And the Snow Clears....Day 2 in Yosemite

Day Two and Three were much more enjoyable in the Yosemite 2014 adventure.

When we awoke on Saturday (5:30 am, for.the.love) and headed for the windows to actually SEE where we were (arriving so late the last evening), I found myself in a snow drenched fairy land.

It was light at 5:30 and everything was glistening.  It was GORGEOUS.  Lacey & Tyler were expected late afternoon on Saturday, and the photographer and his wife, Tyler and Ashley Herrinton (Ashley was one of Kip's teammates on the world race) were due in early evening, so the gang was just about to be all here.

Our lodge where we stayed

Let's review who was there.

Brandon's family.... Don and Pam are his parents.  Just about the most fun things I've ever met... Don is a huge prankster, and Pam is the only female in a family of men. They are great.

Don & Pam with the apples of their eyes, Levi and Savannah (Gbabies)

Brian is Brandon's older brother, and flew in from Ethiopia (where he runs a camp for kids, awesome fellow, with his wife Laura, a nurse) with his son, Levi, Brandon's nephew.  That cutie patootie is 2 1/2, and he rocks my face off.  He is SO smart, and just cracked me up every second. Brian did the ceremony and WOW, well...more about that later.

Then last, but certainly NOT least, is Brad, Brandon's younger bro, and his girlfriend, Brooke, who may be the most organized lass on the planet.  Seriously.  She gives Lacey a run for her money.   Her title for the weekend was "Wedding Coordinator" and "Hallie's supermodel newest bestie".   What a doll.

Brad, Brooke & Duke

 My Aunt Nancy and Uncle Lonnie, drove up on Saturday from Redding and brought food galore and coats for the thin skinned Okies that didn't think to pack a coat.  Who knew it would be snowing in April???

As soon as the sun came out, and it was proving to be a terrific day, everyone started making hiking plans.  Where they were going, and who was going, and what was happening.  We left the lodge and made it to tunnel view...let me just say, Brandon took high honors that day, by staying back with the oldies and Kip, and hanging with us and driving us around while we played tourist on Saturday.  He even got a mani out of the deal, (Kip worked him over).  He didn't like it, but he likes his bride, so he hung in there until she cracked out the emery board, then he was done.  Hallie went with the Hall's, hiking, and decided then and there that she wanted to become an "honorary Hall".  She and Brad became solid besties, and ragged each other all weekend. 

We got magnificent pics that day.  The snow was still on the ground, and the fog came and went,  and it was just gorgeous.

Deaton Crew

Seriously beautiful

Grammie & 2 of her girls

Sisters

Sister Selfie

 About the time I started uploading pics onto facebook (this was one of the only areas in the park with WiFI), Lacey commented and said, "STOP, you have to go to ALL THESE SAME places when I get there!!!"   We didn't listen.

 We were quite amused at the vast number of Asians at all the turnouts.  Especially Asian Men taking Selifes.  It was really too too funny.

 Then more than Asian men were taking pics.   My question is Why are we all Leaning??

 And the reason we were all there....to make these single people a Mr. and a Mrs.

 I especially like this picture, we aren't leaning very much and what a view behind us!!!!

 All that picture taking took a toll on Kipster, so she grabbed a nap back at the cabin with the "HELP" of grandpa.

And before we knew it!!!!!

 REUNITED!!

Pam asked me if I was a "crier", and I said,  "Naw, not really" and as the words eeked out of my mouth, I needed to go have a good cry.  All weekend I was on the verge of tears.   Happy, sentimental, sweet, mad, love....... all of it delicious.