Jackson & Grand Teton National Park

I've been dreaming of a family vacation in Wyoming and Montana since I last left. It's one of my most favorite places in the world and I could hardly wait to take our kiddos. The last time Wade and I visited Paradise Valley and Yellowstone, Henry and Sam were both toddlers...and stayed behind with Grandma and Papa. Needless to say, it was a treat to finally experience this part of the country with my family. A special thanks to Brooke for introducing me to Paradise Valley during our college years...this was my fifth trip (I think) since then.

In addition to this being the first time for our family to experience the parks (Grand Tenton and Yellowstone) together, it was the first time for any of us to experience DRIVING there from Oklahoma. Seventeen hours and twenty-one minutes from Stillwater to our destination in Jackson.

Thanks also goes to Mauralee for introducing me to the Roadtrippers app. Thanks to Mo, we were able to find two incredible pit stops near the halfway point each day of travel to Jackson. For anyone making the trek to Colorado via I-70 and looking for an interesting place to stretch your legs, try Coronado Heights Park in Linsborg, Kansas. Our kids LOVED it. Charlie loved it so much that she cried when we had to leave. "MOMMY! I want to go back to the castle...PLEASE," she wailed.

 

 

 

 

 

For friends planning to drive north this summer - be sure to click on the link for the address and more information about Coronado Heights. It's a few miles from the interstate, but worth the detour...especially if you have kids or enjoy exploring.

Like I said, it's a great place for little legs to run and could bring some much needed relief when you're ready to hit the road again.

 

 

Proof the pit stop was worth the detour.

 

Our journey on Day 1 ended in Loveland, Colorado, a couple of hours past the halfway point. After spending an entire day in the car we knew the kids would be even less patient on Day 2, so we opted to drive an extra couple of hours and get through Denver the first day. Again, for friends looking for a great place to stay on your way to Jackson this summer, you might check out the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Loveland. We were able to get a great room for a steal on Expedia.com. And the hotel has an indoor pool, a collection of children's books you are welcome to check-out during your stay, a decent breakfast (included w/ your room), Starbucks in the lobby (very important) and a complimentary evening reception (i.e. a free glass of wine...also very important after a long drive). There is also a Chick-fil-A and Panera just a couple of miles from the hotel...super convenient for a quick, inexpensive dinner after splashing in the pool.

 

The second day, during our drive from Loveland to Jackson, we stopped at THE perfect park, Centennial Park in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Jennifer - You MUST stop here with your boys. They'll love it and it's a great place to let them run and exert some energy. Lots of shade and super clean.

 

(Apologies for the many details...just trying to cover the important stuff for my friends making the same trek with kiddos this summer.)

Once we (finally) reached Jackson, we were fortunate to land at a dear friend's house for two nights. What a blessing that was. Our only plans for the two days we spent in Jackson were to acclimate to the altitude...so I didn't die during my half marathon on Saturday, to hike at least one trail in Grand Teton National Park, and to sample two outstanding restaurants. I'm pleased to report that all missions were accomplished.

Kudos to all who recommended The Granary. I'm not sure which was better, the view or our meal. Both were fantastic. The perfect splurge after two days of driving. And yes, children are welcome. They even have a children's menu.

 

 

Views from the restaurant deck, looking out at the Tetons.

 

 

 

 

 

After their bellies were full and their legs stretched...

 

 

We did, of course, leave a teeny tiny bit of room in our tummies for Moo's Gourmet Ice Cream. And enjoyed the rest of the evening in sweatshirts traipsing around the town square.

 

 

 

We decided to spend our first (and only) full day in Jackson hiking around Jenny Lake. The weather was amazing...we got snowed on during our hike which the kids thought was WONDERFUL. And we timed the rain and snow perfectly and were able to catch a glimpse of this incredible rainbow.

 

 

More photos from our hike around Jenny Lake...

 

 

Charlie was a tropper and hiked the first mile-ish on her own. It was after we passed two hikers heading in the opposite direction who warned us there was a bear seven minutes up the trail, that we told Charlie it was time to ride in her backpack. We never saw the bear, but this momma bear wasn't taking any chances.

 

 

 

Hidden Falls

 

 

 

 

Dinner reservations on Friday were at The Blue Lion. My first time to try lamb as I was told by all who recommended The Blue Lion that I HAD to order the lamb. It did not disappoint. While the views weren't quite as picturesque as The Granary, the food was incredible. 

 

This brings us to Saturday. D-Day. It's truly a miracle I crossed the finish line as my training tanked not long after completing the Run 5K training app. I was consistently walking/jogging nine to twelve miles every week, but ten miles was the most I'd completed at one time. And during that longest ten mile trek, around mile seven or eight, all I could think about was making it home to my compression socks and a cold shower. But on June 2, 2018, I did it. I successfully crossed the finish line of my first (notice I didn't say last) HALF MARATHON. It was an emotional morning...lots of experiences and stories motivating me throughout the 13.1 miles. One of those being Elizabeth Smart.

