YELLOWSTONE













Ammon didn't have school Thursday and Friday so I packed up the kids and we headed for Yellowstone.  Poor Jeff had to stay behind and work.  We left Thursday morning and drove to West Yellowstone and checked into the hotel.  We had packed a lunch so we could have a picnic in the park but the weather forced us to change our plans.  After we ate our lunch in our hotel room we headed out in search of some animals.  The kids had such a fun time looking for animals.  We stopped to look at some Bison and I thought Kellan was going to have a heart attack as one approached the Yukon.  I kept trying to reassure him he was safe inside the car.  He wasn't so sure about that big ole bison getting so close. We were able to go see Old Faithful go off and then we had to head back to the hotel because the roads were closing.  The kids didn't mind because they all wanted to go swimming. We spent almost three hours in the pool...I was done after one.  It was exhausting trying to handle three kids in a pool by myself.  The next morning we had some breakfast in the hotel and then headed back into the park. It was snowing pretty good so the dark animals really stood out. Ammon was so excited to be able to see the animals so well.  We loved being there in a blizzard because it made everything so beautiful. We stayed in the park till about 3 pm and then headed home so we could make it back for Uncle Tanner's football game.  We had such a good time together. I was very impressed at how well they all did and how much fun they had.

MOOSE ON THE LOOSE

I love, love, love to go Mtn. Biking so when I get the chance to go I will take it. I usually always go with a partner but on occasion I will go by myself.  Last week I decided to head up City Creek early in the morning by myself and I came across the white sign warning me about moose in the area.  I paid little attention to it as I had already seen quite a few moose while riding with Jeff this year.  I decided to ride up the main City Creek trail thinking I probably wouldn't see any moose up that particular route because it is pretty heavily traveled. I began making my way up the trail using a bit of caution and keeping my eyes up the trail. I was really enjoying my ride. Fresh fall colors and smells. Perfect temperature and just the right amount of light. I felt great.  Just as I crossed bridge 14 I thought "this is great, I am just about to the top and then I can turn around and have some fun going back down". Then as I came around a clump of trees I found myself FACE to FACE with a cow moose and she was joined by two other moose.  I was so close that I could smell them. The four of us froze for what seemed like 30 seconds.  I then regained some sense and started to slowly back-down the trail.  As soon as I got around the clump of trees that hid them from me I flipped my bike around and rode down a little further.  I stopped and looked back and they all went back to eating so I decide to snap a few pictures.  I startled the cow with the sound and flash of my camera and I knew I needed to get out of there fast. I jumped back on my bike and set a personal record descending down City Creek! What a GREAT morning!

SEPTEMBER STUFF

Here is what has been going on this month...

YUMMY CORN
We have enjoyed a lot of corn on the cob this year.  The twins ask for it about everyday for lunch. It's pretty cute to watch them go to town on a piece of corn.

MORE BOATING
Our friends Matt and Tia have this monster tube that kept the kids and Matt entertained for quite some time.

We had quite the crew of youngsters out on the boat several times this summer.  Between us and the Budges we have seven kids, six and younger.  A lot of entertainment and energy! Burks was able to take an unwanted swim after her "boyfriend" pushed her in. She still says "Becket pushed me in."

Cool pic of Jeff skiing at sunset.

SOCCER
Ammon is still going strong with soccer and continues to improve each week. He even missed a trip to Lagoon because he didn't want to miss his soccer game.

COUSIN DAY AT LAGOON
This is about all the thrill little Kells could take.  Poor boy screamed the entire time on the little swing ride.

Bring on the rides!

Kari and Allie spoiled all of us Grizzies with Chocolate Roll.  As you can tell the babies enjoyed it.  I still can't believe how much food I ate in such a short period of time.  So fun to go play with my fun Grizzies!

FIRST REAL HAIRCUT
Poor Burks has very little hair but we decided she needed to get some of her mullet trimmed.  Her new favorite saying is "make me pretty." She is getting really girly...yikes!

OUR NYC COUSIN
Even though they are separated by over 2,400 miles they always pick up right where they left off.  They all love to jump together on Grandma's tramp.

FOOTBALL, FOOTBALL and more FOOTBALL
We all love to go watch Uncle Tanner play football every Friday night. He is having an outstanding season as wide receiver for the Highland Rams.  The kids love to represent Uncle Tan with a "one-nine" on their shirts.

SCHOOL BOY
Ammon and his friend Katilyn headed out for their first day of School.  Funny Story: Last year these two walked to school together. Every morning Katilyn would point out her shoes or outfit and Ammon never gave her any acknowledgement.  I think she just wanted him to tell her how cute her shoes or her outfits were and the poor girl never got any compliments from Ammon.  He used to ask me "why does Katilyn always want me to look at her shoes."  I have been curious to see if she still does that or if she has given up on my poor clue-less boy!