Big Bear Trip

We went to Big Bear Lake, California at the end of July for a family reunion. Rory's dads side of the family holds a family reunion (in a different place each time) every 4 years or so. We were not able to attend the last one as the girls were about 6 months old and I just had umbilical hernia surgery not long before. Some of our immediate cousins were not able to attend, but we had a pretty good crowd there.

We left on Saturday early morning to fly to LAX. It was a lot cheaper to fly into there and on Saturday. After landing, we headed to Manhattan Beach for breakfast at North End Caffe. It was soooo good. I definitely recommend it. I didn't snap a photo as I chowed down too quickly. After eating, we headed to the beach and walked around.

Then we drove up to the Griffith Observatory, but parking was insane and I knew the girls wouldn't walk the mile uphill after parking. So we headed to The Grove for some shopping, sightseeing, cupcakes and for a place to hang out.

After shopping and eating, we headed to Philz Coffee in Pasadena since it was close to our hotel. I got an iced coffee with a splash of cream and it was the best coffee I have ever had. Soooo good. And totally worth the hype.

We then tried to check into our hotel, but they had a check in at 4 pm instead of the normal 3 pm. So we had to wait around the pool for about 20 minutes which sucked since it was hot, the girls wanted to go into the pool and we were not able to. We wanted to go in later, but they had a wedding out at the pool at 5 pm.

So we got situated in our hotel, relaxed and then went to dinner at Bun Street, a highly rated burger place. After dinner, we stopped at Trader Joes for some water and wine and headed back to the hotel. We all crashed early.

Sunday morning we got some coffee and muffins in Monrovia and then walked around the cute town.

Then we headed to the Ontario Airport to pick up family. We grabbed a quick lunch and then back to Trader Joes for food and drinks for our time in Big Bear. Then we drove up. The road is very windy and we had to stop a few times, so no one would get car sick. But we got to see views like this.

We arrived, got settled into our cabin and then met up with family. We had a huge pasta dinner and hung out with family all evening.

Monday morning they had a pancake breakfast followed by some games and then we spent the day going in the pool, on a boat and just hanging out. That night they had the BEST taco food truck come cater. It was amazing. I soooo want them to come to Reno and cater our events. They had these tacos where they grill cheese, put a meat or veggies in it and then roll it and put it in a tortilla. I had way too much to eat, but it was soooo worth it. Then they did a birthday celebration, but I opted for more tacos and guac.

The kids played on the swings and with their cousins the whole time!

We tried this. It takes like peanut butter. It is really good, but only for one drink. Ha.

I snapped this photo of the girls sleeping.

Tuesday morning we had some coffee and then breakfast at one of the families RV's. We hung out there and then headed back for some family photos.

After photos, we headed to the Alpine Slides at Magic Mountain. We did go-karts, the alpine slides and water slides. Plus some video games for the kids. I haven't done a water slide in forever. It was a ton of fun.

After the slides, we headed back to the cabins where the kids napped and the adult women went into Big Bear for some shopping. We shopped, snacked and then headed back for a bbq dinner. We did some family celebrations and chatted the night away.

Wednesday morning, we got up, got ready and headed back to Ontario. On the way down, several people got car sick, but only Sutton puked. She puked twice and we felt so bad. It was everywhere and in our rental car. We got her changed, most of everything cleaned up and headed back to the airport. It was a rough start to the morning. Then we flew from Ontario to San Francisco where we had a 2 1/2 hour layover and then back to Reno. We picked up Walter, did a bunch of laundry, ate some pizza, got ready for the rest of the week and then went to bed.

It was a short trip, but a good trip. Have you ever been to Big Bear Lake?

Annual Graeagle Trip Part 2

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Yesterday, I left off at the finish of Monday evening.

Tuesday morning we got up and made sausage, fruit and bagels for breakfast. The cousins jumped on their grandparents bed again. It was a pretty peaceful morning. After filling up on breakfast, Rory and I decided to go golfing. It was perfect temperatures, but I had to wear a light jacket and tons of bug spray because my legs got attacked by mosquitoes the evening before and I didn't want any bites visible for wedding photos.

Sutton LOVED bing cherries on this trip.

The cabins we stay in are located on a 9 hold golf course which is easy and fun to play. Rory and I spent about 2 hours playing while the cousins played all morning.

We got back just in time for the cousins to be finishing lunch and going down for naps. Rory and I headed into town for some shopping. After naps, we brought everyone into town for ice cream at our favorite local shop, Buckaroos Chocolates. Sadly, I didn't take many photos that day.

After ice cream, we headed back to the cabin to change and go to the pool at our resort. Every time we headed to the pool, we would ride in the back of Rory's truck up there. Don't worry, it is a short walk/drive up to the cabins and a 5 mph speed limit. The cousins loved it!

We hung out in the pool for hours letting the girls learn to swim and float (we use these floaties). Then we came back and made ribs with corn on the cob, roasted potatoes and a salad.

After baths for the cousins, we put them to bed and the deer were out in full force.

Walter snuggled in my lap since it got chilly at night

Wednesday we got up and Rory made breakfast burritos using the leftover tri tip. They were really good!

Then we got some snacks and things packed up to drive up to one of the many lakes in Graeagle. We went to Plumas Eureka State Park for the first part of our day.

 Papa D taught the girls how to fish.

 The cousins played on the alligator.

