Yellowstone - Day 3

Today was a long-ish Yellowstone Day Trip. We were in the park about 8 am and there was a family of 5 elk just after we passed Madison Village. We pulled over and got out to look. Addison thought the baby elk was walking across the river to see her and she kept clapping and calling to it. The elk were tame and grazing and she cried when we finally left after about 25 minutes because she LOVED watching them. The last picture is the view of Middle Geyser Basin along the drive.

We decided to do a 3 mile-ish moderately strenuous hike to see Mystic Falls and the overlook. You can hike to the falls in .7 miles but we decided to do the longer loop. At the beginning of the hike there is a board walk to look at geysers along the way. We let Addison walk most of the boardwalk since she had been in the car for over an hour and was going to be in her backpack for another 2 hours while we hiked.

(click on the first picture so you see how deep the geyser is)

Here we are at the overlook. Oliver had never really hiked in Yellowstone before - just into Old Faithful and back to the Tetons - and it was spectacular to see the caldera from the top of the overlook. And, we don't worry about Addison getting dehydrated while we hike, because she LOVES drinking out of the camel bak. She would prefer to drink out of mine, but we try to distract her with the one dad carries.

We then hiked down to the waterfall (and would recommend that everyone hike the loop "backwards" to the overlook and then the falls). We were planning to let Addison get out and play but she decided to nap instead. For a baby who refuses to nap in the car, she actually naps fairly consistently in her hiking backpack.

After our hike we pulled out at a picnic spot to have lunch and then went and toured Middle Geyser Basin. I loved the waterfalls coming out of the geyser and into the river below. Also, the very common postcard geyser (Grand Prismatic Springs) is located at this boardwalk stop. It is .5 miles to walk the boardwalk but around much of it there is no guardrail, just small lip on the edge of the boardwalk. We didn't let Addison walk much of this boardwalk because, she has a mind of her own, and we wouldn't want her ending up in the boiling water. There was a railing around Excelsior Geyser and Addison loved peering over the railing and watching the bubbling water and steam. She didn't love having to return to her stroller to finish the walk and get back to the car though.

We had a great time on our longer hike and Addison enjoys the short stops we take that get her out of her car seat. We haven't seen a lot of wildlife yet because we are trying to make sure Addison gets at least one nap at the cabin everyday. She is a happier baby that way.

She is also quite the park celebrity and everyone loves to take her picture. They are amazed by her hat, her Deuter Kid Comfort II Pack, her smile, her friendly wave, and that she says hi to almost everyone she passes. We are grateful that she kept her hat on for the first time in her whole life! It doesn't really bother me when people ask to take her picture - maybe it should - but I let them and just feel a little weird...

Yellowstone - Day 2

We went to church in Island Park this morning and it was bigger than Stake Conference. We were there about 5 minutes early and the gym and chapel were already totally full. The outside A-frame building, primary room, Relief Society room, and priesthood rooms were also filled to overflowing with TV transmission. Oliver set up a few chairs along the side of the gym wall at the back and another couple joined us. When the bishop welcomed everyone he said that it is like this every Sunday in the summer! They have their "ward" service at 9, another visitor service at 12:30, and again at 9 pm. However, they said that if you planned to stay for the whole block your kids needed to attend your meetings with you because their primary is just too small to accommodate all the visiting children as well.

What we heard of the meeting was nice - but mostly we wrestled Addison.

After church we went home for lunch and naps and then we decided to drive into Yellowstone to plan out our week of day trips. We drove in through the west entrance and headed to Old Faithful. We arrived about 20 minutes before it was going to erupt. So we waited and had a snack and let Addison play in the sandy dirt - yes, her dad thought her church sandals were perfect for the dirt and sand...

It was beautiful and short. Oliver swears that the eruption lasted longer when he was little. It was also more spectacular the last time we were in Yellowstone because we watched it during sunset and the backdrop of the brightly colored sky made amazing. Watching it with clouds in the background was just a little disappointing.

After watching Old Faithful we went into the visitor's center. We watched two 15 minute informational movies about how the geysers work and what there is to see in Yellowstone. Then we toured their science/history exhibit. Their exhibit is new and phenomenal - it is interactive with short explanations. There is also a kids area with facts and games and climbing thins. We would love to spend more time there but reading in a museum-like setting just isn't in Addison's attention span right now.

