"I think I'll stay here for the rest of my life," has been the theme song for our kids this week. As the week draws to a close we are busy trying to fit in every bit of fun and bonding we can with our Minnesota counterparts. Yesterday, after completing their Junior Ranger work *note to National Park system, those worksheets felt a lot like homework* everyone got their Junior Ranger badges and the promised trip to the gift shop where small stuffed animals were purchased.
The animals are named Bisony, Beary, Wolfy, Elky, Grizzy, Moosey and Horny. Yes, Child #1 decided to christen her moose Horny because, duh, he has horns. The animals immediately became friends who stampede a lot and talk to each other in high-pitched baby talk causing Mr. Minnesota to threaten to leave early.
We hit all the major hot spots yesterday. The hot, boiling, bubbly spots technically called geothermal features. The good news is nobody fell in and nothing was dropped off the path. Lesson learned for the day, don't yell out, "Sista' wives time for a group shot," unless you want a lot of strange looks from a bus full of tourists.
We ate dinner at the historic Yellowstone lodge where a darling girl from Texas painted a picture of the freewheeling and idyllic post-college existence. "I'm here for the summer," she said, "And then I'm taking a few months in Thailand." We all sighed. The idea holds a lot of romance when your dining companions can't stay in their chairs and regularly spill beverages. We tipped generously because we're all with her in spirit, if not in fact.
Tomorrow is the culmination to our love fest. It's been amazing. We don't want to leave. On the other side of our happy family Von Trapp awaits the collective obligations of work, school, homework, piano, hockey, soccer, cheerleading, choir, ballet, girl scouts, tennis and Spanish. We'll make it through, but a little part of each of us wishes we could all live together on a giant compound right outside the North entrance to Yellowstone.
Daily Statistics
Buffalo spotted: Seven
Bathroom breaks: Constantly, like our kids are suffering from a collective UTI
Bloody noses: Four
Time in car: Too much
Antelopes: Herds and herds, almost like pests on people's lawns.
Number of children sleeping in their assigned beds: Zero
Miles between Oregon and Minnesota: Three thousand
7 comments:
I've never been to Yellowstone, but your posts have inspired me to make it a family destination!
What a fabulous trip!!! (love the pink cowboy hat!!)
I love your vacation blogs, even if they make me jealous. You have a way with words.
I think I'll be almost as sorry as you when your holiday ends. These posts have been so much fun, thank you :-)
I went to Yellowstone when I was a kid. Your post makes me want to go back!
wow, this looks like such a fun trip!!
lol about not yelling 'Sista' wives time for a group shot'. I can imagine the looks you get from saying that!
Arent they cute when they lose their little teeth like that?
Looks like a fantastic time! Great pics! Thanks for sharing:)
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