Vacation Post #13...Unpack, Laundry, Re-pack

We arrived back in Casper on June 30th in the evening and didn't have much energy to do much so we spent much of July 1st getting re-organized in preparation for our trip to Rapid City, South Dakato. Matt dropped me off at a local laundromat in the morning towing suitcases of dirty clothes while he went and got the car all cleaned up. I spent about 2 hours doing laundry there, and can I just say that it was a very relaxing time....not many people consider doing laundry relaxing...but I was very pleased that I could get that much laundry done in such a short amount of time. I think I had about 6 washers and dryers going. I highly recommend the laundromat to anyone who has many loads to get done.

While away, the kids decided to swim, without swimsuits. Jodi had no idea where all of our stuff was so her and mom just let them swim in clothes.

Vacation Post #12...Horseback Rides and Jackson Hole

We ended our time at the Tetons on June 30th with some horseback rides for the kids....what a bargain...for $5 each they were put on a regular horse (no pony) and taken for a good 5 to 10 minute ride around the stables and corral....much better deal than the pony rides they offer at the local fair. The kids were thrilled, of course.
Madison first.
Then Carson.

And finally Jason.

Then back to camp to finish loading and packing.

One last look at our tent cabin before leaving....hopefully we'll be back someday!

The inside...the bunked pull-down cots.

And even a wood-stove for extra warmth, if needed.

From there we headed south to Jackson Hole, Wyoming (the site of the ER I visited). We stopped at the museum which gave us a closer look at some wildlife (of course, it was dead).

Outside on their deck we were able to hold some elk antlers.

And back inside, pictures in front of an elk.

Jackson Hole is very touristy and in the middle of town there are these large elk antler tunnels. You can't go there and not get a picture in front of them!

We decided to take the kids on a stagecoach ride through the city.

All aboard!

Matt found that he could get a little closer to a buffalo....a special buffalo couch!

Vacation Post #11....Day in Yellowstone

June 29th was a better day healthwise for me. I was feeling much better and the pain was bearable. We headed north into Yellowstone for the day hoping to see lots of wildlife.

Here's a picture of some wildlife captured at the tent cabins! Savannah's not too sure of Madison's silliness!
After waiting for Old Faithful and then seeing Old Faithful we found a nice picnic area to have lunch at. Boys will be boys....instead of sticks they enjoyed swinging pine branches at one another.

After our lunch we did more sightseeing in Yellowstone. A little group picture captured by some of the sulfur smelling hot spots. Can you tell it was a bit windy?

Our quest for wildlife was somewhat disappointing....we didn't see any large herds of buffalo that we saw 5 years earlier. But we were able to spot a few. I had to zoom in quite a bit to capture this photo....he wasn't as close as he appears to be.

The kiddos posing on the rocks for a group shot.

Then I joined them....we were looking at the Upper Falls from this viewpoint.

And finally a family shot....notice the Falls in the background...beautiful.

Another lone buffalo grazing in the field.

As we re-entered Grand Teton Park we stopped at the famous signs and got a picture.

We arrived back at camp a little late and Sally and Russ were waiting for us. That night we were able to capture some group pictures. Russ and Sally with all the grandkids.

Russ and Sally with mom and the granddaughters.

Our camera captured a short video of Old Faithful.

Vacation Post #10...More of the Tetons

We awoke to some chilly temperatures the next morning....hot chocolate and a seat by the fire was a must.

Or a nice cup of coffee.

I was not doing so well....I had been up during the night with intense shoulder pain...I figured I must have slept wrong or pulled a muscle or something. Every movement hurt and nothing was bringing relief. My mom happened to ask my if it hurt when I took each breath, and I replied that that is when it hurt the most. As a nurse, she was concerned about a possible pulmonary embolism, but was taking things rather lightly. She sort of blew it off and we continued the morning routine.

I wouldn't normally post such an unflattering picture of myself (maybe of others) but this picture is the perfect indication into how I was feeling. I just couldn't shake the pain and was wondering how I was even going to make it through breakfast, not to mention the day. After a few conversations and many tears, Matt and I decided to head into Jackson to the nearest hospital (about an hour away!).

We got some clothes out for the kids and left them to the care of Grammy, Grandpa, and the Huberts. As I got warmed up, the pain lessened a bit but was still pretty intense. Once we got to the ER I was seen immediately (there wasn't anyone else there) but due to my pregnancy they would not do a chest x-ray...which is the most reliable way of diagnosis...so they first took a blood test, which was a little high, so then I had complete ultrasounds of both legs as they looked for possible blood clots in my legs that could have then moved to my lungs. In between tests I was able to take a good 45 minute nap covered in warm blankets. After clear ultrasounds, the doctor deteremined that what I had must be Pleurisy...when the lining around the lungs is inflamed. The cold temperatures had just intensified the pain through the night. I was discharged and directed to use some tylenol to help control the pain. We headed back to camp and were there by lunch time.