So we stopped to talk to the ranger about hike options (our theory is if the first one doesn't know what she's talking about, wait a few minutes a talk to a different one). The first girl told us she didn't really know anything about hiking in Yellowstone and we could go to the Back Country office for more information. The second lady gave us a pamphlet about day hiking areas in each part of the park, a paper that shows where large mammals are most often located (bears, elk, buffalo, wolves, etc), and a map with highlighted sections of where you can swim in Yellowstone.

We headed back to the cabin where crock-pot dinner was waiting and then put Addison to bed. Oliver spent the evening planning our Yellowstone adventures and I spent the evening reading The Help. Have you read it yet? It was awesome (one other reason I love vacation is I can read a book every two days)!

Yellowstone With An Infant/Toddler

Our little family is spending the week in Island Park (outside of West Yellowstone). We have been a several short camping/cabin trips this summer and we still have two more planned - but this will be our longest one by far. We have learned a few things from our other trips about traveling with a baby and so far our trip is going splendidly. I have been kind of lazy about updating our blog lately, but I have plenty of time while Addison naps to get caught up...so here we go.

We drove to Island Park on Friday after Oliver finished work. We arrived at the cabin a little after 10 pm and immediately set up Addison's pack-n-play and put her to bed. She doesn't sleep in the car hardly ever and had maybe gotten 15 minutes of sleep the whole 5 hour car drive. She must have inherited her inability to sleep anywhere but in a bed from me...because her daddy certainly didn't have that trouble on the drive up.

We've learned from our other trips that Addison needs a day to acclimate. So Saturday morning we played at the cabin, ate breakfast, put her down for her morning nap and just spent a lazy day in the woods. Here are some pictures of the cabin where we're staying.

After lunch we made our way to tour Johnny Sack's Cabin and feed the trout. The cabin is amazing and seeing how I document historic homes as part of my job responsibilities, it was great to see one that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Addison didn't have any idea that we were throwing food to the huge trout in the water, she just kept eating it instead. But she did like looking at them and pointing. We also found the local church and figured out that church started at 9 the next morning.

After our small town tour we put Addison down for her afternoon nap and just spent the rest of the night playing with toys, reading books, having dinner, visiting with our cabin neighbors at their fire and giving Addison a bath.

It was a wonderful first day! The adventures of Yellowstone start tomorrow....

DIY

I read quite a few DIY blogs and am always amazed by people's thrift, ability, vision, and follow-through...qualities I wish I possessed. During the day after Thanksgiving sale last year I bought a frame pack for $3 with the hope of doing a picture wall. Oliver always kind of scoffed at my idea and so it hasn't really happened - until now.

Oliver decided he was on board with my idea and we went to work Sunday night doing our own DIY project.

First we collected the frames from all over the house and we were considering using and then we talked about which pictures we wanted to display (because it matters if you're going for vertical or horizontal images). Then Oliver went to work laying out the arrangement while I traced every frame onto construction paper. I numbered every frame and every corresponding paper frame so we would know what went where.

I not only created every frame out of construction paper, but I also marked where the nail holes are by poking a hole through the construction paper. We have had several experiences where the nails are level on the wall but the actual nail holes in the frame aren't level (it might have led to an argument or two). After getting the concept put together on the floor - we measured and taped up the mock frames on the wall. I then nailed the holes right into the construction paper that would hang the frames.

The last part was the easiest - just change out the paper for the numbered frame.

Once we had all the frames up we still hadn't decided exactly what we wanted to hang. I spent the afternoon going through our external hard drive and picking pictures to display. After a quick upload to Costco, an hour wait, and $4.99 to print our DIY project is complete!

I still need to put sticky tack behind the corner or every frame after I level it so they don't move when I dust them and we aren't loving the hole at the top so we might move 2 5x7s up and have 4 4x6s at the bottom. But it looks great and was a cheap upgrade since we had everything on hand except for $5 to print a few pictures.

