Wrapping Up the Month

 

February, short and sweet
It flies by before we hardly realize it has begun.

This young lady graced the stage during the school talent show
and played a revised version of her latest recital piece,
Arabesque #1 by Debussy

 

There was a major laundry mishap that involved a new red jacket

and clothing that used to be white.

Since it was the first time that had ever happened around here,
I tried various remedies that didn't work.
The Rit Color Remover did the job and there were white clothes again.

 

Speaking of color...

her colorful clothes match her colorful personality.

 

I took this guy out to lunch one day.

He is obviously very hungry.

 

A few days later he took me out for a drink.

"Normal" pictures are not his forte!

 

My hubby celebrated another year.

The day didn't start out very well for him.

He woke up with a terrible headache then his work

had a major problem that kept him on the phone all morning.

It was all resolved by lunch time so he enjoyed his favorite dish at Strings Italian.

 

His request for the evening was a sugar pie.

Oops!  It's rather obvious how old he is!

 

The skies have lent themselves to beautiful pictures.

Nathan is taking a photography class so he is quick to grab the camera

and get some good shots.

 

The trees have bloomed.

The almond trees have been beautiful, as usual.

Our little apple tree was the first bloom I noticed on our property.

Unfortunately, the warm weather has forced things to bloom early.

 

And so, we move quickly into March

anticipating the joys of spring and

being blessed with more busy days.

 

 

Yosemite

(Not as it should be in February.)

 

 

We started in the valley and slowly progressed in altitude

enjoying the changes in scenery and the beautiful day.

 

It was the Friday before Valentine's Day, the beginning of the

President's Day weekend.

Saturday, Sunday, and Monday the entrance fee was waived.

We chose to pay the fee and by doing this hoped we would miss the weekend crowds.

It seemed to work in our favor.

 

This is a not-to-be-missed view.

It's always our first stop.

Unfortunately, you will notice that there is absolutely no snow in the valley or

on the peaks.  That is not a good thing at all.

 

It bothered me to have Wesley miss the trip but he didn't have a school holiday

like everyone else.  We are to the point of...If we wait for everyone to be

available, then we will never be able to take any more day-trips.

 

 

Bridalveil Falls 

 

Bridalveil Falls. 

We have been here when the path walking up to view the falls is wet and slippery

and we have been here when there is no water flowing at all.

This is a happy medium.

 

Yosemite Falls

The hike to the base of this fall is very beautiful but we didn't go there this time.

Instead, we hung out in the meadow and enjoyed the panoramic view of the valley.

 

 

While we were enjoying the meadow walk, these two hiked up to Vernal Falls.

You can sort of see the splash of it over Nathan's shoulder.

 

 

When it is cold and there is snow and ice, it is impossible to get to the falls

because the trail is closed.  Not this February.

 

 

They met a very friendly squirrel along the way who has unfortunately

 

been habituated to people.  So much for the "Do Not Feed the Wildlife" signs.

 

This is the closest any of us are going to get to rock climbing...

hanging out in front of the mountaineering school and store.

 

 

This was the funniest picture of the day.

I needed to use the bathroom so we hurried across the main parking lot to

where they are usually located.  Imagine my surprise to find the steps,

deck, and a "Closed for Cleaning" sign but no bathrooms.

I guess they had hauled away the portable building for the winter.

 

Overheard on the bus:

"I am from Tennessee and have traveled all over the United States.

Yosemite is the most beautiful place I have ever seen.

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrations

 

Family celebrations are always reason enough to pack up for the weekend

and make the trek south.

 

Passing through the mountains that divide central and southern CA.



 

This is what our cargo looks like for a quick weekend trip.

 

The first event of Sat. was to celebrate this little guy.

Since he has a big brother to keep up with, he is daring, adventurous, and has

an amazing vocabulary.

 

The party started with pizza at the park but due to clouds and wind, it moved

indoors where the house was filled to capacity.

 

The bigger kids were so helpful at present time.

They were constantly reminded to back up and to not try to help unwrap the presents.

 

 It had been only a month since the family was together so Ethan and Rudy

quickly became friends again. 

Plus, he found that Uncle Rudy would respond positively to his requests.

How can you say, "No" when someone sweetly requests to go outside

 or be given another treat?

 

The second event of the day was a graduation party.

Yes, in January.

Sometimes that's how homeschooling works.

 

For some odd reason, the cake pops were the only picture of the food laden tables

that I managed to get.

 

The beautiful graduate.

 

{T & A. Cook}

 

Ethan was giving Uncle Rudy a workout. 

 

 

Since the practical thing to give a graduate is money but my kids declared that

it is way too boring to give someone a card with a check in it...

They took the cash,

rolled up each dollar,

and stuffed each one in a balloon.

Each balloon was blown up and placed in a large plastic gift bag

 (which we didn't remember to photograph).

The graduate was so thrilled to pop each and every balloon to eventually get her gift.

 

After a nice Sunday dinner together, we returned home

with a backseat full of kids who had too many late nights

with cousins and were no help with the driving.