Weekend Story - YOSEMITE! YOOO SEEE MEEE TEEE!

Can you tell I was super excited to share this post about our trip to Yosemite National Park?

 

Yosemite is quite possibly the most beautiful place I've ever been to in my humble life. It's about 4 hours away from where we live and it's gorgeous and breathtaking. When you are there the scenery looks cut out of a portrait. Last year we went to Yosemite with a couple of my pals and I fell in love with the place. I've never seen a night sky like it. This year we went with our family, and don't get me wrong, I love my pals but it's always a good time when you throw 20 people into the mix and mexican food while camping because that's how my In-Laws roll and that just makes camping more awesome. They literally will make full Mexican dishes while camping.

 

So I had this CRAZY idea to bake up six dozen cookies for the trip Thursday nght. On my cookie menu?

 

2 Dozen Reeses Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

2 Dozen Oatmeal Raisin

2 Dozen Chocolate Chip Walnut

 

So I had to gather round 6 sticks of softened butter, lots of brown sugar, 1 bag of Reeses, 2 bags of Chocolate chips, 1 bag of chopped Walnuts, Raisins, 3 Eggs, Oatmeal, Cinnamon, Vanilla and Flour.
 

Thursday night I was one busy lady!

 

 

Friday we were up bright and early at around 5 AM and headed to pick up a family friend and then to my Momma's house to pick up my Momma and my little sister. We would be driving her CRV which has more space then either Tony's BMW or my Honda. And off we went!

We got there fairly early at which point we set up our tents and then headed into the valley to see all the sites. I found this spot in between a few trees and I demanded Tony set up our tent there. I jokingly referred to it as the site of our honeymoon ;)

 

Our tent locale

I didn't take much pictures because I wasn't particularly in a picture taking mood and I have already been there before at which time I had taken a TON of pictures so I just wanted to enjoy my stay and not fuss over pulling out my iPhone all the time. I did, however, steal some pictures from Tony's phone that he posted. My FIL took video here and there and it will be fun to see what he filmed. He caught me stuffing my face with a mango, I'm sure that will be super attractive to look back to in the future.

Bridalveil Falls

 

Scenic Landscape

 

 

 

Merced River (runs through Yosemite)

 

 

 

El Capitan

 

We didn't take any pictures of Half Dome and I'm kind of bummed we didn't but we have pictures of it from last time. By the way, can you tell these pictures were taken with my husband's Galaxy Note with a WAY better camera than my iPhone?

We came back to our campground after seeing the Valley and waited around for everybody else to get there. First, my In-Laws got there, then Tony's cousin, then we waited for Tony's Aunt and Uncle and waited some more and they would not arrive. It was almost midnight and still no Aunt and Uncle. Tony's Dad, Tony and Tony's cousin's Husband left to the valley to get reception. They didn't arrive back until 2AM. Turns out Tony's Aunt and Uncle had gotten lost in the park at 10,000 feet elevation!

I slept really uncomfortable Friday night and Saturday morning I was up bright and early. My MIL made beans, Chilaquiles and Gorditas for breakfast. It was all quite tasty! Everybody headed off to do their own thing in the valley for a while and Saturday night we had burgers and hotdogs. Later that night we enjoyed some s'mores before everybody called it a night and went to sleep.

Sunday morning it was Chorizo and Huevos for breakfast along with cereal, danishes and coffee. We all cleaned up and packed our tents. For the most part everybody was tired and just wanted to go home. It was 24 of us total so it took a lot of energy out of us to get everything organized through out the whole camping trip.

The trip back was a lot shorter than I expected and I was happy to make it home. We first dropped off my Momma and sister and then dropped off our friend Stephanie. When we got to my Momma's house we had a card from one of my brother's sweet friends to me and Tony. It was a gift card to a Sushi restaurant in Sebastopol. He found out I got married and wanted to send us a nice gift. What a thoughtful gesture! Sunday Tony and I headed to Applebee's for a post camping alone time dinner. I love going out and doing stuff just him and I because we are always with others and we don't get much alone time then the little bit of time we spend every night before bedtime.

Overall I was happy with the camping experience but I feel that for Yosemite in particular, next time I would rather go just Tony and I. We plan on coming every year and making it a tradition. It will be fun to come with our kids someday!

Weekend Story

Friday
Friday work was such a drag! Not because work sucked but because I was tired and moved at the speed of molasses. I had asked Tony to defrost some chicken breasts and put some butter out to soften because I had grandiose plans for a culinary and baking experience that night. This wasn't sounding so appealing around 3 PM. A Starbucks iced coffee was in order? Perhaps!

 I got home and was super tired. I went upstairs and layed down for a bit. I ended up not even cooking anything. I did whip up two batches of cookie dough. More on this on my "Cookie Adventures" post that's coming soon. I baked about a dozen cookies and Tony's pal and his little brother came over for some hanging out and cookie eating. I went to bed at around 11:45 and I was out!

