Getaway to Big Bear

I love the mountain trees, the cool crisp air, the lack of civilization... so it's obvious why we live in a desert suburb outside Los Angeles.

Last weekend, we went with the entire Barton clan up to Big Bear for a few days. We left Valencia around noon, where it was 93 degrees, and after climbing 7,000 feet via a long, winding road we arrived in Big Bear around two hours later -- where it was raining and 50 degrees.

...and it's because of that climate change why I still live in Southern California.

First...some textual highlights:

• Somehow Em has a Cole magnet on her... which is more fun for me to watch as he follows her around saying "Auntie Em."
• Braydon's hilarious. And loud. And strong willed. And becomes even more alive when he's walking around the forest.
• It's fun to watch Mom as she sits back and watches her entire family interact. She's a quiet matriarch, and she smiles a lot.
• Me, Em, Sara, Jeremy, Ashley and Greg were up late one night screaming and yelling and playing Grump. The next morning, Mom and Dad said they loved hearing us laugh. They're special people, I would've been upset about it and done my own yelling...
• Turns out me and Em just aren't made to wind down one-lane roads in the fog for an hour or two. Just doesn't feel right.

And now...some photo highlights. Enjoy: