Now that the dust is settled, I want to Thank the kids for a wonderful Christmas Present!
I wanted to share my Heartfelt feelings in regards to the vacation we got to take before Christmas. You see Teresa and I had planned to visit Rossah & Imad in Las Vegas for a vacation and come home on Christmas Eve. But without proper coverage at work, I was told I could not go very far, in case of an Emergency. As you can imagine all the planning & Teresa was really looking forward to going away. We needed a trip!
When Danielle and Toma surprised us with they got a special deal on a place right outside Yosemite Front Gate and they would be coming over with a car for us to drive and we would caravan there for the weekend, it meant we could have a mini vacation and it was close enough to get back to work, just in case.
Of course we were already packed and ready to go, even before they showed up. I thought we would leave at 5am in the morning, but no - we left at 5pm in the afternoon and I realized I would be driving not only in the dark, but possible snow and black ice on the roads. I didn't know Tavis and his girlfriend was going at first either, no one tells me anything and assumes I know everything.
So when the show finally got on the road and we drove out to what took to be 5 hours getting there, it was a big suite Toma had got for us all at a place that is smack dab right outside the Front Gate of Yosemite!
It was well after midnight and trying to unload a trailer Toma pulled behind the Hummer with Snowgear and all the plastic tubs Danielle had filled with food and clothes, would 4 grandkids and Ezekiel fall asleep? Nay! Not until the adults got all settled in first. I remember checking out the whole place first and going onto the back deck I could hear a river outside, but I could not see it.
Yeah, we were All going to get up early and go to the Snow! We got up near the "Crack of Noon" and saw the River was indeed just outside the back deck. The kids enjoyed Cereal and we took showers and generally tried to get ready to go, only very slowly. Finally after making sandwiches for everyone, complete with snacks and drinks, we were almost ready to go. Trying to round everyone up was another thing, but when all was said and done, I realized I would be driving Ortencia's car and playing Chauffer to Tavis, as Teresa and I lead Toma, the kids, their friend Gabe and 2 dogs into Yosemite.
We had Snow Chains, but so far the road was clear and we had to drive straight to Curry Village under Half Dome to the Mountaineering Store, because certain kids had forgotten to bring the Brand New Goggles, Gloves, shoes or even sleds with them, which cost poor Tomea another round of spending even More Money to make sure everyone was outfitted for the Cold.
Off we went again and no stopping at Bridal Veil Falls, however we did stop at the "Tunnel View" to shoot a few pictures, as Tavis's girlfriend had never been to Yosemite before. But because this is Winter and time for Sun to go down is early, it took more than an hour to drive from where we were staying at the Front Gate to get to the other side and out the "West" gate to get to the Snow Play Area!
Did we have fun there once we got there!? Oh yes, we had fun and after everyone pile out of the vehicles, we were all off doing everything and anything you can or want to do in the snow! Yes, we all were having fun! And as it got dark and we knew we would be driving once again over an hour to get back, that was the only Not Fun thing to do. But it did give me time to spend with Tavis, and he forced me to listen to his music, as he said this was his Pay Back for all the years he was Force to listen to My Music everytime he had to ride in the car with me. He played some very funny stuff and I enjoyed the conversation all the way back to the Lodge! Teresa was busting up at some of the things Tavis was telling us. It was "Classic"
Danielle had went to Costco before the trip and the place Toma got us had a Kitchen complete with everything. While the kids made Hot Chocolate, Danielle cooked us a dinner to feed us All (There are 12 of us all together+ 2 dogs) and te receipe Danielle whipped up, Teresa has already tried it since we got back, was easy to make and tasted good!
Since there was a Hot Tub there waiting for us that brought Shorts to enjoy and I had forgotten to pack mine. Toma and Tavis each threw down $20.00 dollars and told me to go over to the store at 9:45pm at night and buy a pair, as they wanted me to join them. It was very had to decline their offer, but I did and instead I only walked over to watch them get in and them 15 minutes later a pool attendant comes by and says he is closing it for the night!
So ends our second night and I really have no clue when we actually went to sleep. I forgot to mention that Tavis had brought his own t.v. and X-Box 360 with games and movies, so he could feel just like at home he said.
