2 1/2 hours into our drive, we stopped to get food and some gas. Re-energize for the remaining 3 hours we had left. We were placed in a booth by the window. For those who don't know, I was raised LDS. It is also know that Utah is completely different than all the other states. Some people in the church can be hypocritical (please done be offended). We ordered our food and past our window walked 2 gentlemen and 2 women dressed in full Sunday gear, It was a Sunday after all. Me, being the smart a, commented how they go to church and go out to eat afterwards. Trying to make a point that they don't hide anything and are not looked down on for attending church services then going out to eat. In Utah, you would get heck over that one. I KNOW these people were lds. I laughed thinking at how unbelievably different just one state was. Even A laughed too. Our discussion continued, lunch was served, our billed was paid and out the door we went. My mom then turned to us and said "did you see Elder L Tom Perry? he walked pasted your window." I leaned over to my sister and said "I'm going to hell..."
Friday:
Thursday was a late night for us. we learned our lesson. We got up early Friday morning, ate breakfast and got out the door as soon as possible. Today was the day that we headed up towards old faithful. I have to be honest and say that I prefer the mammoth side with the water falls than the pools. The pools weren't horrible, I just liked the waterfall side of Yellowstone better. Lucky for us the first stop was this amazing little detour turn off. It was so cool to be 50 feet above this rushing water. At one point near the top of the detour there is this parking lot, that has a trail down to the water with people jumping in the only calm spot of the river. Some in their underwear. Lucky for everyone down there, we didn't stop, so they didn't have to see my whiteness in all of its glory. My mom told us to make sure we went to the 'morning glory' pools because they were the best. Did you know that they no longer exist?? someone thought it would be brilliant to thrown things into the pool destroying them. there are signs everywhere warning to NOT do that. It is crazy to think that something so small like that can destroy something so big. I would tell you about each pool that we visited but that would get boring so here are some pictures:
 |
| Friday was our coolest day. A mere 72 degrees. It was perfect. we had a slight breeze, that would cause a chill. Hence the jackets. |
We had 2 stops left, one was on the way back down the parkway. We were at this particular stop when I finally got reception on my phone. We had a hot line number to call to find out when old faithful was due to go off. We had 20 minutes to drive there, find a spot and get over to old. Impossible, but we didn't want to wait another 1 1/2 hours for old to erupt so we pushed. We got there, found front row parking and headed back to the back side of the visitors center. We had front row seating. It was our lucky day. Withing minutes of getting there people started crowding in waiting patiently for old. She did not disappoint, she erupted, even early. It was perfect timing.
 |
| she was just finishing up her eruption. At least we got a picture with part of her :) |
 |
| not quite at her full potential yet |
It was almost dinner time when finished up with old. We had one more pool to hit on the way home. They are really stinky and at that point weren't really interesting in seeing another gurgling blue pool. But hey, we at lead drove by it! We headed home for the night, made dinner and kicked back to some games. I even tried to make some head bands with the kids that were on pintrest. complete fail too! but at least we had fun doing it in the process. We cleaned up and got the kids ready for bed and they adults play card games. but not before the kids attacked me with stickers (cheap entertainment).
Saturday:
Saturday was the day we all came up for. It was my dad's reunion. I was expecting people to start showing up at 11 maybe noon. Nope. Bright and early just before 8 they started showing up. It didn't leave much time to get things going. We played a few board games and then some of us headed inside to get our lunch going. We really had a good time talking and catching up. Seeing people that I haven't seen in years. many many years. This year it was small but we still had a good time. and who wouldn't in 80 degree shady pine trees???
after lunch we had our annual auction. The gifts are wrapped with descriptions (kid, girl, boy, adult, teen etc.) This is how we raise our money for the following year. It help pays for the food and other misc things that we may need for the reunion.
 |
| we put some ice in to the coolers for drinks and was getting ready to fill them up with water, but B had to get to the first. She was chowing down on the ice. I love this girl! I cannot get enough of her. |
 |
| The kids were so in love with this dog. Poor dog, did not have a moment to himself! |
 |
| This is my dad's only sister. She has been a huge example to me in my life. She hates the camera but she would take a picture just with me and only me. I love her to pieces. I don't know what i would do without her. |
After the auction we took the kids between the two cabins to go a candy launch. I had seen one of these candy launchers and Bryce built me one. I think this was the best thing we did the entire week. We had the kids first, and half way through we had some more kids show up so we did another one. They went crazy!
I told them to show me what they got. They were all to eager!
Even the adults got into it!
My dad's family is getting older and older. By 3 we were done and everyone packed up to go home. I have to say at this point I was getting sad that within 24 hours we were going to be nearly home. I didn't want to leave. The evening though was far from over. It was time to head back down to the river to go tubing again. and again. and again. and again - times 5.
 |
| Crammed in my parents armada with 2 rafts and 8 tubes :) |
 |
| My brother came up. We didn't think he was coming and showed up at the last minute. This is S. She is the newest member of our family. She LOVED the water |
 |
| A and S. A yelled "Sami, take a picture of me!" She is such a cheeser. |
 |
| K and A with E and P in the back ground |
 |
| E had more fun 'bum sliding' down the river then going in a tube. |
 |
| K was warned to not get G wet. He did it anyways, and ended in the water |
 |
| A #2 would not turn around if her life depended on it. This was about as good of a picture as I was going to get. |
 |
| Bryce and G |
 |
| G teaching A how to fish, without a pole.... or a net. |
 |
| There is one of me! In all my whiteness glory!!!!!!!! |
 |
| A showing me her fish she caught |
We ran down the river as many times as we could. By 830 the sun was near down and we were all getting cold, so we headed over to macks inn lodge just across the parking lot to get ice cream. Ice cream before dinner no less. We headed back to the house, ate dinner, got the kids in the bath and started to pack up. We failed miserably on that part. Sunday morning we had to be out of the cabins by 11. We were up bright and early to pack up both cabins and clean them (it was minimal because they have cleaners but we still had to do a few things). We checked the cabins again to make sure nothing was left behind, and then rechecked them again. 10:45, we pulled out. I cried. I cried because it was just THAT great. I cried because I have to leave behind a place that I love. I cried because I don't know if I will get to see some of my family again. It was an awesome vacation that cannot be replaced. We pulled out of the dirt road, onto the neighborhood road, drove a mile down to the main road and 2 miles later Bryce said "see you next year."
I smiled.
