Yes, I am finally adding part 2 of the July update to our blog. As an added bonus, I will share with you the first day of August, since our vacation/family reunion spilled over into that month. But be prepared, this is a long post.
We started of our trip with a visit to Mt. Rushmore. Since none of us had ever been before, we thoroughly enjoyed it. It was amazing.
The girls got a kick out of getting their pictures taken with the presidents, as you can see below. I on the other hand was a little jealous of Sara giving Pres. Washington a peck on the cheek.
On our way to Cooke City, Montana, we stopped in Bridger to show the girls where their Grandpa grew up. Here we are in front of the Bridger Elementary School.
After the Bridger photo shoot, we drove just a few miles over to where some friends of ours from NY have retired. It was great to visit with the Fowlers. They were nice enough to let us stay the night so that we would get some rest before driving over the Beartooth Pass.
These next few photos are at the top of the Pass, above the timberline, where the Montana sky truly is Big.
The girls are used to playing in the snow, but not in July, so we made another brief spot to let them play with the little remaining from winter.
The first order of business when we got to Cooke City was to sit down with family and enjoy a nice lunch.
Shortly after lunch we were off to the stables, where the girls got to ride horses. Evie didn't even need anyone to hold her
This bridge crosses the creek nearly the big cabin. Generations of little Jackson boys and girls have been trying to dam up this creek. Our girls made a good effort as well, moving rocks and branches, and getting good and wet in the process, but the water runs on.
No trip to Cooke City would be complete without a picture with the Bear in front of the Trading Post.
The girls had a lot of fun with their "brother cousins" and with their other cousins.
It was fun for us parents to see them creating instant friendships with 2nd and 3rd cousins whom they barely knew or had never met.
Here we are in a different branch of the creek where the water was deep enough for swimming.
The water was cold, but not too cold.
An unsuspecting Tyler is about to be snatched up by Uncle Glenn.
Sara gets into the action with some of the fun and games at the reunion.
We took a little afternoon trip into Yellowstone National Park and visited a museum. The kids had seen bison at varying distances from the car, but it was cool to see them up close safely.
We took a hike to the observation point at Tower Falls (it's barely visible next to Sara's left shoulder).
But the most exciting stop was at the mud volcanoes. You can see the steam rising out of the cavern.
It was impressive, albeit a little stinky.
The other kids thought so too, and ran for cleaner air.
But they still took time to look at the information boards and learn about the fascinating sights.
One of the most fascinating sights at the mud volcanoes came at the end of our hike when we were surprised by a bison who ambled into the area. You can see him in the background. He actually walked up to and onto the path, so we decided to wait 5 or 10 minutes for him to finish his snack and move further along before we continued on the trail.
One of the activities at the reunion was "Old Fashioned Portraits". We hunted through the costumes available and posed for a few pictures as a family.
And with Rex, Emily, and the "brother cousins."
It was a great trip, with wonderful memories, and strengthened relationships.
Thanksgiving dinner was delicious, but Sara really outdid herself with desserts. Mmmmm. Awesome.
We had a little popcorn party one Sunday night. Clementine enjoyed the snack as well.
Eden, the native American princess.
Emmy, the Japanese princess.
Elise, the mermaid princess.
On labor day we went to Nauvoo and visited some Church historical sights.
The girls hanging out in Brigham Young's root cellar.
Emmy and Evie enjoying thought this chair was pretty cool.
I love this shot of the girls smothering each other with affection, and the temple in the background.
The girls had fun at the family center, where they made candles and rope, and learned how pioneers made rugs, bread, fabric and clothes, and barrels.
The last sight we visited was the school house. This photo shows the girls sitting for a lesson on mathematics.
Later on in the month we made and decorated some sugar cookies. Here is an overview of the project.
Eden and Emmy decided to make breakfast in bed for Elise, just because.
Sara and the girls recently joined a local clogging group. Every week they learn new dances and practice routines. This is a picture from their first and latest performance.
Eden and Emmy got to visit Ron and Roxanne Hood this summer and participate in "horse camp". They had a great time.
They also attended a Scottish Festival, where they picked up some archery skills.
