Yosemite

The view of the Valley from Tunnel View

Yosemite has been on my bucket list since we arrived in California, but we kept delaying. I booked this trip back in December and scored a great deal of "buy 2 nights, get 1 free". After researching, I knew that we wanted to stay inside of the park, which limited our options. I really wanted to stay at the Majestic, but couldn't justify spending the money, so we opted for the Yosemite Valley Lodge and it was really perfect. I highly recommend staying within the park if you are able to get a reservation.

Our room! 

To make the most of our time, we decided to make the almost 4 hour drive at night after work and school on a Wednesday. The kids slept for most of the trip and it was a fairly easy drive despite the darkness. We couldn't see anything, which made it for an amazing experience to wake up to such beauty. 

We woke up Thursday morning and immediately started adventuring. On site, the lodge had a cafeteria called "Base Camp". The food was pricy, but very good and easy to access. We ate breakfast then started our journey to Mirror Lake. This was a 2 mile round trip hike on a paved trail. We took the double stroller and it was very easy. As we were getting out the car to get ready to make the hike, we saw two coyotes! Mirror Lake was beautiful and Charlotte had fun exploring. 

After Mirror Lake, we headed to the Majestic Hotel (formerly the Ahwahnee) which was built in 1927 and visited by JFK, Queen Elizabeth and Lucille Ball just to name a few! We hung out in the Grand Hall and let the kids play, caught up on emails and relaxed. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch in the Majestic Bar and then set out to Badger Pass to play in the snow. The kids took a nice nap on the drive up.

Badger Pass is about an hour away and is a ski area offering mountain skiing, cross country skiing and snow tubing. Tubing is offered at specific times, so be sure to check their website or call ahead to confirm. The cost is $17/tube. We arrived a little early and enjoyed some hot chocolate in the little restaurant before we tubed. The snow wasn't very fresh, so the tubes didn't slide as well, but we had so much fun!

We headed back to our hotel to attempt naps, but the kids had other plans. I took them up to the "Kid's Corner" in the lobby while Kyle rested. We had an early dinner in the Mountain Room (the sit down restaurant at Yosemite Valley Lodge) I told Kyle that being at Yosemite is like being on cruise in the sense that you literally see the same people everywhere you go. There are only so many places to eat! Dinner was yummy. Kyle and I shared a salad and steak. 

It was early to bed for us as Huxie isn't the best when it comes to sleeping in a hotel. 

On Friday it was back to Base Camp to fuel up for the day! After breakfast we let the kids play in the Kid's Corner and Huxie took a nap. We were scheduled for the 10am Valley Floor Tour, which in the summer time, is an open air tour, but because of the cooler weather, it is inside of a tour bus. Both Charlotte and Hux were free and they also gave a military discount, which made our tickets about $20/each. The tour was super interesting and informative and the bus made several stops for us to get out and take pictures. It was a great way to see the sights and I highly recommend it! 

After the tour, we ate lunch at the Base Camp and headed out for Yosemite Lower Falls. This is a super easy trail that is completely paved as well and offers beautiful views of the Falls. The trail is about 1 mile round trip. After the Falls, we continued on a dirt trail to get to the museum and visitor center. We attempted to watch the 25 minute film about Yosemite, but the kids had other plans. The visitor center had some neat exhibits and history and Charlotte got her National Park Passport where she will get stamps at all of the parks we visit. I had one growing up, too! 

Next stop was at the beautiful park located at the Yosemite Valley School. I had no idea there was a school in Yosemite, but this is where the children of park rangers and other staff attend. We played on the playground and had a beautiful view of Yosemite Falls. We walked back to the hotel and got ready for dinner at the Majestic! 

The park offers a free shuttle to get you around, so we decided to be adventurous and take it. Charlotte loved the adventure! It's a great way to get around when the park is busy and there isn't parking available. 

Dinner at the Majestic was nothing short of fabulous! Hux ended up sleeping through the entire dinner, but Charlotte really enjoyed the piano music and danced her way through dinner. Kyle and I had prime rib and it was fabulous! We ended dinner with their signature boysenberry pie. Although the experience was pricy, the ambiance is incredible and I highly recommend it. We waited for the shuttle (and saw a coyote) and it was back to our room for bed. 

