Behind The Butter/ Travel

Halloween Weekend in Yosemite

yosemite-8614

We just got home from an absolutely amazing weekend in Yosemite! We’ve had this trip planned forever — Adam and I stayed at Evergreen a few years ago and had such a special time that we couldn’t wait to create family memories there with Grayson. Granted, it was a different sort of trip this time around with a baby but we had so much fun. Grayson even got to experience his first snowstorm!

yosemite-8776

 

yosemite-8789

yosemite-8760

It snowed the night we got there, on Halloween, and it was so special! We were not expecting that at all given how early it is in the season. As for hiking, last time, Adam and I did a wonderfully snowy hike in a grove of old sequoias, which was beautiful, but this time we stuck to the natural trail around the cabin…also beautiful!

yosemite-8586

yosemite-8662

Adam wore him on his back for a little while in a Snugli carrier that we borrowed from a friend, but he was definitely happiest all wrapped up on mama.

yosemite-8571

yosemite-8606

Last time we visited Evergreen, one of the things we loved the most was the amazing FOOD in the lodge! Oh my goodness, y’all…this food isn’t just good for being at a lodge in the middle of nowhere…I would also say this food is amazing if I had it at a fancy restaurant in the city. Whoever the chef is is simply wonderful. Everything we had was to die for!

Instead of going out and eating dinner in the restaurant like we did last time, Adam went to pick up the food while I put Grayson down each night. He fell asleep at 7pm and we spent the rest of the evening drinking wine, eating great food and playing checkers. Yes, checkers. There’s no internet, tv or phone service where we stayed but there is a box of board games! I have yet to beat my husband but one day…one day.

yosemite-8673

yosemite-8565

It was a short weekend but exactly what this family and this marriage needed. It was like pressing the reset button on our lives, which have been so busy since Grayson joined us almost six months ago! I am so proud of Adam for doing so well at work, but he works very long hours and really needed this time to disconnect. It was just perfect.

yosemite-8522

I think Fall my be my favorite time to visit Yosemite. The leaves changing colors were just spectacular. Evergreen is about 30 minutes from the valley, but we drove in on Sunday and soaked it all up. There’s nothing like Yosemite. It is hands down one of the most amazing places I have ever been.

yosemite-8746

yosemite-8541

yosemite-8597

I switched diaper bags for the trip and started using my Everlane backpack instead. Woah. Why did I just now start using a backpack as a diaper bag?! So much easier…especially when you’re wearing a baby!

yosemite-8640

Until next time, Yosemite!

yosemite-8783

You Might Also Like

  • Kristin
    November 3, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    What a super fun weekend! So cool to get snow – love all the pics! Thanks so much for sharing your fun adventure – Grayson looks adorbs in the bear suit in the snow!

  • Lynn
    November 3, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    You’ll have to check out the Yosemite Bug some time. They have the most amazing food and an awesome spa.

  • Bri | Bites of Bri
    November 3, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    That’s the cutest little bear! Sounds like an amazing weekend…recharging together is the best!

  • Bri | Bites of Bri
    November 3, 2014 at 5:27 pm

    Love! What a great weekend for your family. Can’t believe the snow!

  • dishing up the dirt
    November 3, 2014 at 5:29 pm

    Look at how happy you three are! Love the photos and can’t believe all the snow!

  • Nicki
    November 3, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    So awesome! I’ve never been to Yosemite and this makes me want to do a road trip of national parks. Grayson is way too cute for words! 🙂

  • Heather
    November 3, 2014 at 5:59 pm

    The bear suit and grey coat Grayson wears look awesome! Where did you get them? We live in NY and our little guy is 4 months old so I’d love something that would keep him warm in snowy weather.

    • Amy
      November 4, 2014 at 12:18 am

      I’d love to find out where you got that bear suit and those cute (and warm-looking) booties!

