Goldilocks

Cold, rainy, and miserable? It must be time for Golidlocks! I feel badly for the organizers - usually this bike tour is held in May, but it's always been horrible weather. So they move it to September and get...horrible weather. Shannon, Carrie, Jen, and I went anyway. I opted for a smaller 20 miles while they finished the 40. And while it was uncomfortable and cold and long, it reinforced my love of biking and my determination to get back into fighting shape. 

Just maybe in better weather.

Mr. Hackman's Class

So far, 2nd grade for Cole has been wonderful. His class gets along, there's no bullies, and they all love Mr. Hackman. We are definitely lucky to have Cole be placed in his class. They all like each other so much that one of the mom's had a big pool party for everyone. And, as awkward as it was to have Mr. Hackman there (for him, too), it was a huge testament to how much he puts in for his class!

*Important*

The day when having kids finally pays off.

Barber Canyon Breakfast

I know I talk about this tradition every year. But every year we love it. Breakfast in the canyons was something Grandma and Grandpa Barber started and it means so much to continue the tradition. And this year, we got to add a new handsome guy to the griddle:

That smile. He was so excited to be helping flip sausage and bacon.

 Sure do love these three and the chance we get to enjoy some breakfast together in the canyons.

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.