Baby on the way!

Last weekend I flew back to Raleigh for my sister, Jennifer's baby shower. It was sooo nice to be back in NC and get to visit with everyone. Kenny, Amber & Ellie picked me up at RDU Friday night and we headed to Jenn & Paul's house in Apex. It was all of our first times at their new house even though the bought it last summer.

Balloons = baby shower time

Friends hanging out on the back porch

Soon-to-be cousin, Ellie hanging out (now 5 months!)

Jenn & her friends Amy and Martha

Saturday Jenn & Paul had a baby class so Amber, Kenny and I got the place ready for the shower and prepped the food. It was a co-ed bbq style shower so we spent the evening hanging out and then watched Jenn & Paul unwrap all their gifts. They got lots of great things and look to be set which is a good thing b/c I got an email from Jenn this week and at her checkup the docs said she's already 3cm....won't be long!

Jenn showing off the loot.

So many cute baby things!

Spring Time Adventure

John and I have been busier than expected this Spring, but we managed to find time to head up to the Central part of California 2 weekends ago to check out Sequoia National Park. The central part of California is agriculture-mania. I don't know the official statistic, but most likely the fruit you eat comes from this part of California. On our drive to the park we passed field upon field of orchards and other fruits/veggies.

Ooo...agriculture.

Made it into the park...it's so green!

We found a campsite up near Lodgepole and set out for a hike towards Alta Peak. It started out really nice, high 60's, minimal incline a few patches of snow here or there but that all changed.
We soon encountered a major incline, and lots of snow. I think it was actually in our favor that we were both in shorts b/c we kept breaking through the snow pack and would be up to our knees in snow...had we had pants one we would have been cold & miserable. Anyways, the strenuous hike gave way to amazing views!





On Saturday we checked out all the major sights like the Gi-normous Sequoia groves, Moro Rock and even General Sherman, the largest (by volume) living tree in the world. Talk about feeling small.

View of Moro Rock from afar

375 Steps to the top!

Karen at the top of Moro Rock...too bad John was too afraid to make the climb up.

The General

I spy a smurf!

More huge trees, this cluster is called the Parker Grove.

We ended the day by doing a sweet hike from our campsite along the Kaweah river. Since it's Spring, this trip was such a pleasant change of pace b/c everything was SOOO green and there was SOOO much water. Green and water are both things that are typically lacking from our normal California scenery. The hike ended at a big waterfall and there was a marmot that was hanging out. On the hike back we even spotted a black bear! Wildlife, check!

Water, water everywhere!

A marmot...too bad a random hiker was being stupid and feeding it.

Waterfall action

It was a great trip and it got John and I both really excited about our trip to Yosemite that's in store for us this August. Gotta love the big California scenery. Enjoy the picks.