    • jenna
      November 4, 2014 at 9:01 am

      The bunting is also Disana. It’s really great. Expensive, but worth it…I got a toddler sized and rolled up the sleeves so he can wear it next year, too. It’s incredibly soft and warm. It’s super cozy. http://www.littlespruceorganics.com/disana-organic-boiled-wool-bunting/

  • !Maryea {happy healthy mama}
    November 3, 2014 at 6:10 pm

    These pictures are killing me! So stinking cute!! It looks like an amazing place that I would love to visit. Thanks for sharing your weekend memories. 🙂

  • Chicago Jogger
    November 3, 2014 at 6:20 pm

    Gorgeous photos! I’ve never been to Yosemite. It’s definitely on my list 🙂

  • Jamie | Jamie's Recipes
    November 3, 2014 at 6:28 pm

    An adorable little bear! What a lovely time away.

  • Lisa
    November 3, 2014 at 6:50 pm

    Beautiful! I would LOVE to travel and visit Yosemite. Gosh, God’s creation is just breathtaking! And you’ve got such a beautiful little family, too!

  • Luv What You Do
    November 3, 2014 at 7:19 pm

    Looks like a beautiful weekend!!!

  • Sara from Sweden
    November 3, 2014 at 7:22 pm

    Yosemite is very much on my bucket list!!!

  • Betsy
    November 3, 2014 at 7:39 pm

    I’ve never been to Yosemite but after this, I want to stay at Evergreen. Adding it to the bucket list!

  • Christina
    November 3, 2014 at 8:01 pm

    Wow, your baby is huge! Such a cute family and looks like an amazing weekend.

  • Isabel
    November 3, 2014 at 9:09 pm

    This looks amazing! I live in San Francisco and have never been to Yosemite? How is the drive? I get anxiety in cars-is the drive scary?

    • jenna
      November 4, 2014 at 9:00 am

      The drive wasn’t bad at all. It took a little under 4 hours.

  • Foodwanderer
    November 3, 2014 at 9:10 pm

    Beautiful pictures of Yosemite! I really want to visit during the fall to see all the beautiful fall colors.

    The bear costume is so adorable!

  • Nora N.
    November 3, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    you were just up the road from us, it’s gorgeous up there and oh look you found an adorable cub 😉 at least this one you can take home!

    • Darlene
      November 3, 2014 at 10:23 pm

      Beautiful pictures and Grayson gets more adorable every day.

  • Julie @ Run Away Freckles
    November 4, 2014 at 3:39 am

    Those are such beautiful pictures. You look like you had tons of fun!

  • Tiffany
    November 4, 2014 at 4:06 am

    What a wonderful weekend! Yosemite and the national parks are on the top of my husband’s bucket list. I hear you on the much needed family time…it gets hard when life gets so busy!

  • Sarah
    November 4, 2014 at 5:10 am

    I loved this! I just emailed my husband and told him we needed to take a weekend trip. Our new little family needs a break too!

  • Karen T.
    November 4, 2014 at 5:37 am

    Awesome!! Beautiful pics and so happy for your little family! Can you PLEASE tell me the source of your gorgeous plaid shirt???

    • jenna
      November 4, 2014 at 8:58 am

      Thanks! It’s from Jcrew outlet…but maybe four years ago. I’m sure they have something similar there now though!

  • Alyssa
    November 4, 2014 at 5:48 am

    I can’t even begin to gush over how cute chubby Grayson is; he’s absolutely adorable. And you’ve definitely inspired me to do some hiking this weekend! Gorgeous!

  • heather g.
    November 4, 2014 at 6:46 am

    Gorgeous photos! Cutest little baby bear! And I must know where your plaid shirt is from!

  • Mattie
    November 4, 2014 at 7:07 am

    Beautiful photos, happiness shines right through and made me smile. Thank you for sharing!!!

  • lindsey
    November 4, 2014 at 7:11 am

    Gotta say I’m jealous to not have a brown bear costume for my baby!! That’s so dang cute! Your trip looks gorgeous! makes me reconsider California as a travel destination!

