Just got back from 2 jam packed days in Yellowstone. All of us (myself, 3 boys, one husband, one grandma, and one baby sister) crammed into an expedition filled to the brim with snacks and sleeping bags made it back just in time for school to start tomorrow.
We started out with a quick stop over at Big Springs and John Sack's cabin. EE had never been there and she loved it!
Our first stop once we got into the park was one of the boys all time favorites: The BOILING MUD!
Next we stopped at the Yellowstone Grand Canyon. I love that place. It is so incredily majestic. There was a bit of smoke in the air from some controlled fire in the area. Usually the waterfall is even more beautiful. Darn haze.
A small note on this photo: As we were walking over to see the falls a man from some other country was literally posing like this. Seriously. I HAD to have Nate pose too. It was so darn funny to pass up such a photo opp.
Dal is still totally afraid of heights. (You may recall last years visit to the Grand Canyon) He looks a bit nervous here wouldn't you say?
Next we drove through Hayden Valley and saw lots of Buffalo.
Our next stop was behind the Lake Visitors Center. It was so windy and the waves and smoke on the lake made the beach look a lot like the Oregon Coast. Oh, I loved these moments. I was feeling so blessed. So grateful. I am just so in love with my little family.
That night the girls stayed in a hotel while the boys camped. After all, baby princesses just don't camp.
The next day we got up early, ate a delicious breakfast overlooking the lake and then headed over to Old Faithful! The view doesn't get much better than this!
I just loved hearing the laughs and screams of delight coming from my boys when Old Faithful erupted. I love that they love going to Yellowstone almost as much and me.
As we walked around all of the different stops, I began to feel like we were kind of a family on parade. Everywhere we went people were stopping us after seeing the 3 boys and wanting to know if the baby underneath the blanket was a boy or a girl. It was funny to me that complete strangers would shriek with delight when finding out that Anna was indeed a girl. It made me wonder what people would have done had she been a boy.
Anyway.....
West thumb is one of my favorite stops. The colors of the pools are so vibrant and beautiful.
On the way home we decided to drive through Teton National Park...the long way home. Poor baby sister. She was SUCH a great traveler and sleeper this entire trip. When it was time to put her back in her car seat after stopping in Jackson Hole she looked at me and said without saying a word....
"Don't you DARE put me back in that car seat."
I love living so close to these beautiful places. It amazes me how many people come from all over the world to see Yellowstone. I have to drive an hour and a half to get there. It's in my backyard pretty much! What a way to end a wonderful summer. One of my favorite places with some of my very favorite people! Goodbye summer!
Time for reality tomorrow morning!
