MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

What a busy and fun weekend. We drove to Island Park to go fishing and camping, went to West Yellowstone to go through the park, and did a little four-wheeling on our new four-wheeler. We set up camp (with a waterproof tarp after our last Memorial Day experience) and took off to go fishing at Henry's Lake. This was the first time in about 10 years that I got my fishing license so I thought I would put it to good use. Mason and Taylor are pretty good little fishermen! Alyssa just liked to help Lance and I fish.


This was our campsite at Island Park. We bought a huge tent this year so we wouldn't be smashed all together and have some room to spread out, but when we woke up in the morning we were all smashed together anyway. We camped by a busy road and that kept us awake all night, especially the ambulance driving by (twice)! Once we finally got to sleep one of the kids would either wake up and be cold, or be sleeping on a rock, or on a hill, or just want to sleep closer to Lance and I. Needless to say we didn't get much sleep.


The boys putting out the fire the way their dad taught them. We didn't camp by any restrooms so I had the opportunity to show Alyssa how to use the "outdoor bathroom". Some things you will never forget teaching!!


We went through Yellowstone Park with some friends, Jeff and Emilee, and their kids. This is us taking a hike around Biscuit Basin, we had to just because of the name!


Waiting for Old Faithful to "blow up" as Alyssa called it. We had some time to spare before it was time for Old Faithful to erupt so we had lunch and the kids went around the parking lot looking at all of the different license plates, they found one from Hawaii.

Abbi, Hannah, Alyssa, Tay, Mace, Conner, and Caleb. They did such a good job hiking and riding in the car!

One of the many Buffalo we saw in Yellowstone Park. There were even three of them running on the road right by us. The kids thought that was the funniest thing ever! I was just glad that they didn't decide to turn and run right into the side of the Tahoe.

We also went fishing at the Ririe Dam. Alyssa and Daddy hanging out on the boat. At first Alyssa was kind of scared that the boat was going to tip over, but she got used to it pretty fast.

Tay and Mace loved being on the boat. They did a lot of fishing this weekend.

When we were driving to Ririe Dam we drove by a cemetery so we took the time to explain to the kids why so many people were there visiting and what Memorial Day was really about. This gave us the chance to tell them a little more about their family history, especially about their grandfather's who fought for our country. Holidays like this are a good time for reflecting about what is really important.

We had such a fun weekend being together as a family. Lance and I were talking and we decided that if everything that we planned went perfect than we wouldn't remember those adventures as much as the rest. When things go wrong, or just not the way you intended, you tend to remember those experiences the most!