Pumpkin Patch

We took our annual trip to the pumpin patch this past weekend. Kaitlyn loved picking out the mommy, daddy, and baby pumpkins:

Sanibel

We went to Sanibel for Labor Day weekend to relax at the beach and pool. We also tested out the waterproof case for the camera...with some fun results. Splashing around in the pool: Always with a smile:

Floating around:

Willingly playing in the sand and going in the ocean:

One more time. One more time:

Trek Out West - Stats

For those of you who want to follow the trip in order, start at the bottom post and work your way up: Colorado, Utah, Grand Teton & Old Faithful, Yellowstone, and More Yellowstone. Here are a couple interesting stats about our trip: 11 days 5 states 6 national parks 2000 miles Lots of elmo Tons of barney 1159 pictures 7 hotels 3 planes 1 train 2 automobiles 1 upchuck 11 animal species sightings (elk, buffalo, deer, sheep, black bear, grizzly bear, pronghorn, marmot, ground squirrel, chipmunk, white pelican) Countless hours driving More elmo Repeats of barney Note to self & Chad: Next time make sure there is time to relax on your vacation!

Trek Out West - More Yellowstone

We woke up Saturday and went to see the Mammoth Hot Springs. We were expecting more flowing water since all the pictures you see show that, but most of them were dry. There were a couple that had water but not too many. After hiking up lots of stairs with a 30lb baby on my back I was ready to rest. We drove toward the area of the park known as Tower-Roosevelt. We didn't have too many stops today but did stop at the gift shop for Kaitlyn to sit and hug the bear. We then went back toward the north exit of the park to check out the nearby town of Gardiner. After eating the park food for a few days we were ready for something different. We explored the cute little town for a while and had the chance to see the Roosevelt Arch at the entrance to the park. It was another early night in our new room far away from the elevator. Sunday was our last day in the park. We set out fairly early so we could try to see some more wildlife on the road out. We started off on our way to see the petrified tree. On the road to the tree we saw a black bear that was very close to the road. Whenever there is a bear arund there are tons of cars and usually park rangers telling you to stay back. The crowd and rangers hadn't come yet and the group was pretty close to this guy. We took a couple pics and were on our way. We were going through Lamar Valley where they say there are lots of wildlife. Again we saw lots of buffalo, a big group stopped for a bear, and a couple pronghorn running around. We tried our to see coyote and moose but had no luck with either. On the last stretch of road through the park we saw a deer a couple feet from the road. We took the scenic tour on Beartooth Highway on our way to Billings, Montana. Along the way we were detoured through a small town (Red Lodge, MT) for their 4th of July parade. We stopped there to have lunch and check out the parade for a little while. It was definitely full of local people riding their horses, lawnmowers, or anything that rolls. Kaitlyn was enjoying waving at horses. We made it to Billings and got some rest for our early morning flight back to Miami in the morning. Mammoth Hot Springs:

Kaitlyn riding the bear: --------------Big hugs:

The town of Gardiner, Montana: ---------------Roosevelt Arch:

Black bear: ----------------------------------Petrified tree:

Pronghorn: ------------------------------------Deer:

4th of July Parade:

Trek Out West - Yellowstone

We are up to Thusday in our trip now. We stayed at the Old Faithful Inn last night and spent the morning exploring the springs and geysers in the area and there are a lot of them. It was a nice walk along a boardwalk and a good chance for Kaitlyn to take a nap. We even timed it right to see Riverside geyser erupt and it was more impressive than Old Faithful. When we got done it was time to check out of the hotel and move towards our next hotel for the night, Canyon Lodge. We made a few stops along the way including the Midway Geyser Basin and Grand Prismatic Spring which both had beautiful colors. We also saw the Fountain Paint Pots which looks like thick bubbling paint. We stopped for another picnic lunch and a few other overlooks and were at our destination for the night. After eating dinner we went to check out some of the sights of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The name was a little misleading. It is indeed a canyon but is no comparison to the Grand Canyon. Still a pretty sight though. On Friday morning, we headed down to see a few other overlooks of the canyon, the Mud Volcanoes, and Yellowstone Lake. We then had to backtrack to make our way toward Mammoth Hot Springs, our next stop. Along the way we saw Obsidian Cliff that have rock that looks like black glass. We checked into the hotel and explored that area where the military barracks used to be. On our way to eat, we saw a couple elk grazing across the street. It was an early night tonight since we were all exhausted. Unfortunately, we were directly next to the elevator on the 1st floor and heard everyone coming and going. This includes a family with one kid singing some nature song in the loudest voice possible and his sister babbling away. At least Kaitlyn slept through it. We were staying at the same hotel the next night and immediately asked for a room change!! Geysers & Springs: ---------------------------------Bacteria thriving in the hot water:

Castle Geyser steaming up to the moon:

Kaitlyn sleeping: --------------------She found her pockets today:

Riverside Geyser erupting:

Morning Glory Spring: -------------------------The family in front of Castle Geyser:

Mr. Buffalo up close

Midway Geyser: ---------------------------Grand Prismatic Springs (see the color in the steam)

Fountain Paint Pot: ---------------------------------Playing with the river water:

Elk (I think):

Kaitlyn did a lot of elmo and barney watching: ----Checking out the view:

Views of the canyon:

It's always funny to put something up your nose:

The buffalo are everywhere: ---------------------Bear and her cubs

Kaitlyn riding in her backpack: -----------Relaxing:

Mud Volcano and Dragon's Mouth:

Waterfall and it's rainbow:

Obsidian Rock: -------------------Elk grazing