Paula

Ocean Cakes for breakfast

Gina and I went to Old Thyme Bakery in Turlock to meet Angi Robbins Miller over her lunch break. I ordered Angi's recommendation, Autumn Special: turkey & ham, cream cheese & cheddar, with cranberry sauce. It was delicious!

Tuesday afternoon Paula and her kiddos came over to see us at Gina's for a short visit. I have lots of memories and many pictures with Paula during our teenage years. It was nice to see her for a little bit. Now my children have a better idea of who I mean when I talk about the days of California Camp!

Paula, Cali, & Brandt  *   Heather, Caroline, Annie, & Meg
Riley was biking in the back orchard and Cora was napping

 

We enjoyed supper at Aaron & Mary Brunks with Jeff & Ann Bowman. And families! On the way out the door Mary loadeth us with benefits of homemade sourdough bread, homecanned peach jam, Blue Diamond almonds, and a bag stuffed with Sweettarts. Hearts and bounty overflowing!

Fish Dinner...by Annie

On Monday I went to Annette Bowman's to help her bake.She had told me when I was helping Gina that I could come and help her. I made a few dozen Egg Puffs and a Coffee Cake with glaze and crumbs on top, (I think) for a lady who was having surgery and for a mother who just had a baby. While I was making those, she made Gold Rush Casserole for someone also. We were going to make a card but we didn't have enough time so we planned on doing it tomorrow. It was really fun helping Annette. I like to help other people and be in the kitchen baking or cooking up something. 

Daddy went out to lunch with Ben Miller, near his work.

That night Garrett's Grandma, Annie Bowman, came for a yummy dinner of  Striped Bass Fish that Riley had caught in the Delta. I didn't know there was an Annie Bowman in California.

fish baked in foil with onion, pepper, tomato, mushrooms, and cheese

Cora quite pleased with her tiny goblet

dinner hosts, Garrett & Gina

Yosemite National Park

Four families met at Garrett & Gina's at 7:45am Sunday April 14. Jenny drove our van (so I could take care of Meg) and Shannon rode with Jason. A couple hours later we entered Yosemite; passing through 3 tunnels past fast rushing waterfalls. At the west end of Yosemite Valley we stopped at a pull-off to have devotions by the Merced River. 

Half Dome -front and center-

all the little people

I Chron 29 The Majesty of God
I Cor 15 The Gospel

Bridalveil Fall was our next stop. The park was so crowded it was tricky finding parking spots for all 4 vehicles. Traveling together is fun, but takes more time and patience! The falls trail was wet and the overlook was so misty you could hardly see it up close = a LOT of water!. The creek below the falls was beautiful with such fast moving water crashing up and over small boulders and rocks. And the fantastic sound. Ah, the noise of rushing water!

Bridalveil Fall

Annie & Claire beside the creek

We had each packed our family's lunches and ate at Cathedral Beach. The picnic area was right across the river from El Capitan...massive rock face. There was lots of rock skipping happening with our group!

 

impressive El Capitan

another children pic

just for fun

friends :)

Next on the agenda, Yosemite Falls. We spent most of our time here, watching tame deer, sliding down a steep rock, walking the trail, taking family pictures, etc. Very relaxing. Very awesome.

upper Yosemite Falls

God's created playground

such a steep climb up the backside of the slide

Cora made it!

Yosemite Falls

Aaron & Mary Brunk

Jason & Jenny Brubaker

Shannon & Heather Bowman

Garrett & Gina Bowman
the only snapshot with the falls in it! (upper right)

Carson and Riley hangin' in a tree

watching the tightrope walker teeter across the falls on a cable

We next meandered through the grounds of The Ahwahnee. Jenny and I were peering inside one of the cottages through the window and realized people were inside. Oh my, embarrassing! Inside the lodge they were serving tea & cookies while a gentleman played piano music. The formal dining room's round tables were set with goblets and arranged cloth napkins. Chandeliers dangling from high ceilings everywhere! $45 for brunch or $16 for a sandwich. Peanut butter & jelly was just $6.75.

looking over the sitting area, listening to the melody

outside the dining room

One last stop before heading out of the park...to get Jr Ranger badges. Annie, Claire, and Caroline, accompanied by Jason and Shannon ran to the Valley Visitor Center and accomplished just that! With 1 minute to spare before closing. In the parking lot we chatted with 2 German motorcyclists who are touring the U.S. 

On the way home, we ate at a small Mexican restaurant in Groveland. Our gang filled 3 of the 8 tables! Shannon and I shared chicken Sabina Blanca, which was super tasty!

Aaron & Nicole's

Saturday morning, April 13, we went to the Brethren Heritage School Fundraising Auction. Annie had spent the night with her new friend and we met them there. Her 1st slumber party! One of the girls is a daughter of my friend who I shared many Ohio slumber parties with almost 20 years ago! They had a full schedule of bike riding, fixing pizzas, a church singing, making breakfast waffles, then the school auction.

Saturday afternoon we checked out Trader Joe's for the 1st time. We didn't need much since everyone has been so generous in feeding us well, but did pick up some honey, pita breads, organic whole wheat pasta, and sweet chili sauce.

Saturday evening we had another getting-to-know-your-spouse-and-family hospitality meal. Aaron and Nicole (and their 2 boys + baby) were great hosts. It was neat having one on one conversation; we all really enjoyed their sweet family!

colorful fruit & veggies

children dining outside

delicious barbequed chicken  *   lovely table setting

Nicole, Reagan, Aaron, Andrew, minus sleeping Bennett

young folk gals turned homemakers :)