Our summer vacation.

We took the trip of a lifetime to Yellowstone this August. I can tell you, every morning since I've wished I was crawling out of my tent there, and not my bed here. I fell in love with it. The boys fell in love with it. We drove in from the North east entrance, through the Bear Tooth pass, and I had no idea it would be so amazing. I simply looked at the map, and suspected it would be better than the North entrance because it seemed more off the beaten path... but wow! It was so thrilling to be on top of the world.

 Just left of the center of this mountain line you will see bear tooth mountain.

 We stopped at every little creek and stream, took deep breaths of mountain air, looked at rocks, searched for animals.

 Lots of little waterfalls on the sides of the road before we even entered the National park.

 This might have been one of the most amazing waterfalls I've ever seen. The sheer power of the water was intense, and the way it rushed through these huge mountain side rocks was beautiful.

Same waterfall's other side view.

As soon as we got into the park we had a few pronghorn in a meadow beside us.

Crossing the Hayden Valley we had a buffalo traffic jam. Very funny.

We made sure to go to Old Faithful that first afternoon. Hunter called it "old facial." Grandma watched us walk up, and we waved to her on the live webcam feed, streaming from a camera that's attached the visitor's center.

Not far from Old Faitful we stopped to see these beautiful waterfalls- called Kepler Cascades. So beautiful.

Before the sun set completely we walked around the west geyser basin and enjoyed our first look at the colorful pools. The steam was so warm as night fell that it wet our faces with warmth, and fogged our glasses.

We saw this large coyote hunting there, too.

As we were leaving the parking lot here I another visitor told us there was a large elk nearby. We walked a trail looking for him, keeping our distance, but I suspected we were pushing him away with our sounds. He confirmed his presence with a large bugle that brought chills down Theo and I's spines. Most spectacular thing I've ever heard. We left, without seeing him, but as we pulled the car out of the parking lot I asked Theo to go left for just a bit to see if we pushed him all the way out of the woods and near the road... and sure enough- there he was. As magestic an animal can be.

 

And this was just our first day... and only a few of the 300 pictures I took that day alone!

4th Of July Fireworks

Possibly the hottest 4th of July we've ever had, as temps hovered above 90 before 9am, we tried to mow the lawn and deadhead some flowers! After showers, we spent most of the day indoors. Our backyard weather clock read 103 at its highest. The kids played checkers and wii with dad, and I piddled around cleaning up, and making food. We ate like kings- a huge fruit salad, leftover sun-dried tomato basil pasta salad, devilled eggs, corn on the cob, grilled steak with baby bella mushrooms and blue cheese, and strawberry pudding pie. (All tracked diligently by this Weight Watcher).

After church, and our farm cow experience, we headed to a neighboring town for fireworks. Last year we sat in the distance, on a hill by the local movie theatre, but were disappointed to miss the lower fireworks, and missed some of the visceral experience of the sounds. This year we got there a bit early, so we drove around, parked, and walked until we could figure out where the fireworks came from. Much to our delight we ended up just in front of where they were set off. On a hillside, we actually had to lay back to see the fireworks- as they literally filled the entire sky above us. I couldn't get the largest ones in my camera frame- they were that close. The sounds were incredible- vibrating against our faces. Hands down, the greatest fireworks experience we've ever had, and not one the boys will soon, or ever, forget. Of course, I took tons of a pictures. Here are my favorites:

 Happy Independence Day, America!

Gotta Love a Parade! AND Smores!

Last year we didn't make it to the annual parade in our town; Theo was on crutches or wheelchair from major foot surgery, and we decided not to try and get into downtown. So, this year we were excited! Our old town had a nice parade, and we never missed it- I'm happy to report this parade was just as great. The kids were most excited to get the candy that literally tossed from every angle! Here the boys are sitting with their neighbors, Frederick and Elanore. So cute they all are!

 Ben's seriously goofy smile.

 Great old cars with wonky horns.

 Classics.

 Neat old firetruck.

 This marine on the bottom left made my day. He was tough as nails, and so serious. I'd send him to war right now.

Lots of neat band uniforms.

Cute lions!

More cute shots of the kids.,

 Oh, Ben. Gross.

And we finished the night with a bonfire and smores with the neighbors. Darn near perfect evening!

Happy Summer!