Yellowstone

Right off the bat I am going to give you fair warning that there will be MANY pictures on this post. These are just a few of my faves from our trip. It was so BEAUTIFUL in Yellowstone. Just. Beautiful. Bill and I had both been there over 20 years ago (gasp).  Well over 20 years. There was so much that I did not remember. I remember being less than enthusiastic about Old Faithful which I thought was cool, but should not be the main attraction. I remember seeing the famous fire as we left the park. I remember the nasty smell of sulpher. What I loved this time around was the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Amazing!!! The water is so strong and powerful with beautiful mountains surrounding it. 

Bill of course loved the wildlife. Don't get me wrong, I did too. However, I am more into the sights. We did see a mother bear (who had 2 baby cubs in a tree but we couldn't see them), 2 huge bull elk, cow elk, deer, lots of buffalo (not Tristan's favorites), antelope and an eagle. I wanted to see a moose, but no luck. 

Our first day we didn't get there until around 4. Later then planned. Our campground was off of a beautiful little lake which had paddle boats to rent for way cheap so we did that in the evening. The kids loved it! Quite possibly their favorite part of the whole trip. We spent the next two days in the park just driving, looking, and driving some more. The kids did great but were getting pretty restless and bored towards the end. The last full day in Montana was all about the kids. We went to a cool Bear & Wolf Museum, shot guns, more paddle boating, shopping and ice cream. They couldn't have been happier! Anyways, here are my pic's. Do not adjust your computers. It really was this spectacular and then some! 

Checking in at our campsite! Finally there. 

The 4-man paddle boat. Pretty exhausting I must say. 

Yummy, messy s'mores. A camping MUST! 

Excited to explore Yellowstone! 

A little waterfall

Some hot pots at Artist Paintpots. So many cool things to see in this little area. 

These little blue pools were so pretty. One of my favorite things there.  

Stella getting tired on our little hike. 

Lucky for her she has a strong dad who will let her ride on his shoulders! 

Norris Geyser Basin overlook 

Tristan was getting a little tired of posing I guess. 

This hill was gorgeous! I wish we could see more of the purple flowers in this picture. 

Doesn't do it justice. 

Mama Bear 

This was another one of my favorite things there. This was by where 

we stopped for ice cream. If we hadn't stopped for food we would have drove right

past it! Reminds me of Superman for some reason. 

Big 6 by 6 elk 

Traffic jam caused by buffalo 

Day 2 in the park! 

Old Faithful 

By Yellowstone Lake so the kids can throw rocks. 

Stella is already a good little photographer. Plus its nice they are old enough 

to take pictures so Bill and I can be seen together!

Rawr. Here at the Visitor Center. 

Goofballs

We got a little rained on here! This was my favorite. 

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Pretty awesome. 

So happy to finally be shooting his BB gun! 

The Bear & Wolf Museum. No animals were harmed in this picture. 

Another museum on our way out! Such a fun trip. Can't wait to do it again!!!

Girls Camp

Last week the long-awaited, much anticipated girls camp finally came. It's been quite the process to plan. Luckily not on my part! That's what camp directors are for. It was up Big Cottonwood Canyon. The camp site was beautiful with a waterfall just down from our tents by a single camper who we liked to call George (his real name was Greg. I just couldn't remember it.) The girls were super excited. Especially the first timers.  I stayed over the first night then drove back and forth the next two days. I would of liked to have stayed the other nights but with Bill's work schedule and trying to get ready for Yellowstone that weekend it just wasn't in the cards this year. I had so much fun that night playing games with the other leaders up there. I haven't laughed that hard for a long time. Unfortunately they all saw the inappropriate, vulgar me that I try to conceal at church. HaHa. Luckily I was in good company!

The girls made up some fun skits that I didn't get to see come performance time, but the dry-run was pretty awesome. We did a hike that was much, much more difficult than necessary (thanks to Janell getting off the correct/easier path and not realizing it for 3 long miles - up hill - both ways. Well, just one way I guess.Felt like both! ) We were just so relieved she was safe and found! They did fun crafts, decorated cookies, had a fireside, made s'mores, passed off certification, and much more. It was a lot of fun and so much work and thought went into it and I think the girls had a wonderful time!

Me and my girls after climbing up the rocks by the waterfall

Decorating Princess Cookies 

Mod-Podging Mason Jars for lanterns 

Gettin' Crazy! (Too much sniffing glue I think) 

The older girls skit. The Bachelor played by Hannah pretending to be George. Too funny.

Shake Rattle & Roll

I know many people do not understand this side of me but I have been in love with loved Elvis since I was a young teenager. Don't judge. I don't know where or how it started but it's a love affair that has stood the test off time! haha. My mom found out that "Elvis" was coming and we went as a late birthday present to me. SO HAPPY! We had so much fun!! He did such a great job. His voice was so close to identical that it was freaky and he even moved like him. (as he should since it's his job) But he was good. I was very happy. The old guy sitting next to me even said with all the imitators he'd seen, which was several, this guy was the best. The cute handicapped girl in front of us was a doll! She was an even bigger Elvis fan than me! She had been to Graceland twice. Jealous! Her parents hadn't told her what concert they were there to see so when the announcer said Elvis would be out in a minute she was just beside herself. She was ecstatic. It was such a fun night. Even my mom left a fan. Mission accomplished.

Waiting for the concert to start. So excited!

I love a man in uniform.

A very daring, bold move to wear a white swimsuit under all that bright lighting. 

Blue Hawaii baby.

The black leather has always been my fave but this outfit did not do the original justice. 

This is my favorite photo. Who doesn't love the awesome white jumpsuit. Right?!?!

Laziness

One thing I love about summer time is the much slower pace. At least it is around here! - Well not for Bill I guess. He's been working like a dog (is that the saying?). I haven't seen him much  in practically 3 weeks! Anyways, thankfully we still have about 2 months left because we have done stuff...but not really. Here's what I mean:

We went to the Bee's game. Very exciting.

We went to the splash pad.

We went to the candy shop and hung out at Gardner Village.

Went bowling. 

Went to see Brave. Loved it!

And said farewell to some of my all time favorite girls. They have graduated YW and are off to bigger, better things. I miss them already!

We went to Temple Square with G & G Robbins, Luke, Makayla & Gen. It has been a long time since we went during warm weather! It was nice to enjoy walking around and looking at everything. We even watched The Testiments and Stella told me after that she "could feel Jesus' spirit while she was watching the movie". I love to hear that she is recognizing the spirit and building her own little testimony. We even saw Buddhist monks. Pretty stinkin' cool.

On a sad note we said goodbye to Grandpa Duffin. He passed away just last Sunday. Not completely unexpectedly but sooner than we thought. Him and Joyce had had a rough 7 or so months. He went peacefully. He was a good man. Not a perfect man, but a good man who lived a good life. He and his sweetheart had celebrated their 62nd anniversary just the day before he passed. They were a wonderful couple who loved and adored one another.  Bill was not very close to his grandpa, but even still he will be missed. Tristan said he will miss great-grandpa's high fives. Grandpa always had a smile when he was around the little ones.