Here they are! I actually don't eat much of the cookies I make. Although they get great reviews and I make them with lots of amor I tend to only eat 1 or 2 at a time. In my eyes, it's the baking of them that is the true pleasure.
 

Saturday

Saturday Tony was up bright and early to go take his P.O.S.T test for the Santa Rosa Police Department. He is in the middle of applying and this is just the second hoop to jump. I'm praying that he does great on it. I know if he gets to the in person interview portion, he has a pretty good chance of being hired. He is very qualified and according to my friend who knows the former Police Chief, he is everything the PD is searching for in candidates. Please send good vibes our way so Tony has a smooth and successful application process.

Images of a hot police officer husband come to mind ;)

 

 

Not exactly my husband. Tony's much buffer, taller and tanner. Close enough. Swoon.

I was up early as well to sip on coffee and make Tony some breakfast burritos. After Tony got home we got ready to head out to a birthday party. The birthday party was for a family friend's grandson. Let me just say she can really get down with hosting parties. She offered a couple different types of tacos. You lined up at the Taco grill and ordered whatever tacos you wanted and topped them off with toppings to your liking. Delish!

We came home early from the party and went to lay down for a bit. Tony headed to the gym while I baked up more cookies from the remaining cookie dough. We went to bed and I attempted to watch an episode of "Who the Bleep did I Marry" but I quickly dozed off.


Sunday
Sunday we woke up late at 9 AM. I headed downstairs to have coffee with my MIL. I had a bag of Potstickers in the freezer and made potstickers, yes potstickers for breakfast. Tony's aunt and My Momma and little sister came over later and we had Salsa de Nopales, Beans, Chips and Cheese for Lunch. Nopales are cactus and are a common vegetable consumed in Mexico. You can whip them up with Tomato, Onion and Cilantro and enjoy with chips or you can sautee them and serve them as a hot dish. My Mom likes to cook them with eggs. I know this sounds unappetizing if you aren't used to it but they are tasty and good for you! I guess it's a Mexican thing.

Nopales unpeeled. These suckers are a real task to peel. Look at those thorns!

 

 

Peeled and Cut

 

Enough of that... So we had lunch and chatted a long while until dinner time. My Mother in Law helped me make Green Enchiladas. Sorry, I just wanted us to finish them and I didn't take pictures for a recipe post. Soon my dears, soon. We also talked about my current favorite subject to talk about. YOSEMITE!!! T-minus 18 days before we leave :) Tony's aunt had left earlier and my Mom and sister left after dinner. I cleaned up the kitchen and Tony did the dishes and we went upstairs. Later on I wanted something sweet so we headed out to Baskin Robbins and I got me a mini Oreo Cappuccino Blast. Bad, so bad. At least I get the mini, right? RIGHT?!

 

 

And that's all folks. Next weekend my Pals will be joining us for a little weekend fun. We are going to the river and they might join us for a little county fair action! Can't wait! Is it Friday yet?

 

~Mely

 

Summer Time

Wanted to do a post on all the fun I've been having this summer. This is our first summer as newlyweds and it's been anything but boring. Since we haven't lived together prior to marriage we have been adjusting to life and learning a little more about each other. What I do know, I was made for marriage. I love the stuff. I love having somebody to cook for who will eat virtually anything I make him. (Bless his heart, he is the most non picky man I've ever met). I love going on adventures yet still being able to relax at home and do whatever. It's the little things in life. I advise... I am awful about taking pictures and my husband isn't too fond of selfies so you will rarely see selfies of him and I but I try! But seriously, I am trying to take more pictures of our adventures. I don't have a fancy camera... all my pictures are taken with my dinasour iPhone 4s. Here is the randomness...

1. Netflix (what we are watching)

 

Orange is the New Black

 

Warning: There is nudity and there is lesbian and straight sex scenes but the show is ridiculously good. If you can get past the nudity and sex and see why this show is awesome, please watch it. Now. The show has a rich diversity of women and it is based on a suburban, privileged white woman that is serving time in jail for drug related charges. If this show has kept me hooked (if you know me personally, you know that I have the attention span of a toddler) then I guarantee it is good stuff. I am the one that mostly watches this show as Tony feels like "it's a girl show."

 

Wicked Attractions (and basically any show on Investigation Discovery)

 

 

 

We love this show because we love any show documents true life cases. Although at times, it is a bit depressing because you watch about rapes and murders we love this show in small doses.

 

It's a Girl

  

 

Such an intense and powerful documentary about the gendercide occuring in India and China. Eye-opening... a must watch if you get the chance.

 

The Queen of Versailles

 

 

Just gaudy and entertaining to watch. A classic example that not everyone with money has good style and class.

