Yellowstone July 2012

We headed to Yellowstone for a quick trip over the 4th of July holiday.  Todd had to work Monday so we got a pretty late start.  By the time we reached the Yellowstone entrance all the campgrounds were full so we decided to head back to GTNP and cross our fingers that there were a few spots left!  We found a spot at Lizard Creek just 5 minutes before they filled up--whew!

We got an early start the next day and tried to jam pack as much activity as we could into the day!  We started with the kayaks at Yellowstone Lake and kayaked around the west thumb.  Todd brought his go pro camera which made for some crazy footage.  Unfortunately I forgot to pack the regular camera in the kayak so I didn't get an pics!  We did see a cow elk and calf frolicking on one of the beaches.  The calf was racing up and down the beach and jumping--he looked like he was having a blast!

Well after the lake we headed up through the park and made our way to Trout Lake.  We headed for the inlet where we had heard about the cutthroat spawning. Wow!  I didn't really expect to see so many fish!  We saw easily 100 fish in the short part of the inlet we walked along.  The boys loved it!  It was amazing to see the rough parts of the river that the fish had to climb.  We stayed close to an hour and then decided to head back.  When we were half way around the lake Todd spotted some otters swimming in the middle.  We sat down on the trail and waited to see where they were headed.  They came right up to our bank and played around for a few minutes before they headed to the inlet for some fish!  We walked back around the bank and watched as they caught their dinner!  It was a great afternoon! Here are a few pics from our trip--mostly otters!  I really did a terrible job filming the kids this time!  I only got a few pics of the boys!

 Coleman enjoying the beach at Lizard Creek

 View of Jackson Lake from Lizard Creek

  the Boys spotted this little guy on the way back to camp

 Cutthroat spawning at the inlet at Trout Lake.  It was hard to get a clear shot.  I really want a new camera :)

 Liston watching from the bridge

 First shot of the otters from the water

 Keeping a lookout while they were on the bank

 Here's the female with one of the pups.  This one wasn't able to use his back legs at all--he just dragged them around.

 Getting some love from Mom!

 Here's the male sneaking a peak at his audience!

 Chasing the cutthroat trout

 Got one!

 Dinner!

The pups waiting for a bite

 The male kept sticking his tongue out and rubbing himself on the log!

 Quick drive-by shot of a wolf near Lee Hardy Rapids

Another quick shot of  a bull elk in velvet.

We sure had a great trip---too bad it was so short!  We'll have to head back again soon!

Liston's first Pinewood Derby

Last week Liston participated in his first Pinewood Derby. He even got to lead the flag ceremony. He has also earned his wolf and bobcat badges. Here are some pictures of Liston pinning his mother pins on Mare.
Liston's car is the black one.

Liston earns his Wolf!

Liston has had fun being in Cub Scouts the last few months. Wednesday was the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet and Liston received his Bobcat badge, Wolf badge and a gold and silver compass point! I'm proud of him for all his hard work and it was fun to see him get his badges!

Here he is getting his badges

Feeling a little on the spot!

With Dad.
Next month is pinewood derby. Time to get working on a fast car!

Spudchase xc ski race

Well we're a little late posting on the boys second ever XC ski race.  It wasn't as warm as the year before but still a nice day.  Both kids were 7 minutes faster than they were the year before.  They were at the back of the pack as far as the other kids but they are also the littlest ones.  We were proud to see ho much faster they have gotten.  Deacon tried really hard and was full of sweat afterward.  Liston still leaves a little to be desired as far as his effort goes.  However he has made great improvements on his skiing.  Deacon still likes to just take off and run on his skis.

Liston taking off.

Deacon ready to go.

Coleman hanging out.

Spud Chase was at Teton Springs wich is probably our favorite track with its nice little hills and scenery.

Next year maybe they'll be on skate skis instead of classic skis.

Coleman WINS

The boys have been making beds with blankets in the living room and playing for the last couple of weeks.  Coleman decided he was going to sleep in his for the night.  Mom and dad said NO repeatedly.  And then told him NO some more.  And some more.  And some more.  While we were in the kitchen I went to go check on him downstairs and he was alseep on the bed he made!!  So I left him.

Christmas Nativities

So our computer crashed a few weeks ago---and now I can't find any of our Christmas pics!!!  Great!  But I did find some from a FHE we did in December.  We talked about Jesus and his birth in Bethlehem etc. . .And so for a treat I thought it would be fun to make nativities out of graham crackers.  (Got the idea off  pinterest--love that site!)  The boys had so much fun and I think they did a great job!!!

What blog???

So yeah, I haven't blogged in a while!  I pretty much stopped blogging on all my blogs.  Life just got crazy and I've had a hard time fitting everything in.  But since it's a new year I going to try again!  Expect a new blog by tonight!!!! (I hope!)