The Epic Castillo Family California Adventure Finale

Part of the family tradition was a yearly thematic family portrait.  This year Elena and Geneva carried through a previous portrait's motif "the Wild Coyote Clan" on matching shirts for the whole clan.  We donned these darling shirts and went to a stump we had found previously and took family photos. 

that's a crowd of kids.

My sister's family.  They are included with ours because her kids are the same ages as our grandkids.  It just works!

they are all just amazing!

After lunch we drove to Stout Grove.  My AMAZING  brother in law drove that huge RV on the dirt road to get to it.  He didn't turn a hair. We were behind him and I was having anxiety just watching.

 

 

 

 

 We made it and thoroughly enjoyed the walk in and around these breathtaking trees.  Perhaps you can get a little idea how huge they are.  I'm afraid we rather intimidated some of the other people there by our sheer numbers and the activity of our kids.  Keeping track of them was fun too.

How many kids will it take?

Grandma was a Trouper!

Those Dumdums sure make Uncle Keith popular!

Ring a ring?

The whole clan!

Poor Ellie's tummy hurt.  She hung in there though.

Getting to climb all over them was one of the best parts of these trees.

It doesn't even take any imagination to see a face here.

caves and hiding places!

Kelvin isn't enjoying it much yet.

Weston was fearless!

The parents were a little bit fearful but the kids did great.

Oh, so tall!

We all made it back to our campground safely.  Whew!
 We had  used the pick-up truck bed to store food and supplies, and the tailgate worked perfectly for a work surface and serving place.  Then, that evening it provided the 'stage' for a spontaneous talent show! The talents went from joke telling and math facts, to music and dance....oh and wood carving. We have a wonderful family!

 



Wesley and James did balance!

We sang songs for a long time doing requests from all genres.  What a talented sister I have.  They did 'You got a Friend' and I cried!  My cute hubby requested it....it's our song.

A gift for Alicia...who is soon to be a Bear!

 Rod got worst joke.....He's Pop pop to the grandkids....

Best sleeping baby!

 

 Friday morning we packed up and headed out.  We so enjoyed the time with our sweet kids and grandkids and family

 

 Several families went on to other adventures, and getting home was an unpleasant adventure for Todd and family...but that is their story!  We love them all!

Epic Castillo Family California Adventure part Sea...;)

After breakfast, which Elizabeth helped cook, we spent the morning of July 4th exploring the camp ground and enjoying cousins.

Ellie magnanimously shared her sea shell.  It was a popular throne.

 The campground was truly in the middle of the forest.  These trees are just awesome!

a hollow stump

gives you an idea of the size this tree used to be.

 More photos???

 Yup!

Her Highness with 'palm fronds'

 Uncle Keith easily won the Favorite Uncle award by passing out seemingly unlimited numbers of Dum Dums.  Thank you Marcie for supplying him!

 We spent the afternoon at the beach.  It was much warmer than the previous day and playing in the sand and ocean was thoroughly enjoyed by all the kids.

My girls!

There was even a mermaid  as you can see!!!

 We loved that the camp ground had showers so we could clean up after our sandy fun.

In addition to taking all these photos, I gathered small pieces of drift wood and stones for some ceramic projects. It was a gorgeous day.  Pop Pop stayed in camp and had dinner ready when we got back! Thank you my love!
Due to tire problems, Todd and his family arrived late in the day.  They were just in time for supper.  We were so glad they made it....safely.  We are so grateful for Family!!! It just wouldn't have been the same without them.
After dinner we went back to the beach to see the fire works! I didn't take photos but... It was truly awe inspiring.  Bon fires were scattered along the curve of the bay and lots  of people were shooting off professional quality fire works.  There was no organization,  it was random and  we were standing right in the middle of it all. It could have been dangerous but it gave a real glimpse of the "bombs bursting in air"!!! A wonderful ending to our July 4th and a celebration of our great country!