Yellowstone. Part One.

Bison.

One of the geysers we saw - their coloring is absolutely gorgeous.

Old Faithful

These signs are everywhere



We left for Yellowstone in the evening and stayed at a dear family friend's home about half way which allowed the kids an opportunity to stretch and run around and gave Kyle and Russ (Kyle's brother - their family went with us) a break from driving. Then the next morning we got up early and headed back out on the road for the second stretch of driving. We got to Yellowstone in the afternoon the next day and then took our time getting to our camp spot; slowing for all the animals we saw, water falls, or just pretty country. And let me say, the drive is absolutely gorgeous. I have always wanted to live on a plain or open field or somewhere where the river runs through a large piece of property and up this way there is plenty of it. We did the Old Faithful thing and I loved watching the kids get a huge kick out of seeing water and steam shoot 100 feet up in the air. For me, this wasn't as "awesome" as I had remembered it being from my childhood days, but nonetheless, it is most known in Yellowstone and you can't go to Yellowstone without seeing Old Faithful. One side note though - a ton of people had their dogs with them. Why in h#@* would you go on vacation and take your dog with you? I didn't understand it - it makes no sense to me. Anyways, we camped just north of Yellowstone Lake (which is the last picture posted) so everyday we got to see that view at least twice.

One. Awesome. Vacation.

After traveling over 1200 miles and passing through four different states, we have finally made it back home from Yellowstone. And I have to say it is one of my favorite spots on earth. We pulled our trailers and camped in the park - usually leaving early each morning and not returning back to camp until 11 o'clock or so. Once I have sorted through the mounds of laundry, retreived the food from the trailer, and get a chance to view some 2000 pictures we took, I will be posting again.

Yellowstone.

Now that my mom is home from the hospital and is gradually feeling better (I should have taken a picture of the massive bruise that covers her face, neck, ear and head), I can switch gears and start packing for Yellowstone. If you have never been there, I think it is well worth your time to plan a trip and go. I have been up since six o'clock and have almost tackled the entire pile of laundry. Now if I can just get the rest of my stuff done before Kyle gets home from work.

our adopted pets

It's not so much that we have adopted them, but that they have adopted us. These two baby birds have hung around our house since they started learning to fly. We see them at pretty much the same spot day in and day out, so I figured I would get a picture of them.

a new view

Unfortunately, for the last three days this has been my view in the intensive care unit as my dear mom tries to recover and regain strength from a horrible incident that took place Monday morning. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Going to the Temple

On Saturday, June 5, Kyle and I went through the temple, we were sealed together and then our kids were sealed to us afterwards. And it was an amazing experience. It was all I had ever thought it would be and more.
It all started back in December. None of us had been to church in over a year, Payton was soon to turn eight and I kept having these impressions that I needed to start going to church; if not for me, at least for the children. I felt like if I didn't start being consistent with church now, they may never return later. . . so we started going, and going every week. Payton would ask Kyle every Sunday if he wanted to go to church with us and his reply was always the same, "maybe next week buddy." But that little boy never gave up, and kept asking. Then one Sunday I went into our closet to put my dress on and there stood Kyle. He had slacks on and a shirt and very nonchalantly asked if the clothes went together. Much to my surprise, he was going to church with us. . . . .and things just snow-balled from there.