Yellowstone

Two weeks ago we were in Yellowstone... our first time spending an entire week there. We started the week fishing on the Madison River with our favorite guide. It was the first time Angela was in a boat. She did pretty good. She liked to explore all the equipment and hang her feet over in the water. She liked it when her dad caught fish - which he did quite a bit. She even took a nap on the floor. There was a perfect spot for her in the back and she just layed down and went to sleep. We stopped a couple times and let her play and for lunch. All in all, it could have been worse with a 2-year old on the boat. Next time, I need to remember that fishing is not enough activity for a youngster.

We stayed at a hotel that had a great slide. Angela has spent some time in pools, but not enough to know what to do when she goes under water. But she kept wanting to go down the slide. So mom carried her up the steps and to the top, she still wanted to go down. So we had a quick lesson. Mom practiced plugging her nose while she closed her eyes, and down the slide we went. We did it two times and she loved it.

On another day we hiked to Cascade Lake. We got caught in a little rain for about 1 hour, but that gave us some resting time under some pines to eat our lunch. We played around the lake and then hiked out. It's a pretty easy hike through a meadow and some pines. Angela took it in the backpack where she enjoyed her nap.

on the boat

hello fishy

lunch by the river

nap time

Dancin' Queen

Angela loves music. A few weekends ago the UT symphony was playing at Deer Valley. We thought it was just going to be the symphony playing ABBA tunes but there was actually a cover group that sang the songs. The original guitarist, keyboardist and saxophonist from the group were also there. We had so much fun!! The half-hour before the concert started it poured rain. We tried to wait it out but decided it wasn't worth it so we went and got our place on the hill and ate our picnic dinner. We weren't prepared for rain so we did the best we could. A few minutes before the concert started the sun came out and we had a chance to dry out.

When the music started Angela put down here dinner, held our hands and got up and started dancing. She did not stop the entire night. We weren't sure how she would be, but she loved it. We went with some family so there were also some cousins there and that made it even more fun. We cannot keep her still when there is music going.





Click play to see her dance.

Unpacking

Blake spent Friday and Saturday morning at a rainy scout camp at Camp Steiner. He had fun, but Angela probably had more fun helping him unpack.

Whew! hard work..


getting the cooler dry





Just chillin'

Pioneer Day

This past Friday was Pioneer day, which doesn't seem like a holiday anymore, Lorena had to work and Blake had to use a vacation day to go to scout camp. We had a few moments outside, but that is it because it is soooo hot!! Angela loves the dogs and they love her. They are so kind and gentle with her. That evening Lorena and Angela went with Marci and her family to Grandma Great's house. We took up Cafe Rio and had dinner on her patio. We had a lovely visit watching the sun go down. The plan was to stay and watch fireworks but everyone was just tired so we didn't get to do that part. Angela had a great time playing with Micah and Jarin. She really loves them and asks for them all the time. They always have so much fun together.

With Jake

Jake and Osa

Playing on Grandma Great's patio

Zions Ntl Park

In the first week of July we went to Zions National Park to celebrate Lorena's parents 50th wedding anniversary, and a family reunion. It was so fun to see everyone. We did some amazing hikes and Angela had a blast playing with her cousins and seeing the park in the backpack. We hiked Weeping Rock, where she cried every time water would drip on her; we also hiked the Emerald Pools, but only reached the lower amd middle pools, and the Narrows, where she had fun playing in the river. Then it was back to the lodge and playing on the grass and eating ice cream. Getting her settled down every night was a challenge, she would get extremely tired but still wanted to keep playing. We had a great time.


Weeping Rock

Mid Pools


the Narrows


finally... asleep

Beautiful Dress

Today Angela got to wear a most beautiful dress. Kiersten brought it home for her from China. She looks amazing in it. Thank you Kiersten!

Events

This past week was full of wonderful events. It was Angela's birthday. It seems it was a week of birthday. Every day she had something related to that wonderful day. Then we got to welcome home Kiersten from China, she was there for 5 months teaching English.

Then we had a party to welcome home Kiersten, wish Angela a happy birthday, and wish all the dads a Happy Father's Day. Before Kiersten left her and Angela were close friends. Angela is starting to remember all that.