I have been thinking back about the year that just passed me by quite a bit lately. (The start of a new year always makes me feel a little nostalgic) There are so many stories and events I would like to share with you. So I decided I am going write a little summary starting with the summer.
Last summer we took the kids on our first road trip vacation to Yellowstone. My dad (papa), mom (mema), grandpa (big pap) and grandma (grandma Glenda) joined us. My grandparents took me to Yellowstone when I was 13 so I was thrilled with the chance to experience Yellowstone with them again. We all loaded up our trailers and headed off on July 10th for a 2 week road trip. I could probably write a book about all the awesome things we saw and did, but that might only be fun for me, so I will try and stick to the highlights.
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| Ty at the top of "Uncle Tom's trail" the sign reads "You are entering an area of striking beauty, with shear cliffs and unstable footing." |
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| The view is absolutely amazing!! |
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| These are the stairs you have to hike down to see the falls, well worth the work. |
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| Meme and Dudley just after we watched a Bison swim across the river and run right by us while we were eating lunch. |
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| Papa Don would push the kids on Big Papa's walker when they got tired |
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| Meme has been taking English Ridding lessons off and on since she was 5. I think she may have switched over to western after that ride. She got to be first in line and lead the rest of us, very cool. |
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| These Bison stopped traffic for almost an hour both ways, that mama and baby were 10 feet from the car. |
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| Hike to the upper falls. |
We did all the (must do) touristy things, Old Faithful, Morning Glory, paint pots, geysers, saw TONS of Bison, Elk, Deer and we were among the few lucky ones to see a Bear. Brian and I took Meme Horse back riding through the woods. (highlight of Meme's trip) We also did lots of hiking, Tyler made the hike down "Uncle Tom's Trail" with Brian and I. What a crazy hike, it's 328 steps, 3/4 of the way down into the canyon looking back at the lower falls. Wow, it was an amazing sight and a killer hike.
I don't usually feed into the "The Best blah blah blah in Town" signs but this little restaurant we stopped at on the way home in Butte, Montana really did have "The Best" fried chicken in (any) town.
Moving on to July and August, Brian's mom Sandi flew out from IL to stay for 2 weeks. We worked on Meme's doll house, did some shopping, cooked some yummy food and celebrated a few birthday's. Brian turned (??) on July 22nd, little Nicky turned 3 on the 27th we celebrated with a few friends and family. He got his first bike from Mema and Papa. It was a good day!
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| Hunter, Tyler, Jade, Meme, Lauren and Nicky |
Emily celebrated her 7th birthday on August 6th a little backwards with a "Backwards Birthday Party" Yes, we did it all backwards with the kids opening the present they brought for her, balloons hanging from the ceiling, pin the donkey on the tail, eating cake on the floor and then throwing the garbage in the back yard. OMG that was a really fun birthday party.
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| "THANK YOU" Aunt Tara for the Backwards birthday cake |
Tyler started football this year with the Clackamas Cavaliers. He played starting Offense Guard and Tackle. His team went undefeated, 7-0 and earned the title "League Champions" They lost their final medal game. It was a good game and they fought hard. The kids would ask coach every Friday at the end of practice "Are they good?" "Do you think we can beat them?" Coach would always respond the same way, "We don't how good they are and if we can beat them till we do and hopefully we will. That's why we practice so hard."
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| Meme and Jade in there brothers jerseys |
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| Rock on #54 |
Brian took Meme on her first trip without mom. (I was WAY more nervous than she was) He had some work to do in Chicago so they flew to IL, Sandi picked up Meme and took her home for the week to spend time with Brian's family. Grandma Sandi, Aunt Krissy, Uncle Brian and Grandma and Grandpa Newman. They had a blast, Meme still talks about how beautiful Grandma and Aunt Krissy's new houses are.
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| Uncle Brian is such a good sport |
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| Grandpa Wayne, Meme, Brian and Grandma Beulah |
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| First Class, nothing but the best when you travel with Dad |
September brought a new school year, Tyler started the 4th grade with Mrs. Cho (I love her) Emily has Mr. Niehuser for 2nd grade (Tyler had him also) I can't say enough good things about Mr. Niehuser. Nick well he just rules the halls as my little PTO mascot. I started my second year as PTO President, I love all smiles and "Hi Mrs. Yarnell"s I get in the halls, well worth the work.
I wish I could report a successful hunting season but I can't, we didn't even draw.
The kids also started swimming lessons, so we can enjoy my brother Jayson's pool even more next summer. Meme and Tyler completed lvl's 1, 2 and survival swimming in the first month. Nick is not doing as well, he can't get past level because he can't put his face in the water without throwing up. Poor kid!!
Moving on, "The Nutcracker". Mr. Niehuser, Mrs. Boyes (Tyler's 3rd grade teacher) and I, as the backstage manager started this play last year. We started it from the ground up, music, script, costumes (mema and I designed and made every costume last year) and props (thank you dad for making all new props this year)
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| I wish I had a better picture of her in the play but this is the best I can do until we get the pics and movie finished. |
Tyler was a "Toy Soldier" last year and Meme was a "Doll" this year. She looked absolutely beautiful in her silver dress, black high heels and Doll apron. The Dolls and Toy Soldiers are my favorite, they get to dance, free the kids, capture the bad elves and sneak threw the audience with flashlights. We added a new scene this year and now they get to come out of huge wrapped boxes and sign "Sleigh Bells" I love love love this play, if you have not seen the play yet please come see it next December, it' amazing.
Well there you go, that was my Life With Yarnell Kids 2010.
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