We woke up on Saturday to a downpour! We couldn't see any of the sites and the park was starting to close some of the roads. We decided we better get on the road after breakfast. We had to take a different road out, through the south gate. As we were going up towards Badger Pass, the snow started falling! It was truly incredible! We made a quick stop and played in the snow! Charlotte's dream came true. We passed Mariposa Grove, which is currently closed due to trash/human waste from the shut down. It was a bummer to not see the sequoias, but hopefully we will get another opportunity. 

We made a lunch stop in Oakhurst at South Gate Brewing Company! Lunch was super yummy! Then it was off to the Children's Museum of the Sierra  right around the corner to let the kids burn off some energy before we finished the drive home. They had a blast. The museum was very interesting, but super affordable ($6/person) and Charlotte had fun in their hands-on exhibits. After the children's museum, we made a quick stop at Idle Hour Winery for a quick tasting before heading home. 

Such a wonderful trip! I would highly recommend Yosemite this time of year. Although we weren't able to see all of the sites due to road closures (Glacier Point/Tioga Rd/Tuolomne) the park was empty and we were really able to enjoy our time without a million other visitors around!

Hux: 11 Months

I missed last month's update, but managed to sneak a picture of him at 10 months ( a few days late). I can't believe that we are days away from celebrating his 1st birthday. It's so bittersweet, but I am so proud of the little boy that he has become. We are having a small football-themed 1st birthday. He loves balls, so we thought it was fitting!

Weight: 22lbs. 
Diaper Size: size 4
 Teeth: Finally cut a tooth and has a 2nd one coming through!
 Favorite Toy: Any of Charlotte's toys, things that make noises and things he isn't supposed to have! 
Looking forward to: His first birthday!
Clothing Size: 9 months and 12/18 months
Nickname: Huxie and Huxie Boy
 Sleeping Habits:  He does great in crib. Traveling, not so much!
 Adventures this Month: We went to Sausalito and to Yosemite! 
Visitors: Papa visited us!
Milestones:  Babbling and saying several words including "mama", "dada", "ball", waving "hi" and "bye", standing unassisted, crawling VERY fast and just being the sweetest ever. He doesn't like when Mama leaves the room. 

Weekend Getaway to Cavallo Point

With our time in Monterey quickly coming to an end, I am determined to complete our bucket list! You all have heard me RAVE about the benefits of the American Express Platinum card and this trip did not disappoint. The best part? We used points for this trip!

I originally learned about Cavallo Point when we visited San Francisco and Sausalito back in June of 2017. We had just arrived in Monterey and we were meeting my mom and Charlotte in San Francisco. We took the traditional tour bus to explore the city and the Golden Gate Bridge. When we arrived into Sausalito, I saw the absolutely charming resort, Cavallo Point. Cavallo Point was previously Fort Baker, an Army base dating back to 1866. In 2002, it was transformed into the resort. The history is amazing and the views are absolutely incredible. From our front porch, we could see all of San Francisco and part of the bridge. So beautiful!

Through FINE Hotels and Resorts with American Express Platinum, we were able to take advantage of the following extras:

• Early check in at 12noon 
• Late check out at 4pm 
• Breakfast for 2 (a $70 value) 
• Room Upgrade 
• Free WIFI
• $100 Resort Credit

We called before we left Monterey to check to see if our room was ready and it was, so we headed out! We stopped for lunch in Saratoga and arrived in Sausalito around 2pm and the sun was shining! We were upgraded to an amazing suite (thanks to our benefits) and got settled in our room. The resort provided a pack and play and they also have golf carts and Lexus vehicles to transport you throughout the resort. You can also test drive these vehicles for 3 hours at a time.

We pretty much set up on our front porch for the rest of the afternoon. We drank some wine and let the kids play. Charlotte had a blast running in the field and we also walked down to see the bridge and snap a few pics! Our friends stopped by for a visit and we headed to the happy hour in the lobby, which included complimentary wine from 4-6pm. We sat by the fire pit while the kids played in the "Kid's Corner". We ate dinner at the hotel restaurant, Murray Circle. It was an amazing experience and the food, drinks and dessert were incredible. I took the kids home for bath and bedtime was not far after! 

