Family Campout

Well, Rowley Family Weekend came and went last weekend. It was a lot of fun because the whole family went down to Palisades to go camping for a few days. I didn't get lots of pictures, but enough to share some of the fun.

But first, it was also my oldest brother's birthday. So on Thursday we all surprised Greg at Tucano's so we could celebrate the big 40! Woo hoo. Of course he had to jam a little to celebrate.

Then we all met down at Palisades, set up the tents and had a good time!

Who needs water?

'Sup

Chillin'

Cute Girls

Hiking

Doing some crafts

Getting ready to hit the water

A little canoeing

The whole family in our awesome shirts!

Some new additions to life

Well, strange as it seems to be, I'm moving out of my current apartment and into another place. I've been in this complex for 3 years now, the longest I've ever been in a place since I left home actually. So it really has been my "home", and it's a little hard to leave, as much as I know it's time to move to something new.

In a seeming next step in growing up, I'm moving into an unfurnished apartment. Rather than getting used furniture that has had who knows what on it, I decided to just spend some money and get some good stuff that will last me for a while. So, I purchased a new living room set and a kitchen table and chairs. Thankfully my parents had furniture for the bedroom. It's a new place and a new adventure to come. So here are some pictures of my new fun stuff!

Here's the table. Thanks Dad and Darrell for putting it together!

A closer look at the loveseat and coffee table.

A look at the living room.

Happy Birthday America!

In a letter to his wife Abigail, John Adams told her of the actions of the Continental Congress on July 2, 1776. "The second day of July, 1776 [the actual day the Declaration was signed], will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward forever."

I know this is a few days after the fact, (after all, when am I ever right on top of posting things on time) but I just wanted to make a small note about the 4th of July. It's definitely one of my favorite holidays and I got to spend it in Richfield with my family, which is a big tradition. Lots of good times to be had! I'm grateful for the many blessings that I enjoy living in this country and the great country that it is!

Driving up the coast

Well it's a long and windy road up the coast, but definitely beautiful for most of it. After we left San Francisco we headed up the coast to see the Redwoods. We were able to see a couple lighthouses and a few other things along the way.
Happy cows from California. :)

Point Arena Lighthouse

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse

The Avenue of the Giants (Once again, can you find me in the picture?)

Driving through a tree!

Hanging out IN a tree. That's what I call a tree house!


And we even got to watch the sunset over the ocean.

More San Francisco

Our second day in San Francisco was definitely full and even exhausting. :) We were able to see a lot of the city and it was a lot of fun.
We started the morning walking around the Palace of Fine Arts. It's a very beautiful big park area.


Then hanging out at the Exploratorium for a little bit.


We took a trolley tour of the city

Lombard Street

We got to take a bay cruise underneath the Golden Gate Bridge

And of course, you can't go to San Francisco without riding a cable car!

We also went to the aquarium and the wax museum. This was one of my favorite pictures there. :)

San Francisco

The day after Yosemite, we headed up to the Bay area. We stopped first at the temple in Oakland and were able to do a session there.


We then spent the rest of the day in San Francisco, going to Alcatraz and exploring around the wharf and the pier.







Overlooking the Bay

Ghirardelli Square

Cable Car coming down Hyde Street

Something to Post!

I know. I know. Everyone just control your excitment. Yes it's true. I have actually done something wherein I have pictures to post on my blog. :) I just got back today from a week long trip to California. A nice little vacation. (Although now I need a vacation from my vacation.) So over the next day or so (hopefully), I'll try to give you a small feel of some of our exciting adventures on the West Coast. No worries. There will be more to come beyond this post.

We started out driving and driving. We stayed in Carson City, NV the first night and drove up to see Lake Tahoe that night since it was really close. That lake is huge! And very pretty.


And I even made some new friends while I was there!

And then we spent the following day exploring around Yosemite National Park. There's a lot of places to see here, so we were running all over the place. But we definitely saw some very cool things. And were very tired by the end of the day. So here is just a taste.

Here's me with "Tunnel View" in the back.


One of the giant sequoia trees. (Who can find me in the picture?)


Standing inside of a tree


I'm a tree hugger!!! These things are huge!!!


Yosemite Falls

A Shout-Out to our Little Miss

Last weekend, my niece Karen was crowned Little Miss for the town that they live in. It was fun to go and see one of our little princesses become the queen. :)

All-American Pasttime

Yes, I'm slow on the post. But a couple weeks ago I was able to go watch one of my nephew's play a little baseball. I hope to be able to go see some of the others as well, but it gets a little difficult somedays making it in time from work. Anyway, here you go Nate - this post is for you. :)
The Wind-up

And the Pitch

Woa a crazy pitch! :) Way to duck!

Roundin' the Bases