An "Up" themed bridal shower with good friends is a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. 

A few posts ago I wrote about our pending Half Dome hike, which was an amazing hike through some of Yosemite's finest.  And on the first weekend of August, we finally drove up for it.  And though the small point-and-shoot camera won (I needed the extra space for more water), here are a few images:

Our first night we had a rainbow, a sunset, and an amazing view - what can be more perfect?  Of course, a few minutes after that it started to rain, which led to a mad dash to the car.

It looks like everyone is all over the place, but it's actually a series of steep switchbacks on the last leg of the hike.

Ever since I was a kid, I have had an unhealthy relationship with books.  Give me a good book, and I forget about normal things like eating and sleeping.  It got to the point that my mom would actually hide my books from me and forbid me from reading for too long.  So I would take abnormally long "baths" and read in the bathroom.  Yes, I know that sounds ridiculous, but a good book has the tendency to do that to me.

So lo and behold, I was extremely excited when this bulky package arrived at my door yesterday, crammed to the brim with goodies handpicked by Gisela.  I know I've said this a few times, but it's great when clients feel like old friends, and Gisela is no exception.  Despite a distance of, oh, about ten states, we chatted freely about travel, BBQs, and all sorts of random things.  And, like me, she has an (un)healthy love for books.

There goes my free time!  I'm excited to read them all.  Thanks so much Gisela!  I'm so excited to see you and Jay soon!  It's going to be an awesome wedding!

I took this picture a few years ago.  Yosemite is probably one of the most easily recognized landscapes in the United States. I haven't been there recently, but this month has been rolling by far more quickly than I ever imagined it to.  And looming over it all in August is our Half Dome trip, which I am excitedly anticipating. 

A few years ago a few of us hiked for about six hours to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls (above).  It was supposedly the equivalent height of two Empire State Buildings, but of course, far more scenic.  There was also a lot of snow at the very top of Upper Yosemite Falls (picture below, right).

... but Half Dome is going to make Upper Yosemite Falls look like a cakewalk. 

So I'm faced with a dilemma: bring my SLR or bring more water?  I had initially glibly answered, "camera, of course!"   However, according to Tony, by the eighth hour on a hot August day I will probably be thinking differently.  And I also saw this recently, had a few second thoughts, and am now back to square one.  Perhaps more water isn't a bad idea after all.

It felt like the whole city was out to watch the fireworks from Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach.  The past few weeks have been (wonderfully) busy with weddings and engagement sessions, so it was a really great time to just relax with family. Hope ya'll had a great Fourth of July.