We woke up on Sunday to RAIN! We had planned to go to the Bay Area Discovery Museum so the rain wasn't a huge dealbreaker, but it was definitely a bummer as some parts are outside. We enjoyed some coffee in our room, then headed up to breakfast at the restaurant. The buffet was huge, but so yummy! Charlotte loved the belgian waffles with fresh whipped cream. After breakfast, Daddy and Hux went back for a nap and Char and I headed over to the museum. It is literally across the field, a 5 minute walk, but thankfully we were able to catch a ride because it was a literal downpour! 

We loved the museum and after showing our military ID, our visit was free! So nice! After the museum, we caught the shuttle down to Sausalito to grab lunch and walk around. We ended up at Barrel House Tavern and it was great! Kyle and I shared Tuna Tacos, Kale Salad and a Steak Sandwich and all were fabulous! We walked around and stumbled upon an ice cream shop that offered free ice cream to active duty military. It was so sweet! 

We caught the shuttle back and all got ready for nap. This was SO nice because were were able to rest before our drive home thanks to late check out! 

We snapped a few more pics with the bridge and went back to the children's museum for the last hour before it closed to show all the fun stuff to Daddy and Hux, too! We capped our trip with a stop at the Smoking Pig in San Jose. It is the best BBQ we have found on the west coast so far! 

Next up for us... Yosemite, but only if the government re-opens by then! If you would like a referral link for the American Express Platinum, let me know! You get an additional 60,000 points for signing up!

Hux: 9 Months

With daylight savings time it has become incredibly challenging to find a time in the evening when it is still light enough to take a photo of Hux for his monthly picture. It is pitch black at 5pm. I finally was able to snap a few photos on December 7th, making this his 9.75 month post.

Weight: We go on Monday for his 9 month appt. and shots. I'm guessing he is around 20lbs. 
Diaper Size: size 4 now and a Luvs baby! More on that later. Teeth: You guys, still no teeth. What is going on?! Favorite Toy: Anything that makes noise and this little play water bottle from Charlotte's kitchen. I think the ridges feel good on his teeth. Looking forward to: His first Christmas!Clothing Size: 9 months and 12 months!Nickname: Huxie is the most commonly used. Sleeping Habits:  He has definitely forgotten how to sleep through the night. We are surving, but boy do I miss the 7p-7a nights! Adventures this Month: Gaga is visiting and we have several trips during daddy's winter break!Visitors: Gaga is here! Milestones:  He has grown up so much in the last month. He has quite the personality and has learned to clap and loves to smile and make us laugh. He still loves Charlotte oh so much and we are so blessed to have him as part of our family! 

Elf on the Shelf: Your Favorite Time of Year!

For most parents, you either love or strongly dislike the tradition of Elf on the Shelf. This time of year, your social media feeds become flooded with Elf ideas. I have to admit, it can be a little overwhelming. I mean, some of us have to set reminders and alarms just to remind us to move the elf each night. The holiday season is busy, but don't fret, my friend over at Cassia Leigh Designs has you covered and not just for your Elf on the Shelf needs. She has a full Etsy shop full of amazing party printables, invitations and everything you need to throw an amazing party (Charlotte's Mermaid Party came from her shop). I love printables because they are SO easy. You download, customize and print. The best part? You can do it last minute! Great for all of the procrastinators out there!

In our house, our elf makes his first appearance on December 1st! So, head over to the shop to get started on ideas for your family! There is even a printable calendar to help you plan the month and your Elf's activities!

A small sampling of Cassia Leigh Designs printables!

Cassia Leigh Designs offers "The Ginormous Printable Elf" package that includes 35 pages of Elf Fun! This is great for anyone who wants to be one and done! She also offers a la carte packages if you are just looking for a few different ideas. Some of my favorites include, "Do You Want to Build a Snowman" ,  Good Deed Cards and Rudolph Lollipop Holder.  The Elf Arrival Set is perfect for your Elf's debut on December 1st! 

