Yellowstone

DAY 1, Thurs - Drive to Yellowstone
Ryan and I got up at 5am to get showered and the car loaded. The boys were up at 6:30, and we rolled out of the driveway at 6:37am. It was a long drive, but at the end, we wound through the Grand Tetons and the south part of Yellowstone, and it was absolutely gorgeous. It did snow - white-out conditions - and got really cold while in the Tetons. It kinda scared me for the camping!

We arrived and set up camp. We had hot dogs for dinner. Not too exciting after driving all day.

We have a ball for making ice cream - we didn't realize it would be so cold this first day (it was in the 50s now, but still) - so we made Oreo ice cream too. Collin thought up the idea to bowl with our firewood. Pretty fun! Oh, and it was delicious too.

We camped in two tents. I was in the big tent with the boys, and Ryan was in the little tent with Kate. We were able to put her to bed about 8pm each evening, and that made our lives a little easier. It was super, duper cold each morning, and I think that was the hardest part. I highly recommend camping in the park though. We were able to go and see everything we wanted to without any traffic or crowds or parking problems each morning. The family across the way from us was from SLC, and they had four boys all the same ages as our kids. Our boys really became buddies and played a lot together.

DAY 2, Fri - Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Springs & Artist Paint Pots
This was our coldest morning by far. We could see our breath, even inside the tent. We got up early (6ish), and threw the breakfast burritoes I'd made in advance into the fire while we got dressed in all the clothes we'd brought! Brrrr.

The drive from our campground was filled with buffalo and elk grazing in the meadows, and steam rising into the morning sky from all across the valley. It was unreal. I think the cold made it even more neat, so I guess that made freezing our patooties off worth it.

Our first stop was Old Faithful. They are able to predict the next eruption down to a 20-minute window. After each eruption, depending on its duration and height, they post an estimated time for the next eruption, plus or minus 10 minutes. So we had about an hour to wander around after we arrived. We really liked Castle Geyser, and we saw lots of colorful bacteria in the water.

We headed to the Old Faithful viewing area and got great seats. Everyone was whispering, really respectfully and almost reverently. It was fun to be part of. Then, Old Faithful erupted about one minute before her predicted time. (I thought you'd like that, Dad. Even God likes to be early!) It was gorgeous, and everyone was silently awe-struck, even my boys. It lasted about 2 minutes.

Then we headed to the Grand Prismatic Springs. This was my favorite place. It was about 10am now, and it was getting crowded. We had to park a long ways away, but it was worth the walk. There was a beautiful waterfall, and Ethan couldn't get enough of it. The ground was all reds, oranges and browns. Then we walked across a long boardwalk through the most beautiful, steamy, colorful hot water pools. The sky's blue and turquoise was reflected in the clearest center, and the edges were swirls of reds and oranges. I have never seen anything like it.

Afterwards, we headed back to our campground for some rest time. Ethan and Kate napped, and Ryan took Collin and Brennan to the junior ranger station to learn more about the area. I read my book in the peace and quiet.

When everyone was back together again, we headed to the Artist Paint Pots. This was the boys' favorite place, and a close, close second for me. It was just a short walk from the parking lot and up a steep hill. And there, just off the boardwalks, was boiling, splashing, spitting, bursting MUD! It was awesome! And kinda gross too... It was a little stinky, but not as bad as we'd find Day 4 to be. Sooo cool!

We then headed to the river for the boys to fish. We didn't catch anything and Ethan fell in TWICE, but that's just life with Ethan.

For dinner tonight, we had spaghetti and meatballs (premade and cooked). Then we had banana boats for dessert. Ryan took the big boys to the camp amphitheater for their evening program, and I cleaned up and went to sleep with the little ones.

DAY 3, Sat - Mammoth Hot Springs & Gibbon Falls
Saturday was a little warmer in the morning, and we were able to shed most of our layers by the time we arrived for our sight-seeing. We had pancakes, bacon and sausage for breakfast, so we were running a little later though. We went up to Mammoth this day. I think we were tired and grumpy, because hind-sight says this place was cool, but Kate was whining most of the time, and I didn't really enjoy it. The pictures are awesome though.

Mammoth is a series of terraced waterfalls. Since the water is very hot (200F), bacteria grows everywhere (very colorful) and lots of minerals are deposited (cool shapes). There was also another hot pot which you could view from beneath and see the stalagtites/mites. Pretty awesome!

There's a little "town" here too, so we got ice cream and went to the museum. They had all the animals you'd commonly see in the Park stuffed and on display, which was nice because we only ever saw buffalo and elk in our time there.

After stopping at a picnic area, we headed back to the campground. After some rest time, we headed to Gibbon Falls. Once again, Kate was a grouch, and I was pretty wasted. It was a beautiful lookout though.

For dinner, we had chicken quesadillas, and after getting our grumpy littlest ones in bed, we played cards with the older boys and made smores.

