Nature Adventures

We took a little trip up north to enjoy some of the

beautiful scenic destinations in this area.

We went to the Los Osos Oaks Reserve and

walked the light trails and checked out some nature.

The trees along the trails are awesome.

Some are cool looking

with moss draping the branches

and others are great for climbing.

I was a tree climber as a kid,

that's how I got one of my many broken bones.

So I resisted my urge to hike up the

foliage and opted to take some photos instead.

I really wanted a picture of the boys up in the trees,

but they weren't keen onthe idea...

so they sat on a log on the ground,

eh... still a good shot.

Out of fear of poison oak,

we told Kainoa not to touch any plants.

So Kainoa made sure to tell his brother over

and over not to touch anything.

Keoni wasn't worried as much as Kainoa.

As Keoni was walking, he would be looking down...

So I was smiling at him when he would

unknowingly wonder off the path.

Here they are investigating something.

Keoni was scared or worried about something

and had to tell his brother.

So the boys at this age aren't really the

most cooperative for the

photographic memories I'm trying to create.

As illustrated in this next group of photos:

One is smiling, while the other is not. O'well...

Not too far from Los Osos is Morro Bay.

So we went to Morro Bay State Park

for another view of the coast.

Here the boys are checking out a lady bug.

"Don't smash it!"

Kainoa tells his infamous bug-smashing brother.

Beautiful Views...

The Morro Bay shot.
A Good Nature-filled Day :)

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

We all flew to Utah on Christmas. On Sunday, as we were leaving church, it started to snow. Kainoa pointed it out first. Even though he'd never seen snow before in person, he knew what it was. So when we got back to Auntie Ruthies, we were excited to get bundled up in our California snow gear and stomped around. Great photo opp :)

Chad and Nisha drove to Utah from Idaho, where they spent Christmas. Danica and Shaun were in Utah from Hawaii. So, we were super exicted to all get together and have all 5 cousins play, play, play!

This is pretty in pink, the only girl cousin... Miss Melyana Bee! And her not so little brother, cutest cheeks of the family...
Mr. Ace! So cute!
Here's the blondest little Hawaiian of the family with the cutest faces... Aukai!!
Now we're still sunny So-Cal Beach Lovers at heart, but we have to say,

the snow blanketed landscape is beautiful :)

We took advandtage of the snow fall...and thanks to the family in Utah, borrowed some sledding gear and hit the small slope on the side of the highway. Ski resort caliber or not, we had a blast. Kainoa couldn't get enough. Love the snow memories...
My favorite little snow buddies...
Love the cousins... Fun Fun in the Snow!
The Always Classic Snow Angel... And of Course we all can't get together without attempting family photos.

So starting top left and going clockwise:
Mama and Papa, the Michigan Ridgeways,
the California Ridgeways & The Hawaii Kauihous :) Now with 5 little ones under 5, the big group shot is a little tricky...
If I was Chad, I could photoshop wizard it into an amazing photo,

but I'm not...So take your pick,

each person has at least one good face in at least one pic...

But we got so much love anyway... Ohana is Forever