to California for Grandpa Terry's birthday, we were able to go on a backpacking trip for four days in the Big Sur area, near Monterey. It was beautiful weather and scenery. We went swimming in the very cold Big Sur River and then got to soak in the relaxing, although slightly foul smelling, hot springs. Hiking twenty miles may not sound like vacation, but it really was a getaway for us!

On the trail with a view of the ocean behind us.

There were so many beautiful flowers and lush greenery. At times you had to duck under the canopy made over the trail.

Huge fallen Redwood trees on the trail

View of the Ocean from the Pine Ridge Trail

Coastline on Hwy 1, Big Sur, California, near Monterey

Lisa is finally at the age where she really has fun playing with her cousins. This used to be one of my favorite games when I was a kid. We'd pull each other around on a blanket.

Cameron told Lisa if the dandelion showed yellow on her chin then she was happy.

Silly time with cousins, Cade and Cameron

Decorating Easter eggs with daddy

First thing she wanted to do when she found an egg...eat it, of course!

Happy Easter basket!

Happy 80th Birthday!

This month Ryan's grandpa had his 80th birthday and we were able to make a trip to California to celebrate. We had a really great time seeing family we don't see very often and enjoying the warm California weather.

Mesa Falls minus the snow shoes

Well, I usually just put pictures of Lisa on here, but I decided this time to post a fun trip that Ryan and I did to Mesa Falls today. We originally were going to use our snowshoes, but the snow was so packed down we didn't need them. It was a fun hike, including views of the Lower and Upper Mesa falls, sliding down hills with no sleds, climbing on top of the visitor's center and building a silly snowman. We both got rather sunburned.