Mom visits!

I love my mom!  I only wished she lived a little closer.  But since she doesn’t, I’m very grateful for every visit I get with her.  At the end of January she came for a week to work on baby projects with me.  We made the bumpers and skirt for the crib (when I see “we” I mostly mean my mom since I’m not quite as talented in the sewing department as she is.  I did a lot of ironing though and also made a little ruffle pillow (from an easy tutorial on this site) for the rocker in the nursery).

I hardly took any pictures—I could kick myself! 

This is how the dining room looked the entire week.

On my mom’s last day here we were in a time crunch trying to get everything done before her flight.  My mother-in-law, Barbara, came over to help and run some errands so that we could get everything done in the small amount of time we had left.  So nice of her! 

My mom and Barbara

And pictures of the finished projects:

front side of bumpers

back side (inside) of bumpers

ruffle pillow

(I will also take a picture of the crib skirt, but once it’s on the crib) 

Fairfield- Jelly Belly Factory

On our last day in Fairfield, we went to the Jelly Belly Factory for a tour.  I can’t tell you how many times I have done this.  It never gets old.  I learn something new each time.  This time we were proud to learn that the originators of the Jelly Belly started in Portland, OR-- but it was too humid for the Jelly Belly, and they moved down south a bit to Fairfield. 

Brian and Ronald Reagan (who helped make the Jelly Belly famous)—this portrait is done entirely with individual Jelly Belly’s!

My favorite flavor is red apple (not to be confused with green apple which I so don’t like!)  Brian’s favorite is blueberry.

We learned from the tour that the top 4 most popular flavors are Very Cherry, Black Licorice, Popcorn, and Juicy Pear (maybe not in that order)  

Yosemite- The Valley

  Matthias, Rebecca, J, Papa, Mom, B-Man, Samuel, Lucy, Brian

On the last day, we sadly had to say goodbye to Matthias’ family and we headed home.  On our way out, we stopped to see some important things in Yosemite Valley. 

View of Half-Dome from

 

Another picture of Half Dome (small and center)  My family took a picture of us all lined up just like this growing up.

In front of Yosemite Falls

Yosemite- Mariposa Grove

You have to go see the big trees when you’re in Yosemite.  We spent a morning walking around Mariposa Grove.  The trees are so big and tall. 

B-Man

 

Brian, me, Mom, B-Man, Matthias, J, and Becca

Yosemite- The Waterfall

A few miles above the swinging bridge is a beautiful waterfall that we hike to.  As a teenager this was my favorite part of Yosemite.  This was Brian’s favorite part as well!  I wish we had gone more often during our week there. 

 

Unfortunately, I didn’t take any pictures of either of us jumping.  Brian jumped so many times.  I jumped twice.  I was fearless as a teenager, but have gotten more and more afraid of heights the older I get.  Finally, Brian held my hand and jumped with me.  The next time I was able to do it by myself. 

Samuel, Randy, Debra, Mom, Ray, and Brian (where am I?  I still haven’t jumped)

I finally jumped and made it into a picture.

Yosemite- The Bridge

Ever since I was a very little girl my family has gone camping in Yosemite for a week during the Summer.  My mom grew up going every year with her family.  It’s a tradition I hope our little family will continue! 

Back in August Brian and I drove to Fairfield.  We packed everything up in my parent’s cars and drove with them and Samuel to Yosemite.  Matthias, Rebecca, and their 2 boys met us there.  My aunt and uncle, Ray and Diane, and their entire family happened to be there that week too.  They were staying in a cabin just 4 doors down from ours.  Such great timing to be there at the same week as them!

We spent most of our time at the swinging bridge:

This picture of the bridge is being taken from where we did most of our relaxing.  In years past, I have jumped out of this multiple times.  Now the rangers don’t let us (but to be honest, I wouldn’t have done it even if I could have).  Some people got in jumps before hearing the new rule.

This is where we set up camp each day—sitting, relaxing, playing games, talking, eating, and an occasional dip in the river.

Brian swam a lot more than I did.  The water was quite cold.

 

Papa and B-Man

Me, Brian, Matthias

J & Samuel

Becca, J, B-Man, and Matthias

Catching up.

I haven’t blogged in a very long time.  I’m hoping to change that.  I have a lot to post on, and some thing go back almost a year!  Yikes!  But I have to start somewhere, so here I go…get excited!