Family Vacation Part 2 - Yellowstone!!

For the second part of our vacation Trey, Kaelen, Maddox and I headed south to the town of West Yellowstone. We only had two days in the park so we tried to hit all the major attractions. The weather was awesome and we had a ton of fun exploring during the day and then swimming at the hotel at night. I haven't been to Yellowstone since I was a little explorer so it was really fun to experience everything again with the fam. Old Faithful was still exploding, the mud volcanoes were still stinking, and there were a ton of animals to cause traffic jams along the way. Especially animals like this huge guy.........

and this guy that passed RIGHT by our car window.........

He was so close to the car we could hear his breathing, and despite the cries of Kaelen and I, Trey didn't feel it was necessary to roll up the car window.

Unfortunately, (or fortunate for us I guess) Maddox slept while we drove through most of the park. I can't wait to bring him back when he gets a little older. I have visions of him in his young park ranger vest holding maps and pointing out his favorite animals. While I couldn't convince Kaelen to wear a young explorer outfit, it was really fun to see her experience the park for the first time.

Yellowstone Falls

Maddox and Dad taking in the falls

Exploring one of the many geyser basins

Old Faithful (I think she was more excited to get back to the gift shop and pick out her souvenirs)

The town of West Yellowstone

Yep, they are dorks

The world's largest Teddy Bear, or at least that is what the sign claimed

A Grizzly at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center

Family Vacation - Part 1

This year our family vacation took us to Montana. The first leg of our trip was spent visiting with family in Butte. We were able to see great grandma and grandpa, aunts, uncles and lots of cousins. I was so grateful we were able to visit with everyone, and that Maddox was able to meet some of the family for the very first time. Usually when we go to Butte we don't have the chance to do many tourist activities, but this trip we had a full week for fun and I wanted to take try and fit in a few activities for Trey and Maddox to get to know where Mommy was born.

The week was so much fun! We went to the World of Mining Museum, the Pit, Silver Bow Pizza, Quarry Brewing, celebrated Cole's 6th Birthday, and helped Gary Betty Joe celebrate their anniversary.

Trey and Kaelen at Jim's Bar......yep bar, only in Butte

Graysen sitting at the bar....."Jim, can I get another?"

Trey and Kaelen at "The Pit"

Trey at Quarry Brewing (awesome beer, if you are ever in the area you have to make sure to take trip here). You can see that Trey has his precious cargo in tow.........

Graysen inside Quarry Brewing testing out their homemade brew.....root beer :)

Maddox taking a look at the keg

Maddox and Logen taking a break from our outings to play at Great Grandma and Grandpa's

The great grandkids

Maddox playing with cousin Carter

Cole taking a whack at his birthday pinata

The boys being boys

Maddox and Dad riding the carousal at Silver Bow pizza

Maddox contemplating future careers.....race car driver???

Or maybe an astronaut???

Graysen and Uncle Trey playing some tunes in the Old West town at the World of Mining museum.