The next day we did take off a little more earlier and after a stop at the Main Store in Yosemite, not being able to find a place to rent Snow Mobiles for Toma and Tavis, as that is what they really wanted to do. Our destination was now "Badger Pass" still an hours drive through Yosemite and we still were not sure if we would have to put "Chains" on the tires to get there. However it was clear going all the way up the mountain right to the Ski Lodge. Time for Snow Boarding and Snow Tubing for the kids!
But first we ate lunch, all these great sandwiches packed with meat & cheese and Peanut butter & chocolate Hazlenut spread for the kids. Saved lots of money on that Ski Lodge high prices and then over at the Ski Rental place, Tavis found out he got 50% Military Discount! Wow, even better than we had expected.
Okay, still not everyone was able to go Snow Boarding and so Danielle, Ortencia & Teresa went with the kids to the Snow Tube slides with all the kids and of course I had to take some pictures there too.
When it was finally time to go, we were all tired and not looking forward to an hour's ride home through Yosemite in the dark. Somewhere along the way, Tavis said to pull over, as he had to take a Leak. Stopping along the road, with Toma behind us wondering just why we stopped. Tavis got out by the side of the road to do his duty in the complete darkness. And then Toma flick on All his Flood Lights and there was Tavis, like a stray Deer in the middle of the roadway. It was pretty funny!
When we got back, Toma said he was taking us all to dinner at the Lodge's Restaurant and after dinner, the Hot Tub! I had no excuse this time, as Toma had went back over to the store and purchased me some shorts for about $48.00, that's way more than I would have paid! So while the kids enjoyed the indoor pooll, the adults relaxed in the not one, but 2 hot tubs there. After that we headed back to our room and played "Zar" card game with the grand kids, before we finally went to bed at who knows what time?
We woke up knowing this was our last day here and where do we go or what do we do today? After checking out of the Lodge, the plan to leave early )and I do mean we made it out before noon this time) to head back through the Yosemite Valley back up to the Snow play area on the otherside. We kept hoping for snow to drop any minute, but at lower elevations it was just wet rain.
By the time we made it all the way back there again, it still was not snowing. Instead it was raining harder. What did we do? Why we went and played in the snow anyway!
(to be continued)
When Danielle and Toma surprised us with they got a special deal on a place right outside Yosemite Front Gate and they would be coming over with a car for us to drive and we would caravan there for the weekend, it meant we could have a mini vacation and it was close enough to get back to work, just in case.
Of course we were already packed and ready to go, even before they showed up. I thought we would leave at 5am in the morning, but no - we left at 5pm in the afternoon and I realized I would be driving not only in the dark, but possible snow and black ice on the roads. I didn't know Tavis and his girlfriend was going at first either, no one tells me anything and assumes I know everything.
So when the show finally got on the road and we drove out to what took to be 5 hours getting there, it was a big suite Toma had got for us all at a place that is smack dab right outside the Front Gate of Yosemite!
It was well after midnight and trying to unload a trailer Toma pulled behind the Hummer with Snowgear and all the plastic tubs Danielle had filled with food and clothes, would 4 grandkids and Ezekiel fall asleep? Nay! Not until the adults got all settled in first. I remember checking out the whole place first and going onto the back deck I could hear a river outside, but I could not see it.
Yeah, we were All going to get up early and go to the Snow! We got up near the "Crack of Noon" and saw the River was indeed just outside the back deck. The kids enjoyed Cereal and we took showers and generally tried to get ready to go, only very slowly. Finally after making sandwiches for everyone, complete with snacks and drinks, we were almost ready to go. Trying to round everyone up was another thing, but when all was said and done, I realized I would be driving Ortencia's car and playing Chauffer to Tavis, as Teresa and I lead Toma, the kids, their friend Gabe and 2 dogs into Yosemite.
We had Snow Chains, but so far the road was clear and we had to drive straight to Curry Village under Half Dome to the Mountaineering Store, because certain kids had forgotten to bring the Brand New Goggles, Gloves, shoes or even sleds with them, which cost poor Tomea another round of spending even More Money to make sure everyone was outfitted for the Cold.
