Our Trip to Yellowstone

This last week we were able to take a trip to Yellowstone (well I should say that it started out as a fishing trip but I think we will call it a trip to Yellowstone.) Isaac and Mac couldn't remember ever going and Mary had never been so we took a trip through the park and saw the beautiful creations and phenomenons that God has made.

I wonder how all of these springs, geysers, and hot thermal areas were formed and it is amazing that they are still functioning year after year.

We loved the walks, the free facials, and the perfect weather.

I wish I would have been able to take this picture in the bottom right corner about 1 second later because Isaac almost did fall inn at the Old Faithful Inn.

The geysers were phenomenal and the first day that we were there we were walking out past Old Faithful after watching it erupt and we noticed another geyser going off and as we watched it just kept getting bigger and bigger. It was right next to the boardwalk and the wind was blowing and the people below it were getting drenched by the spray. It lasted over 5 minutes and we were amazed how high it was, even higher than Old Faithful. When it was finished we walked by the plaque that talked about it and we found out that the name of the geyser was the Beehive Geyser and that it only went off every 10 hours to 5 days and was the highest geyser in the park. Wow, were we ever fortunate to be there at the right moment. The other funny thing that happened (besides watching the people get drenched,) was that when we got to the boardwalk where it was all wet, there was a little knot hole in the boardwalk where water was puddled and Tydon bent down and started lapping it up like a dog. I think we needed to get him a drink. Is geyser water okay to drink?

While we were driving to Old Faithful I asked Kace if he knew what a geyser was and his answer, "It is hot steam that comes from the earth." I thought that was pretty impressive answer for a kindergarten student. He then was silent for a while and he then asked the question, "Is Old Faithful a religion?" we laughed and thought that was funny but I thought, "this boy is a thinker!"

It is spring and it is time for babies and I think my favorite part was seeing all of the cute little buffalo babies. When we were coming out of the park it was in the afternoon and the babies were in the meadow playing and jumping with each other. Then we got to see them jump in the river and swim across with their little heads just above water, Some of them had just been born and still had the cord attached to their little bellies.

We stayed in West Yellowstone because the plan was for the women to stay there while the men went fishing at Henry's Lake. If you remember the men went last year right after Mac came home from his mission and this year they thought if they stayed in a motel that maybe the women would come too. We thought OK that would be fun and so we all went. (We missed Jessica though because she had to work and of course those who are far away, the Bassetts on the East coast and the Cannons on the West Coast .)

We went fishing the first night and only got one bite and Rachel and I thought that we had brought the bad luck. But the fishing wasn't any good the next morning, the next day, the next afternoon, and the next morning. Needless to say the fishing was lousy and only Mac and Nate caught one. so we turned the fishing trip into a trip to Yellowstone.
I had to put these pictures in so the men wouldn't feel bad because Last Year the fishing was great!!!! Well, maybe next year.....

Jumping through Yellowstone

Happy Birthday Rainee

Well today is Rainee's birthday and because she isn't 29 any more, I won't tell you how old she is. This is an old picture of Nate and Rainee but she reminded me of the Gerber baby when she was little. She has these beautiful blue eyes and has the cutest smile.

She has always been a smart kid and excelled in school in everything, her goals were to become an international business lawyer and she graduated with her Bachelors degree in economics in 3 years. In the meantime she met Doug and he wanted to study law and they thought about having 2 attorneys in the family but then when the boys started coming they decided that one lawyer in the family was enough.

She is a great Mom to 4 very lively cute little boys and she has been running at full speed since becoming a Mom. She loves her little boys and is always making life so fun for them. She is a great cook and has made some pretty spectacular cakes for their birthdays.(Who is going to make your spectacular cake?)

We love Rainee and her enthusiasm for life she is a great example to those around her and we are glad that she decided on becoming a Mom instead of her international career. Have a very Happy Day! and hopefully a little rest on your special day!!!

Singing Sunday

Tydon and Kace came up to visit and we were able to hear Tydon sing "I am a child of God." We also were presented a great rendition of " I am your sunshine" from Kace, he also sang, I think the name is "Rinky Dink". Here they are for your listening pleasure.

Happy Birthday DAD!!

Today is my Dad's birthday believe it or not he is 76 years old! I just want to tell you a little about what a great man he is. He is kind of a quiet fellow but will let you know the important things in life. He is the father of 6 kids, 5 daughters and 1 son. I grew up in the gym with him as he was a coach for many years. He taught school and then retired when he was 45 years old and bought a herd of sheep and never worked harder in his life. He is a great example to us all and we love him dearly. This was a picture of him and Mom walking down our canyon a few weeks ago at the egg hunt. What a great example of a husband he is.

