Yellowstone Day 3

Our final day at Yellowstone was packed with all kinds of fun stuff. We started the morning with a nature walk.

And then moved on to a stunning waterfall and river. (Sorry, I can't remember the name!) 

Finally, we visited the wolf and bear rescue museum. The animals were just so huge when you are right in front of them. Cole picked up some pretty awesome kicks...

Later that afternoon, the kids went out on the canoes:

Violet, "Not Me Jack," and Jack

Cole and Bryce

Once they got back, Bryce and I went out on our own. We slipped around a bend in the river, and nearly ran smack into a mama moose and her twin babies. It was just beautiful!

After dinner, we made s'mores around the fire pit. It was the perfect way to end an amazing vacation!

Yellowstone Day 2

Day two of our trip involved lots of driving. That's one thing I'll say about the west - it's big. You spend a whole day driving up to then drive some more. However, we went to Nevada and Carson cities, and they were well worth the drive. 

We spent lots of time wandering around the re-created cities - including an old-timey game arcade. They had old flip movies, including those with "adult content" from 1903. This included girls hitting each other with pillows (really? This has always been a thing?). We died laughing watching them.

And don't get me started on the double-decker outhouse. 

We even had time for a riding tour through the old city. Once we got back to the cabin, the kids did some crafting and Bryce fried up some hot dogs (for us) and tofu-dogs (for the crazy vegetarians).

Unfortunately, that night as we took a walk, Jack tripped and fell right on his face right on a cattle guard. It made me so sad to see his little bruised eye, but he was such a trooper!

Yellowstone Day 1

You know what's a good idea? Taking your kids out of school their first week for a trip. Honestly, it's awesome! Crowds are down, and what are they REALLY missing?  One of my favorite people, Sarah, was taking her kids and invited us along. Who can say no to a free cabin? So we packed ourselves up and made the drive.

Once we made it to West Yellowstone, we decided to go into the park and visit some of the geysers. And what do you know, it was the centennial of the National Parks system, so we got in free! Our first stop was at the Fountain Paint Pots.

We then headed to Old Faithful and did a quick hike around the area while we waited for it to erupt. That was really when Jack figured out what those geysers smelled like.

From there, we made a quick stop at Grand Prismatic. It was definitely my favorite.

That night, we met Sarah, along with her kids Violet and Jack (love the names!) and had dinner at a pizza place. While they went to a play, we went on to the cabin. And let me say, that cabin was old-timey-tastic.  Lots of shag carpeting, wood paneling, and home-made signs with things like "If you sprinkle when you tinkle, be a sweetie and wipe the seatie," painted on them. Jack promptly proclaimed it as the "most beautiful" cabin he had ever seen. It took a while for everyone to calm down (and for Bryce and I to carefully check the sheets), but we soon were all in bed and happily asleep. 

Back to School

I cannot believe both of my boys are in elementary school. I just can't. I know everyone says that. They say that because it's true. Looking back, time has just flown by. And now here are these two handsome boys taking some big steps towards their grown-up lives.

Cole is starting 2nd grade with Mr. Hackman. We've been repeatedly told he is so lucky and that Mr. Hackman is the best. His best friends Asher and Ben are in the same class as he is. While it's hard to compare with ClubU, he is still a bit excited to start back to school. Cole is super independent. He wants to do things on his own and doesn't want to be told how to do them. He's thoughtful. His brain wants to understand how everything works and he still wants to be an engineer when he grows up. He is patient with Jack, who loves and looks up to him. He can be sassy, and you will know it when he doesn't want to do something. But, he eventually looks for the positive side of things and encourages us to do the same.

Jack is starting Kindergarten with Ms. Kinneberg. I'm a little nervous how this year will go. Jack left University Kids for ClubU before he had a chance to really dig in and learn his letters and what it's like to sit at a desk. But I know he's a quick study and will pick up things. Jack is not at all excited to start school as he will tell anyone who will listen. However, he is chatty, sunny, and creative and will do well. His brain and his body are always going a mile a minute. He's inherited his verbal vomit from me - he'll talk to anyone at any time about anything. He's open and caring and loves animals and plants. He wants to be a farmer when he grows up. Sometimes, he gives up if things get tough, but if he pushes through, the excitement he has to learn new things is incredible.

 When I walked them to school this first day, they both darted away with a brief backward wave and "bye!" My heart hurt a little, but it was okay. It's all part of growing up...for all of us.