Bison Birthday!!

No Girls Allowed!  The all boys trip to Yellowstone (Sheshy, Mit, Jeffrey, L, and Luke) has been the highlight of Luke's summer!  This trip had been in the works for close to a year and when it arrived the excitement was palpable!  My dad used to take my brother and my cousin to Yellowstone what seemed like every other year growing up and they have hundreds of stories and memories that they all share of those special trips.  Now a new generation is taking part in this amazing tradition full of wandering and wondering.  Truly priceless.  And we are so thankful to Sheshy for suggesting this, for planning this, for making this happen.  Our 7 year old is full of appreciation, amazement, and respect for the geologic wonders of "out west"!   Such a cool experience made infinitely better by being with family!

There are literally HUNDREDS of pictures...seriously!  Luke was given a camera to take his own pictures and that is mostly what you will be seeing here.  I loved this idea because I am always impressed and interested in what he deems picture-worthy.  Through the eyes of a child...a necessary thing.  Get ready for the picture craze! (I didn't want this to be overwhelming so I reduced the number by A LOT.  We have lots more amazing pictures that the boys would be happy to share).

AND.....Luke got to spend his 7th birthday at Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park.  Can you say lucky?!?!

AND AND.....nothing loads in order and instead of fighting with my computer for hours on end you can just look at the pretty pictures and know that their six days were spent in this beautiful scenery!!

Perspective

 Jeffrey at his finest!  Apparently the boys were STELLAR little fliers and were rewarded with ice cream for their expert traveling skills!

The Great Salt Lake, Utah.  Everyone got in.  

L said that Sheshy refused to sit in the front seat.  He spent 6 days in between his 8 year old and 7 year old grandsons.  L was surprised he didn't switch seats but I'm not.  I am pretty sure there is no where else he would rather be!

The Grand Tetons

Look at that handsome explorer!  Love him!

They made it and spent their lunchtime overlooking Jenny Lake.  

 The hot spring colors are truly amazing and a biological wonder!

 Old Faithful

I think one of Luke's favorite parts about the whole experience was the wildlife.  Our animal loving kid was in awe and amazed by these huge creatures.  I believe the wildlife list included:  bison, elk, mule deer, chipmunks, grizzle bears, black bears, coyote, bald eagle,  and a woodchuck.

 Beautiful

 Bacteria at its finest!

 Luke said he has no idea who these legs belong to but he got sight of a not at all faithful geyser erupting so he snapped a photo!  Ha! The Beehive geyser.

 Elk

 Always yield to the bison!

 Always some of the favorite photo finds...a selfie!  Ha!!

 I simply love the simplicity of this photo

 I have similar photos of this arch from when I was a kid.

 The Tetons (remember what I said about not loading in order...ugh!)

 Inspiration Point in the Tetons

Paintpots/Mudpots - these are a favorite!

Precarious hiking on the side of a mountain...a rare instance when I am glad I wasn't there.  

Luke, age 7:  "Mommy, there were hot springs that were a color blue that I have never seen before."  That comment right there is the reason we travel. :-)

Amazing

L took this picture after he suggested that the boys get "a different perspective".  Great idea!

The colors - natural, beautiful, breathtaking

Freshwater river play - little boy heaven!

Sheshy - I hope Luke knows how very lucky he is!

My boys

Gorgeous

I believe this picture is approaching the base of the Uncle Tom's Trail hike.  It starts at the ridge and takes you down 328 steps to arrive at the top of the falls.  Easy down....not so easy up.  L and I did this hike 10 years ago and it wasn't a breeze then.  Two kids, two middle age-ish men, and the Shesh. They all made it down 328 steps and back up 328 steps - a roughly 500 vertical feet climb.  Boom!

Such a cool thing....to straddle the continental divide!

 I can only imagine the topics discussed on this awesome adventure.  Cousin memories!

Mammoth Hot Springs

A surreal place

Lady Elk, just hanging out, 10 yards from the visitor center steps.  No big deal.

 This is why people flock out west.  So pretty!

 Wide Open Spaces

A stop at some massive sand dunes on the way home

Basalt

 The Birthday Boy!

 Snacktime in paradise!

Luke turned 7 on June 20th...he spent his morning at Mammoth Hot Springs, was within spitting distance of elk,  got to take a pit stop to throw snowballs with his cousin, and dined on a bison burger!  It could not have a been better day!

We are thankful each and every day to be able to give Luke these opportunities and experiences.  We are beyond grateful for the families we have and the love they have for Luke and us.  Thank you!  

Luke at 7 years old is forever curious, smart, funny, and thoughtful.  He is brave and creative.  He continues to be a Lego fanatic, an animal lover, and an explorer through and through.  He loves to be outside and he loves his friends. He thinks his Daddy is the greatest human being on the planet and he frequently calls me "weird - in a good way." Love!  L and I love him more than we love anything and he makes us proud each and every day!  Happy Birthday, Luke!  We love you infinity!