Jackson Hole & Yellowstone National Park ~ July Trip

Our first real maden voyage on our new RV trailer the first week of July. I was a bit nervous pulling this huge thing behind us and up and over a few mountain passes, but we made it!!  We enjoyed spending time together doing simple things. I was surprised the kids did not even miss friends or TV!

Our first few days we spend in Jackson Hole, WY. We enjoyed the shops and the scenery. We drove out to one of the first mormon settlements in the area called "Mormon Row" where we came upon a HUGE herd of Buffalo. We were able to walk right up close. It was awesome!! We then and hiked Jenny Lake... Kallie only whined some of the way.



The beautiful Teton Mountains just off Mormon Row

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

We then moved north and stayed a few days around Yellowstone. All I wanted was to see a bear! It was really high on my list... so I looked.... and looked... and NO BEAR!! We say Elk, Buffalo, Eagles, but NO BEAR!!! The day after we came home we read on the news that a man was killed in Yellowstone, just a few miles from where we were. Maybe I am glad I did not see my bear.

Old Faithful. We even brought Toby with us!

So Beautiful!

Elk. Right off the side of the road. We were only about 30 feet away from them

Things NOT to do on a Saturday afternoon with the family...

HIKE MNT TIMP!!

I was told this was an "easy" hike.

I was told that kids do well on these hikes.

I was told it was paved the whole way and you can bring strollers.

NONE of this was true!!

Neil and I thought that since the summer was quickly coming to an end and the weather was starting to cool down, that it would be fun to take the kids on a nice Saturday hike up in the mountain. We could hike up Mnt. Timp and go see the caves, something I have been wanting to do for years now. Paige and Jacob could walk and we could push Kallie on the stroller. It would be a fun thing to do.... wrong. It was not until we got there that we learned we could not bring the stroller. The path was too steep at parts and it was too easy for something like that to fall off the side... nice thought. So, we decided that since we were already there, we would just carry Kallie and do it anyway. For some reason I never was told or I never listened when it was mentioned that it was 2 miles each way. 2 miles up and down STEEP hills.

For the most part the kids did great! I had to carry Kallie the whole time. We did not have a carrier for her, so it was all in the arms. By the end, our backs hurt, our knees hurt and we wanted to be home!!

Here are a few pictures from our adventure.

This is Paige no more then 20 yards from the start of the path. She started jumping up and down, crying and whining to be held, that her feet hurt and she was tired.... all we could do was laugh!

*** Now it is a real fun joke to tell Paige that we are going hiking that day. She immediately starts to whine. ***

First day & Last year of Preschool

Another year is here and this one will be her last. Paige is back with Mrs. Heather this year. We loved her last year and Paige learned so much that we are excited to have another year again. She HAD to have her picture taken just like Jacob did for his first day of school.

Happy 4th Birthday Paigie!!

Paige is one child that can make me laugh and make me mad at the same time! She is a whitty child who knows how to get her way, but she also has the smile that can melt and capture any heart.

This year has been one of such learning and growth for you. It has been fun to see you learn new things about life and about yourself. Happy Birthday my sweet girl Paige! 4 years old!! You continue to be a joy to your whole family.

FIRST GRADE!!

I find myself constantly asking... "am I really this old?" Please do not answer that.

Jacob started first grade today. Wow! FIRST GRADE! Now, he has all day school. Eating lunch in the cafeteria. The "big kids" playground. His own desk. My mom would always look forward to school starting. She would tell me that she was going to take herself to a movie and lunch to celebrate! I would think... "man that is sooo rude!" Now, I understand! We are back to a regular routine. Although I am going to miss him so so much, that routine sure is nice!!

Good luck this year Jacob! I know you will be great! We love you ~ mom