Yellowstone & Montana 2012

July seemed to fly by for our family which is why I seemed to run out of time when it came to blogging.  But I am going to try and give a quick blog to my favorite part of the month: our family trip to Montana.

Ryan and I hadn't been back to Billings, MT (his home town) for about 6 years and so we made it a priority to get up there this summer.  Although we have made our home here in Utah, I know Ryan misses Billings.  He has so many wonderful memories from there and such wonderful friends.  And of course, his parents and Grandpa still live there as well.  (I have tried to convince Scott and Linda to move to Utah but it has not worked so far.)

We spent almost the whole first 2 days in Yellowstone Park.  If you have not been to Yellowstone I am going to tell you now- GO!  GO NOW!  It is the most incredible place and it was awe-inspiring.  I loved it and even better my kids had an amazing time too.  I loved Yellowstone so much that I am already trying to work it so that we go again next summer.

Even more amazing was the time that we got to spend in Billings.  It was wonderful to spend so much time with some of the most important people in Ryan's life.  Ryan's parents helped to shape Ryan into the person that he is and it means so much to me the my kids spend as much time with them as possible.  My parents live so close that they see the kids all the time and I am grateful for that.  But I want Ryan's parents to get as much time with them as they can.

Of course, not all of our moments were golden.  From Gabe & Scott getting stung by wasps that were living in a plastic owl to Gabe flooding Linda's master bathroom causing water to run into the basement.  Or maybe my least favorite moment when Gabe almost started the garage door opener on fire.  Luckily Scott and Linda were understanding of Gabezilla and didn't make us sleep in the backyard...with the wasps.

We also got to spend time with Ryan's grandpa Willard who is really a special person.  He is kind and sincere.  He has the most amazing stories and I could sit and listen to him for hours.  He is a very genuine person and I am so grateful that Gabe finally got to meet his Great Grandpa Willard.

This is my favorite picture from our trip.  Linda took this at an old tree near the Fountain Paint Pots in Yellowstone and I think it is amazing!

 Who knew the Grand Canyon was actually located in Yellowstone Park?

 Love of my life who I was so happy to spend some quality time with.

 Scott, Linda, and the kiddos!

 Playing in the river and seeing who could find the bigger rock to throw. (Sera won but don't tell Gabe!)

All of us together for a family picture.  And yes I realize that I am freakishly tall.

Here are only a few of the pictures that I took during our vacation.  It would take me hours to load every picture that I have.  I look forward to our next visit to Billings-I will make sure that it will not take another 6 years.  Thank you again to all of Ryan's family that welcomed us.  Much love to you all and see you again soon!