Yellowstone

The boys on their favorite rock wall at Canyon

Andrew and Britni

As good as our family pictures get these days

We finally made it up to Yellowstone last weekend. We love it so much and try to get up a few times each year but haven't had the time until now. We took the kids and Andrew and Britni this time. It was so green and pretty but there weren't too many animals out. We ate lunch up at Mammoth and the kids had a blast chasing all the ground squirrels into their holes and feeding them string cheese (don't tell). Allie kept calling them "cheek cheeks" cuz I guess she thinks they look like baby chickens... it was so funny. After Mammoth we headed down to Canyon. We were hoping to see some Big Horn Sheep but it had been raining so there weren't any out. We were kind of bummed but then about 10 minutes farther down the road we hit a traffic jam. Up on top of the hill was a grizzly sow and two cubs. We only saw them for a second but it was so neat. The cubs were so little and running all around. It made the trip worth it. A few minutes later we ran into another jam of cars but couldn't see what was going on. Andrew hopped out to check it out. As soon as he crossed the road he turned around and gave us a crazy look. We all hopped out and grabbed the kids and crossed the street. Down the bank on the other side about 20-30 yards away was a huge grizzly. It was crazy. After we got home Eli brought up a good point that if we had been hiking or camping and saw a bear that close we'd croak but then you go to Yellowstone and run right for it to get a picture....we're as dumb as the tourists. It was awesome though and I figure as long as you can outrun the people next to you you're safe, right? Only kidding...we had a ton of fun and can't wait to get back again. The kids keep wanting to stay overnight up there so we'll see what the summer brings.

Some Elk at Canyon...I know, all you hunters wish you had a gun and wish you could use it. They were amazing.

It seriously was this close....

The sow and her cubs. Right after we got there, they went over the ridge.

Tower Fall....we had never seen it before but it was so pretty.