July 31, 2013

In Which We Brave a Trip to Yellowstone


Forgive my lack of bloggy attention. Hubby has been traveling lately, the kids have started swim lessons, and I have been feeling quite a bit of morning sickness again.

So that's my lame-o excuse.

I just don't want to admit to feeling lazy lately.

I mean, what would that do to my image?

Wait... dang. I ruined that years ago when I started blogging.

Anyhow.

Way back at the beginning of June, we decided to take a family day-trip up to Yellowstone Park.

It's only a couple hours away, but I felt like we were stuck on repeat for just the worst part of a scary movie since about every five minutes we were dealing with this:

"Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are were there NOW? I'm going to throw up! Are we there yet?"

Since we don't have TV in our car, and we don't own any handheld gaming devices, and we have to be very careful about letting the kids read or do anything similar since car sickness runs ramp-ed around here, we have to stay entertained the old fashioned way.

Like... talking to each other! *gasp* I know, so last century.

Or, playing games like "I Spy" and the finding of the alphabet on signs and license plates. 

Yes, those games do still exist.

At any rate, the kids were thrilled when we finally pulled into the park.

Just a couple minutes in, there were a bunch of cars pulled off to the side of the road. So we decided to go see what all the fuss was about.


The kids weren't very impressed and wondered why everyone was standing around staring at that, so they took to exploring instead.


After we loaded back up, we decided to head towards the well known "Old Faithful" Geyser. But went about it quite leisurely and took a few of the side roads to see other sites.


As much as I love viewing these impressive feats of nature, the pictures of my seriously awesome kids are so much better.


So much delicious cheese.


How did a girl like me, end up with something so awesome as this?


(I can say such things because we were still at the beginning of our trip and everyone was happy and excited. I was singing a different tune by the end, trust me.)


The kids seemed especially impressed by the all the bison we saw...


...well, at first anyway. After a while Savannah got tired of seeing them and was wondering when they were going to get to see something cool, like a grizzly bear.

You'd think she'd be use to seeing those actually, considering I am her mother, and not always perfect.


We stopped off at the "Fountain Paint Pots" which the kids thought were pretty cool, and stinky.



After we spent some time there, we finally made it over to "Old Faithful", just in time for the next spewing.

Haha, love love love this picture.


It starts.


Full throttle!


The kids seemed fairly impressed.

After stopping off for some lunch and letting the kids run around and explore the woods, we were back on the road again.

Then Claira fell asleep.

And so did I.

So when Hubby decided to stop off and let the kids play in the water for a while, I volunteered to keep an eye on Claira, sort of, and finish my nap.

Hey, cut me some slack! Making babies is exhausting work you know!


..................That's not what I meant and you know it! Sheesh.





By the time the kids were done playing and everyone was back in the car, one had had a potty accident.

What's a family trip with young kids if you don't have at least one of those?

But I thankfully had the foresight to bring extra outfits for each kid in case of such an... experience.

Soon, everyone was changed, Claira was awake, and we were one the road again.


Hide-and-go-seek! Whoever spotted this guy first sure had good eyesight!


True to Yellowstone form, we hit a patch of road where the bison sauntered through the pavement, hanging out in and over it, heedless of the cars strategically trying to maneuver around them.

A few of them were so close we could have reached out and petted them.


But they are kinda gross.

And big.

And hairy.

And crusty.

With horns.

We passed on the opportunity.


At another point we pulled off to see yet another quick side attraction.



I don't remember what it was called but, holy stinky sulfur Batman, it was rank! I mean, wow, it was powerful.



The kids were more than happy to head back to the car and I don't blame them. I think my nose hairs had burned up at that point.


After that we stopped over at the "Upper Falls".




How was I suppose to enjoy the scenery when I kept getting distracted by so much cuteness?


At this point it was starting to get late. The kids were getting tired of jumping in and out of the car and attitudes were taking a turn.

We only made one more stop before heading out of the park.




Ya... this picture was one of those, "Look at the camera and smile!" moments, said in a growling tone through clenched teeth with narrowed eyes... lovingly, of course.


By the time we left, we had seen less than a third of the park.

Maybe someday we'll work up the courage to make the trek again and see another third.

Maybe....

8 super cool people speak:

Susan Anderson said...

I'd say you did pretty well to get a third of it seen with your crew!

Cute, cute pics.

=)

Unknown said...

Those waterfall pictures make me diiiiizzy.... You're a trooper, Serene. A real hero. And you have a LOVELY family. :) :)

Anonymous said...

we were just there weekend before last! Good times. :)

Anonymous said...

we were just there weekend before last! Good times. :)

CB said...

I love all your kids pictures too! Man what great faces they make for the camera and they are cute as all get out! Glad you had a fun trip!

Mary Lou said...

Serene....
I have a youngest brother who enjoys watching television, which we cannot bring during road trips, so my sister used to always began an "I Spy" game!! Fun times!! ;)
A bald eagle!! How neat!! Seeing bald eagles like that is indeed a rare and incredible experience!! ;-D
I can't but agree!! Pictures of your children are way better than nature!! ;)
Is that a.... Swan? Cool!! ;-D
--Raelyn


Valerie said...

I've only been to Yellowstone once, but there is lots of beauty! You have some awesome photos. That is a big group of bison. :)

balloongal said...

I've still never been to Yellowstone. My husband and I keep talking about eventually taking the kids, but it hasn't happened yet. So thanks for your pictures.

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