  • Erica
    November 4, 2014 at 7:18 am

    What an amazing weekend! Your photos and your family are just beautiful. I’ve never been to that part of the country, but I sure would like to go! What an awesome way to disconnect from the world and just soak it all in! 🙂

  • Rebecca Hanlon
    November 4, 2014 at 8:37 am

    OMGosh Grayson’s outfit is SO CUTE!! The pictures are amazing as well!

  • Sharon
    November 4, 2014 at 8:41 am

    What a cutie!! I have twin boys the same age as Grayson and they are so fun!! Any teething issues yet?? We have been having some sleepless nights and feel like we are the only ones. 🙂
    Shazbythesea.blogspot.com

  • Carrie
    November 4, 2014 at 8:42 am

    I love posts like this! So many beautiful pictures of your family and nature!

  • Laura
    November 4, 2014 at 8:56 am

    I have to say, my favorite part of this post is Grayson’s face peeking out from beneath his hood to look at you, in the picture where Adam is holding him. Babies have to keep an eye on their mamas!

  • Laura@SneakersandSpatulas
    November 4, 2014 at 9:09 am

    All of your pictures are amazing, I think my favorite is the last picture of you and Grayson! It looks like a beautiful place to visit! What does Adam do?

    • jenna
      November 4, 2014 at 9:23 am

      Adam owns a startup tech company in san francisco 🙂

  • Tanah
    November 4, 2014 at 9:17 am

    That little bear suit is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen!

  • Erin
    November 4, 2014 at 9:21 am

    Jenna –

    Please, please tell me where you got your green jacket – in the first pic.
    I have been searching for something just like that!

    Thanks.
    Erin

    • jenna
      November 4, 2014 at 9:24 am

      Thank you! It’s Barbour. I got it last year at a store in West Virginia that sells their products. I’ve only gotten to wear it a handful of times (since I was pregnant last year and couldn’t fit into it). It’s supposed to last a lifetime though and is really comfy and cute.

  • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
    November 4, 2014 at 9:46 am

    You guys are too cute! Looks like an amazing trip 🙂 I love that blue wrap, too! Where is it from?

    • jenna
      November 4, 2014 at 10:23 am

      Its a Vatanai woven wrap – I bought it secondhand from a local babywearing mama. I love it!

  • Chelsea @ Designs on Dinner
    November 4, 2014 at 9:47 am

    Oh, I LOVE Grayson’s bear costume! That top photo of him is a framer for sure.

  • Laura
    November 4, 2014 at 11:15 am

    Love all the pictures! Looks incredible, I definitely want to visit. Happy for you three!!

  • Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health
    November 4, 2014 at 11:43 am

    We just passed the two year mark for living in the Bay Area and have yet to make it to Yosemite. You’re making me wish I would have planned something for fall because it looks so beautiful! And the snow…sigh. It suited the bear costume perfectly, haha! So cute!!

  • Jenn
    November 4, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    I do NOT mean this in a bad way, but I envy the money you are able to spend on yourself and your little man 🙂

  • Heather Mason
    November 4, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    oh my gosh, so cute! Your pics are beautiful! I can’t believe you got snow already! I live so close to Yosemite but sadly I have never been. Definitely on the bucket list.

  • Emily @ Life on Food
    November 4, 2014 at 2:00 pm

    He is the cutest thing in that bear outfit!! Glad you had such a wonderful time. I am pregnant now with our first. We have done a few things lately that my first thought is “oh I cannot wait to do this again with the baby” 🙂

  • Nakia
    November 4, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    Your photos make me want to go to Yosemite! I’m feeling a little disappointed in myself for having never taken my family when we still lived in California. Looks like it’s time for me to start searching for fun cabin spots here in Northern WA.

  • April
    November 4, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    I have to say–you’re new momma style is to die for! I love love love the way you carry yourself and the clothes you wear! I look like an absolute nerd in my glasses and you look so chic–keep on keeping on!! 🙂 🙂

    P.S. don’t you love Hunter rain boots? A definite splurge that’s totally worth it.

