Mammoth campout

I live for camping. If it was up to me and I didn't have a family to care for and look after, I would live out of a tent and be my outdoor hippie gypsy tree loving self. But I have a beautiful family that needs to be provided for, so it helps to have the things that we are blessed to have. Even before I had children, I knew that I wanted to pass on my love for the outdoors and especially for camping. Well, we recently had an opportunity for 2 out of 3 of our kids to do so. And let me tell you, that love is in their bones. Bubba was so connected to camping and just enjoying every bit of it. My dreams seriously came true that day. To see that love and admiration for nature pouring out of him. Lily enjoyed it too. But I did keep threatening to roll her in the dirt. We got to have Drew Drew and Moey with us. That was such a treat.

Here's the kiddos expressing their enthusiasim yelling "COWABUNGA!!!"

And you know it, funny face time!!!

Twin falls.

Right after we set up camp, we took a walk/hike with the beautiful surrounding views.

Our Lilybug is too cute!

When we got back to camp, we got the fire going and got the smores going as well. Between Moey and I, we probably ate 20 smores. We are the smore champs!

The kids slept really well. We did wake up a few times to a girl screaming and pots banging. The bears were cruising around that night for sure. In the morning we woke up and had breakfast and hot chocolate (ummmm hot chocolate). We hung out for a little bit, then packed up and headed for one of my favorite hikes to McCleod Lake. On the way, we stopped by Lake Mary, Lake Mamie and the top of Twin Falls.

Lake McCleod. It's too bad we didn't get video or a picture of it but I skipped my first stone!!! So exciting! I finally got the proper instruction with a combination of Moey and Ian's skills.

Lily did not want to leave.

Our famous family rock:)

After our hike we headed to June Lake for loads of what we do best; swimming, relaxing and playing in the sun.

The kids got out all their energy and they were pooped!

After the lake, we stopped by a few of my favorite spots in town. We stopped at Giovanni's to get some heavenly lunch and it was perfect! As usual, Ian had to drag me out of Mammoth. I fought him tooth and nail but he succeeded and got me back to my home away from home. So glad that we got to go camping as a family! Can't wait to do it again and again.

Zoo trip

One of Lilybug's birthday gifts this year was to go to the zoo. We had such a good time! We got to see a good amount of the animals. My only complaint is we didn't get to see the elephants. What the frick right??!! It doesn't make any sense to get to go on a zoo trip and not see elephants, what a let down. Lily's favorite was the giraffes and the only animal Bubba kept talking about was the sea lion. We have to take this kid to Sea World, he is my child after all.

Some of my favorites were the koalas and monkeys but I think I was getting more excited about the gorgeous flowers around the zoo. One of my favorite flowers is the hibiscus and they had plenty around. So beautiful! And I wasn't the only one getting distracted by the flowers, my little Buggie had her eye on them too.

Daddy's favorite was definetly the snow leopard. His favorite part was probably standing in the nice cool misters with Bubba.

As far as my favorite part of the day, eating shaved ice yum!! Oh and of course seeing my children enjoy their day looking at all the animals :)The picture of Daniel and I is him saying "CAT!" after seeing the jaguar. What a cutie patutie.