We ran ourselves ragged during spring break - AND HAVEN'T STOPPED SINCE! That is the reason for the LOOOOONNNNNNNGGGGGG lapse in blogging. I am now going to attempt to fix that situation!!!
We had planned to leave for Sacramento, well actually a condo in Angel's Camp, California on Friday, but we had the funeral of a dear friend we needed to attend, so we didn't actually leave until later. It was quite the drive, and involved several mountain passes. Unfortunately, the ENTIRE family has issues with motion sickness. So, through the years Shane has developed more patience, and is more willing to make those little stops that add hours to the trip, but make it much easier on the kids. Our first major anti-motion-sickness stop involved Ice Cream. Not only a family favorite (except for me), but also a good tool to settle upset tummies!
We did finally make it there, and the next made a trip to Yosemite National Park. It was a really nice time of year to go! No one was there, but the park was open. It was still a bit snowy, but since it was a warm spring day, and the kids are used to sub-zero Idaho winters, we ran through the snowy forest in our short shirt sleeves, and thought it was GREAT! All the Californians in their full snow suits, boots and hats thought we were a bit insane, but hey! We had fun!
Very LARGE tree. I guess you used to be able to drive through it - like in the time of horse and buggies and Model T Fords.
In an effort to 'Leave No Trace', we didn't get up next to this tree so you could really get a good perspective on how big it really was. The sign said walking on the roots kills it - we didn't want to be responsible for that. But seriously, it was a very big tree - bigger than the one we stood in!
This is Bridal Veil Falls, one of many water falls with this name in the world, but it is VERY TALL.
This is the famous Half-Dome in Yosemite. One day we will all climb it, but this day we really didn't have time and it was closed.
The next day we had responsibilities with the main reason that took us out there - the NCAA Women's West Regional Floor in Sacramento. We did get homework and a few other things done, but soon the kids got bored and ended up helping Shane and the crew of the Arena put the floor together.
McCade was responsible for handing out the pins that secured the panels together. He kept them in his pockets. Just as the crew went on their lunch break, he turned to Shane, hands jingling the pins in his front pockets and said "Hey Dad! Look! I has too much nuts in my pants!" Yep. That quote will follow him to his wedding! HAHA!
Doesn't Shane do an amazing job on the floors?
After that we heading toward the California Coast to see the Giant Redwoods. One of the many, MANY 'uh-oh someone else barfed' stops put us in front of the Big Foot Museum. It was a scary thing, that big 'ol Bigfoot!
After an almost-wrong turn, we did end up at the Avenue of the Giants. The Yosemite trees were really big, but these were AMAZING!
Tacey hugging the big tree!
Dallin hugging the big tree!
McCade hugging the big tree!
The trail to some specific trees - like the widest in the world, the tallest in the world - things like that, was closed. HOWEVER, we did find other ways to see them! HAHAHA! And no one fell in the river! Good thing, that one.
As I said, big tree. . . . . .
And, you know, the traditional shot of Shane.
We also drove the car through a tree!! Good thing Shane is an EXCELLENT driver. there was seriously MAYBE an inch TOTAL to spare.
As I said - a VERY tight fit.
The next day we picked up Tacey's buddy; a pretty girl named Abbey. They would spend the next several days working as Ball Girls at the Playoffs.
It was quite the job - and even though I am totally biased, I believe they did an amazing job. Not to mention they had an awesome view of the game. Their positions also allowed them some seriously good TV Camera shots! Which was good - all their friends back home were watching for them! They were pretty proud that their credentials allowed them MORE access than SHane's did!
With the Basketballs - hence the title 'Ball Girls'.
Shane also stood on the floor in his 'Official Capacity'.
Handing out Basketballs to the Stanford team; they became our favorite! They played amazing basketball, AND they were nice. The same wasn't necessarily something we could say about ALL the other teams.
Ball Girl's have important jobs, though not necessarily glamorous. Here is Tacey sweeping the floor.
Posing with her buddie!
And the seriously nice Security Guard who took care of them. We loved him!
Here she is leaving the court after cleaning up SIGNIFICANT sweat left by a player that fell.
And this is the best picture of all. One of the players ended up with a head wound and bled all over the floor in front of Tacey. She was the only one not freaked out and clear minded enough to give the poor girl a towel and and start cleaning up the blood. The Doctor got after her though - the blood was considered a bio hazard and she should have been wearing gloves. So, in the interest of general health, she let the medical officials handle the blood!
We also took a trip to San Francisco. This is from the Coit Tower. The kids are looking a little scared at the thought of being left at Alcatraz. (You can see it on that Island there in the background!)
And with Tacey along, a trip to Ghiradelli Square. Well, there is the chocolate habit I have, and you know, the kids kinda like it too. . .
And of course, there is Lombard Street. We climbed all those stairs!
See? Here we are at the top!
And a trip to San Francisco is not complete without a trip over, and a picture with, the Golden Gate Bridge!
We put Abbey on a plane, and drove home Tuesday. It was Thursday before we were really back at school, so the one week spring break turned into two - almost. As I said, we ran, and ran, and ran! And then, the following Tuesday, they cancelled school because of SNOW!
And there you go.
Welcome back to Idaho!
Danielle
