One Last Hurrah

Benjamin starts school this week, but we were able to take one last trip as a family before he does. My parents and all my brothers and sisters (minus Bryan, who is currently in Afghanistan) and their kids all got together for a family reunion in Yellowstone. Though it was a LONG 23 hour drive, it was so worth it. Good old Ironhive (our Honda Odyssey) broke the 100,000 mile mark along the way. We've driven out west in it four times, and at least twice going east.

 I think the length of the journey was intensified by the fact that we were only gone a week with fewer days to recover. Also, it just felt plain wrong to drive through Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana and just barely miss Utah. We briefly considered flying this time, but Yellowstone isn't particularly close to any airports, and the ones that are closer were hundreds of dollars more per ticket. And then of course we'd have to rent a car once we got there...it just didn't make sense.

On the way out, we broke it up just a little bit. We stopped in Laramie for dinner to meet up with Paul's aunt and uncle who live there.  It was a lovely visit despite the constant interruption of the half dozen or so (per kid) trips to the restroom, Lydia's blowout and Peter tragically spilling his milk shake all over himself and the seat.  This picture says it all. 

 It really was great to connect with Aunt Kay and Uncle Gene, and to let our kids meet some of their extended family. 

 We got to Rock Springs that night and were grateful to finally crash after a long day of driving.

 The next morning, we found a 9 a.m. church, then got back on the road for a few hours to get to Jackson Hole. The drive north was breathtaking.

 Paul briefly visited his old stomping grounds, including Teton Mountaineering, which is where he used to work before we were married....he was living in a van. :)  

 The Tetons are stunning!

 We took a nice Sunday stroll around Jenny Lake.

For being such a little princess, Nora sure does like getting dirty.

 We found a nice spot along the trail for "quiet time." The kids found their own spots to be alone for a while. We also had a quick Sunday devotional with them, and talked about testimonies.  Here's pondering Pete. 

 The next morning we returned to Jenny Lake and took the ferry across (and of course we had neither the camera nor Paul's phone for it). The kids all earned their Junior Ranger badges while we were there.

It was great to have our own little adventure before meeting up with the rest of my family. More on that to come.