In July my dad celebrated his 70th birthday and we had a special family trip to Yellowstone Park to celebrate.
We headed to my parents house on a Thursday afternoon. We were able to help tie baby quilts for Derek and Tansy's twins (I didn't get pictures) and then head to the Sno Shack for some ice cream and sno cones.
Cousins checking out the grate in the parking lot
The next day we got an early start to the day.
Eating donuts before we left. Aubrey, Emily, Tyler, Megan, Olivia
We made a quick stop in Virginia City, an old mining town. The kids by the courthouse.
Emily, Tyler and Megan
Downtown Virginia City
Emily, Megan, Tyler
We met up with everyone at a city park in West Yellowstone, Montana for a picnic lunch before heading into Yellowstone Park.
We stopped at Lower Geyser Basin and walked along the walkway.
Mud pots
The hot pools were beautiful.
Megan, Tyler, Emily
Then we headed to Old Faithful.
Waiting for Old Faithful to go off. Megan, Emily and Samuel (wearing Emily's jacket and being just as big as the big kids.)
Olivia, Aubrey, Tyler, Megan, Emily
I don't know how many times I've seen Old Faithful go off, but it never gets old.
The fam watching Old Faithful go off.
Afterwards we got our traditional ice cream at Old Faithful Inn and ate it out on the balcony. Yummy! Love that stuff!
Then we headed to Fishing Bridge.
Tyler
Emily
Megan
My parents
Snack time for the troops out of my parents' trunk
Lots of buffalo along the side of the road
This guy headed across the road in front of us.
Emily, Tyler and Megan at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
This is why it's called Yellowstone
The Lower Falls
Me, Tyler, Emily, Megan and Darrell
The Upper Falls
We stayed at a motel outside of Yellowstone Park.
Tyler on the roll away that he thought was so cool.
Emily fell asleep on the way to the motel and was tuckered.
Megan showing off her new Happy Meal toy (elephant) and souvenir (wolf) from Yellowstone
The next morning at breakfast we presented my dad with his birthday gift from all of us kids and "kid in laws." It is a fleece blanket with our family pictures on it. I am grateful we were able to celebrate his special birthday with him. Oh how I love him!
The view of the mountain across from the motel
Tyler, Megan, Emily (and Darrell) on the swing by the motel office.
The fam waiting to walk down to Tower Falls
Tower Falls
The grandkiddos walking back with Grandma (Tyler, Olivia, Megan, Aubrey and Emily)
Emily, Tyler and Megan by the petrified tree
Cousins--Olivia and Megan
Norris Geyser Basin
Tyler
We headed to the visitor center in West Yellowstone where they had pelts, antlers, etc. for the kids to touch.
Tyler with buffalo horns
Megan with bird wings
Emily with a fur
That evening we attended a performance of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the The Playmill Theatre. I love attending plays/musicals at the Playmill. It is a small/intimate theater with incredible talent.
Tyler
Emily (She was so tuckered she slept through the whole first half. She finally woke up at intermission and enjoyed the rest of the show.
Megan
(I first saw "Joseph..." at the Playmill and have loved it ever since. I think it's safe to say my kids have now caught the "Joseph bug" and only want to listen to that soundtrack in the van.)
Our trip to Yellowstone was fast, but awesome. I don't know what it is about Yellowstone Park, but my spirit just seems to be at home there. I feel peace, contentment, joy and happiness amongst God's diverse creations there. I leave rejuvenated. And it was even better this year sharing all of that beauty with my family--both my little family and my extended family. I think Tyler started to feel a little of the wonder of this little piece of God's great creations. On the way to Yellowstone Park, we passed through an area called "Quake Lake." As Tyler took in the lake, pine trees, mountains, etc. he said, "This is BEAUTIFUL!" Then he said, "Emily, don't you think this is beautiful?" I loved his unsolicited observations. It is indeed beautiful!
