Family Vacation Part 3 - Magic Mountain

For the final days of our vacation we headed back to Valencia and Magic Mountain. If you love roller coasters, then Magic Mountain is the place to go. This was our first trip where our boys were finally tall enough to ride everything.

We decided to start small and go on Goliath to warm up. It's a huge coaster, but no loop-de-loops, so we thought that would be good for everyone. Unfortunately some in our party took one look at the track and decided maybe they didn't really want to go after all. We did some kiddie rides next, and that was a better idea because we all headed off to Batman, ready for thrills.




After lunch we decided it was time for the big daddy, X2! Rodger, Alec, Kaylee, and I were the only ones that decided to go through with it. Kaylee rode with me, and listening to her freak out was the funniest thing I'd heard in a long, long time. X2 is what they call a 3 dimensional coaster because the car that you are in rotates all around as you are zooming down the track. It's a little like that old fair ride "The Zipper" melded with a roller-coaster. Anyway as you slowly go up the first incline to the top you are facing backwards and down, (hard to explain) Kaylee started to freak out! She was screaming, "Shoot* (some words have been edited to protect those with delicate sensibilities) oh Shoot! And then she would try to calm herself down. She looked over at me and said, "Monica, you have really pretty eyes." And then she started screaming again. She alternated screaming, swearing, and telling me that we were going to die and she hated me the entire ride. I was laughing so hard that I started choking at one point. I was thinking, "oh great, I'm laughing so hard that I can't breathe and I'm going to die."



We had a great time, and even enjoyed being soaked to the skin after the raging rapids.

Family Vacation Part 2 - Ventura Beach

From the Forest we headed west again! We drove about three hours to the coast and Ventura Beach. We met up with our friends the Schabatka's for some fun in the sun and 4 days at the beach. They had only been to the beach once before, and haven't been on a vacation in ages so it was fun to show them the things we like to do.

Rodger and I spent a day in Ventura Beach a couple of years ago, and we liked it so much that we wanted to go back and spend more time. Ventura is a couple of hours north of LA, which has many benefits. It's cleaner, cooler, has nicer beaches, better parking, and great waves for boogie-boarding. The weather was a little weird while we were there though. They were still in the middle of what the locals call "June Gloom." It was overcast and foggy each morning when we headed over to the beach, and would take until 1 or 2 to burn off and warm up. The boys didn't spend much time in the water since it was cold, but Rodger and I loved it. We brought good quality boogie-boards this year, and I swear it makes all the difference, now I just need a wetsuit. We would stay out until our toes and fingers were numb and then we would spend 2 hours warming up so we could do it all over again. The boys built sandcastles, or as Alec called them military bases, to try to withstand the incoming tide. They also had fun digging up crabs.



The town of Ventura is totally cute with fun plants and flowers everywhere. I loved the little bungalows lining the streets, they all had such beautiful gardens. the downtown area is full of specialty boutiques and sidewalk cafe's with yummy food. Since our hotel was right between the beach and downtown we could walk to most of the places we went. The San Buenaventura Mission is also right downtown. It was founded in 1782, and is still an active parish. The garden and fountains there were beautiful, and we found lots of places to take family pictures.




We spent most of our time between the beach and the hotel pool so we got to relax, read, and enjoy the sun. I can't wait to go back next year.

Family Vacation Part 1-The Sequoia National Forest

It's been a couple of years since we have been on a big family vacation, and Rodger and I were really itching to take the boys on a special trip since we usually go to see family on our vacations. Alec still hasn't gotten over the fact that we didn't take him to Jamaica with us so we decided that the beach would be just the thing. We also needed to go school shopping, and so we headed off to the valley where we started things off with a few days with my Mom.

Since the boys were headed back to regular school we thought we should get them some new clothes. It was a little stressful for me because I was worrying so much about Alec being in 5th grade. I was afraid that this was the year that kids start to really worry about "cool" clothes, and brand names. Fortunately the boys go to Alpine School, and it isn't an issue at all, but more about that in another post.

So we got the shopping done and we headed west in search of good times, relaxation, and large trees.

