On “safari” in the Lamar Valley! In addition to scads of bison, pronghorn, big horned sheep, elk and osprey, we were lucky enough to observe a juvenile black bear right next to the road. When he got too close, the rangers carefully shooed him away. Our goal was to have a picnic dinner at our favorite spot on the banks of Pebble Creek (where we had a surprise meet up with grandparents and cousins). Sad to drive home now but so thankful to spend time with these wonderful animals.
Yellowstone, Day 2: in which my description of the caldera frightens my 8 year old so badly that she cries through an entire geyser basin; whenever my kids see an elk they bark “elk! elk! elk! elk!” like deranged sea lions; we are driven indoors by torrential downpours and I convince myself that “the park looks so green and verdant now”; Eleanor and I purchase bookmarks that list “Advice From a Mud Pot” (such as, “always bubble with enthusiasm”); we finish the evening by challenging Grandpa to a dance-off (not pictured, for which I think he’s grateful).
We made the big drive up to Yellowstone today via Grand Teton NP. The kids did not like posing for photos in front of the mountains; Katie has incredible tolerance for the frigid waters of Jenny Lake; Brian and the boys ate something called the “Signal Mountain of Nachos,” and we waddled around some geyser basins afterwards. Time to collapse!
All four kids performed at Benaroya Hall in the Seattle Children’s Chorus’ 30th anniversary concert this afternoon. (UGH, the dropoff carpooling! Let us never speak of it again.) I was sneaky and took a few pictures of the combined choir onstage….. and then a few of the organist & trumpet soloist performing Bach to warm up the audience….. and then when Katie forgot her hoodie backstage I couldn’t resist taking a few more pics with the Seattle Symphony’s percussion kit…..lots of musical sneaky sneaks today. Oh, and beautiful music from the kids, too. Good job, guys.
Casa Camisas 