East Side! Vacation on Hwy 395

Andy fishing Convict Lake south of Mammoth

After Davey and CC's wedding, the three of us plus Hunter, Jeff and baby Carson, extended our vacation and drove north up Highway 395 on the east side of the Sierra. 395 is literally one of our favorite places in California (once you're just south of Lone Pine). Bishop and Mammoth are on the 395, as well as access to some of our favorite backpacking spots. I get goosebumps every time we drive on 395 because you have massive mountains rising up out of the valley on either side of you, in all their majestic granite beauty. It's hard to explain until you've been there.

First we stayed the night in Bishop, then walked around town in the morning to all of our favorite shops and of course Schaat's Bakery. Andy surprised me with our anniversary gift (2 years!) by getting me a Galen Rowell photograph at the Mountain Light Gallery. We lucked out because there was a sale and we got a second print virtually free. They are beautiful images of the sierra. Come see them!

After the morning in Bishop we headed south to Keauhou Hot Springs, which features a large hot tub (for mom and dad) and a swimming pool heated by the hot springs. Alpin could not wait to get in the pool, so after we both had a quick dip in the hot tub, we suited him up and took him in the pool. I've never seen him so happy, he literally thought it was the best thing to ever happen to him. He splashed and kicked, and Andy put him on the kick board and zoomed him around. He loved it. It amazes me how much our little aquarius loves the water, it's uncanny. Hunter and Jeff also took Carson in the pool for his first time. He was a little unsure of it, but hung in there for a bit. He was super adorable in his swim suit.

After swimming we headed up north to Mammoth and checked into the Austria Hof lodge, right at the bottom of Canyon Lodge. It was crazy being at the foot of the resort, but in the summer time. The mountain was so beautiful, and it is always nice being in Mammoth on the off season. The next day we went to Convict lake and hung out with the babies and Andy and Jeff got their fishing poles out. All the fall colors were out in force, and the Aspen were so beautiful, making the mountains look like they were painted with streaks of yellow and orange and red. We went out to Whisky Creek for dinner, of course, and celebrated our anniversary with the cookie monster desert sundae :-)

It was so nice having some time together with Hunter, Jeff and Carson. The boys had a chance to bond a bit, and spent time checking each other out. I'm sure Carson learned a thing or two from Alpin, and Alpin loves other babies. We can't wait till they are a little older, because then they will virtually be the same age.

We drove home through Yosemite, Alpin's first time. Too bad it was officially closed due to the government shutdown. We'll take him camping there next year.

Alpin having a blast at Keauhou (too bad we didn't get audio so you could hear his giggles):

Alpin loving the hotel

the boys in Keauhou

Hunter Carson and Jeff

happy simmers

our happy family

Alpin's synchronized swimming moves

he didn't stop splashing, or smiling

could that smile get any bigger?

super cute Carson

in the spray

splash kick

kick board action

Jeff Hunter and Carson at Convict Lake

Convict Lake 

our little monster

father son fishing

Alpin trying his hand at fishing

 

Austria Hof hot tub

view from hot tub (Canyon Lodge)

Austria Hof

Mammoth from 395 (we ski from the top!)

Alpin's first time in Yosemite

Davey & CC's Wedding!

We packed up the car and headed south to Burbank for Uncle Davey and Aunt CC's Wedding!!

It was a whirlwind of a weekend, but a total blast. Friday night was rehearsal dinner at a local Mexican Restaurant, which was fun to relax and hang out with so many close friends and our family who flew in from out of state. Then of course we stayed up late at the pool in the hotel.

Saturday morning was a true whirlwind, Davey and CC's ceremony was at 10am, so before we knew it, the ceremony was started and then, they were married! It was a very sweet ceremony, complete with our three adorable cousins as flower girls and ring bearers (Dahlia, Willow and Violet) and Andy was Best Man. Alpin did great (other than getting his first sunburn), apart from his minor breakdown when everyone in the crowd shouted 'we do!' in commitment to Davey and CC. Andy also read a nice quote about weirdness, and the vows were personal and touching. Davey and CC were just radiating with joy, so wonderful to see. Alpin was so handsome in his tuxedo pants, vest and button up, it should have been illegal. The pictures do not do justice.

The ceremony was followed by a fun reception complete with lawn games, good food, dancing, and a photo booth where you can pick your backdrop (see Alice and Wonderland picture below). We sat at a table with all our family, so it was nice to have as much time as possible with Aunt Candy and Marilee, and cousins Karrie, Susie and Stefan. Andy was worn out trying to keep up with Willow's break dancing moves and dancing with Dahlia and Violet.

After the ceremony we spent hours at the pool again, and of course stayed up late with friends and family. If only the weekend were longer! Sunday morning we headed to a park nearby to say goodbye to our family and friends, and play some games and have breakfast.

The pictures below are just a snapshot, there were so many good ones! I'll try to post a link to their professional photos once we have it.

Cheers to Davey and CC!!!!!!

Waiting for the ceremony

Cool 'green screen' photo booth

Cousin Violet as Flower Girl

Alpin and Cousin Willow Ring Bearer

all dressed up!

Handsome Guys

cousins bonding

it's a tough job being cute

hanging at the pool with cousin Dahlia

his scrunchy tough guy face

lady logs at rehearsal dinner 

playing it cool

the three sisters 

mama and Alpin

flower girls and ring bearer being very serious

our beautiful cousins

the boyz

7 Months!

Every day I wake up and look at my son, he's grown, again. Now that baby boy is eating solid foods, he's packing on the pounds and getting cuter every day. He's so cute right now I really can't stand it.

We estimate he's about 15.5 lbs., and probably grown another inch. In the last month he's become fully and efficiently mobile, even jumping right into pulling himself up on low things (like his mom sitting, or toys or duffel bags...). He loves playing with his toys and reading books (less eating of books now which is fantastic) and crawling around as much as possible. He also looooooves water - bathtime, pooltime, drinking water, everything!

Things that rate highest on Alpin's list (other than his mama and papa): kids, puppies, solid food, peek-a-boo, and Yellow Submarine (still).

Alpin is the life of every party, we just went to Frank and Erin's wedding yesterday and he bonded with almost their entire crew of friends and family. It didn't hurt that there were bubbles, puppies and other kids there. He also took another camping trip (Hendy Woods) after Labor Day and we had so much fun. He really loves the tent and crawling around.

Alpin also has a greater sense of self and his personality is blossoming. He still makes ridiculous facial expressions (concerned...surprised...smile) and has quite a babbling vocabulary to go with it. He also lets us know when he doesn't agree with what's going on, and thinks he should be able to do something else.

If you want to make him laugh, just play peek-a-boo or takes notes from this video:



Or watch this video to see how crazy and talkative our son is:


(click photos to view larger)