The day after the girls dance we left for our vacation. We started in Yellowstone then Grand Tetons and spent a day in Jackson Hole. It was so much fun. Ryan got to see parts of Yellowstone that he didn't remember seeing. It is hard to believe that when a kid has spent at least every other year at a place he still didn't see it all. It was fun for the kids to see the animals. I am not much of a zoo fan and it smells much better in there natural habitat. Irelee was very happy because we were able to get another old fashion family photo taken. Danica talked up a storm and was saying many new words. Derek figured out it was fun to pee by the side of the road and Ryan and I laughed when I pointed out that the door to the Yukon was not low enough to hide his actions. Jenna and charlie seemed to bond like never before. It was nice to see them play together and make believe.
It is always nice when someone is willing to take your picture so you can truly see who was there.
The weather was nice not to hot a few days were a little cold. We went on a few hikes. The kids were troopers.
We saw lots of wild animals. Buffalo were all over the place.
We saw a few deer.
Ryan happened to notice this rabbit when he was taking a picture of the kids. I guess he just wanted to be photographed to.
This was one of six bears we saw. They were all Grizzly and all different colors. We saw a blond, a cinnamon, a black, a gray and brown. Ryan was so excited to see a bear and be able to share it with his kids. As kids neither Ryan nor I ever saw bear in Yellowstone. Three were in Yellowstone and three were in Grand Teton.
We saw many herd of Elk. Most of them were bachelor herds.
These were the wildest animals around and we never lost sight of them.
Don't let them fool you they may look tame but they can turn wild any moment.
See what I mean. They will stop at nothing even just to get a block of cement out of the ground. All in all it was fun and well worth it. We enjoyed it so much we're going back (in about five years.)
Derek was able to do itty bitty football and he loved it. It was so cute to be in a room with a hundred little boys all 3-4 years old. Derek constantly had a smile on his face.
Derek throw and kicks as a lefty. I was not fully aware that he was left handed until he started playing and his coach noticed he preferred his left over his right. He eats with his right hand but as a baby he would switch back and forth. He has been trying to learn how to right his name and maybe with this new knowledge it will become easier for him.
Charlie loves dance. Her teacher has told me that even though she is one of the youngest in her group she is one of the leaders. Charlie tells me over and over that she is never going to quit dance.
She has already mastered the splits. I have no idea where she gets here flexibility from, we probably have to credit her Grandma for that.
Jenna was able to start volleyball this year and with her big sisters help, and some unknown natural talent, she has really done well.
She rarely misses on her serves and has helped the team by returning the other teams serve several times. Her team has won the majority of their games. My pictures didn't turn out so great but, hopefully you get the idea.
This is Irelee's third year of volleyball. Last year Irelee got her serve over the net twice in the whole season. This year she has averaged two serves each time she is up. Her coach was great both Ryan and I have been very impressed with him. Irelee's skills and confidence were both improved at least a hundred percent.
Irelee also helps her team score on the other teams serves. She has improved her game ten fold and it has been a joy to watch her whether her team wins or loses but their wins have been more common.
We are winding down on all of the activities now but it has been fun. I am excited to see what next year brings but it will be nice to have a small break especially with all of the holidays coming up.
