Family Trips

We took some really fun family vacations this summer!

First, we went to North Carolina way back in May to visit Matt & Belize. It was a great trip! I've never been to the South and it was very interesting. TONS of food, too much humidity, and way more trees than I've ever seen! I'm super grateful everyone let me go see historical sites, which were very neat (lots of tobacco). We're really glad we went and hope to go back next year for Matt's graduation!

Building a tower at the children's museum

Children's museum

Duke family Homestead

splashing in the water with the cousins 

All three Hamilton boys!

slave quarters at the Stagville plantation

chasing chickens

Jude & Dane cornering a chicken we later found out couldn't walk...

Stagville Plantation (fun fact: where the American Girl Addy is based on)

Sorry Whovians... Angels in the Durham Cemetery

Enjoying delicious ice cream in the middle of nowhere

Next, we went to Agoura for the 4th of July. It was a fun but sad trip. We said goodbye to Peter's childhood home for the last time, but it was definitely still a blast to be with all the Hamiltons. Jude even started to acknowledge his cousins (yay!) and not cling to Mom the whole time. He really loved little Ikey and he still talks about him. He also bonded with Grandpa, who he now affectionately calls "PaPa, CE-CE!" (meaning: Grandpa horsey, as in the Grandpa who lives near horses).


Then, in August we camping with my family at Calaveras State Park. I grew up camping there and it was really fun to return with Jude. Of course, the entire time Jude wanted NOTHING to do with me; he only wanted Grandpa & Grandma. It actually got to the point where if I came too close to him, he would cry and push me away. Oh well, more vacation time for me! We went hiking in the trees, swimming at the lake, walking in a cave, and sight-seeing in Old West towns. Jude even got to finally ride his first train! Oh and after years of camping we actually had our first encounter with a BEAR! He wandering into the camp at night, opened the bear box, took out our cooler, and stole 10 lbs of chicken.

Group stretch around a giant tree

just like his mother... Jude ventures off the path & onto a giant fallen tree

HUGE trees

Inside a burned out tree

Jude pans for gold

He actually figured out the "swishing" technique, but didn't understand the concept of using dirt, not just water

Giant 12 scoop sundae we remembered from childhood & searched everywhere for! 

At Alpine Lake

His duck watering can actually attracted fellow ducks

Not too sure about the boat ride...

First train ride! It was sooooooo sloooowww

Fun train, not so fun picture of 8 month pregnant Mom

Splashing in the water was better than the cave

Blurry but cute. Inside Mercer Caverns

Or as Jude calls it "a hol!"

There were LOTS of stairs

Jude & Grandpa venture across a log

Beaver Creek

And now we are home, just waiting for the arrival of our baby girl. I cannot wait to not be pregnant!!! Hopefully, she will come soon; we are excited to meet her!