The Reid Family: Yosemite LeFevre Family Reunion

After years of discussion, our family (The LeFevre's) finally decided it was time to have our 1st family reunion. Since I am the oldest child, I had the opportunity to plan this reunion. After much discussion with my parents and siblings, we decided that the reuinion should be at one of the National Parks. So after researching MANY parks, it was decided that we should have the reunion at Yosemite National Park. This park was beautiful in so many ways and it was great to share such a fabulous trip with my family.

When we arrived, we took the first evening setting up camp and getting reaquainted and talking more in depth about what we wanted to do while at Yosemite.

Here's our very large campsite. It was a bummer that each family wasn't able to camp by each other, but it all worked out and we still had a super time. Our site was the furthest out from the rest of the family. Hayden and Alex loved having their own tent, and I loved not having to look at their mess!

The next morning, the entire family caravaned up to Glacier Point. On the way there, the traffic just stopped. We had heard that traffic could be slow because of road construcion and a high volume of cars. But, instead, it was a momma bear and her 2 cubs looking for food! Of course we had to (along with everyone else) stop the car and get pictures.

Once we arrived at Glacier Point, we were mesmerized by the view! It was breathtaking! Going to Glacier Point is a must do at the beginning of a Yosemite trip because you are able to see the entire valley from this point.

Half Dome! So beautiful!

In front of Half Dome!

Hayden (love this pic!) at Glacier Point with Half Dome behind him.

Vernal (which we hiked to a few days later) and Nevada Falls from Glacier Point.

Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls from Glacier Point.

View of the Merced River (which we rafted and swam in) from Glacier Point.

After seeing an overview of Yosemite Valley, we loaded back up and the family caravaned to Bridal Veil Falls. It was a short walk to the bottom of the falls. The boys really loved the mist from the falls.

Dave, Hayden, and Alex at the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls.

I loved hiking up the rocks with Jolene, Erin, Bryant and Parker to get closer to the top.

The next day (Thursday), Dave and I decided to take just our kids and hike to the top of Vernal Falls on the Mist Trail. This was listed as a "moderate" hike, 3 miles roundtrip with a 1000 ft. elevation with over 600 steps carved out of the mountain. We knew it would really be a challenge for Natalie and Hayden. So we planned to turn around at the footbridge, if needed. To get ready for the hike, Hayden had prepared a trail mix snack for each of us, which met a requirement in his Bear Book. A shortway into the hike, Natalie decided that she wanted to be carried. There was NO way that was going to happen. At that point, I started thinking it would be a long hike just to the footbridge. But, once we started singing "zippity do da", she was happy. So we sang that song all.the.way to the top. Hayden started struggling, too. He would get so hot and tired. Dave and I decided that to make this hike successful, we would stop and take breaks when Hayden needed to. Hayden had decided early on that he wanted to give us our snack at the footbridge (about half way to the top), so that kept him motivated to get at least that far.

Once we arrived at the footbridge, Hayden changed his mind and decided that he wanted to wait until we got to the TOP of the falls to pass out the snack! Wow! He was focused on doing the whole hike!!! After the footbridge is where the 600+ steps begin. This was really hard for Hayden, but with his breaks and his determination, he kept going. The mist from the trail also really helped because it cooled him down! About 50 steps from the top, Hayden wanted to give up. Dave and I knew he would be really disappointed in himself if he didn't make it to the top. So, with lots of encouragement and us telling him that his cousin Parker would think he was "awesome" if he made it to the top, Hayden finished the hike. Once we got there, we were rewarded with Hayden giving each of us our trail mix.

Now if you really know Hayden and Natalie, you would also know that completing this hike was a miracle! And therefore one of our most cherished family moments. Unfortunately, both Dave and I forgot our camera, so we have no pictures to document it. Luckily, we ran into the Lowes at the footbridge on our decent and Camille snapped a quick picture of us. The Chases, who hiked to Vernal and then all the way up to Nevada Falls that same morning, took some pictures that they were willing to share.

Vernal Falls. We hiked all the way to the top edge of the falls!

Part of the Mist Trail. The mist was a blessing! The steps were neverending.

The top of Vernal Falls. We made it!

At the foot of Vernal Falls.

Before heading back to camp from the hike, we decided to check out the Merced River and cool off. The kids all played in the freezing water. Some of us adults (including Dave and myself) even got in and "floated". And of course, playing in the rocky sand and eating snacks was a must.

One of Natalie's favorite memories at Yosemite was making "potions". Here she is with her cousin Brooklynn helping.

Cold water doesn't even phase Hayden.

Hayden and Alex were really proud of their mini sand castles.

On Friday, we had planned an easy hike to Mirror Lake in the morning. The hike was beautiful, even with all the horse "droppings" we dodged along the way.

Natalie LOVED hiking with Erin!

When we got to Mirror Lake, we crossed to the other side. It was so shallow.

In the afternoon, the Chases joined us on a rafting trip down the Merced River. It was another beautiful, yet cool, way to see Yosemite Valley. Hayden and Alex even rafted down part of the river in their tubes along with their cousins Bryant and Parker. Brrrr...

The Chases.

View of Yosemite Falls from the Merced River.

The next and last full day (Saturday), we all headed over to see Yosemite Falls. Of course it was beautiful, too! We hiked part way up the rocks to get closer to the falls, played in the cold water and on the rocks and enjoyed spending time with each other.

Here we are in front of Lower Yosemite Falls.

One of my favorite pics. of Natalie.

Alex, Trent Lowe, Hayden with Dave staying dry on the rock.

Hayden in his element!

Alex is not real fond of being cold, so after playing in the frigid water, he relaxed on a rock to dry off.

While at Yosemite, each of my kids worked on getting their Junior Ranger badge. I loved this program and they each loved their Ranger book, badge and the recognition the ranger gave them for completing the program. (The ranger had each kid record their names in the ranger book and then got everyone at the visitor's center attention and let them know there were 3 new rangers. Then they ALL clapped for my kids!)

Reading Natalie's Junior Ranger book, with her two cousins looking on.

While waiting for a shuttle, Hayden read his Junior Ranger book.

That night we had a closing campfire that my dad organized. It was a great way to end the reunion. We are looking forward to the next reunion in 2013, but this time Jolene get to take the reigns!