We drove the first day to a town called Tulare, pronounced Too-la-ree, in the middle part of California. This part of Cali is very agricultural and we enjoyed driving on back roads trying to figure out what types of crops they were growing. The town was beautiful, and everyone was so friendly, not what I expected. The following morning we drove an hour and a half to the entrance to the Sequoia National Forest. If we had it to do over again we would stay in the little village of Three Rivers which is nestled in a canyon at the entrance to the park.

When you get to the entrance they give you a map and several fliers about dangers to beware of, as well as verbal warnings. First, we needed to stay out of the water even though it looked very refreshing on a hot day. Apparently drownings are a problem. Secondly, DO NOT leave any food in the car! Bears are a problem. Third, watch where we walk. Rattlesnakes are a problem. Fouth, Be careful of tall grass. Deer ticks that cause Lyme disease are a problem. Pay attention to our surroundings. Mountain lions are a problem. And lastly, if we go to a certain hike and parking lot to be careful, because rodents will eat the rubber tubing and or belts out of our engine rendering our car undriveable. After being alerted to all the issues I wasn't so sure we wanted to continue with the plan, but the boys were now more excited than ever.

We drove up a large winding road out of the canyon and into the forest proper. Everything was so green and beautiful, it reminded me of Alaska in the summertime, except for the monster trees. We reached the visitors center where there is a museum and lots of things to see and do. In the parking lot their are signs everywhere warning that this is an active bear area and to not have any food on you, or leave any in your car. They also have those huge steel garbage cans everywhere that are bear-proof. There we got our first look at a sequoia up close. While we were wandering around we discovered that there was a 3 mile hike up to the General Sherman tree (the largest tree in the world) through the woods. This sounded great to us since no one else was on it, and we all hate hordes of people. It was so sad to me that so many of the visitors hardly even got out of their cars to experience the forest. The several hours we spent hiking were amazing and beautiful.

As we neared the end of the trail and approached General Sherman we came across another couple hiking. The woman was eating a big bag of Doritos and dropping crumbs everywhere she went. I had a deja-vu moment where I was afraid I had suddenly stepped into Goldilocks and the three bears and that bears were about to come rushing out of the woods, but then we ran past them and I stopped hyperventilating. I have an irrational fear of bears.

General Sherman was too cool, and you really need more than one day to see and do everything. It was about time to head back and we didn't even have enough time to see the crystal caves. Next time Rodger and I are thinking we rent a motor home and stay for a week. That is assuming the rodents don't eat the entire engine and strand us in the middle of nowhere!

A tunnel through a fallen Sequoia, The General Sherman Tree, and Rodger and Dean pacing of the height of the Sentinel Tree.

The Sentinel Tree, and Alec standing next to a fallen Sequoia

Hiking

Picnic with the Poche's

Rodger and I started hiking early in our relationship, in fact some of our first dates were hiking around Oak Creek Canyon and the Grand Canyon. Fortunately we seemed to have passed on this enjoyment to our boys, because they are great little hikers.

Several weeks ago our friends told us about a great hike up Escudilla that winds through the aspens and continues on to a forest service fire tower. So away we all went. The hike was a little over 6 miles round trip, but all the kiddos made it, including Ella who is only 2, and wanted to walk most of the way.

The Poche's were definately fun to hike with, and they all kept us entertained. Alec and Dean were just glad to have other kids to play with for once.

The view from the tower was beautiful, and totally worth the hike, but the best part was lunch!
We capped the whole day off with a barbecue and Wizards (if anyone knows where I can buy this game, let me know).


I learned after the fact that I had a smudge on my camera lens, so all of these pictures look a bit fuzzy.

Weekly Wrap-Up

Well the break is officially over. We've been flying under the radar for quite some time, but Brother Poche finally caught up with us, and we were asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting last weekend.

I have to say that 5 years is a long time to go unnoticed, but I am definitely not complaining.

So Rodger and I dutifully prepared our talks for 2 weeks and got ready for our 12 minute spiels.
I did almost have a stroke when the other speaker who happens to be a sheriff's deputy got called out, but fortunately he was able to come back and give his talk.

