Yosemite and Legoland!

Setting up camp Saturday night.

The first morning we woke up early and were the only people at Bridal Veil Falls! We had our family prayers there, it was really special.

Making oatmeal, it was such a cold morning that our bland oatmeal was amazing just because it was something warm!

Vernal Falls Hike

Beautiful pit stop

Yosemite Falls

Back at camp!

Tunnel View on the morning of day 2

The next day we got up pretty early again so we could get to Sentinel Dome. We were once again, nearly alone as we hiked up there. Ruth had hurt her foot the day before by repeatedly twisting her ankle as we hiked around. Brad bandaged up her ankle and then gave her a piggy back ride nearly the entire way up and down, over 2 miles. Because Brad was carrying Ruth, I had to carry Claire. I was very sore from the previous day so I was moving really slowly. By the time we had made it a mile and reaching the really steep part of the climb I was frustrated, exhausted and ready to turn around. Brad was waiting for me in the shade and asked if I could make it the rest of the way if I didn't have to carry Claire. Grumpily, I told him "Maybe." So with Claire off my back we all picked our way along the granite dome. I was so glad Brad encouraged me to keep going, even though I really didn't want to. When we got to the top it was glorious. We could see the entire face of El Capitan, all of Yosemite Falls as well as the iconic Half Dome. It was amazing. After some water, pictures and a re-wrapping of Ruth's foot we climbed back down. I was even able to carry Claire most of the way after our rest at the top.

After our hike we went up to Glacier point to get another view

We traveled on to Wawona to set up camp. It was really hot, but luckily we were right next to this awesome river. We dubbed this area "Granite Island."

The 3rd day we packed up and left Yosemite. We went to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.

Right before our stop at Buckeye Flat, Ruth and Brad climbed up 350 stairs to this viewpoint.

The next morning we woke up and told the kids we were headed home. But we actually surprised them by taking them to Legoland. I think the hotel was the best part of the entire experience, but of course the kids loved the rides and water parks.

These guys were there to greet us in the lobby

Lego pit in the lobby

rides

Both are totally made from legos...and glue

Legoland Aquarium: they had a really cool scavenger hunt to participate in and learn about sea life. We also got to watch a diver hand feed clams to the rays!

After 3 days at Legoland we were really going home. We took the scenic route along highways 1 and 101. We went through the Big Sur again, saw some elephant seals and stopped in Santa Cruz.

This was the view from our room:

Yosemite/Legoland April  2015 | My new trip on Roadtrippers.com!

Homeschool Fun

We've been talking about knights and castles recently. Today we talked about the code of chivalry and I knighted Will after making him promise to keep the code. Then I told him we have to call him Sir William, to which he bashfully replied, "no you don't! I'm not a knight." I told him that there was no difference between what we just did and what knights did and he said that I wasn't a knight or the king. I said, "I'm the Queen!" To which he responded, "No you're not, you're the mom." Fine, he doesn't want to play pretend with me. But the code of chivalry is a really good reminder of all the things we've been trying to teach our kids, especially the parts about exhibiting manners! But there's lots of other good stuff about not taking advantage of people, being loyal and honest, and protecting family and church.

Cheese taste test (out of 9 cheeses the only one they didn't like was mozzarella...they even liked the brie!) from when we talked about France, Versailles, and the fate of King Louis and Marie Antoinette verses the fate of the French peasant Joan of Arc. Ruth decided she'd still rather be a queen and just do a better job of it than Marie!

We had just talked about the vikings and their importance in creating the French and British navies...then what happened to pull into our bay, literally a 5 minute walk from our home? Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain!