To end our wonderful summer... we took a family vacation for 8 days with my family (though we missed my brother Brad and Britt and my two precious nieces Alli and Boots due to school starting for the girls) and Lydia's family to my brother Blake and Lydia's vacation home in Driggs, Idaho! We flew into Jackson Hole and went over the pass that took us to the fabulous Dreamcatcher Ranch... though if you have seen it you would more likely call it a "Lodge" as it is amazing! Words can't even begin to describe the beauty of the Grand Tetons, sunsets overlooking the mountains & rivers and the beautiful wildlife that roam as far as your eyes can see! All that can be said is that our God... creator of all is truly amazing! We of course had an unbelievable time and Philip loved his first trip out west! We did it all... from riding the Dreamcatcher ski lift to the top of the Grand Targhee Mountain overlooking the Tetons, dancing at Music on main, and golfing to sight-seeing at Yellowstone National Park, huckleberry milkshakes and relaxing with the ones we love while watching the sunset... it was unforgettable!! Thank you so much Blake and Lyd... we love you so much and can't wait for our next trip out to the Dreamcatcher Ranch (and I promise before that time comes... I will teach Phil how to shut the refrigerator door)!
The whole crew
Uncle Blake and sweet Aunt Lyd
After this picture... please put me down - I am ready to go climb that mountain
And Mommy... since I am a all grown up now... we really need to talk about all these photo shoots!
Seriously!
Philip's first trip to Jackson Hole... The first purchase was of course nothing else but his very own cowboy hat from his Gigi! Afterall, this was his first trip out west... and he needed a cowboy hat! He was absolutely adorable in it and with his hat on he couldn't resist riding bison and of course playing under the famous Jackson Hole Elk Antler Arches.
Daddy... you can let me go... I got this one!
Just relaxing under the Elk Antler Arches with my mommy
Now don't let me fall into those antlers mommy... that might hurt
The next day of our trip, we took Philip on his first ski lift up 10,000 feet to the top of the Grand Targhee Mountain. He absolutely loved the ride and loved even more taking pictures at the top overlooking the amazing Grand Tetons. Isn't our God miraculous in his creations?
The Bucklers, Brosseaus and Horgers on top of the Grand Targhee Mountain
Grand Teton Mountains
Yeah.. this is fun... look how high up I am... now what do you think happens if I lift this bar?!
Our little family of three...
Me and my Gigi and my Papa Doc
Every morning Papa Doc, my dad, continued his vacation ritual and made homemade biscuits from scratch. This time however, he enjoyed making them with his favorite grandson Philip who was very serious about making biscuits... though Philip loved playing in the batter probably more than the biscuits... boys will be boys!
Papa Doc... don't drop that biscuit... I worked hard now on getting that one all rounded and ready to bake
Gigi... are you serious?...
... did you really just put dough on my nose?!
Our unforgettable journey to Yellowstone National Park... what a blast! I still can't get over it's beauty and the fact that live animals would just walk right next to your car and in the streets... it was crazy! The rivers, and waterfalls and mountains are simply breathtaking... Our God is amazing! Papa Doc was most impressed with Yellowstone as we never knew it until that day - but it has always apparently been a childhood dream of his to visit Yellowstone National Park as he used to sit and watch one of his favorite cartoons Yogi Bear as a little boy. So as a memory from the trip... Gigi and Papa Doc bought Philip his very own little black bear who he of course named Yogi after the famous Yogi Bear who lived in Yellowstone. We did also even search for the real Yogi but never actually saw him though he was spotted by some of the rangers during our trip. The other amazing feature of Yellowstone that we saw last but not least... was the good Old Faithful Geyser. It went off right before our eyes... and was really an amazing sight to see. Oh the beauty... how I can't wait for our next trip back to Yellowstone... and maybe even next time we will get to see Yogi!
Me and my Yogi Bear
Yellowstone National Park
(hit the "x" in the top right corner to view slideshow if it doesn't start automatically)
Philip is also very excited to carry on a new family tradition with his Gigi. My grandfather, Papa Jim, who passed away when I was a senior in high school was the most amazing and loving grandfather a granddaughter could ever dream of having. He dedicated his whole life to helping others, especially those less fortunate. He was a brilliant man as he taught for years at UGA in the school of social work and even was a consultant in the White House for president Carter. He traveled the world as he loved to travel and of all the places he visited, he was most prideful of his nation and loved the United States of America more than any other place. He asked my mom, who also loves to travel, to make a promise that she too would visit all 50 states to see our great nation making South Dakota the 50th state to visit just as he had done. So after he passed away, my mom started travelling in his footsteps. Gigi is now on state 42 and is determined to visit the last 8 and now Philip will be carrying on the legend also in his great-grandfather's memory. He has a real good start too as he is only 4 months old and has already been to 9 states (Georgia, Texas, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Wyoming, Idaho, & Montana). I know my grandfather,who is our guardian angel above, is so proud and is looking down on us from heaven and smiling. I just wish he was here to meet my little angel Philip.
Music on Main... how can we ever forget music on main! On Thursday night of our trip we went to the wonderful Jackie Greene concert outside under the stars in Driggs. Philip of course loved it as he loves to dance... just like his Papa Doc. They even danced in the streets!
Mommy... can we talk first next time before you decide to dress me up as a teddy bear at a concert on a night that isn't Halloween?!
Now when are they going to let me take that guitar and really get this party started
Wait.. I'm looking down - I am not ready for the group photo yet... oh well... guess they took it anyway
Gigi and Papa Doc... I just want to dance!
I might look foolish... but I am really warm - I love you too Mommy!
Here we go... I'm dancing... I'm dancing... get your hands up... oh yeah!
Go Papa Doc... shake what your momma gave you
And let's break it down now Gigi... this is so fun!
I love my mommy's kisses
Daddy... this was one heck of a night... now will someone please put me to bed - I am only 4 months old you know!
And now as we end our trip... we loved more than anything just spending time with the ones we love watching the sun go down.
Gigi... I love you... and I know I am your little angel
Uncle Blake... don't get me in trouble now... hide that screwdriver...
I love you so much Mommy and Daddy... can we stay here forever?!
And the sun...
... goes down!
2 comments:
Steph, WOW! You guys have had a crazy summer of traveling. At least Phillip is probably a pro at it by now. Your trip out west looked amazing! I love all the pictures and I am so glad you guys had a great trip with your family and Lydia's....
When did Lydia and your brother move out there?
Hate we missed what was obviously a great time! Brad's schedule just keeps us from being able to attend things, but at least we have you to take awesome pictures so we feel like we were there! :)
Post a Comment