Here are some pictures of the kids as they enjoyed their time with the gang while we were gone.

They spent some time walking down to the lake and throwing some rocks in.

And snack time.

After a little rest time we headed south to Jenny Lake to take a boat ride across the lake and do a little hiking. The view of what we were heading to in the boat.

Enjoying the boat ride.

A shot of another boat..they really picked up the speed which the kids loved.

After a short hike, it was snack time...here's a great picture of Madison and Timothy.

That evening we enjoyed hamburgers and hotdogs cooked over the fire and grandparents (great-grandparents to the kiddos) Russ and Sally arrived. They reside in Idaho and drove to join us for a few days. It had been 3 years since we had seen them on our last trip to Wyoming...I was pregnant with Jason that time. After our nice dinner our families headed down to the camper's village to take our showers which were so refreshing!

Vacation Post #9...Onward to the Tetons

After going to church in Powell on Sunday morning we headed out of town. A quick stop in Cody to pick up some necessary camping and food supplies and then a few more hours through Yellowstone before arriving at Coulter Bay Village at our tent cabins.

Here is just one of the many views we enjoyed as we arrived.

9 months before our trip we began making reservations for the various places we would stay. We had planned on staying in Yellowstone but found that affordable accomodations for 14 people was difficult to come by. We came across these tent cabins (for $50/night) at Coulter Bay Village in the Tetons and decided to go for it. Basically it is made up of 2 log walls and 2 canvas walls with a canvas ceiling. Inside there are fold down bunks for 4 people and additional cots that can be rented. Outside there is more canvas that covers a picnic table and a fire pit as well as storage area that is bear proof. The sites were wonderful and it was a great way to "camp." The bathrooms (which they somehow knew to put us close to) were modern and clean and it wasn't too difficult to travel a short distance to go and take a shower at the shower facilities (which ran about $3/person).

An outside view of one of our tent cabins.

The boys enjoying hanging around the fire. Notice that they're now dressed in long pants and long sleeves. The temperatures in the mountains cool down quickly even before it's dark out.

Madison has found herself a comfortable camping chair.

There was some great areas between our tent cabins which allowed the kids to run and play amongst the trees. Carson is having a blast.

The boys (and even Madison) enjoyed running through the trees and playing with sticks. Fortuneately there weren't any emergency room visits (at least not for the kids...).

After dinner we walked to the nearby stables where the park kept all of the horses for the trail rides. There must have been 30 to 40 horses to admire. The kids also enjoyed playing in this large wagon parked nearby.

Just one of the many horses who came close to say hi.

Sarah (the Hubert animal lover) had a conversation with this horse....or at least it looks that way.

No camping trip would be complete without the roasting of marshmellows for s'mores!

Savannah enjoys the finished product.

Vacation Post #8....North to Powell, Wyoming

On Friday, June 25th we departed from Casper around noon and headed 4 hours north to Powell, Wyoming. This part of our trip really was the motivation for our trip out west since I wanted to be in Powell for my 20 year class reunion from Powell High School.

Some family friends graciously agreed to allow us to stay at their house so that we wouldn't have to pay for yet another hotel room. Mom and Dad and cousin Lindsay also came along to babysit the kids for us so that we could enjoy the reunion.

We arrived at the Moeller's house around 4:30 and the kids enjoyed running around the spacious property.
Here was the beautiful view looking to the west from their house.
There were bunnies everywhere. The kids enjoyed looking for them and then trying to catch them.

And cactus....Matt took the kids to explore and found this....NO TOUCH!

Madison and Jason enjoy a little time with their dog...obviously very tame.

Just before dinner Ray and Cheri Beiber came out to say hello. Ray was my swim coach for the four years I was in high school...it's still hard for me to call him Ray....he'll always be Coach Beiber. What great memories.

Matt and I right before leaving to go to the class "mixer"....nervous and excited all at the same time.

We spent the evening at a local bar visiting with my classmates and on Saturday we had a class picnic, complete with kids. Here is a picture of my friend Mindy and her boys.

And my friend Sarah and I. Mindy, Sarah, and I were quite the trio my junior year. I had not seen Sarah in over 19 years. It was a great time to catch up.

That afternoon we took the kids to the new aquatic center in Powell....wow what an improvement over the swimming pool I used to compete in! The kids had a blast....well except for Carson who was a little under the weather.

Madison having a blast.

And a short video clip capturing the fun of the slide.