Off we went again and no stopping at Bridal Veil Falls, however we did stop at the "Tunnel View" to shoot a few pictures, as Tavis's girlfriend had never been to Yosemite before. But because this is Winter and time for Sun to go down is early, it took more than an hour to drive from where we were staying at the Front Gate to get to the other side and out the "West" gate to get to the Snow Play Area!
Did we have fun there once we got there!? Oh yes, we had fun and after everyone pile out of the vehicles, we were all off doing everything and anything you can or want to do in the snow! Yes, we all were having fun! And as it got dark and we knew we would be driving once again over an hour to get back, that was the only Not Fun thing to do. But it did give me time to spend with Tavis, and he forced me to listen to his music, as he said this was his Pay Back for all the years he was Force to listen to My Music everytime he had to ride in the car with me. He played some very funny stuff and I enjoyed the conversation all the way back to the Lodge! Teresa was busting up at some of the things Tavis was telling us. It was "Classic"
Danielle had went to Costco before the trip and the place Toma got us had a Kitchen complete with everything. While the kids made Hot Chocolate, Danielle cooked us a dinner to feed us All (There are 12 of us all together+ 2 dogs) and te receipe Danielle whipped up, Teresa has already tried it since we got back, was easy to make and tasted good!
Since there was a Hot Tub there waiting for us that brought Shorts to enjoy and I had forgotten to pack mine. Toma and Tavis each threw down $20.00 dollars and told me to go over to the store at 9:45pm at night and buy a pair, as they wanted me to join them. It was very had to decline their offer, but I did and instead I only walked over to watch them get in and them 15 minutes later a pool attendant comes by and says he is closing it for the night!
So ends our second night and I really have no clue when we actually went to sleep. I forgot to mention that Tavis had brought his own t.v. and X-Box 360 with games and movies, so he could feel just like at home he said.
The next day we did take off a little more earlier and after a stop at the Main Store in Yosemite, not being able to find a place to rent Snow Mobiles for Toma and Tavis, as that is what they really wanted to do. Our destination was now "Badger Pass" still an hours drive through Yosemite and we still were not sure if we would have to put "Chains" on the tires to get there. However it was clear going all the way up the mountain right to the Ski Lodge. Time for Snow Boarding and Snow Tubing for the kids!
But first we ate lunch, all these great sandwiches packed with meat & cheese and Peanut butter & chocolate Hazlenut spread for the kids. Saved lots of money on that Ski Lodge high prices and then over at the Ski Rental place, Tavis found out he got 50% Military Discount! Wow, even better than we had expected.
Okay, still not everyone was able to go Snow Boarding and so Danielle, Ortencia & Teresa went with the kids to the Snow Tube slides with all the kids and of course I had to take some pictures there too.
When it was finally time to go, we were all tired and not looking forward to an hour's ride home through Yosemite in the dark. Somewhere along the way, Tavis said to pull over, as he had to take a Leak. Stopping along the road, with Toma behind us wondering just why we stopped. Tavis got out by the side of the road to do his duty in the complete darkness. And then Toma flick on All his Flood Lights and there was Tavis, like a stray Deer in the middle of the roadway. It was pretty funny!
When we got back, Toma said he was taking us all to dinner at the Lodge's Restaurant and after dinner, the Hot Tub! I had no excuse this time, as Toma had went back over to the store and purchased me some shorts for about $48.00, that's way more than I would have paid! So while the kids enjoyed the indoor pooll, the adults relaxed in the not one, but 2 hot tubs there. After that we headed back to our room and played "Zar" card game with the grand kids, before we finally went to bed at who knows what time?
We woke up knowing this was our last day here and where do we go or what do we do today? After checking out of the Lodge, the plan to leave early )and I do mean we made it out before noon this time) to head back through the Yosemite Valley back up to the Snow play area on the otherside. We kept hoping for snow to drop any minute, but at lower elevations it was just wet rain.
By the time we made it all the way back there again, it still was not snowing. Instead it was raining harder. What did we do? Why we went and played in the snow anyway!
(to be continued)
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