There's many more other shows and good documentaries we have been watching but those will have to wait for another post ;)

 

 

2. Tijuana and SoCal (A visit across the border to the motherland)

Tony and I went with his family (about 16 of us total) to Tijuana to visit his Aunt, Uncle and cousin that live down there. I jokingly say it's the motherland but Tony and I were born in good old Santa Rosa, CA. Both our sets of parents are from the state of Michoacan, Mexico. Personally, my claim to fame is my Mom and Dad are from Cotija were the smelly cheese is from. Mmmhmm me gusta mucho el Queso Cotija! Tijuana is about 10 hours down south in car of where we are in California. Let me tell you, I was one grumpy girl the second half of our way there and the whole time in Tijuana. When I am in a bad mood, I'm in a bad mood. Tony has me figured out pretty well by now! We left Thursday night and I was running on no sleep, was cold, hungry and had heartburn by the time we got there. My body also yearned for a Starbucks, the struggle is real you guys.

 

We spent Friday in Tijuna to come back Friday night from Tijuana and arrive at Tony's cousin's house in Indio close to Coachella in Southern California at about 2AM Saturday. We went straight to sleep and the next morning after a good night's sleep and a shower, I was as good as new. I love love love going to Tony's cousin's house in Indio. The weather is hot and Tony's cousin and her husband are such cool people, it's great to just hang out and sit by the pool. Tony went to the store to pick up some stuff with his cousin's husband Cruz and he came back with this.

 

This is the thing about my husband, he knows so well what makes me happy. He even knows how much cream to put in my coffee to make it the perfect shade of brown. I am convinced I could not have married a better man. Heck, I even got the man started on iced coffees from Starbucks. I love my Tony :)

 

We spent the rest of the weekend hanging out and BBQing at the house and I went to the Swap Meet with Tony's aunts and his parents. We came home Sunday around noon and minus the no AC in Tony's car and the sticky/sweaty, hot central valley we had to pass through, the trip back went well.

 

3. Armstrong Woods

Tony and I have visited Armstrong Woods twice this summer. The giant Redwood  trees are absolutely majestic and the trails are really nice. This is definitely a favorite of mine for hiking. If you are ever in Northern California you need to come to Armstrong Woods in Guerneville. Just a couple of neat things to see (courtesy of http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450)

 

FEATURES OF THE GROVE:

The Tallest Tree
The Parson Jones Tree is the tallest tree in the grove, measuring more than 310 feet in height. This is longer than the length of a football field. An easy 0.1 mile walk from the park entrance.

The Oldest Tree
The Colonel Armstrong Tree is the oldest tree in the grove, estimated to be over 1,400 years old. It is named after a lumberman who chose to preserve this portion of the park in the 1870s. This magnificent tree is located a half-mile walk from the park entrance.

The Icicle Tree
This tree shows the unusual burl formations often found on redwood trees. Burls can weigh many tons and grow hundreds of feet above the forest floor. Why these growths occur remains a mystery.

 

Here are some pics from our hiking adventures!
 

 

  

4. Yosemite (Round 2!)

We are heading to Yosemite the beginning of August! Last time we went to Yosemite, he had only been dating for a month and went with 4 friends. This time around we are married and we are coming with our family! I am especially excited to take my Momma and my sister this time around. And Tony's family knows how to CAMP! They cook good food and always have a great time. Super excited! Stay tuned for pics of Yosemite Round 2.

 

 

5. Fair Time (Sonoma County REPRESENTIN'!)

This year the theme at the Sonoma County Fair is "Peace, Love and Fair." I already bought our tickets presale and I can't wait to go later this month! Stay tuned for pics of the Fair later this month.

 

That is all for know. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you stick around :)

~Mely H

Yosemite

I have no further weight loss to report. I would be lying if I said I don't know why I haven't lost more weight. I stopped drinking my protein shakes and kept up my carb intake which is not good. I am not eating enough protein and I don't exercise enough. I find I lack motivation to keep going and my body really liked this weight because this is the LONGEST I have stalled for. I plan on attending the bariatric support groups again and touching base with my surgeon's office to get back on track. It's all about back to the basics! I have 30 more pounds I want to lose before I am "done" I think I can make it happen slowly. I focus on the positive things and I have to remind myself why I had this surgery in the first place.

In other news, life is so awesome. I recently went to Yosemite and it was the most amazing place ever. I will share some pics below ;) My new job is treating me good and I have the most awesome man in my life that makes me happy every single day. Somebody I have known for all my life because his mom is really good friends with my mom. I saw him in July after not seeing him for about 15 years or so (since we were kids!) and it all made sense and clicked. It's so nice being with somebody that loves you for exactly who you are and doesn't ever try to change you. He balances me out and makes me feel at ease and safe.

We went to Yosemite late August. We were only there for 3 days and 2 nights (not long enough!) The second day we were there we made this brutal up mountain hike to the top of Vernal Falls. Sadly, Yosemite falls was dried out! Bummer! Even though the hike was brutal, I know that I probably wouldn't have made it had I been at my heaviest weight.
 

Here is a pic of the hike up... How beautiful is this? That's a rainbow!

 

 

Here is a picture of me at the top of Vernal Falls.

 

 Here is another one of our way up!

 

I saved the best for last, here is my boyfriend and I in front of "El Capitan"! We make a good looking couple don't we? This is my favorite picture and memory of Yosemite.

 

Until next time,

Melissa