The One with Big Bear

The Bybees invited us to go with them to Big Bear for a day and a night and a day. Fox loves a change of pace and we love hanging out with the Bybees - WIN WIN! We dropped Joey off at doggy daycare then made our way up into the mountains. Once we turned off the main freeway the road twisted and turned through lovely fields of yellow wildflowers.

The views of Big Bear Lake were incredible.

Of course, as usual, so I don't even know why I'm always surprised, Fox fell asleep when we were only 10 minutes away from our destination after being in the car for two hours. Silly boy.

We dropped off our gear at the condo, 

then headed straight for the pool. I think the last time Fox was in a pool was nearly a year ago in Hawaii. But, he loves water, so I knew he'd have a jolly time. And he did.

The kiddie pool was only 18" deep so he would hop in and out on his own.

All lathered up in sunscreen and ready to swim!

I even got in the pool, despite not wearing official swimsuit bottoms.

It was the STRANGEST sensation getting out of the pool! From feeling weightless to suddenly feeling the extra 35+ pounds I've gained and then my wet and heavy shorts... it was weird.
32 weeks! About 8 to go!

Miracle of all miracles, Chris got in the pool after an hour of me begging him to get in and play with Fox. And I didn't even get a picture so there's no hard proof! Did it even really happen? I don't know. UPDATED: Erica emailed me pics that prove Chris was in the pool!

Hopefully we can go swimming again soon because Fox loved it more than words can describe.

Drying off in the warm sunshine. I love his raisin-wrinkly feet!

After grilling hamburgers for lunch we headed to Big Bear Lake to feed the ducks.

The Bybees have got their system for loading and unloading their three kids down to a T. While we were waiting for that not very long period of unloading time, we sat Fox on a picnic table to clean out his shoes. What a ham.

Feeding the ducks/trying to get in the water.

We walked along a trail and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

Fox chasing after Brooklyn. 

Once it started going uphill we turned around.

Next stop: window shopping!

We went into a store that had THE most random stuff I've ever seen. Like this blanket:

Some things were pretty cool, like this clock:

And other things were just plain humorous:

We saw a horse-drawn carriage pass by. 

Erica and I admired these fantastic quilts:

We perused for a bit longer then drove back into town for dinner at an IHOP style family-friendly place. 

I thought it was good!

Back at the condo we took the kiddies outside to play at the park.


Fox finally decided that he can go down slides all by himself! Hooray!

It's funny how he just decides to do things on his own out of nowhere one day, just like everything else he's learned how to do - crawl, walk, talk, etc.

The next morning we packed up and headed home with a pit-stop at the alpine slides/waterslides. 

Well darn. 

So me and my pregnant belly plus the twins stayed in the cool shade. 

Erica, Blake, Brooklyn, Chris, and Fox rode up the ski-lift to the top of the course. 

All ready to go!

Weeee!

Chris took Fox down the slide three times and every time was great!

Family photo. 

We said goodbye and made our way home, enjoying the mountainous views for a few final moments. 

We had such a fun time!