We spent a great Labor Day weekend in Yellowstone camping with my parents. I've always loved Yellowstone, and it was so much fun showing Emma the beauty the world has to offer.
We spent lots of time walking along the boardwalks to see the thermal features. I decided it's actually a great place to take little kids, because the walks are so clearly defined. And we could even use the stroller on a few.
Seth couldn't stand being carried. He wanted to walk everywhere. He was fascinated by the boardwalks, and kept stopping every few feet to bend down and look at it, with his little finger out, pointing at what he was finding.
Okay, Emma can't get over posing for the camera. This ballerina pose is her classic, but she comes up with some other really creative ones. This picture is of Mammoth Hot Springs.
More of Mammoth.
We got to see some wildlife. Too many buffalo, which blocked the road and made it impossible to get anywhere. We also saw a moose. And then, on our last day, we spotted this grizzly bear. Dan's only wish, the past three times we went to Yellowstone, was to see a bear. Finally, he got his wish. It was pretty close to road, and really cool!
Here is our little group of campers, completely unprepared for the picture. We had fun getting to know my parent's un-kids, Johan and Jaher (don't know how to spell it). Teenage boys are always so much fun!
Emma was thrilled to earn another Junior Ranger badge. The program was a little more intense here, but she loved it. She got her name announced over the visitor's center at Old Faithful.
It was a very cold day, complete with wind, rain, and snow that night. The hot pots were extra steamy, though, like walking through clouds.
This is "Marshmallow Pot" as Emma named it. We decided they really should name it that.
She especially loved the bright blue, clear pools. They were very pretty.
Seth enjoyed the wait for Old Faithful, with a bag full of Cheetos at his disposal. It's hard to see in the picture, but he is coated in orange cheese powder.
A little chipmunk kept us entertained while we waited for Old Faithful to go off.
My happy little campers, with front seat spots for Old Faithful. I couldn't get them to turn to me while it went off, so, no pictures of the main event!
Mom and Dad brought up a canoe, and we had big plans of going out. But, it was just so cold and windy, and two days was just not enough time. This is the only canoe ride they got, rocking on the dirt. Fun.
Yellowstone always involves lots of driving. The park is huge, and you drive from site to site. Seth was such a good boy, and took some good naps in the car.
The kids chose some little birds for their souveniers. Seth thought it was so great, he'd give his loves and kisses. But, then he decided to turn it into a soccer ball. The poor bird got kicked all over the place.
Our family standing by the Yellowstone River in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It's just gorgeous.
We loved our little stop by the lake, throwing rocks and wading around. I've said it over and over, but this area is just beautiful!