Eating Cake

Birthday Videos

We received a tiny video camera from Oliver's old company but we haven't really used it. I decided to pull it out for Addison's birthday festivities. The videos aren't great and you can tell I have no idea what I'm really doing. But there is no other way to learn I guess...

The first video is her getting sung to and "blowing" out her candle. The second video is of her eating her cake. She was so dainty about it to start - but the pictures in the next post will prove that she got more into as time went along :) - The second video turned out better than the first, but neither of them are that great...

Nana Sent You A Box of Used CRAP

My mom has been so excited for Addison to turn 1. She has had a Stack & Spin Activity Table for a longtime and sent it back with Oliver and I when we were in Oregon over Christmas. She didn't want to pay to ship it and was really excited that we had decided to drive so we could bring it back and give it to her for her birthday.

Oliver and I wrapped it to give to Addison from her Nana. Kyle was more excited than Addison about the big present as it was unveiled on Saturday night.

Her party ended, we put Addison to bed, and Oliver and I spent the evening watching a show. The next morning Addison was up at 6:30 and we were ready to play. We sang Happy Birthday a couple of times and then it was time to assemble her activity table. I opened the box and this is what was inside:

Doesn't look like an activity table to me either! 5 used children sized wrist guards, a brand new Comp USA adaptor, some shelving parts, two cnadlesticks, a spinning display tray, and a box of shelving connectors. Essentially, it was a box filled with CRAP! My mom can't remember where she bought it - but someone packaged it up, made it look brand new, and took advantage of her! What's weird is that my mom doesn't shop at garage sales and usually just gets her toys on clearance from Target or Toys 'R Us.

After a disappointing unveil and a 5:45 AM (her time) phone call to my mom we had a pretty good laugh. It's a story we'll be telling Addison for a long-time coming!

Happy First Birthday Baby Girl- Nana sent you a box of used crap :)

Happy Birthday Addison

This little baby girl is 1! We had a wonderful family party last night and some hilarious stories to share...but for now, we'll just post a picture and tell you her year stats.

Addison is 23.1 pounds and measures 28" tall (to be corrected by the doctor on Tuesday). Quite a change from the 8 pound 6 ounce, 19" baby girl born a year ago. She now says mama, dada, ball, boo, uh-oh, and hi. She is getting some hair, especially on the back of her head and she has 12 teeth! She is a lightening fast crawler and still prefers that as her main mode of transit but she is becoming a more courageous walker everyday and does the best without an audience and without her shoes. She is able to walk anywhere only being supported by one finger and loves to push the grocery cart. She definately knows what she wants and will scream and shriek until she gets her way or is distracted by something else (we often fall for her antics and give in to her which we might one day regret). Her favorite food is eggs and she loves to play with balls and her picnic basket. She still sleeps 11-12 hours a night and two naps during the day. She loves the water - her pool, the water park, the bath, the kitchen sink - she isn't particular. She likes to hold a toy out to you like she's going to share and then yank it back and giggle. She loves to snuggle her bear and sleeps with it every night. We love her so much and can't imagine our family without her - it has been a great first year!

Dear Out of Town Family

Dear out of town family,

Addison is walking. Here's a quick clip that my sister took while we were camping.

And here is a clip of her saying "ball" very emphatically.

Oliver and I actually own a video camera, but we haven't ever used it to take one video of Addison. It might be something we need to start because she is pretty cute.

We love you and can't wait to see you!
Heidi, Oliver, & Addison

Significant Chapter Closed

We officially own all four of these:

And, just as exciting, after 2 years and 5 months, we officially don't own this:

July was a very significant month for us and we have grown immensely in faith and gratitude. It feels UNREAL to be debt free. Words cannot describe the sacrifice, prayers, effort, lessons learned, and hard work that have gotten us to this moment in our lives. As this major chapter in our lives closes we continue to look forward to creating our perfection one small step at a time.

Learning and Growing

Addison is growing so quickly and learning so many things. Not only is she saying all kinds of words, but she loves to feed herself. We don't love the mess, but we find ways for her to exhibit her independence all the time.

One thing that she loves is smoothies. She also loves having a straw in her cup! We love every new learned skill and moment that we have together.