    Many blessings to you and your sweet family!

  • April
    November 4, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    ***your***

    My iPhone is clearly not my friend 🙂

  • Linda | Brunch with Joy
    November 4, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    You really have a beautiful family, Jenna. I just read your book again and amazed to see where you end up now. 🙂 Been living in the Bay Area for 16 years now and never been to Yosemite. Now I’m eager to go there. 🙂

  • kristin @ W [H] A T C H
    November 4, 2014 at 7:21 pm

    yosemite is magic.

  • Erin
    November 5, 2014 at 1:38 am

    Yosemite is at its best during this time of year. Visited recently and would repeat anytime 🙂

  • Carly
    November 5, 2014 at 6:16 am

    Beautiful pictures! What camera and lens were you using?

    • jenna
      November 5, 2014 at 9:05 am

      We were using my canon rebel with a 100 mm macro lens 🙂

  • Lia @ Luscious Living
    November 5, 2014 at 8:48 am

    Have you been told yet that you have the most adorable baby ever?! I’m sure you have, but there you have it. And Yosemite! I had the privilege of visiting once for a school trip and it was in the spring. Fall looks gorgeous there. You are very lucky to have these wonderful places to visit and this life to live

  • brittany @thegingerlifeblog
    November 5, 2014 at 9:24 am

    My sister was at Yosemite on the same weekend – except she and her hubby camped. In the snow storm and all. Crazy right?

    Love Gray’s little bear costume. So cute 🙂

  • jan
    November 5, 2014 at 7:48 pm

    The little bear outfit is soooo cute and so perfect for those snowy woods pics! Glad you had fun away!

  • Lexi
    November 6, 2014 at 7:24 am

    Would you recommend the backpack diaper bag over a regular? Also, what is your regular diaper bag?? Currently working on my baby registry:)

  • Purelytwins
    November 6, 2014 at 6:57 pm

    beautiful pictures!!! It’s been years since we’ve been to yosemite, makes us miss it. and love the diaper bag backpack!!

  • Helena Mouta
    November 7, 2014 at 7:17 am

    You do know you have the cutest baby in the World, don’t you? Okay, right up there with my own bundle of joy (one month old)! 😉 Not to wonder though, your boy has the most beautiful mom as well! I have to say the idea of spending a weekend in a snowy park with my husband and boys (I also have a 5-year-old) sounds just perfect. I may have to surprise my family with a getaway a few months from now, when my baby is a little more grown up. I’m loving your updates on your family life, it just makes your already wonderful blog absolutely perfect, at least to this mamma!

  • stephanie
    November 7, 2014 at 11:35 am

    LOVE Evergreen! We got married there last month, its very special to us too.

  • best testosterone booster 2014
    November 8, 2014 at 6:21 am

    Remarkable! Its genuinely awesome post, I have got much clear idea
    concerniong from this post.

  • megabrooke
    November 8, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    Aww, he’s SUCH a cutie!

  • Candice
    November 10, 2014 at 2:41 pm

    Can you pretty please do a baby wrap/ carrier review post? I’m getting ready for my boy to be born, and I’d love your input! Your CD posts have been so helpful 🙂

  • Belmarra
    November 11, 2014 at 2:02 am

    Adorable pictures.. You have a great weekend.

  • Megan
    November 17, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    Hi Jenna – you’ve inspired us to stay at Evergreen Lodge over Thanksgiving weekend. We’ve never seen Yosemite this time of year and are hoping for snow! Thanks for recommending.

  • Grayson Allen: Six Months
    December 5, 2014 at 9:10 am

    […] had a really fun month! Our first family trip to Yosemite was a blast. Grayson played in the snow for the first time and was very intrigued by […]

  • Craig Chilton
    April 28, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    So amazing! I would LOVE to go to Yosemite and do a road trip of national parks. I have yet to even leave my home state but soon that will change! Thanks for sharing!