Labor Day {2013} - Yellowstone

I admit, I was a tiny bit sad that I didn't have my 'nice' camera to take along on our trip to Yellowstone this year, BUT I was VERY relieved to not have to haul it around.  It was fantastic, actually!

Each year my parents and siblings try to do a family vacation.  I think we've done Yellowstone more than once *wink*, but we LOVE that beautiful country!

We were especially excited to get a camp site with a fire pit this year, and even with a new baby, we had so much fun!  What's even more awesome, is that a good portion of the pictures I took FROM THE CAR, as we were driving.  LOL!  Just trying to keep us all in line, and not driving anybody crazy.  ;)

Day One:  Up through Jackson, Old Faithful, and to our campsite.

Day Two:  Drove to Virginia City, Montana (an old mining town)

At "the Rock Shop"

and "the Candy shop"

and on the steps of an old saloon.  

Keetley was a trooper in the wrap.

all the girls (we missed you Tricia!!!)

All the Boys (We missed you Keith and Jay!!!)

Uncles with the nephews.  Awwe!

Kortlen loved this little bench by the lemonade stand. 

sisterly love

waiting for the train ride

So excited to find some shade!  And a place to rest our tired feet.

Hilarious family pictures....immediately after this, Tanner was
stung by a bee on the hand...Wailing could be heard for miles around!

Arrowheads that Grandpa got for them.  

"All Aboard!!!"

There's a reason it's called the BIG SKY state.  

Day 3:  Sunday we attended church in West, relaxed and had naps, then went for a drive through the upper loop.

Tanner setting up his cowboys and indians...

Being all cutsie and fun

...a visit and hike at the Paint Pots.  This was QUITE the hike...especially since two little boys decided to wear their cowboy boots WITHOUT SOCKS.  Sheesh....where were their parents?!

drooling baby!

happy baby!

Quite the view!  

Stephanie wanted to try on the wrap with Keetley....
Thanks, Steph, for taking a load off my back!

I told my mom and her crew to 'pause' so I could snap a picture...
...still can't stop laughing at my dad's 'pose'!  LOL!

Look at the awesome picture I got of the elk!!!

Okay....this guy was just too cool!

We were VERY obedient!

Long, beautiful day!

Day Four:  Packed up camp, stopped at Firehole, and drove home in a storm.

Getting up the gumption to jump in!

I wouldn't let them get in, so they decided to climb a cliff instead.

Swam across, and ready to jump in a second time!

The following pictures a blurry...couldn't get a few certain people to JUMP when my camera was ready.  LOL!  Gotta love the 'point and shoots'!

They made it down the chute! 

 We could see some pretty dark clouds, so we were glad to get in the car when we did....

I made this awesome contraption right before we walked out the door to leave.
I saw it on pinterest, and though, "self...you can totally make that.  with scraps.
and it won't cost you $20".  So I made it...5 minutes flat.  ROCK ON!  It was
a lifesaver for this little dude who snores.  a lot.  

Got all our gear in the van!!  Thankfully we didn't have to bring the camp
kitchen...because someone would have been strapped on top of the car.  LOL!

Can you see the Grand Tetons?  Yeah..neither did we. 

gotta get a family shot at the antler arches...

 What a fantastic trip mom and dad!  Thank you so much!!!  We had such a great time, and love making memories with you, my siblings and our kids.  Can't wait till next year's adventure!