Yellowstone

Time for our annual family trip to Yellowstone. This year, we decided to camp. It had been a few years. To say the boys were excited about it was an understatement. They loved it. We stayed for a couple of nights in Gros Ventre outside of Jackson and then a few nights in Bridge Bay in Yellowstone. Our campsite in Gros Ventre had a great view of the Tetons. Sunset was incredible.

While in Jackson, we rode the Alpine Slides and some of us went to Ice Age 3with the kiddo's while the less adventurous crowd rafted the Snake. Chickens I say! We also rode the boat across Jenny Lake and hiked up to the waterfall. The boys spent their time chasing a marmot. When we got to our campground in Yellowstone, Barry and Floyd hid some treasure boxes for each of the kids and set up a compass course for them to find them. Jake was designated as the helper, but his compass merit badge was apparently too long ago and they needed a little help! The treasure boxes were hidden under the bridge and boy were the kids excited.The treasure boxes bought us a few minutes while dinner was cooking. Lucky timing!
The next morning we headed off for one of Floyd's favorite spots in all the world - Slough Creek. While on our way, we found a grizzly bear. It was fun to watch the bear for awhile and it looks like the kids even had their binocs pointed the right way this time!

To get to Slough Creek, you have to hike a couple of miles. We all made it! Even Cole and me packing Annie in the Kelty. She is about to graduate to real hiking. The kids all had a great time playing on the shore......Floyd caught a few fish...
...Cole and Josh found an excellent mud hole and a great log to "walk the plank" on...
...Annie discovered the joy of backpack snacks...

...and Aunt Kar got in a nice, comfy nap.
Slough Creek was beautiful - thanks for the good idea, Floyd.

Next adventure: Fishing on Yellowstone Lake. This one is always a favorite. The day started out pretty nasty, but cleared up enough for the kids to enjoy some time on the boat. In our family, we give credit for who "caught the fish" to whoever gets to reel it in. If we awarded credit based solely on who baited the hook, Floyd would out-catch the rest of us 7:1. After Floyd kindly got my pole ready and cast, I had a bite within about 2 minutes. I had Landon help me reel it in, but Floyd had to take over at the end because that fish was stronger than me! I'm pathetic (although it was a pretty big fish). All the boys crowded around for a picture with it just in case our luck ran dry.
Not to worry though. Within a couple of minutes, Cole had a fish bite on his pole as well. He needed just a bit of help to reel it in.

Before the day was over, nearly everyone "caught" at least one fish - even Jake who usually gets skunked! Josh even caught a Lake Trout, the only kind you can keep, so Floyd cooked it up for dinner that night.

We had pretty cold weather most of the trip, but that night we got in some good campfire time. The kids tried their luck roasting mallows - their luck needed a little grown-up help for the most part. We had a lot of torched mallows.
Annie discovered the joy - and I do mean joy- of roasted marshmallows...

...and we all enjoyed a good campfire sing-along with Grandpa. The kids about burst when he sang a song about bones.

All in all, it was a great trip. One of my favorite memories will be watching a deep friendship develop between Annie and Landon. They were indescribably cute with each other the entire time. I also hope to never forget the moment riding in the car to Slough Creek when Annie, while rubbing her chin, declared "Ah got whiskas yike Daddy." (I got whiskers like Daddy, for anyone needed a two-year-old translation). That was priceless.