Vacation to Wyoming!

Well, this is better late then never! We have been so busy since we have been home, but we enjoyed a relaxing trip to Wyoming a couple of weeks ago. I am constantly amazed by how hard my parents have worked to build this cabin. It was nice to see it done! We love spending time here away from the stress of the rest of the world. We love the simplicity of Wyoming...but not the bugs! Due to all of the snow this winter there was a lot of flooding, standing water...bugs bugs bugs! It was hard to be outside at all. It was just like a cartoon when they make an arrow and attack you...that's how they were (minus the formed arrow) especially towards Meredith. So, that led to many indoor activities and several trips to explore other areas. Still a wonderful vacation! This also was the first time we have been fortunate enough to see so many wild flowers. They were so beautiful! I have so many pictures of them! This picture in on my parent's property.

On the way out we stopped at Vedauwoo. The rock formations are amazing (although I didn't really include any pictures of them). Lauren loved to try and climb them and Meredith wanted to hold her hand and follow right along. We did not dress appropriately for rock climbing with our flip flops and skirts.

This spot was one of girls' favorites! They loved sitting up on the stools and hang out or eat. Meredith even left her mark by knocking off a statue from the loft, shattering the statue while leaving a big dent in the beautiful table and floor!

This antelope crossed in front of us and then stopped for a lovely photo op.

Our only trip through the property :( ..stupid bugs!!!!

The girls loved my hat and I LOVE this picture of Meredith! What was in her milk?

The girls loved the tub and I loved the view out the window.

We enjoyed Laramie's Jubilee Days. We enjoyed the parade, Chili Cookout tasting, music, shopping and food. Clayton and Lauren went a rodeo one afternoon. Lauren loved it (even though the last hour was a little long) and amazed by everything they did. A rodeo clown even came and sat right next to her. Lauren loved the front row view. We also enjoyed a day of swimming in Laramie.

We spent a day up in the Snowy Range Park. We were amazed how much snow was still covering several roads. Most of the side roads were blocked off with snow and so many streams.

I was hoping to get a picture with the girls here because I had one with Lauren 3 years ago...but it was covered in snow.

Yes, this is in the same place as the above picture and it was taken at the same time of year. What a difference a snowy winter makes!

Same thing here.  Notice how the bridge is broken from all the weight of the snow. In the picture with Clay and Lauren, they were just to the right of the bridge, closer to Lake Marie. Snow drifts prevented us from doing this.

2008.

So...it was a little colder at the top than we expected...50degrees. So the pictures might have turned out better if Lauren had a jacket...she was freezing! But it was just too pretty to pass up.

Meredith didn't care..she just ate some of the flowers to keep warm...Crazy girl!

Snowball fight!!!

Our only campfire..early in the morning before the bugs came out. The fire didn't even keep them away.

It was so sad to see the work of the pine beetle. So many of the tress are dead, but new ones are coming up!

Let Freedom Ring!!!!

Meredith was feeling a little better on Monday, so we joined Clay to celebrate Independence Day! How lucky were these girls to get 2 parades in one day (by luck).  With cousins...Jillian Saathoff, Abby Muller, Lauren & Meredith patiently waiting for the parade to start.

Meredith enjoyed watching and waving to everyone. She especially loved the tractors and horses.

Then we came home and caught our local parade and then had a few friends over to watch the fireworks from the comfort of home.

All Better Now

As you can see, after a few days Meredith is back to her old self. Eating again. Demanding her own way. Being silly Meredith. This girl makes me either laugh out loud or cry. As I watched her assemble this ensemble (yes, this is composed of a swimsuit from circo brand, a handmade apron and vintage boots circa 2006) it made me completely forget about the tantrum she threw at 6:20 this morning lying in the parking lot at day care..well almost :)

Teeth! Teeth! Teeth!

Lauren lost her 1st tooth on Saturday! She was a little surprised how quickly her Dad pulled it out and a little surprised by the amount of blood (this girl does not like blood), but has been diligently wiggling the one next to it! What a big and brave girl you are Lauren!

Meredith apparently does not like the 4th of July! Last year she spent it vomiting, so one of us spent time with her while the other took Lauren out and this year she decided to get two of her 2yr molars and had a terrible time with it. She spent the entire day drooling through shirt after shirt, screaming, trying to eat and crying, refusing medication, refusing to sleep, just not herself. So...Lauren and I spent an exhausting day with her...poor girl.

Lauren and I finally took her outside to try and distract her from all the pain. It worked...Lauren gave her a little gymnastic lesson. Here they are stretching on the deck.