Wednesday, June 16, 2010

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.  





6 comments:

claire said...

That was a great day in Yellowstone. Wish your dad and the kids hadn't been party poopers and had walked to more of the sights, but they had been in the car a lot. Glad I'm still able to do the things that I can do. It was great seeing other great creations of our Heavenly Father. This world that we live in is so beautiful. The mountains, animals, clouds, birds, etc. We're so lucky. Thanks for a wonderful day.
I just love those baskets. Glad that I was able to get you one. Hopefully I'll be able to get others one sometime. It was really so much fun talking to the owner of the pottery shop, what a neat lady. Love Ya

Tiffany said...

I didn't know you guys were coming camping with us... I'm excited to see you!! :)

mindy said...

i can't WAIT to take the boys to the park. we have to though... hubby doesn't have a three day weekend for a couple more weeks. i totally agree, you need at least 3 days!

and WOW on the wooden basket. that is gorgeous! see, what goes around comes around ;)

gorgeous pictures of the park! very very nice. and i agree the colors at the water areas are beautiful.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

It sounds like you had such a great time.
We went to Yellowstone last fall with our four grandkids. It was memorable.
Fun tour of the pottery place. I would love to do that.

Alicia said...

I was just told today that you guys were going to make it up for the camping trip! I'm really excited about that. All the pictures were awesome, and someday we'll head that way and visit.

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

What a fun trip! I love spending time with family. Great memories!

Thanks for coming by and saying hi!

XOXO
Jen