Tuesday, June 12, 2012

A Big Bear Weekend

Last summer we moved- so this summer since we are staying put for now, we are making up for it and have planned lots of fun little getaways.   This weekend we went to Big Bear California.  It isn't too far from our home but as we were driving there I felt like I was in a whole different place in the country.
The road there was extremely windy and steep and had these beautiful flowers
Upper Left than Clockwise: Outside of our condo; Pool view from our porch; woods on grounds; living area

While we were there we explored the woods.  The kids were fascinated by the huge pine-cones. 

And the lizard.

Alex thought maybe if she held out a stick it would climb on the stick- the poor thing just froze and played dead.

We then headed for the Alpine slide- only to find out it was closed on Friday-yea like Legoland all over.  Thankfully, a trip to a little park by the lake trying distracted the disappointed kids and lead us to a boat rental place.  We headed back to the condo, packed our lunches then rented a boat.

The kids loved it!!

Well, two of the three did.  I think the wind (it was pretty windy) and the noise were just all a little too much for Ryder- he sunk into my arms and soon fell asleep.

He did wake up at the end and look around more though.

We headed back to the condo for nap time- but apparently Ryder's half hour nap on the boat was enough for him, so we went swimming. Ryder wore his swim vest for the first time- he never would put it on before-- and was jumping off the side almost the entire time.  He loved it.

We found a great local pizza place for dinner.. and apparently the 30 minute nap wasn't quite enough for Ryder.  Luckily he did wake up to eat dinner.

Saturday we were off to the Alpine slide.  You had to ride a ski lift up and Lucas was brave enough to ride himself all the way up.  Alex and Lucas both took their own scooters down and Eric and I switched who took Ryder down.

Everyone loved it- even Ryder who by the end was saying weee all the way down.

After the slides there was more swimming; burgers grilled on the BBQ and then we went to a local shop for some Gelato.
 Sunday was church in the morning, than a walk on the animal preserve side of the lake.

Ryder loved seeing the ducks- he just wasn't so sure about the cracks in the bridge- unwilling to walk unless someone (i.e. Eric as he decided most of the weekend that only daddy could help him) held his hand.


It was such a fun weekend getaway and I am sure this will not be the last time we visited Big Bear.

And here is a quick little trailer of our entire weekend.



Do you like doing weekend trips or longer vacations?

Since it is Tuesday I am linking up with some other great Tuesday meme's.  IA and Shawn's Talk to Us Tuesday and Stacy Uncorked's Random Tuesday



Oh and I almost forgot-- the winner for the Ruckus Reader membership is
I registered on ruckus! Hope i win! And if im lucky enough to win, can you apply my free subscription in august? Im paid through til july.
Only if its ok!
 Congrats! I will be contacting you

28 comments:

  1. It looks like everyone had a great time!

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  2. What a fun place. It looks like you had a fabulous time! My kids always fell asleep on boats when they were little. It's very relaxing for a child.

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    1. Wow Emily...thanks for the gorgeous photos of your trip. What a luxurious getaway! Happy for you!

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    2. Wow Emily...thanks for the gorgeous photos of your trip. What a luxurious getaway! Happy for you!

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  3. What beautiful photos! Looks like a fun little vacation!

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  4. Yes, I am thinking that looks a little better than moving!! What a great place. Love the feel of the condo. It's like the best of both worlds, the outdoors with modern accommodations! Love it. You have a beautiful family. Love all the pictures. I just wish you were in the photo with everyone by the lake :)

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  5. We like shorter weekend getaways mostly. We go camping or just do day trips. However, we are doing a big vacation,which we seem to manage about every 3-4 years.
    Looks like you all had a great time!

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  6. Oh my gosh it looks like you guys had an absolute blast! Vacations are always so great :) Awesome pictures! I'm glad you guys had so much fun!! I might have to check that place out some day.

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  7. Amazing pictures... what an awesome family summer adventure!! I love the pic of your girl creeping up on the lizard! Wonderful memories :)

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  8. That looks like it was fun, the kids are adorable! Sometimes a long weekend can feel like just enough time for a great getaway!

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  9. Wow … you packed at lot in! What fun! Of all the photos, I think the one of Alex looking at the lizard is my favorite!

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  10. When we lived in CA we went to Big Bear, so beautiful. Looks like you guys had a great time.

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  11. What a fabulous vacation! :-)

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  12. Haha!! I love the lizard pictures!! Yay for staying put for a summer.....enjoy it!!

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  13. That looks like so much fun! Adorable pics, and you are adorable too!

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  14. Ok, seriously, that trailer was adorable!!! The music, the names {cast}, the slow motion shots! WOW! I'm not as tech savvy as you are.

    It sounds like you had an amazing little vacation! Emma is a little fish and it looks like your kids are as well. You got some great shots!

    Thanks for linking up with us!

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  15. That looks like so much fun! And those pictures!! So pretty, so beautiful, so fun! LOVE IT ALL! We never go anywhere, this is inspiring. :)

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  16. What a blast! You guys are so blessed to be able to do that stuff! :)

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  17. Love that picture of Ryder on the boat. I bet he wore the swim vest better after wearing the life one on the boat. He's cute. Well they all are! I have never been to Big Bear. Looks like you guys had a blast.

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  18. Oh wow! That looks like SO much FUN!! You guys know how to do getaways right! ;) It's been years since I've been to Big Bear, so it was nice living vicariously through you and all your awesome photos. I love how Ryder simply fell asleep and napped on the go - he's too cute for words!

    We sometimes will do a weekend getaway, but not as often as we used to. Instead, we usually plan a full two-weeks - this week we're doing that two weeks 'big' by driving all the way out to Seattle and stopping at touristy places along the way there and back. :)


    Funny Lists, Winemaking Fun, Tricky Eyeballs and Serious Brain Trouble

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  19. How fun! I love little adventures like that.

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    1. Hahahaha Emmy, I'm cracking up here!! You have skills girl, what a fantastic video clip you made there! You had me at the edge of my seat with the music and action and all!! Super job!

      Man, vacation vs weekend getaway...hmmmm, I'll take what I can get!

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  20. lucky you!!!! your pictures show what great fun you guys had!!

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  21. Oh My! That pool... and the boat... I grew up on a boat on the river and I definitely took it for granted. I miss the boat!

    I was complaining to my mom one day about never taking my kids on a vacation, because to me, that meant the two weeks we spent on the lake every summer or the week skiing or in FL for spring break and my mom pointed out all the stuff I do with my kids for just a few days or a weekend. To answer your question, I do weekends or 2-3 day getaways... for me, because I'm the only adult, it's less overwhelming and cheaper!

    That said, we head to FL for 10 days at the end of the month!

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  22. I always forget how much fun Big Bear is in the summer, I always think of it in the winter and with snow... Based on your pictures and all you did it sounds like a fun place to visit for summer, the boat rental sounds like so much fun. We usually end up doing more weekend trips than I'd personally like, I am the kind of person who would love a weekly vacation at the beach like Hawaii or the caribbean however with a family of 4 weekend trips is what we do the most. :)

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  23. That video was super cute...and way too short! Loved it!

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  24. I like both! Weekends are a fun get away that are usually cheaper... lol... but long vacations are always fun too! This place looks amazing! So did you take some of these with your iPhone and some with your camera or all of one or the other?

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  25. i cannot believe how grown up alex is all of a sudden looking to me!!! also, this makes me want to go on vacation:)

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