 

As I stood visiting with new friends who had come from Las Vegas to run, waiting for the race to start, I turned to my immediate right and noticed a young woman that looked oddly familiar. I couldn't put my finger on it until I saw "Elizabeth" on her race bib. Then it struck me. I had just watched her documentary. It was Elizabeth Smart. And I was able to meet her, have a conversation about losing toe nails, and tell her how inspiring her story was to me and so many others. And when the fatigue hit at about mile ten, I told myself that if Elizabeth Smart could endure all that she did during her nine months of hell, I could make it 13.1 miles. So, with the beautiful Tetons as my backdrop, I crossed the finish line with Charile holding my left hand, and Sam holding my right.

 

 

More pictures and adventures from Paradise Valley and Yellowstone to come!

 

 

Dear Mom,

I can't believe it will be four years this week. I remember lying in bed with you during your last days, wondering how in the world I could do life without you. How could I do motherhood without you to lean on. How could my babies grow up without knowing their incredible grandma. You were without a doubt the best person I knew, my mother, my best friend, my hero, the person in life I wanted to become. How lucky I was to have you on this earth for 33 years.

It's taken me nearly four years...and I'm writing it down for the days I still forget...to finally understand that I don't have to do life without you. You're still here. And you're still teaching me every day.

When the boys are fighting, or Henry tells a lie, or Sam has a meltdown, I find myself asking what you would do. You would be stern, but loving. Firm, but they would know you loved them "deeper than the ocean, taller than the mountains." In the mornings, when dressing Charlie becomes a wrestling match, I sing the song you wrote when you and I wrestled all those 30+ years ago. When Wade hits a nerve...because that's what husbands do sometimes...I channel my inner mom (you). When work challenges me, I try and respond in a way that would make you proud.

You made every day a special occasion. And you loved like Christ loved. You loved the least of these. This is evident by the box dad dropped off at the house last week. Letters received during your three year battle, all letters from lives you touched.

Charlie has your laugh. She laughs all the time. And it's LOUD. I imagine her running to you sometimes. And you, swooping her up in your arms the way you did Henry and Sam. The two of you laughing together. She's my angel. She reminds me of you. I've told her stories of you and the fun we had together. And now I get to recreate those memories with her. You'll be there too, of course. In my heart and thoughts always.

Do you remember our last conversation, lying on your bed...you told me that Ann would have more babies, and that I'd need to be there for her. Little did we know that I'd have another baby too. And now Ann is having her second baby since you've been gone. It's another boy. She's leveling the field. Two boys and a girl each. Dad will have his hands full.

We just booked our next trip to Disney. It was your dream to take us there before you left. And while you won't be there in body, I know you'll be there in spirit. Wade and I are trying to be more intentional with our time together, while the kids are young. You taught us how to seize every precious moment and live each day to its absolute fullest.

Thank you for your gifts, your lessons, and most of all, your love.

"I remember a time when you were about Sam's age. You were pulled in two directions - Dad had asked you to go "drink coffee" at the donut shop, or you could stay home with Ann and me. She was still just a baby. You cried because you wanted to go with your dad, but then, you wanted to stay with me. You ran out of the house to your dad, but would then run back to me. You finally ended up staying home. You wanted to be in both places at the same time...

That's kind of how I see me - I am excited about going to heaven. I can only imagine meeting Jesus face-to-face. I'll be with mom and Cloe, Ann's baby, and relatives I never knew. But...when I run into His arms, I'll be leaving yours."

-- an excerpt from your last letter

Vaca in Taos

Today in church, it was just me and the kids. Wade had to make a quick trip to Cushing, so the boys and I got to experience communion just the three of us. (Kids Church was cancelled for New Year's Eve.) I had to fight back tears as our communion time reminded me of how blessed I am. To have three beautiful children, a loving and supportive husband, and God, who loves me unconditionally. Today I am reflecting on His goodness and many blessings.

One 2017 memory flooding my thoughts is our family road trip to Taos, New Mexico in October. Regrettably, I'm just now going through photos from our vacation.

 

Love these little people to pieces.

 

Thanks to our friend, Deb, who told us about Twirl. The kids fell in love instantly and it kept them busy for over an hour.

 

As soon as the stars came out, we were in the hot tub star gazing.

"Momma, the moon!"

 

A morning hike in nearby Angel Fire with my clan. Never mind the first 1.5 miles were uphill and I was carrying a 29 lb. toddler on my back. Wade "rescued" me and carried her downhill.

 

At the end of the trail the kiddos collected bags of pine cones which we discovered were an excellent resource for starting a fire.

 

 

We enjoyed warmth from the kiva fireplace, roasted marshmallows, and swam under the stars...every night. It was heaven. 

 

Cheers to many more road trips and family adventures in 2018!