California Sunshine and the Winter Blogging Blues

Hey internets. I haven't forgotten that I have a blog. I promise. Has anyone else been struggling with motivation, or is it just me? I've been in a funk that just won't quit. I'd like to take this opportunity to blame it on the dark cold winter of Alaska(this may or may not be entirely true. I might have to write more about that later).





I went to sunny Fresno, CA to visit my sister Sarcie, her husband Joe and their adorable twin boys, Tage and Caden a few weeks ago. It was like balm to my frozen chapped soul.




Did you know that the Fresno area is right in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley? I didn't realize it until the lovely elderly southern gentleman sitting next to me on the flight from Salt Lake City to Fresno mentioned it. Did you know that the San Joaquin Valley is the fruit basket of California? They grow fruit there. Year. Round.




Growing up in Alaska I had no concept of how fruit grew. It doesn't grow here. Too. Cold. I remember going to Utah at about age 14 and seeing cherries hanging in trees. I thought it was a miracle. Seriously.





Fresh grown fruit just picked from the tree is still magical to me. So driving down the road and seeing row after row of citrus trees heavy with juicy goodness was like heaven to my sun starved self.





Cute little chubby twin boy cheeks are also a balm to the soul.




Did you know that there are giant sequoia trees inthe Fresno area too? Now the drive up the






winding steep mountain road to see them almost killed me(I am afraid of heights while driving. Very. Afraid.) but it was worth it. Most definitely worth the suh-weet pictures Sarcie, Taralee, and I had a blast taking.








If I was a bride-to-be getting married in the Fresno area I would totally drive up there(well, have someone else drive, while I clutched the middle console and closed my eyes very tightly.) for some amazing bridal and wedding portraits.

Sarcie and I also tried to take this picture of ourselves but Taralee was the only one strong enough to make it look cool. That little pose right there is HARD to do, ladies!