Yosemite National Park

One of Chase's goals this year was to visit as many National parks as possible and we're off to a good start!  Luckily for us Kale chose to be married in one of them so crossing it off our list was easy!

After the wedding ceremony and lunch with the family, we ventured off to hike up to the waterfall.

We may have been the slowest in the group thanks to this guy,

but people were polite and many smiled as they passed us by.

Once we reached the waterfall look out, it was hot and the kids were pooped.  They lamented about having to make that walk all the way back down again.  Just as we were about to start the mountainous trek, Dad looked over the bridge and saw large amounts of people relaxing and playing on the rocks and in the water.

True to his form, he led- and we followed.

Once at the rocks, everyone was very nervous to touch the water.  It was COLD!  We wanted to get to the other side so one by one, we slowly crawled our way over each bolder.  Some made it easier than others.  And there were some wonderful tourists on the other side who were willing to help my little ones get across safely.

Some ventured into the frigid waters without hesitation...and others not so much. 

 

As the day wore on, and the hotter it became, we all dreaded the long walk back down the mountain.  The kids were having so much fun in the water, we just couldn't bear to tear them away.  Dad even issued a challenge for anyone to go completely under the water (it was so cold it HURT!).  Any guesses who was the first (or second) to take this challenge???

(incidentally, I love how his twin sister holds her breath right along with him!)

We were all surprised when he did it twice! 

Sure enough, he talked her into going under too!  

Freezing cold, but the walk back down the mountain was MUCH cooler for a select few.