I was asked to talk on teaching children in the home, I know ironic huh? Rodger spoke on the importance of scripture. I think we both did ok, I'm honestly just glad it's over. I wonder if we can make it another 5 years now.

This same week my grandma had family home evening group over at her house and somehow I wound up being the entertainment as well as providing the refreshments. I can't figure out how I keep getting into these situations. I was proud of my fruit pizzas and my pinwheels, but I only got pictures of the pizzas.





So now we have a few days to relax until the lunacy of the Fourth takes over. I'm trying to convince Rodger to take me dancing for the festivities, but I'm not going to hold my breath because he's got poison ivy again. I know, right?

I can't believe we are going to do this again. He went on an Elder's quorum activity to the black river down in this crazy canyon. He enjoyed the fishing and hiking and how he managed to miss the fact that he was sitting in it again I'll never know. You'd think after the last time the image of it would be tattooed on his brain but apparently not.


Only 3 weeks left until I get to go soak up the sun on the beach! Do you think I can drop 10 pounds by then?

Hiatus

So, I'm aware that I haven't posted anything new in months, but hopefully my 4 new posts will make up for my long absence. I've been sewing my pioneer clothes, and trying to get the boys ready to start attending the Alpine school next year, as well as getting my flower and vegetable gardens going. Not to complain, it's just been wild around here for weeks and weeks. Hopefully I will be better able to keep up now. I'm dragging my family out to take pictures this weekend so hopefully I will have new photos to post of all of us soon!

Trek 2010

Well let me just start out by saying that I never expected to go on a Trek again in my life. I was able to participate in a trek in 1995, the summer I graduated from high school. It was definitely a life changing experience for me, but not necessarily a fun one. Have you ever noticed that the times you grow the most in life are generally the hardest and most stressful periods? Well this certainly fits in that category. Anyway I learned a lot about myself and gained more confidence in my abilities as well as a new relationship with my Heavenly Father. I had experiences there that cemented my faith, and helped me understand the concept of Divine Nature.

So enough about '95, I was glad to have the experience and figured that was all she wrote. So when I got the call again a few months ago I was confused. First of all, a bishopric member who shall remain nameless swore up and down that my name was not on the list submitted to the stake, this only happened after tormenting me shamelessly for days. I figured I was in the clear right, nope. I seriously thought about saying no, but that didn't feel right either. The story is too convoluted to even try to explain, so I'll just say that it became very clear to me that Heavenly Father really wanted me on this trek, and there was nothing else to do but go.

For those of you that don't know the Trek is a recreation of the handcart companies that crossed the Midwest on their way to Utah. We are put into families with other individuals that we don't know all that well, and we push a 600lbs. handcart loaded with all of our stuff for 20+ miles over 4 days. We go in crazy terrain and push ourselves to the absolute limits. The experience helps us gain a better appreciation for our pioneer heritage, and to focus on the basics in life.

So here I was once again heading off into painful territory. And when I say painful that's exactly what I mean. I am such a klutz that I managed to step-in, trip-over and fall-down in every obstacle in my path. I loved my trek family and am so glad I got to be a part of it. I have funny stories about everyone, and feel honored to know them. I keep looking up each day wondering where they are. After spending 24 hours a day for 4 days together they become a part of you. Angie, love ya! Having you to talk with made all the difference to me, you're awesome! Mike, bring more changes of clothes next time, I promise it's a whole different experience. Brian, your sense of humor kept me in good spirits and I want to be the kind of example that you are to our youth. Ashley, I still think I could have taken you in the stick-pull, but I guess we'll never find out. Rachel, you are the kind of daughter I hope I will be blessed with someday, your parents are so lucky to have you. I love all of you, even if I didn't mention the things I love about you here and hope we can continue these friendships forever!


I don't want to go into too many personal details, but it was again a life changing experience. Rodger wrote me the sweetest letter, and as I sat there in the woods reading it I knew how blessed I am. I am so grateful for my family, and hope I can be the wife/mother you all deserve.

The Colwell Clan

P.S. Trevor keep your shirt on!!!!!!