And just before lunchtime, we left as the wind was picking up. We headed into town to go to the Frostee which is iconic and a total must when visiting. We had some lunch along with milkshakes and then went back to the cabin for naps.

After naps, it was too windy for the pool, so we took the kids up to the playground to burn off some energy. Then we came back and had Pioneer Woman's Chili (we used turkey) and it was really good.

The cousins wanted to drive the golf carts after play time at the park.

We put the little ones to bed and then the deer ventured in even closer to our cabin.

 Literally at our door step.

We hung out on the deck before calling it an early night.

Thursday morning we got up and my SIL and I went into town to grab some pastries while Rory grilled some bacon. We had breakfast and then headed down to the Mill Pond in town. We set up a little spot to hang out, grabbed some coffees and played smash ball, played in the pond and had snacks.

 Pulling each other around on the alligator.

Cousins

After playing, Rory and I went into a few shops for some candy, a wedding card and a few other things. Once we got back, the girls and Carson were just finishing up lunch and getting ready to go down for a nap. I finished packing my things and then we put them down for a nap. Once they were asleep, I left and headed back home. I didn't want to wait until after the girls nap because I thought they would get too upset that way.

I left and drove the hour and 20 minutes home. I did laundry, unpacked, got my car washed, then got my lashes done (a fill) and grabbed soup and salad to take home while catching up on the Bachelorette. While I was away, everyone else went to the pool, had BLTA's, dessert and the usual night time routine.

And that concludes our Graeagle trip. Rory stayed until Friday morning at 11 ish before heading back home and the girls stayed with my in-laws until Saturday when they all came home to get ready for my sisters wedding. More on her wedding day coming next week!!!

Annual Graeagle Trip Part 1

Our first annual trip to Graeagle was last week and it was a lot of fun, but definitely more active and tiring than years previous because the girls are always on the go.

We arrived to our cabin on Saturday June 2nd which also happened to by my FIL's birthday. So that morning we grabbed a cake that we had ordered earlier in the week. It is a German chocolate cake which is absolutely devine. I am not a chocolate cake fan, but this cake is worth it and sooooo good.

After getting checked in and unpacked, we just took in the scenery. Then we started making dinner which was grilled tri-tip, grilled corn on the cob and salad. Followed by the cake above.

Sunday morning we woke up and made breakfast which was bacon, eggs and fruit. While we made breakfast, the cousins jumped on their grandparents bed.

After breakfast, we headed outside to soak in the sunshine and watch some passing golfers, including my SIL, BIL and nephew. Poor Walter got some red ant bites on his body.

We spent the day hanging out, playing at the playground (at the main lodge), walking around, riding bikes and scooters and just relaxing. That is pretty much how each day went.

My BIL had to leave to go back to Kansas City for a funeral, so that evening we grabbed pizza from a local shop to make things easier on everyone since my FIL had to take him back into town to catch his flight.

Monday morning we got up and made breakfast once again and then headed down to the river to hang out. We threw rocks in the river, walked through the river, played with bubbles, ate snacks and soaked in the sun.

 Sutton

 Avery

 Walter loves his new harness

After some river time, we headed back to the cabin to get a lunch ready and head to the local brewery. We have been coming here for years. Even when they had a different name (they changed names due to trademark), we were coming here. We ate lunch, played some cornhole, the girls played with some toys and we drank some brews.

The Brewing Lair (I got the Acclimation Sour)

After lunch and some brews, we headed back to the cabin for naptime. While the girls napped, we relaxed on the patio.

After naps, we went back up to the pool and hung out for a couple hours. I had to leave early to head back to the cabin to make spaghetti which was a huge hit for everyone. We ate a ton!!

After the kids went to bed, we all hung out on the patio and watched the deer wander the golf course.

I will recap the last three days of my part of the trip (I left early for wedding festivities) tomorrow. I don't want to make this post too long.

Cabins in the Mountains

We had such a fun time last week in Graeagle. From swings, to slides, to cook outs and cake, we indulged in everything.

We arrived Saturday afternoon and everyone quickly set up and unpacked their respective cars. The kids played and we set up some new toys for them (golf sets, tee ball and a few other items). The biggest hit was mini squirt guns which were used all throughout the trip.

We spent most of our days up at the playground, pool, in the hammock, golfing, playing games or people watching on our front porch (we were on a 9 hole golf course). We did this on the daily. There were no tvs except in the club house, so we were all unplugged other than our phones which had limited service.

Get ready for a photo dump of our week.

 The girls were very dirty on the daily. Dove now makes these wipes for your face, hands and body that worked amazingly in between baths.

 Papa taught them how to swing on their stomachs.

 The girls started riding their balance bikes more on this trip. They are finally big enough to sit and touch the ground to get their bikes moving.

 The girls are obsessed with their uncle.

 The girls taking a break with their aunt on the hammock.

 They were learning to golf and play tee ball on this trip.

 My sweet nephew

Daddy and his girls

 Enjoying wine after the girls and my nephew went to bed.

 The last two days it was raining and the girls really wanted to go to the park. That is all they wanted to do and when the rain let up for a bit, we decided to let them have a go at it. It started to rain again, but the girls didn't want to leave. They would have played there all day if we let them.

We had an absolute blast. This was my first time at these cabins as we usually go to another place. We are still going there, but this time in August instead of June. We hope to make both trips a normal thing.