F-A-M-I-L-Y F-U-N - Part 3

We woke up Tuesday morning and it was a gorgeous, sunny, warm day.  A perfect day for Yellowstone. 
It ended up being the only day of the whole week that it didn't rain.  So off we went. 

Mom & Dad

Dad, Bill, Shellise & Mom (behind there somewhere)

We saw many, many buffalo.  These just happened to be right by the road.

My most favorite part about Yellowstone is being able to see the wildlife.  We saw a lot of buffalo, some Elk, a coyote, and many pretty birds.  I was hoping to see some bears (of course from a distance), and moose but we didn't. 

I love all the colors

The Family. I'm still short!

Pretty Scenery

There was a whole lot of water going down the river and these falls.

Looks so warm and inviting doesn't it?

These were my favorite

Another Shot of the paint pots

Dear Hubby checking out the pretty geyser

Pretty Blue Bird

Mama Elk

And her newborn baby calf

So we made it to the highlight of the park, Old Faithful, and found out we had to wait 1-1/2 hrs for it to go off as we had just missed it.  We had already been driving all day at this point and it was pushing 5:00 p.m. 

By this time the kids were tired of all the driving.  After the 7 hour drive to get to my house and then all the driving we did to get to and from all the other activities and then add on another full day of driving to and through Yellowstone, they were pretty much sick of it.  They were done.  I would have loved to stay longer, but I can't blame them.   So we left the park and drove back home. 

Yellowstone National Park is really awesome.  There is so much to do there.  More than we had time for.  If you haven't been there I highly recommend it.  You really need at least 3 days to see it all.  It is my most favorite National Park and I am lucky enough to live so close. 

They were going home on Thursday and the next day was Wednesday and we decided to forego any other activities and called Wednesday as a recoup day before the long drive back home.  The kids were happy about that.  Bill and I did take Mom & Dad to a couple of our favorite local shops in town.

Mountain Arts Pottery is a locally owned shop where they make all kinds of pottery.  Bill & I love it and are starting (slowly) to purchase items for our kitchen and home. 

The owner happened to be there and took us on a tour of their shop and kilns where they make and fire all the pottery.  That was a really cool educational experience.  This pottery is very popular around here, as well as the bakery that they also have in their store.  Where they make fabulous cinnamon rolls and other sweets, as well as soups and sandwiches.  Of course we had to have our cinnamon roll!

The next shop was the Montana Furniture Traders where they make all kinds of awesome furniture and things like these Burl Wood Baskets.  Bill & I had given a basket similar to this one to our parents for Christmas, but we had never bought ourselves one.  So my Mom bought me one for my birthday (coming up in July). Thanks Mom!   These baskets are awesome! 

The family left the next day. We had a wonderful visit and did some fun things.  The house has felt empty all week.  I really miss my kids and my parents, and look forward to seeing them at the end of July for our family camping trip that we have planned.