Grand Teton and Yellowstone

I grew up going on family vacations to Island Park, Idaho.  My grandpa "built" a "cabin" in the early 70's.  (I put those in quotations because the cabin is in fact a single wide trailer with a metal roof over it.)  We went there because when my parents didn't have a lot of money, they always knew they could go on vacation to Island Park for free- all it took was the gas to get there.

My favorite memories are chuck full of pine trees and geysers, so it's no wonder that I always long to take my children there every summer.  I hope that we will share some of the same great memories.

I'm excited to say that my parents are building a cabin of their own!  Construction will get under way in the middle of September.  There are many long drives to pound nails in our future, but we look forward to the work because we know the reward will be sweet.  Now my kids will get to enjoy Island Park for years to come- just like I have.

This year we vacationed with our best friends the Perkins.  They had never been, so we loved taking them to see some of our favorite places.  We rode the fairy across Jenny Lake and hiked back, saw Old Faithful and Yellowstone Falls, watched 3 wolves stalk a bison across Hayden Valley, and floated Big Springs in kayaks and my Grandpa's raft.  It was a busy and wonderful 5 days.  I miss it already!

First stop was Jackson Hole for shopping, Grand Teton viewing, fairying and hiking.  Favorite quote of course came from Annie, "Mom!  There is going to be a fairy on our boat!"

Day 2 we went to church and then floated Big Springs.  We were exhausted from our marathon day the day before and apparently I only took one picture.  Annie had fallen asleep under a little end table, but opened her eyes just as I took the shot.  We were all tired enough to sleep under a table that day...

Day 3 we shopped at West and then made it to Yellowstone!  Will wanted nothing more than to show Grace the Dragon's Mouth, so we made it to the Mud Volcano area, but not before Paigey got to experience her first Old Faithful, and we got to follow the wolves through Dallas' spotting scope.  We also snuck by Firehole Falls where I took my favorite picture of the trip of Dallas and Annie.

Day 4 we spent some time at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West.  It's incredible to see these animals up close.  We then went back into the park hoping to catch some more animals.  We didn't see any bears, but we did see some bison and huge bull elk up close.  Norris Geyser Basin and Yellowstone Falls was the grand finale.

Day 5 was cleanup and travel home.  It's noteworthy to add that Perfect Paige did indeed live up to her name- in the 6 hour drive she didn't cry at all until we were less than 5 minutes from home. 

Teagan Blake Steele

Our last family addition came yesterday!  Teagan Blake Steele was born July 16th at 3:08 AM.  He was 7 lbs 2 oz and 21 inches.  He has lots of dark hair and is one of the cutest and sweetest bundles you could ever lay eyes on.  We are so happy for Liesel and Jordan.

In under 30 days we've welcomed 4 new people to our family- 3 nephews and one niece.  Add these sweet babies to our Paige, and we are feeling unbelievably blessed this year.  All babies and moms were healthy with virtually no complications.  Miracle after miracle came our way.  Our Heavenly Father has given us all so much.  I am so thankful.

Beau Blaine Wilson

We got a new cousin!  Clay and Leslee welcomed Beau Blaine Wilson on Sunday, June 30th.  He was 8 lbs 2 oz, 20.5 inches.  So far Beau looks a lot like Clay- such a handsome little man. We went down as soon as we could and got to snuggle little Beau when he was just over a week old.  It's astounding how quickly these babies grow!

Festive Fourth

We spent our Independence Day just like we do every year- a vacation to Star Valley.  After being tortured with 100+ degree days with no air conditioning, we welcomed the 80* high for the weekend.  We filled our days with badminton in the dark, parades, fireworks, hikes to Intermittent Springs, ATV rides up Wiki-Up and Smith's Fork, pedicures, manicures, s'mores, fires, tricks on the tramp, and food, food, food.  We love our summer home!  And now for the picture onslaught...

3 Months!

Nicknames:  Paigey, Paigeagowski, Paige-a-roo, Padge

Skills:  Graduated from bubble blower to drooler, giggles, coos, eating clothes, sucking vigorously on fingers, and sleeping in until 9 AM.

New Adventures:  Sleepover at the Hansen's and Grammy's, first vacation to Star Valley, WY, first holiday- the 4th of July!, and first time in a swimming pool.

Paige is still the sweetest of sweet baby girls.  I do my best to never put her down if I can get away with it.  Spoiled?  Probably, but I think she deserves it.

The things she says...

We were playing the game "Creationary" as a family (imagine "Pictionary", only it's played with Legos) and it was Annie's turn.  We were having a very difficult time guessing what her creation was, so we asked if we could have a hint.

"I'm not giving you a hint.  Anyway, I don't even know what a 'hint' is."
_____________________________________________________________________________________

I was trying to get Annie to finish her breakfast- a Yogurt parfait- and she replies with, "But, Mom!  It has sooo many calories."

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Annie:  Mom, does everyone have bum cheeks?
Me:  Yes.
Annie:  Does Dad have bum cheeks?
Me: Yes.
Annie:  Are Dad's bum cheeks hairy?
Me:  No!  Why?
Annie:  Well, he has hairy arms.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

In this case, it was just something she did...

At church on Easter Sunday Dallas was talking to our neighbor Jake Perkins.  Annie walked up behind him and swiftly smacked him in the bottom!  If that wasn't bad enough, my friend Katie Cummings' sister was visiting our ward, and after making friends with her during Sacrament Meeting, Annie walked up behind her and pinched her bottom!

Needless to say, we had a big talk about this and how it is, in fact, a problem.

____________________________________________________________________________________

When Paige was first born the kids were holding her and cooing about how cute she was...

Will:  She smells funny.  She kind of smells like pee.
Dallas:  No she doesn't!  She just smells like the inside of Mom's belly.  She doesn't stink.
Annie:  Yeah!  She smells like pee!  She smells like a ferret!!!

Later that evening they came back for another visit post baby bath...

Annie:  She just smells like a regular baby now.

___________________________________________________________________________________

"Mom, did you know aliens eat your eyeballs?  They suck them out, put them in a blender and then drink them!"

Now that is something that I find terrifying.