On one hand, it’s really good to be home from our trip. On the other, I wish we could replay last week over and over and over. We returned to Texas just in the nick of time to experience our first triple digit heat of the summer; we wouldn’t want to miss that now would we? Yeah, right. After such a memorable vacation with my family, it’s hard to get back into the swing of things. We’ve all had a twinge of the grumpies. But I think we’re on the upswing. Having the opportunity to share with you the amazing trip we had will be cathartic. The only thing about it is that I don’t know where to start! It was all sorts of wonderful!

We went to Wyoming to celebrate my Daddy’s 60th birthday. It’s a trip my Momma has been planning for the last year and a half. That my Daddy felt lavishly loved throughout the week was all that we were aiming for, so everything else was icing on the cake. A rich, decadent chocolate icing.

I is for Intense Muscular Workouts

We discovered muscle groups we never thought we had! Our first day in Yellowstone, we visited the falls in the Canyon section and put Brennan in the backpack carrier for the first time. He found it very amusing as Matt carried him around for hours. The rest of us were huffing and puffing. Well, Mac and Julie weren’t since they’re buff and training for their second triathlon. I’ve discovered, however, that the harder it is to get somewhere, usually the more spectacular the sight, making it worth all the physical strain and pain it took to get there. Leg muscles worked: check.

We returned to Jackson Hole on Monday to stay there the duration of the week. On Tuesday, I went horseback riding with the fellas. This just wasn’t a little trail ride y’all. This was a trail ride through the mountains that gained 2000 feet in the course of an hour. I haven’t been on a horse in more than fifteen years. My heart was pounding and my palms were sweaty as I mounted the beautiful creature they selected for me, praying I’d been gifted a good horse that wouldn’t take off with me. Her name was TJ, and she was a good horse. In fact, I told her that all the way up and down the mountain, in hopes that my affirmation would gain me points. Even when a deer made some other horses skittish, she remained calm. I was endeared to that girl after our journey. She kept me from plummeting down the side of the mountain when there was nothing but cliff to one side of me. Did I mention I’m scared of heights, too? It was a breathtaking view and definitely the way to go though. TJ worked her tail off for me. And the muscle group I discovered: my own tail!

On Wednesday, we took a mountain bike ride through the Teton National Park. Y’all, I can’t emphasize enough how much I was out of my comfort zone for each of these activities. I am not a “sporty/outdoorsy” kinda gal. They were fun and I am so glad I did them, but I did have to muster up a bit of courage. Especially when we came across a huge buffalo that was not nearly as far away as it should have been from us while we were biking. It took everything in me not to grab Brennan and high-tail it out of there. I think a lot of us were unnerved about it, not that the professionals didn’t handle it well. But they’re used to this kinda thing! We city folk don’t know diddly. Then it didn’t help matters when we had to pass a baby buffalo wondering if its momma was around somewhere. Sadly and very rarely, it was a baby that had been abandoned or something happened to his momma. Muscles worked: legs and hiney again.

Too close for comfort

 

Thursday, the fellas and Julie went white-water rafting while Brennan, my momma and I stayed around the home, explored the town square of Jackson Hole, and ate at Sweetwater. We don’t have any pictures of the rafting trip, but there was definitely a muscle group worked: the arms!

Our last full day in Jackson Hole we ventured to Jenny Lake. Pops and Meems opted to canoe while the rest of us did some more hiking up to Hidden Falls. I tried carrying Brennan on my back for a measly five minutes. Kudos to Matt for carrying him around for two hikes and pedaling with him in the burley! Muscle groups: arms, legs, and Matt would most definitely say shoulders.

By the way, Jenny Lake is where we spotted the bear from my last post.

C is for Celebrating

The whole week was a celebration, but Sunday, my Daddy’s actual birthday, was the day we really partied! We didn’t arrive in Yellowstone until after midnight, so the historic Old Faithful Inn and the geyser were awesome sights to wake up to. The hot chocolate was some of the best I’ve ever had…that was a morning treat must! After breakfast, we had a special church service to start the day and then headed out to the Canyon. That evening, we had a fabulous dinner at the Inn, toasted the birthday boy with some champagne, enjoyed the chocolate citrus cake that I was able to make before we left (praise God it made it intact), and watched the birthday boy open presents.

I is for Indelible Moments

Just the picturesque scenery itself is enough to make a lasting impression on each of our hearts! There is no denying that an incredible, creative God is masterful at what He does. Here are a few more pictures that capture some memorable moments that we won’t forget from our trip.

The first night Pops was in Jackson Hole he bought a cowboy hat that he wore all week long. It took Brennan some time for him to get used to seeing Pops wear it, and I think Brennan only withstood the hat being on his head for the split second it took to take this picture.

 

Our last morning in Yellowstone we went swimming off of Fire Hole Lake Drive. It was one of my favorite moments with Brennan because while everyone else was in a different part of the river that had more of a current, I swam with my boy and got to share in his excitement in climbing rocks and his bravery in swimming in such cold water (it was supposed to be 80 degree water but was most definitely not). Meems got to cheer us on, too.

 

This just makes me smile so big!

 

These two introduced Brennan to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Finding Nemo. Towards the end of the trip, Brennan started mastering Mac’s name…he kept repeating it over and over. No wonder Brennan has been grumpy since getting home…we not only ran him RAGGED but he doesn’t have access to either Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or Finding Nemo. Poor deprived boy. Oh, Mac and Julie also introduced us to the iPhone game Words with Friends. I’m in big trouble, y’all!

Wednesday night we had plans to eat at Billy’s Burgers and head to a pig wrestling competition at the fair (sadly the rodeo was canceled that week). But after seeing some scantily dressed girls chest bumping each other saying they were getting ready to go pig wrestling, we thought the pig wrestling might turn into something dirtier than what we’d already envisioned pig wrestling to be <grin>. So we opted to walk around the town square and enjoy some ice cream from Moo’s.

Our week in Jackson Hole we alternated cooking dinners with Mac and Julie, and Pops and Meems were on clean-up duty. We ate so well!

N is for Nature…Jaw-dropping, Awe-inspiring, Wondrous Nature

I’ve already posted some of our favorite pictures of the scenery so I won’t do it again here. You may not have even lasted this long! But here is one picture that captures au naturel in its rawest form.

Uhh, I guess this could be considered the most scenic urinal ever. We have no idea why he didn’t go back further into the brush! It had us in stitches!

G is for God’s Grace

From our travels; to where we stayed; to our conversations; to our close relationships; to the fun activities; to our time to be at rest and slow down; to Brennan being a TROOPER; to forgiveness extended when I stuck my foot in my mouth (on several occasions); to seeing a bear which my Momma really wanted to see; to the gorgeous, cooler weather; to safety; to the indescribable beauty we looked upon; to knowing we are lavishly loved by each other and our Lord….all of it was by His grace. He undoubtedly gifted us with some delectable icing last week! He must know I really love the stuff.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17