Vacation: Mammoth 2011

I couldn't have asked for a better way to start 2011. Got up early to go the the Rose Parade (my 25th straight year! Well, unless you count the year I was in my mom's tummy, then it's 26 straight years!) and then Mammoth! It's so nice to be able to visit my uncle and just relax in the snowy winter wonderland.





This one icicle on the back of my uncle's cabin was almost 2 stories tall!









For some reason I've always thought the outlet stores parking lot is so pretty in the winter....



Mammoth had a record snowfall the week before we showed up! They set the record for the most snow in the world!



This picture isn't so great, mainly because I was trying to keep a dog still while holding up my camera and just shooting, but I love how you can barely see the sign because of the snow!



From the walkway next to the stores you could look out and see gorgeous icicle formations.







First family picture!





We really wanted to see Mono Lake in the snow. Unfortunately the paths weren't cleared so we had to forge our own! Fun, but hard!







Before we left we had to go sledding! Even the dogs got in on the fun :)



Pixie wouldn't go into the deep snow, so we decided to make her. I swear she was enjoying it! That's just the way she jumps....



Did you go anywhere fun over the holidays? Tell me about it in the comments!

4th of July in Mammoth: Day 3

One of my favorite places to visit while in Mammoth is Convict Lake. The hills surrounding the lake are breathtaking as well as the lake itself. I couldn't end this trip without stopping by.


The puppy likes to run through the water and then bite at it. So silly!







The water is usually pretty cold, so this was as far as I went in!







Doug loves ending our trips with a visit to Tom's Place for lunch. It's on the map of California after all!





It was another great trip! I can't wait to go again.

But for now I am back to work and cranking out some more fabulous photos for you!

4th of July in Mammoth: The Fireworks

My Uncle has build a really cool deck on the hill behind is house, and it has the most amazing views of the entire valley.


Lucky for us it also has the most amazing views of the local firework show!

















After the show we decided to play around a bit with light painting!
I tried to make Doug look like an angel, but I think he came out more like a butterfly. Light painting is hard!







I trust my hubby, and he turns me into a monkey....





Tomorrow: Day 3 and saying goodbye to Mammoth!

4th of July in Mammoth: Day 2

We started 4th of July off with a trip to the local craft fair. We had spotted this little both last year on our trip and since we now have a house and a place to put these cool metal signs, we bought one :)


Then it was time for the parade!







This guy hands out fish to the crowd. Only in Mammoth...













This guy makes a random bike...thing... every year. This year he was a scorpion.



My Uncle is part of the Long Valley Volunteer Fire Department. These are some of his trucks he gets to play with!







The Titanic made out of cardboard. 'Nuff said.



After the parade we stopped by the mini chalk fest. This year it was Alice in Wonderland themed.



For lunch we headed over to the Long Valley Volunteer Fire Department for a BBQ lunch!













After the BBQ my Uncle headed off to help with the local fireworks, so we headed back up to Mammoth to check out the Earthquake Fault and the Minarette View Point.











And once again we found snow! On 4th of July of all things :)








Tomorrow: The Fireworks!