Mammoth Mountian

December 9, 2016

Owen's first trip to Mammoth! Stance gave us some free lift tickets for the weekend, so we headed up with the gang. We stayed at Eric's co-worker's condo, and had a blast in the snow.  I rode all day on Friday, and despite the less than stellar conditions, had such a great time. Brandon and Owen hung out in the lodge and played in the snow while mommy got some shred time!  We also checked out the hot springs with E and Tine, and went fishing with the gang on Saturday at Hot Creek. Owen did great in the snow in his snowsuit, and was a party animal at the bars with us at night.  So much fun!

 Owen in the snow!

 Go Owen!

Christmas Card

 Visiting the Christmas Tree

 E and Tine shredding laps

 Fishing Hot Creek with Mike and Chanell

 Owen in the Owens Valley

 Hot Springs!

  When we were forced inside by the storm, Owen was distracted by Danny's beard while we distracted ourselves with spicy bloody mary's.

 Owen at the Clocktower with the boys

 Status update: Owen still doesn't like to sleep

Visit to Ventura and Carpinteria

September 15

It has been hard to be away from the friends we met while living in Ventura, and once Owen was born, we knew we had to go up and show off the little guy. We went up north for a day trip on one of Colleen's days off, and tried to schedule the drive during Owen's naps. 

We got up to Ventura just in time for Owen to wake up hungry.  We sat at the Ventura Harbor while Owen woke up and ate, watching surfers at one of our favorite spots down the street from our old house. New Jetty looked super fun!

Then we stopped by Colleen's old work, the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office. Everyone was really excited to hang out with Owen for the morning, especially Lena.  Lena hadn't seen Owen since he was about a month old, so it was really fun for her to see him get bigger. 

During Owen's morning nap, we drove to Carpinteria and said hi to Brandon's old friends at Channel Islands Surfboards.  It was awesome to see Blake and Che dog, and the rest of the guys at the shop.  Mike Walters was expecting his first baby any day, so it was cool to get to talk about this next chapter in our lives.  

We stopped at Carpinteria Bluffs to feed Owen, then made our way home before LA traffic. It was a perfect day!

Yosemite and Red's Meadow

September 9, 2016

We left San Clemente at 2:45am while Owen was still sleeping, and drove through the dawn light, arriving in Mammoth Lakes for breakfast. We drove up to Red's Meadow and Eric snagged a few campsites right on the meadow. We were right where Eric and I had last camped many years ago. We met the locals (pack horses in the meadow), and gathered a trail lunch.  We set out for a hike while Mike, Channel, Jim and Kevin went bushwhacking in search of a fishing hole on the San Joaquin River. We followed Eric, Christine and Maya dog on a trail loop through Devil's Postpone and Rainbow Falls. The 6-mile hike was beautiful! I was tired from hiking at elevation with Owen in the backpack, but it was a great way to shake off the long drive. Devil's Postpile and Rainbow Falls were really neat to see again, and we had a great lunch and swim in the River along the way. Owen was a total trooper!

The next day we woke up and met the Davidson's at Troutfitter in Mammoth for some fresh flies. We drove to the Woah Nelly Deli and had awesome breakfast burritos. We made our way up the Tioga Pass into Yosemite National Park, and hiked along the John Muir Trail to Lyell Creek.  We spent the afternoon fishing, swimming and relaxing along the creek with great friends. The fish were biting, and our group tried their luck flyfishing. Lisa turned out to be the MVP fisher of the day, landing 3 fish with 4 consecutive casts on her fly fish set up on her spinning rod. It was so cool to watch! Owen took a nap with Lisa in the afternoon, and Brandon and I got to swim in the chilly rock pools. It was an incredible day.

We got to the campground in Yosemite Valley at dusk and made a quick dinner. Owen took a bath in the camper sink and we got to bed early.  When Owen woke up to feed at 4am, we packed up and started the drive home.  Owen slept most of the way home and we got back at 11am! It was a whirlwind trip, but we would do it again in a heart beat. We will always remember taking Owen on his first trip to Red's Meadow and Yosemite National Park!

M+C Bachelor/ette Party, Mammoth Lakes

August 12-14, 2016

We were fortunate enough to get invited to Mike and Chanell's bachelor/ette party in Mammoth Lakes. We stayed in their friend's amazing slope-side mansion near Eagle Lodge. It was such an incredible house, location, and group of friends. We had an amazing time.  Everyone helped out so much with Owen, holding him so we could get packed up and ready for hiking and fishing trips, or just helping us get set up with a cup of coffee in the morning.  Grandma and Grandpa Mellberg even drove up and spent the weekend in town so they could watch Owen overnight one evening! We had a great time with friends and family, and can't wait to go back!

Morning playtime with Lisa and Chanell

Ian was a baby whisperer! Owen loved snuggling with Ian in the morning.

The house was amazing! The dogs watched deer next to the deck in the morning.

Our evening games of dominos "chicki-foot". It always gets intense!

We hiked up our favorite Little Lakes Valley in Rock Creek, and spent the day at the third lake.  The water was a little cold for Owen, but we had a blast relaxing on the shore and watching everyone swim and fish.  

A beautiful day in the mountains!

Christmas card?

Hiking in with Dad and Reef!

Owen loves his hiking pack!

We spent the next day fishing, swimming and rock jumping at Lake George. This was a new lake for us to explore, and we had a great time. Eric and Clint rented boats, and shuttled the group to the far side of the lake. We had a great spot and the group was stoked. Owen had fun putting his feet in the water and feeling the pebbles between his toes.

What a cutie!

Technically, you aren't allowed to swim in Lake George. The boat rental guy said we wouldn't
have a problem on the far side of the lake, so of course we all got wet. We did the rock jump together;
it felt higher than it looked!

Great day on the water!

Hanging with Uncle E and Blake

Toes in the water and happy!

 It's tiring being so cute!

Special thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Mellberg for watching Owen so we could have our first night away! 

Convict Lake

July 23, 2016

We went to Convict Lake this weekend to camp and visit with the Draguesku Family, and attend a memorial for Brandon's uncle Jack. Grandpa Mike had 8 brothers and sisters, and Uncle Jack was the oldest of the family.  Grandpa Mike and Uncle Jack lived together throughout their lives, most recently in Texas for the last few years. Convict Lake was one of Jack's favorite places, and Brandon was fortunate enough to camp with Uncle Jack at Convict Lake when he was growing up.  Cousin Blake spread Jack's ashes under a big tree at the shoreline. It was a beautiful way to say goodbye. You will be very missed, Uncle Jack!

It was great to have all the aunts and uncles together for the memorial. This was the first time Owen got to meet the whole Draguesku family.

All the siblings- Carol, Tony, Susan, Jimmy, Joanne, Mike, Jeanie, MaryAnne

The weather was beautiful and we had a great time hiking and fishing with the family. This was Owen's third camping trip before this 3 month birthday. He has now spent a total of a week in the Eastern Sierras.

Baby on board fishing