I know the Elf on the Shelf tradition can be overwhelming, but all of the guesswork is taken away with these fun printables and the kids really love waking up to something fun! We all know Jesus is the reason for the season and there is no judgement if you decide to have an Elf of the Shelf or not, but if you do, I hope this simplifies the process for you!

Merry Christmas! 

Hux: 8 Months

Sweet boy! Love his baby blues!

Our sweet Hux got sick for the first time while we were in Florida! We left on his 8 month birthday, Saturday the 15th, and flew overnight to Miami to my sister's house. The flight went very well and he did great, but once we arrived we noticed he was running a fever and congested. We took him to the doctor and he was diagnosed with RSV. The nights were VERY long and he was very uncomfortable. He is finally on the mend and I am so glad. It broke my heart seeing him sick, but I am SO proud that he made it over 8 months before getting sick! 

Hux has changed so much in the last month. He is eating a ton and really prefers pick ups and little pieces of food over baby food. He loves to be held and just to look around and see everything that is going on. He recently started HATING his carseat and throws a tantrum whenever I put him in, unless I majorly distract him with a toy. 

He had so much fun with his cousins and grandparents and loved splashing around in the pool and soaking up the Florida sun. We were definitely HOT though. It's amazing how you forget how hot it is in Florida! 

Charlotte's Update at 8 Months 

Weight: 17lbs 13oz. (Only up a bit since we have been battling sickness)
Diaper Size: size 3!
Teeth: No teeth! I seriously can't believe. I will say his gums are pretty hard though... He bit me with his gums and it didn't feel good!
Favorite Toy: Aunt Shannon brought him a little video game remote and he loves that. Honestly anything that makes nose. He loves to be on the go and on my hip. It's his favorite place!
Looking forward to: staying home and getting back on a routine! We have a fun family costume planned for Halloween, but the next couple of weeks will be low key for sure! We all need it!

Clothing Size: Anything from 6-12 months. 
Nickname: Huxie, Huxie Boy, Mr. Monkey 
Sleeping Habits:  He was sleeping 7p-7a before our trip, then the sickness hit and things have been a little rough. Slowly get back on our routine. 
Adventures this Month: We traveled to Florida to see Aunt Ashley's new house and also go to Aunt Courtney's wedding. Mommy and Daddy both solo-parented and we survived! 
Visitors: Aunt Shannon visited us and Papa comes next week 
Milestones:  So many amazing things happening this month, including saying "Dada" and "Ma", full on crawling and really developing a personality. He is the sweetest little babe, but he knows what he likes and if he doesn't get it, he lets you know. 

Hux: 7 Months

Cutie!

Another month FLEW by with sweet Hux! I've seen so many changes in him this month. He can sit up on his own very well now, he's gotten longer and is filling out his 6/9 month PJs and he is really interacting with us. He still smiles the biggest for big sister! Here is Charlotte's 7 month update! 

Poor Guy! She definitely is rough with him, but he loves it!

This picture is too funny! Happy 7 Months, Hux!

Weight: 17lbs 8 oz. (the same as Charlotte at 7 months)
Diaper Size: size 3!Clothing Size: He is really fitting well into his 6-9 month clothing! Boy clothes aren't as cute as girlNickname: Huxie is the most common one.Sleeping Habits:  It is crazy how similar he is to his sister. If you read her 7 month update, Kyle went out of town and she started sleeping. Well, Kyle is out of town and he has been sleeping. I don't want to talk about it for fear of cursing it. But fingers crossed this sticks!Adventures this Month: Kyle was super Dad and cared for both kids while I was away for 4 nights! Hux went to his first play, the Little Mermaid, and had a blast! 
Visitors: No visitors this month!
Milestones:  Rolling, scooting, sitting up without assistance, shaking his head when we ask him to. He loves to eat at daycare, but HATES when I try to feed him food. He literally purses his lips together and will not eat! 
Teeth: Still no teeth! His pediatrician couldn't feel anything at his last appointment either, but he is drooling up a storm!
Favorite Toy: anything that shakes or makes noises! 
Looking forward to: going to Florida next month to spend time with my sister and see her new home and also go to Aunt Courtney's wedding!