some other vacations

So here is a little slide show of 3 amazing trips we took while we were on our big trip in Utah.

SunValley, Idaho. I love it there. Been going to Sun Valley since I was born, worked there for a summer after high school, now Brad and our little family are loving it, too.

We went for a "just girls" trip for the first part of the week.
Always have to take a picture in front of the SunValley lodge with the geese who are so protective and hiss at you. Sweet Chloe. She was such a trooper. She didn't feel well and we kept her going and going until Sunday night she had a seizure and we ended up in the ER because of a high high fever.
Mmmm...Lava Cakes. For extra detail, I threw up on this long trip to Utah so many times because I ate so much good, fat, food. But who cares, it's so worth it...so, so, worth it.
The day after Sunvalley, we put out time in at the ER and then headed to Yellowstone to meet the Chamber's family. It was so fun to drive in the park for the first time and see all the people stopping to see the wildlife on the side of the road. We got extra lucky and saw tons of elk, an eagles nest and tons of buffalo walking across the road and right up by our cars. These next two pictures totally capture the excitement (of all of us!)

Chloe is so loved by her aunts.
We had some unusual things happen while at Yellowstone.

1. Pictured below are some foreigners who decided to ignore the sign that said something like "these guyser grounds are as hot as battery acid do not step over the boardwalk" and they stepped right out on the hot ground to get some good pictures. Pretty sure you're not supposed to do that.

2. We were walking along the geyser path behind old faithful and it started to hail pretty hard so we were heading for cover but physically had quite a ways to run. The next events happened so fast: Chloe got hail in her eye so we all stopped walking, turned to start walking again and the group right in front of us (like 20 feet) got struck by lightning. We heard a sickening crack and people fell. Half of our group ran to help them while the others of us ran all the way back to the lodge. I am quite sure I shrieked more than one time along that run back. It was very scary! We met back up in the lodge with somber moods and contemplated alot that moment, and tons that day and frequently throughout the rest of the trip that we were so blessed to have been held up on the path and not the ones that were hit. It was all in the papers and we witnessed it first hand. It was neat to see B-rad run straight ahead, without even thinking, to assist.
The group. I had been to Yellowstone 3 times before but all on snowmobile in the winter time, but this was the one place that made me think of Yellowstone. I am glad the sun came out for us to take our time on the walk around the magnificent sites.
We even lucked out and saw a bear.
Cute boys.
After Yellowstone, B-rad had to go home to illinois and I continued my trip with the kids. My parents took the Nelson family to Seaside Oregon. It truly is one of the prettiest places ever. I love the coast.
Ezra just chillin. This kid loved the wind in his hair and watching the sky above.
The coastline was so pretty. You had to walk out pretty far to get to the water. People were clamming the first day we got there. We found some sand dollars, too.
The pool at the condo was warm and got lots of use.
Playing in the sand. Best of cousins getting a little tired.
The girls in front of Haystack rock. Can you see one-eyed willie's treasure ship behind us??
They had this fun aquarium with sealife that was found in the water right where we were at. I would freak out if I saw this guy in real life or the octopus they had.
Can't beat the ocean sunset.
Have I mentioned I love vacations?

52 days in Utah and other mountainous beauty

What a trip!! We couldn't have had a greater time in Utah visiting family in friends. We're glad to be back home, but I am already looking for when our next trip is. I love vacations. So, here is a little update on us to be followed (by later posts) of photos from our little trips within the big trip.

Love, Mel

Me: I loved being with this guy on vacation. I love to see him enjoying doing what he wants to be doing instead of working for the man.

Me: I love these. This is a view of Mt. Olympus from my parents back door. We spent some nights just swinging on their swing, eating popsicles and looking at this site. We didn't get to hike it this year. The weather could of been a tiny bit nicer while we were in Utah, but it didn't stop us from doing all that we wanted anyway.
Me: Love this girl. She's such my little buddy.
And these two...I LOVE being their mom. I love it! Brad had to go back to Illinois two weeks before us and that was sad and a bit of an adjustment. Luckily, I was with family and that made the time go by quick for me, not so much for Brad.
Ezra: I spent most of my trip in the backpack. Thankfully, most people took a turn caring me around, even Grandma Ruthie. I'm so lucky to have so many people love me. I did really good on the plane ride. People around my mom couldn't believe that I didn't cry a bit.
Ezra: I started eating solids on this trip. I also got my first tooth. I am working on tooth number two and so I've been a little sad. Chloe and I share a room now and we're both being crazies getting to sleep and staying asleep.
Ezra: My cute face is getting more defined. I have sparkling eyes and smile at everyone. Mom is starting to ditch the carseat more and carry me in places so my time in the "seat" is getting fewer.
Chloe: When you are on vacation and eating out a lot, there aren't a lot of options for kids on the kid menu. Mac and Cheeses are not all created equal. This is the most delicious creamy mac and cheese we have ever found.
Chloe: I hiked Ensign peak in Utah. Only 20 minutes but straight up in places. I dominate hiking when it's my idea. In Astoria Oregon I climbed up the tower that had 164 stairs and didn't even complain.

** we dragged Chloe everywhere and made her try everything and talk to everyone and play with everyone. She did so good on such a long trip. Once or twice she said she wanted to "go home to Illinois". She got very sick on one of our little trips and ended up in the hospital on Memorial Day. That was not super fun. But then she was back to going everywhere and doing everything. I can't blame her is she didn't smile in EVERY single picture. She melts my heart when she says "i love you" 100 times a day and tickles my back. We shared a bed quite a bit on this trip and at other times shared a room. One night she told me "mom, i am right here if you get scared" This was followed by, "lets cuddle all night." Her cuddling is face to face. She is so sweet.
Chloe: I could live in the water. Thanks to this new lifevest Emily gave me, I can. I can float and swim and float and jump off the edge and mom doesn't even have to worry. Here I am with Grandma. We spent a lot of time at grandma Ruthie's. She tells me stories and reads to me and makes me lots and lots of Oatmeal. And she loves me even when I scowl.
And...if I wasn't in the pool I could be on the trampoline. I told mom yesterday that I thought she should buy a trampoline for our backyard in Illinois. here i am with my cousin Elsie. I loved playing with cousins. Most of my cousins are older and they loved including me in all they did. It's gonna be hard to be away from all my family and cousins. I miss them already.
And Brad: He was pretty much smiling straight the whole vacation. He enjoyed working with the family practice doc he spent time with in Utah.
Brad you are amazing.
At the top of Ensign peak.
I wish I had a picture of my face when we showed up at the airport in Portland Oregon on Saturday June 19th (51st day away) and they told me I had missed my flight. Not the finest 2 days of my life.