The Grand H's Come to Town!

We just wrapped up a lovely visit with Dad, Mary Ellen, and Daniel.  After hitting up Yellowstone for a couple of days, Dad and M.E. joined us in Pinedale for a week.  Daniel managed to sneak away from school to join us for the last few days of the visit. We squeezed a lot of fun into a busy week.  Besides doing our part to support the local Pinedale economy (shopping and eating), we played at the park, played at home, enjoyed the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, celebrated the 4th in Jackson, soaked up sun on the beach, and hiked.  It was a great, relaxing visit.  I think everyone really enjoyed the time together.  I know Isaac was in HEAVEN having his grandparents and Uncle Dan here to spoil him.  He had so much fun playing with them!!

Thanks for making the long trip out and for a wonderful week!!

Stories with Grandma-Me

Gramps

Swinging--Isaac's favorite park past-time

He insisted on pushing

What do you know--swinging again

He was really into sporting his cap and boots for Gramps and Grandma-Me (appropriate since both were gifts from them)

Playing cars with Grandma-Me

"Aaahh"

"Crash!"

Cars with Grandma-Me from Julie Anderson on Vimeo.

(Isaac refuses to say "one" when he counts.)

Grandma-Me made play dough for Isaac, and then there was a lot of play dough action, like two-hour sittings kind of action.

Rolling dough with Gramps

Serious concentration

Play Dough King from Julie Anderson on Vimeo.

On the 4th, we headed to Jackson to pick up Daniel and to enjoy the holiday in the big city.  Matt, Daniel, and I even got to stay in Jackson that night for the free (Old Crow Medicine Show!!) concert while the grandparents took Isaac back home.  That was sweet for us, and they got to watch fireworks out the window with Isaac.  Win win.  

Isaac loved the 4th of July festivities in Teton Village which included playing in the water and dancing to live music.

Water boy

Water Fun from Julie Anderson on Vimeo.

Notice how Isaac so bravely skirts the edge of water.

Getting his groove on

Splash Dance from Julie Anderson on Vimeo.

At the beach, digging with Uncle Dan

Lovely Mary Ellen

Last dinner out

The H's Come to Town!

In late June, the Hethcoxes (Josh, Amy, Nathan, and Lauren) came to visit!  We were thrilled they were willing to make the long trek out to Wyoming.  Isaac loved having quality play time with his cousins and Aunt and Uncle.  Before heading to Pinedale, the H's made a quick trip to Yellowstone and checked out the Tetons a bit.  Then we had a great time hanging out together and showing them our little town.  The week's activities included lots of basketball (for the boys), intense Monopoly and dice games, playing at the PAC (swimming, climbing and more basketball), beach fun, and hiking.  I did a terrible job documenting their time here.  I really only pulled out the camera for the hike. 

Thanks so much for coming out!!! We loved having you.

on the trail

At Sacred Rim--our most frequented hike

Wind River Range

Mr. Nathan

Josh and Amy

love playing in the dirt

bath time silliness

Lauren with Duhgus

Yellowstone

In mid June we ventured to Yellowstone and met up with the Card family, our Hood River friends who moved to Bozeman, MT about the time we left for Pinedale.  Together we camped for three nights in Canyon Campground and explored some of the park.  This was Matt's first visit to the park.  I visited it with my family when I was in high school.  Some parts of the park seemed familiar, but there was a lot I did not remember.  It was fun to see it again and this time with my boys.  For this trip, we focused our efforts on a small part of the park because we know we will make many return trips.  Plus, doing anything with a 2-year-old means moving in slow gear (and that's not to mention what happens when the whole group includes not just one but three toddlers).  We had a great trip and can't wait to see more of the area.

The first day was COLD.  We had to bundle up in any and all winter gear we had.

The following pictures include a variety of hot springs and geysers around Old Faithful.  (Click on any picture to view them all larger)

Morning Glory Pool

Old Faithful just before eruption

Old Faithful erupting

Old Faithful

aah, nothing like June camping

On day 2, we explored the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.  It's beautiful!

Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River

hikers in training

Lower Falls

view of Canyon and Lower Falls from Artist Point

this is probably the most natural, best smiling picture of me and Matt EVER, and then there's Isaac

Nate, Jennie, Everett, and Gavin

Gavin rocks

the whole crew

going down Uncle Tom's Trail (300+ steps) into the Canyon

Lower Falls

lugging the baby back out of the Canyon

S'mores yumminess

we saw a ton of bison, including babies

they are HUGE

And that's all this time around.