DAY 4, Sun - Yellowstone Falls, Sulphur Springs & Yellowstone Lake
Our last morning camping was warmer still, and though it was only 40F, it felt great! We had oatmeal for breakfast and got everything packed up. Ryan bought a weather-proof bag for the roof of the van, and it's a good thing: we had a TON of stuff.

We drove to Yellowstone Falls this morning. We hiked (short but steep) down to the Brink of the Lower Falls first, and the amount of water was shocking. It was every bit as awesome as Niagara. And we were SO close too.

Then we drove to Artist Point. We struggled to find a parking spot here, but it was worth the hassle. It was the nicest, faraway view of the Lower Falls, for sure. We also hiked a little ways down a trail to better see the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, which really did have a lot of similarities to the actual Grand Canyon. Such neat rock formations and colors.

Then we drove a little ways to a picnic area along the river. We had sandwiches and fished again. After catching nothing again, I was still dying to see a bear, so we drove through Hayden Valley - where everyone always sees bears... we didn't - while the little ones napped.

We stopped at the Dragon's Mouth and Bubbling Mud (mostly because we loved the Artist Pots so much), and did it ever stink! It was ridiculously stinky... and so totally awesome. This mud was violently boiling, splashing up against the rocks. The Dragon's Mouth was awesome too. We thought it would just be steam coming out of a cave, but it actually growled (gases being released) and the water lapped like waves. Ethan kept saying, "It's throwing up!" So fun! And we got used to the smell after a while too.

Then we headed to the cabin for the reunion in Island Park. After starting two loads of laundry and showering/baths, we went to a cute little hole-in-the-wall restaurant nearby. We were hungry, and we wanted to be pampered. Ryan and I both got delicious bison burgers, and the kids all enjoyed their cheeseburgers. Ryan's aunt and grandmother joined us there too.

After getting Kate in bed, all the other aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents arrived. We were up late chatting and playing with the karaoke machine.

DAY 5, Mon - REUNION - Firehole Falls Swimming
We got a slow - but warm now that we were sleeping indoors! - start. After breakfast, we headed back into Yellowstone. We hit HORRIBLE traffic in West Yellowstone and at the gate to enter the park. (Hence, our now firm recommendation to always camp/stay IN the park.) We had planned on swimming in some heated watering hole, but it was closed due to the swift current. Undetered, we found another spot, and the kids splashed around while we had a picnic. We grabbed ice cream in West Yellowstone on the way home.

That evening Ryan and I did a full-out bbq for the family before they all headed to a play. We put our worn-out kiddos to bed at 7pm and got into the hot tub. Much deserved! We made brownies and ice cream for the play-goers and relaxed. This was our one, peaceful time together all week.

DAY 6, Tues - REUNION - Big Springs
We got an even slower start this morning, and we didn't make it to our activity until about 12:30, Kate and Ethan's nap time. We found an old cabin, had a picnic next to it, took a short tour and fed the fish and birds some smooshed bread. The highlight was seeing a moose and her baby downstream. My babies were grumpy. It was hot, and they were bored.

This evening we all had homemade pizza and played cards. The cousins played tag outside.

DAY 7, Wed - Drive Home
We got on the road about 9am for our 10-hour trek home. This time our travels took us through the other side of the Tetons and through Jackson Hole. Beautiful and LONG. We got home about 7pm, made the kids help us unload, and put everyone to bed.

Whew. It was wonderful! We are tired, but I got all sad unpacking and doing the laundry today. I started planning this trip almost a year ago, and it was totally worth it. We saw everything we wanted to see... except bears. We were so careful camping, because... well, you know... but then to not get to see one at all, that was disappointing. Guess the Denver Zoo will just have to do. ;-)

Everyone should go to Yellowstone. It is truly amazing, and it isn't too crowded if you plan, plan, plan ahead!

Father's Day

Ryan always has conferences for work in June, so Father's Day is always sandwiched among his trips to and from the airport. This year he was gone Monday - Friday, only home Saturday and Sunday morning, and then left again Sunday evening through Thursday.

Anyway, Father's Day was busy and rushed with getting his laundry done and repacked for the next trip.

Ethan and Kate were both sick, so I stayed home with them from church. I'm assuming Ethan's absense from this photo is because he was in his jammies.

Ryan got a hammock and a Camelbak water bottle for this summer's vacations.

We sure love him and are so glad he's our Dad... And we are sooo glad his trips are done until October!

St George

As soon as school got out, we headed to visit my parents in St George. We left after church on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. It was a long drive, but the kids slept alot, since we didn't get in until almost midnight.

Memorial Day morning we got to see my brother and his wife who had been visiting. It was fun to see them, even though it was short.

After they left for their drive home, we went to a park called Thunder Junction. It has a splash pad, kid train, tree house, zip line, etc. It was crowded but super fun.

The next day Ryan and Collin got up at 5am and headed to Zion's. They caught the first shuttle and hiked Angel's Landing.

We met them later after a short walk of our own and had a picnic before heading back to St G. 