He loves family events and we enjoy his stories and he has always made everything fun for his grandchildren.

I have always loved this picture, we were on a camping trip in Wyoming with all of us and as you can see the babies were not having a great day but look at his face, that's my Dad! By the way the 2 babies are Mac and Colter.

He loves his grandchildren and his grandchildren love him! a ride on the horse was a great treat and I think he has had a horse for almost as long as any of the grandchildren can remember. Caitlin and Morgan are having a ride in this picture.

He loves to fish and hunt and he is usually the winner of the big fish contest and who can't visit grandpa without visiting his fish pond.

I had to put these 2 pictures in because he has always had sheep or helped my Grandpa Marriott with his. To let you know what great shape he is in, he has sheared the sheep that he has at the house until this year. He decided maybe he would hire someone to do it for him this year and even with the help he was still down there bagging all of the wool for the shearer.

Another picture of fish, I think all of us have at least one picture of us with grandpa and fish. Ryan had his picture taken with him this day.

We love to visit Grandpa! Here is Nate, Isaac, Erik, Mel, and Bennett at Grandpa's House.

Remember the pet contest with the Great Pyrenees puppies, of course Caitlin and Karli were the able to show them and win a blue ribbon. I think those two could start a shelter for animals and love every animal they took in.

Here is a picture of him with Carolyn, Donene, and Frank. Isn't he just the most handsome man!

A picture of him in high school, no wonder so many girls had crushes on him.

He is a great athlete, I say is because he not only was a great athlete as a youth but has been for his whole life. He still coached the young men in basketball this year and had a phenomenal season.

Here is the heart breaker again. Dad, Grandpa we love you and you have been such a great part of our lives and every memory we have of you has been so great. You have shared your strong testimony with us and love the Lord, you served your country, you have served your fellowman, served 2 missions and you have served all of us. We can't ask for a better Dad and we want to honor you this day. Happy Birthday DAD! We love you!!

Time for Soccer!

It is that time of year and how fun is it to watch a soccer game. Kace has started back up and just since last year I can see that it is starting to be more than just a "picking dandelions game". It is amazing when the light comes on in little guys and girls minds and how they finally start figuring out how to play the game, (there are still some dandelion pickers but not as many as last year.) Kace loves to play, (I should say he likes to play all kinds of games), and he is fun to watch. Way to go Kace, you would make your soccer playing relatives proud!

Happy Mother's Day!

Here is some pictures with all of us and the one below is of my mom and I in Puerto Rico.

I just wanted to wish my wonderful mother a very happy day. Sometimes I wonder how she ever did it having 6 kids in 7 years. She did a great job in raising us and because of her I am here on this beautiful earth. She is a wonderful person and friend and supports her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in all that we do. I love you Mom and am so glad that you are my Mom here on earth.

A video of the shoe fettish kid

Here is a video of cute Tydon and his shoes!

Shoes for her Birthday

We celebrated Caitlin's birthday on Friday and I kind of have to explain these pictures. Caitlin loves shoes, (she must be related to me!) Her gift from Rachel, Nate, Mac and Jessica was the pair of shoes in the top left hand corner of the above picture. When Tydon saw those brand new heels he was all excited to try them on so he pulled off his shoes and tried walking on the stilts. Pretty soon we couldn't get the shoes off of him so Jessica went and got some of her heels for him to play in. Then Mac had to get his "special shoes" on and it was the night of the "SHOES". It was so funny to watch Tydon's face as he walked around so seriously with his sparkly shoes on.

My baby is 20!!!

Today Caitlin said that being 20 makes her feel old, well how do you think I feel when today my baby turns 20 years old! It has gone by very quickly for me but as I get older everything seems to be going faster. Well Happy Birthday baby girl, you came into this world at only 5lbs. 10 oz. and you stayed in your newborn clothes for a whole year! So I really did enjoy having a baby for a whole year. Rainee and Mel thought you were their baby doll and you grew up with 3 mothers, well now you have 6 because you are the youngest I think everyone will be your mom.

WE are glad that you came into our family and loved having a baby in the house.

You were about 3 1/2 months in this photo and you were still smaller than the baby doll.
This was the day you were blessed and you had a cute little smile on your face, of course the dress was much bigger than you.

The only way I could get you to take a picture was to bring the kitty with us and then you wouldn't let it go or you would cry so we took the photo with the kitty.

This dress was made by Rainee and Sharlene for their senior humanitarian project and they really made it to fit on a doll but it fit you so they had you come to Weber High and model it. You were quite the sight sauntering down the halls, this little midget walked down the hall and the crowds just parted as walked by.

Your first day of school when you entered first grade.

Happy Birthday Caitlin you are 20 years old today!

We love you!!