Visitors from MN...

Jeff's brother Matt and our friend Jason came to visit us last week. We had a great time with them while they were out here. Jeff and I both had to work most of the week, but we still tried to take them to a few places so they could get the "California" experience. They were also able to utilize the pool at our apartment and took one day to drive to Santa Cruz and try skim surfing. They left us their board so it is something that we will definitely have to try while we are still living here. Below are some pictures of the week:
On Monday I took Matt (left) and Jason (right) wine tasting in Lodi. We made it to three places and I think they had a good time. At Jewel, there was some random cardboard cut-out (above) so I got a picture of the boys. Below Matt and Jason and relaxing outside of VanRuiten's tasting room. It was a gorgeous day!
On Thursday, Matt, Jason, and I drove up to Sacramento. We walked around Old Sacramento for a couple of hours. Below is a picture of the boys outside a tea house.
We drove down to Lodi and met Jeff at the LBC for dinner and then walked around the farmer's market. Matt took advantage of the Free Hugs girl!!
Jeff and I both took Friday off from work and took Matt and Jason to Yosemite. It was a perfect day for the trip. Below is a picture of Half Dome.

Matt and Jason wanted to hike Yosemite Falls, but, unfortunately, it was almost completely dry. We ended up climbing and hiking Lower Yosemite Falls. There was just a little water pouring down so we actually hiked where the water would normally flow. It was pretty cool. Below is a picture of Jeff and I underneath the lower falls. (note: If you look back at our blog pictures from the Yosemite Trip in June, you will be able to see what Yosemite Falls looks like earlier in the year.)

After playing around there, we drove over to see if Vernal and Nevada Falls were flowing. They ended up being pretty strong still! So, we decided to start hiking on the Mist Trail up to the top of Vernal Falls.

Above is Matt and I at a rest stop and below are the boys. It was pretty warm at this point so we were sweating pretty good!
It was a great view from the top. Below is a picture of the four of us.

We climbed down by the water before it hit the falls in an area known as the Emerald Pool (or something like that). It was pretty warm so we decided to go for a swim!
The rocks were pretty smooth, so Jeff had a great time sliding down! Below, Matt and Jason thinking about the slide in the rapids. Jason went and ended up cutting his foot. Matt knew to stay to the side more and they had a great time. The water was super freezing, but it felt good to cool down. After we got dressed, we hiked just a little further to see Nevada Falls. We decided not to hike to the top, and started the decent down. It was a lot fun and we have some excellent pictures!

On Saturday, we headed to San Francisco a couple hours before Matt and Jason had to be at the airport. We walked around Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf and then drove over to the Golden Gate Bridge. Below is a picture of Matt and Jeff.

It was a busy week while they were here. I start training tomorrow for the GRDs and will pretty much be busy for the next month. In two weeks, the RAs arrive for their training and then classes start! This summer has flown by!!

Where have we been?

Jeff and I have been pretty busy. We went back to MN and WI for a little over a week at the end of June to July 9. We had a great time seeing everyone, however, it was nice to go back to CA and "relax" a little bit. We drove over 1000 miles on Nick's truck while we were back!! Crazy! We were able to see Jeff's family, friends from college, my family and some old co-workers! Below are some pictures from our trip:

Above: Jeff's brother Mike put together 500 boxes (or maybe it was more - don't remember) of sparklers together and lit them off. It was pretty insane. We had a ton of fireworks that went off at the lake house that the Crabtree's brought over. Definitely made it a festive 4th!!
Below: Tonya (sister-in-law) with our niece Mia. It was only our second time seeing Mia and we got to see some of her first steps!
Jeff and I also got to go skiing, tubing, and wake-boarding with Carly and Nick and the Crabtrees (thank you Larry!). We had so much fun. It made us feel a little old though because we woke up pretty sore then next morning :-)
Of course a trip home wouldn't be the same without seeing our kitties. Bait (above) and Tackle (below) are as cute as ever!!

My family and I planned a surpise 50th birthday party for my mom while I was home. We had it at the beach in Shell Lake and it was great! She was completely surprised and a few of her siblings and friends were able to attend. Below is a picture of my aunt Jeanie, mom, Unclue Tommy, aunt Marylee, and aunt Carolyn. Tommy had his jet ski with and it was great tubing and riding around. Our muscles weren't completely feeling better from the 4th, but we had a great time!!

While in Shell Lake, we hung out at the Red Barn campground (as that is where my mom and sister Melissa were staying). We had great time making smores and hanging out by the fire. Above: Nieces Ali and Tayler at the campground. Below: Jeff and nephew Bayley showing their muscles.
Jeff and I also went and toured the Leine's brewery. That was pretty neat. We had a great trip!

We have been quite busy since we have been back in Cali. I got a promotion at work and am now the Senior Graduate Resident Director of the East Area. Pretty much I will be supervising 4 other graduate students, 22 RAs, and 10 residence halls. I am really looking forward to this opportunity. Training starts in 10 days!! The whole month of August is training and then classes start. I just keep saying to myself - 5 classes left...you can do it! Can't wait to graduate!

We are definitely looking forward to having visitors out here next week. Jeff's brother Matt and a friend from college Jason will be out here for the week!!