My parents offered to keep the kids overnight, so one afternoon Ryan and I headed to Las Vegas. We got tickets to see Mystere, and we stayed the night at the Venetian. We ate dinner at a little Italian restaurant in St Mark's Sqaure, and after the show we got gelato and other sweets to enjoy in our room. We even went swimming in the morning before heading home. When my parents lived near us in IL, we used to get away like this from time to time. I hadn't realized how much I had missed it. It was a great little getaway.

While we were gone, they took the kids to Snow Canyon, which the boys are begging to return to. I guess it is all the awesomeness of Zion's without the long drive and all the crowds. Perfect!

Another day we went to the river and dug in the sand and walked in the current. The kids played on the playground nearby too. I love how much fun they each have in the water.

One morning Kate, my mom and I went shopping at the outlet mall (we don't have a Gap here anymore!) while the boys all went to the dinosaur museum. I think we all had fun in our own way.

Each morning we were there, I went to water aerobics with my mom and dad at their clubhouse. It was super fun. I've been doing P90X each morning for about 3 months, but it was still a good little workout. The instructor gives lots of modifications for each exercise so that the participants can tailor to their own needs. Ryan makes fun of me for liking old people things, but I can't help it. I'd love to live in one of these old people communities some day.

It was CRAZY hot each afternoon (over 100F), so my mom thought to put water in some tubs for the kids to play in on the back patio. She also had some squirt guns that they loved.

It was fun to see my parents' new house. They love their neighbors and seem really happy. I wish it wasn't so far so we could go more often, but we are hoping to head back again for Spring Break.

We drove home all day on Sunday. To get some wiggles out, we stopped in Vail. They had this fun playground to play on. I think we'll always stop here.

Last Day of School '17

Brennan

Brennan finished kindergarten on Thursday, May 25th. We took some pictures before school in the morning. During school, they performed a kindergarten celebration, and he read a part and sang a bunch of cute songs. Each kid also got to share what they want to be when they grow up: tech teacher. (Only one who said that too!)

Afterwards, we went to lunch at Freddy's and got ice cream.

He's had a great year. He has lots of kids that consider him their best friend, but he still says his best friend is Collin. (By some strange coincidence, 2nd grade and kindergarten overlapped morning recess.) I think full-day 1st grade will be a little bit of a hard transition for him in the fall (less tv and alone time), but he loves being with people and staying busy, so those parts will be nice. He is very smart, and his reading, writing and math are all above grade-level.

His teacher and classmates adore him. He is funny and loves to tell jokes. He loves to sing and dance and run and play. He also loves his scooter and two-wheeler bike. He attends a weekly art class at the rec center as well as karate. He seems happy with both.

Collin

Collin finished 2nd grade on Friday, May 26th. We took some pictures before he left in the morning. During school, they played games and fooled around before getting dismissed before lunch. Afterwards, the neighborhood had an ice cream block party.

He's had an ok year. There's been some bullying again, and about half of all his recesses he spends alone. He isn't athletic - I blame my genes! - and that is particularly hard with boys. He has two boys - plus Brennan - that he hangs out with sometimes. One has severe behavior problems and spends 90% of the school day in a solitary classroom, and the other is just different. He is a good, sweet kid, but he struggles socially. He also struggles to manage his time, so he rarely gets his work done at school. He seems to understand everything - tests above or at grade-level - but he never gets anything finished. It is hard for me to see. I push him so hard, but sometimes I wonder if that only makes it worse. I wouldn't call this the best or the worst year; it just was.

He loves his scooter and riding his bike. He is super fast and coordinated when he rides! He is a good helper around the house, and I'm looking forward to having him around more. We read Harry Potter #1 last month, and now he's working on #2 by himself. He's read a few Hardy Boys too, and he still really loves non-fiction. Ryan got him a Lego Mindstorm kit about a month ago (computer programming a lego robots), so they spend a lot of evenings together doing that. He loves piano, Cub Scouts and Karate.
                         And now we begin Summer 2017! 

Mother's Day

Mother's Day with my monkeys

The menu: 

shrimp & chicken lemon-garlic kebabs 

fresh kebab vegetables (red onion, orange & green bell pepper, mushrooms, yellow squash, zucchini) 

chicken-garlic pilaf

grilled ginger & brown sugar pineapple

chocolate mousse cake

My hubby treated me like a princess...

and my babies were rotten. 

Typical day around here! 

Spring Has Sprung!

Kate eating watermelon on the back patio with the perfectly blue sky and sunshine prompted a bit of a photo session this afternoon. 

I think she is just gorgeous! 

And, honestly, THOSE CURLS!?

Devouring piece after piece. Adorable! 

Full of watermelon with a cheese ball smile. Love it!

Pondering the beauty of the world

And enjoying her bubbles! 

Pop, pop, pop! 

My Kakie-potamus

My Eefie

B

who lost this bottom tooth this morning.

And the biggest confident brother

More posing from the spoiled, little princess

Happy Spring! What a beautiful, relaxing afternoon we got to enjoy today.