Blueberries!!!

Zachy would take all his meals off the blueberry bushes if he was allowed to…He would also live outside barefoot if he could. Zachary doesn’t discriminate between the green and blue blueberries.  They are all fun to pick and good to eat! Zachy likes eating the berries others pick, but he won’t share the ones he picks. Playing hide and seek with the kitties in the berry bushes. So many to eat, so little time…

Heading home today

We cut our trip short by a day or two and headed straight home from Idaho.  We were all pretty exhausted and it was beginning to show.  Driving through Idaho, Montana, Idaho again, and into Washington, we were home in 10 hours.  There was lots of movie watching and crying, and while we had a fantastic trip, we are very happy to be home.

Through Yellowstone.

We drove into Yellowstone listening to one of those CD audio tours.  Very interesting but also very disturbing.  There were numerous horror stories of small children, adults, and dogs wandering into the painted pots or hot springs and boiling to death.  Even though there were fences everywhere, we did not let Zachary be on the ground anywhere near those death traps! The springs were gorgeous, but stinky. The clear blue water looked inviting, but those pools are 160degrees! Walking the boardwalk along Yellowstone Lake. Zachary wanted to go for a swim in the lake.  Or at least go down to the water’s edge and throw rocks in. Away from the hot springs and free to run, run, run! At Old Faithful, he was much more interested in the sandy gravel than the actual geyser. Waiting for the show to begin. We drove the lower half of Yellowstone, through Montana, and into Idaho where we set up camp at Henry’s Lake State Park.  Zachy loved playing in the dirt and got filthy dirty! Dirty from head to toes…  We found dirt in his socks! Zachary loves the camping lifestyle – being outdoors, watching the fire, listening to birds and airplanes fly overhead.He loved his little chair and getting in and out of it over and over and over again.  Marshmallows are tasty!

Cody, WY

Zachary’s asleep at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.  See his little legs dangling there?

On the trolley tour learning the local history and seeing landmarks.  And playing with guns!  No air conditioning on the trolley… Looks like someone needs a haircut.  Or is that just an illusion caused by the wind in his hair? The bison horn isn’t as heavy as the gun.  Or as fun to play with. Zachy is learning all about beavers this trip thanks to Elena.  She thinks he should like them since they have similar teeth…

At the Kinde home

Uncle Dennis and Aunt Joyce have a beautiful home with an amazing view.  Elena spent a lot of time downstairs playing Mario Kart with her cousins.  Zachary spent a lot of time being held. He was fussing in Great Grandma’s lap until he was given a ball to hold.Another day, another nap!  At least he can sleep anywhere…

Wedding nap

It figures… During the ceremony Zachary was running around, but as soon as the dancing starts at the reception, he falls asleep!

At least there were lots of people willing to hold the sleeping baby!  Here he is with Aunt CD.  He’s awake, but only physically.  It’s taking a lot of work to keep him upright and he is not cracking the slightest smile. Please just take me to bed!

Congrats Laura and Tanner!  We thoroughly enjoyed your wedding and wish you many happy years together!

Louisville to Denver

Jim went off go-karting, Elena is at the botanical gardens, what should we do now that Zachy’s morning nap is over?

Let’s go on a walk…  It sure is hot…  Fire plugs are fascinating… We walked to Kohl’s, which is just a couple of blocks from the hotel.  The air conditioning was nice and Zachy kept himself busy in their toy section.The Denver Zoo was fascinating!  Zachy liked the fish and giant kitties. It was so hot Zachy melted! The giant cup was Zachy’s favorite part of the zoo.  Nice and cool to hold, deliciously refreshing to drink!  And it was soda so he didn’t have to share with his sister (who doesn’t like carbonated beverages).

Here we are in Colorado!

Daddy had quite the experience driving at 11,000ft in Colorado…  He says it feels as though we are pulling a trailer!

We drove through Denver and saw the capitol building and US Mint, but didn’t go in either.

We did go to Hammond’s Candy and took the factory tour.  Elena liked watching them make ribbon candy in the special machine that crimped the candy.

Zachy liked putting candy into the basket.  He would have taken home the whole store if he could have!

We ended up buying watermelon sticks, caramel covered marshmallows (Mommy’s favorite), and giant lollipops.After the candy store we went to Louisville to check into our hotel and swim in the pool.  We saw Grandma and Grandpa!!!  Later we went to Aunt Joyce’s house to see all the family.  The doggies were staying at a local doggie spa, they were very missed by the kids.

Hot, hot, hot at Arches National Park

Lots and lots of rocks on the ground that Zachary had lots of fun throwing. Was it orange shorts day?Zachary was very squirmy for this picture that Elena was taking.  He was hot and wanted to be on the ground. Daddy had his hands full trying to keep Zachy on the path. Run Zachy, run! Uh-oh (one of Zachy’s favorite sayings).So happy to be in the car again!  Boy, it sure is cool in here!  And there are snacks!

Headin’ Out of Salt Lake City

Elena has been a great entertainer for Zachy!  She takes him on walks around the campground, sets up “kid town” in the tent (books, toys, and bouncing on the air mattresses), and finds him snacks.

For how well we are all sleeping in the tent, the long days still take their toll!Zachy’s favorite part of the Tracy Aviary was the ducks.  He liked watching Elena feed them.  He can even say duck now! We’re making sure to get lots of use out of the stroller!

A lot of time spent in the car

Thanks to Elena for taking the pictures!

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Zachy is buoyant in Utah’s Great Salt Lake! It was much cooler inside the interpretive center on Antelope Island.  Zachy let off some energy from being cooped up in the car all day.It’s hot outside!  This bison was impressive, unfortunately the posted sign said no climbing or sitting.  Would have been a cute pic with Zach (and Jim :-) ) sitting atop!