We were able to take our annual trip to Yellowstone a couple weekends ago and we couldn't have been more pleased. We left Sunday after Braden's cousins farewell and made it to West Yellowstone just before dark. So after checking in at the 'Three Bears Lodge,' we drove in the park for a few minutes but didn't find anything too exciting.
The next morning we ate breakfast and headed out. Not too long after entering the park, Braden spotted this little guy! If you can't tell, it is a river otter. He pretty much swam right up to us, until he saw us and turned around.
Then of course we had to stop for pictures with the steam in the background....
Todd and Mary
Braden and Me
Then we drove over to Old Faithful, enjoyed a fantastic lunch at Geyser Grill and watched Old Faithful go off. Of course meanwhile, and throughout the whole trip I was singing my Yellowstone songs! They are always much appreciated by everyone else in the group,especially Colton! Unfortunately, I hadn't ordered the CD version of it yet and forgot the tape so I just had to improvise with what parts I could remember.
Third Year in a row!!!
Ok so actually this is only mine and Braden's second year in a row seeing a bear. The first year we went a week after the rest and missed out on the bear sighting so the last two times we decided Colton must be good luck!
But we were able to see this bear from about 400 or so yards away. He had a kill that he would nibble on in the river every once in a while so we sat and watched him until we got our fill.
A little ways down the road was another group of people pulled off, that's how we roll, everytime someone is pulled off you have to figure out what they are looking at, you never know it could be something really cool, or something really lame. You also have to talk to others to find out what and where they have seen.
Anyways, they happened to be looking at another bear, however, the only way to really see it very good was to look at it through the nice gentleman's spotting scope that he had set up and was letting people look through. This bear was also hovering a kill and rumors had been going around that their were wolves there that morning so Todd and Braden wanted to wait around a while to see if they showed up for dinner. The same hill side the bear was sitting on also had a heard of big horns and buffalo we watched. While we were waiting these little fellas came closer and closer I think they knew they were the focus of the photo shoot.
The buffalo also got closer and closer, until they were walking right in between cars. But Braden must not be that impressed with them because he didn't photoshop any pictures for me to post of them. I know that they get kind of boring because there are so many of them all over the park, but I think they are one of my favorites! I was sad we didn't see any baby ones this year, the first year we went they were everywhere!!
Braden and Todd found it to be funny when Todd would roll Colton's window down while the buffalo were right next to the van and Colton would jump when he saw them. Todd, however, did Not find it very funny when one of them tried to put his head inside the van because we were bothering him! We just said, "Oh well, at least its not our van!" ;)
Colton also thinks he is cooler than us when he listens to his ipod really loud!
Elk!
We had a very good time and enjoyed the vacation and the company! Even though it was too short! Thanks Todd, Mary and Colton for letting us tag along!
Braden and Me
Ok so actually this is only mine and Braden's second year in a row seeing a bear. The first year we went a week after the rest and missed out on the bear sighting so the last two times we decided Colton must be good luck!
A little ways down the road was another group of people pulled off, that's how we roll, everytime someone is pulled off you have to figure out what they are looking at, you never know it could be something really cool, or something really lame. You also have to talk to others to find out what and where they have seen.
Colton also thinks he is cooler than us when he listens to his ipod really loud!
We had a very good time and enjoyed the vacation and the company! Even though it was too short! Thanks Todd, Mary and Colton for letting us tag along!
Her mama was busy with tax season so me and Jenilyn volunteered to bake a cake and cupcakes. Who knew a 2year old could have so many stipulations. Her cake had to be Chawclate, Purple, Pink, Red and a horse! We decided we'd improvise and use some of the colors on the cupcakes. This is what we ended up with. 
We also played outside!
Eating Cake!
What little girl doesn't want Pony Rides at her party!
Orange Chicken & Rice
And for Dessert, Strawberry Shortcake!
Obviously, since I am not a Chinese fan the dessert was my favorite part. But Braden liked all of it, and it really wasn't too hard to make, so this might be one of our new regulars. Yay! I love finding new dinners!
