Two weeks ago we went on our first family vacation since Michael was born. Neils had never been to Yellowstone so we decided to go. It was beautiful! The kids were so excited to be able to see animals. At the entrance they gave the kids a paper with animals so they could check them off the list when they saw them. It was fun to see them so excited to check each one off the list.
Our first day we got a true Yellowstone welcome, a buffalo road block. We were so surprised and it was fun to get a true idea of what we would be in for for the rest of the week. So many people leaning out windows taking pictures, pulling off the side of the road and getting out to take pictures, it was so fun!
Later that day we saw some squirrels. We had brought some sunflower seeds and tried to feed a few squirrels before we found out it's against the rules. Here's how close the kids got, though Michael couldn't hold still long enough and kept scaring them off.
We also visited Old Faithful that same day, we got rained on but it was still a sight to behold.
An elk we think with a gorgeous set of antlers.
The grand canyon of Yellowstone and the falls. So beautiful!
The kids were so excited to be with daddy all week. They love their daddy so much and they both wanted to be with him as much as possible. Whenever we would walk anywhere this is what happened, they would both latch onto their daddy and leave me to carry things or lag behind or whatever just as long as they got to be with daddy. Cute isn't it.
We actually got to see an eagle in it's nest. We think there were eggs or babies in it too.
There were ravens everywhere. They were HUGE! About the size of a hawk or an eagle. It was amazing that I actually caught one in flight. The kids loved spotting these huge bird that weren't much smaller than they are.
See the white spots on this picture? They are scratches or dust, they are snowflakes! We saw snow in Yellowstone in the middle of June! Boy was I glad I grabbed coats at the last minute.
We saw a lot of buffalo, deer, elk and birds, but we were amazed that we got to see a new animal every day we were there. This time we got to see an orphaned baby cub just outside of the Old Faithful area.
We also were amazed to catch a picture of these coyotes. As we drove by this one shot I got was perfect and the coyote looks as if he posed just for me. There is another one just in front of him and you can kind of make out it's tail there.
We went to Mammoth on our last day and after the snow the day before, this day was a gorgeously warm day and we enjoyed every minute. Mammoth was definitely not the same as I remember it being when I was a child. Many of the hot springs have dried and lost their bright colors. It was kind of sad, but there was a new one that hasn't been there long and it was interesting to see the evolution in Yellowstone.
This is the new spring and this picture doesn't do the colors justice at all.
The terraces on this one were gorgeous. Neils took this picture and I think it looks amazing.
On our way out the last day we were stopped by a traffic jam trying to spy this mother and cub on a hill up slope from the road. I ran and joined the group following on the opposite side and finally got a look and picture of this mother bear and cub. They were such a beautiful brown and looked so cute from far away.
We did get a closer view of a bear and actually a big bear hug, luckily this one was stuffed.
We had a wonderful family vacation. The portable DVD player was amazingly helpful too and made the driving part much more enjoyable. Fun memories.
A week or two later we had some plump fresh peas. Yum! And the kids loved to be able pick the peas and open them. They happily gobbled them all up and pronounced them the best they ever had.
He's been borrowing his sister's pink princess scooter for the last year, so we decided that it was time to get him his very own. He was thrilled, especially since the deck lights up too!
We had a quiet family party at the park. Michael & Karen both rode their scooters and then played in the splash pad. When we came home a few cousins and grandparents stopped by for cake and presents. It was a lot of fun and Michael is very excited to be 4 years old, especially since 4 is his favorite number.
Happy birthday to my favorite son!
Later that day we saw some squirrels. We had brought some sunflower seeds and tried to feed a few squirrels before we found out it's against the rules. Here's how close the kids got, though Michael couldn't hold still long enough and kept scaring them off.
We also visited Old Faithful that same day, we got rained on but it was still a sight to behold.
An elk we think with a gorgeous set of antlers.
The grand canyon of Yellowstone and the falls. So beautiful!
The kids were so excited to be with daddy all week. They love their daddy so much and they both wanted to be with him as much as possible. Whenever we would walk anywhere this is what happened, they would both latch onto their daddy and leave me to carry things or lag behind or whatever just as long as they got to be with daddy. Cute isn't it.
We actually got to see an eagle in it's nest. We think there were eggs or babies in it too.
There were ravens everywhere. They were HUGE! About the size of a hawk or an eagle. It was amazing that I actually caught one in flight. The kids loved spotting these huge bird that weren't much smaller than they are.
See the white spots on this picture? They are scratches or dust, they are snowflakes! We saw snow in Yellowstone in the middle of June! Boy was I glad I grabbed coats at the last minute.
We saw a lot of buffalo, deer, elk and birds, but we were amazed that we got to see a new animal every day we were there. This time we got to see an orphaned baby cub just outside of the Old Faithful area.
We also were amazed to catch a picture of these coyotes. As we drove by this one shot I got was perfect and the coyote looks as if he posed just for me. There is another one just in front of him and you can kind of make out it's tail there.
We went to Mammoth on our last day and after the snow the day before, this day was a gorgeously warm day and we enjoyed every minute. Mammoth was definitely not the same as I remember it being when I was a child. Many of the hot springs have dried and lost their bright colors. It was kind of sad, but there was a new one that hasn't been there long and it was interesting to see the evolution in Yellowstone.
This is the new spring and this picture doesn't do the colors justice at all.
The terraces on this one were gorgeous. Neils took this picture and I think it looks amazing.
On our way out the last day we were stopped by a traffic jam trying to spy this mother and cub on a hill up slope from the road. I ran and joined the group following on the opposite side and finally got a look and picture of this mother bear and cub. They were such a beautiful brown and looked so cute from far away.
We did get a closer view of a bear and actually a big bear hug, luckily this one was stuffed.
We had a wonderful family vacation. The portable DVD player was amazingly helpful too and made the driving part much more enjoyable. Fun memories.
Then they sang a few cute songs, had a slide show of activities throughout the year and got their "diploma". It was a lot of fun and Karen sure loves to be in the spot light.
She had a wonderful teacher this year and she is going to miss her. Though she may have her again in a couple of years since she will be teaching 2nd grade from now on.
We also had a fun little celebration for Neils birthday. I made an R2D2 cake for him since he loves his StarWars. I tried making homemade marshmallow fondant. It did taste a little better than regular fondant, though I really don't think regular fondant tastes too bad. But I don't think I will do it again cause it was a lot more trouble to work with. I'm glad I tried it though. Neils thought it was great.
He can't tease me about me being older anymore since he is now my same age! Ha!
