Yellowstone - Part 1

*For the next several days I am going to be playing catch up! Enjoy the cute pictures!

For our first day at the park, we loaded everyone up into the cars (and later strollers) and went to see one of the biggest attractions: Old Faithful.

The girls insisted that we stop and gas up the stroller before we went in.

We got there just after the last eruption, so we had some time to kill.

We wandered around for a bit while we waited. Have you ever seen a kid on a leash? We tried this method with Brookie, and it worked like a dream! She got to have her freedom of not holding someone's hand, and we got the peace of mind knowing she hadn't run off. Plus, she LOVED the monkey on her back!

We got back to Old Faithful right before he was thought to erupt. We got everyone ready so they would be able to see,

and then we waited.

And played.

And waited some more.

Good thing we can keep each other entertained!

Because it turns out that Old Faithful

Really isn't that faithful.

Finally, Old Faithful finally erupted. I tried to explain later to Maddie that it wasn't smoke, just water & steam shooting off. She still thinks I'm nuts!

We tried to get some good pictures during the 3 minute eruption, but it didn't work so well, this is all we got:

One night while we were in Yellowstone mom pulled out a pinata that she had brought along. The girls were THRILLED.

The grown ups enjoyed watching (this is how Lace & Steve would look with twins!)

And the little girls LOVED hitting the pinata. Even when the pinata came back and hit Maddie.

The pinata was a huge success! Later on in the week we were walking down the street when Ivy saw one of the life size, hollow statutes of a buffalo. She knocked on us, then informed everyone around that "if you hit it with a stick, candy will come out"!

Education Week

I spent my last week of summer vacation at Education week at BYU. It was lovely! I went with my mom and we stayed in the dorms, and went to all sorts of classes during the day. One of my favorite classes was all about all the different types of personalities. I ended up staying for all three hours of the class. This stuff intrigues me.

One of the things I learned in this class is the real difference between introverts and extroverts. Introverts end up getting a bad rap of being anti social, but this isn't the case. The difference is that extroverts get their energy from being with other people, so when they need a pick me up they are more likely to go to a party or with friends. Introverts on the other hand need time on their own to re energize. This doesn't mean that they aren't good at socializing or have a hard time being around people, it just means they need more time on their own than extroverts. An introvert can be very outgoing, just like an extrovert can. About 25% of the population are introverts, being an extrovert is far more common.

I found this so interesting because I am very much an introvert! I enjoy going out with friends (though I have never been a party girl) and being around other people. However, I need my alone time to keep my sanity. I have always felt like this was a bad thing, which it isn't! It's just the way that my mind is built.

It was a super interesting class, as were the many others I went to. I was suppose to catch up on all my summer blog posts while I was away, but that didn't happen :) So we'll see if I can get caught up before school starts!

Neglected

Yes, I admit it. I have sorely neglected my blog. I wish I had some adventurous reason for doing so, but I really don't. I have spent my last month of summer vacation working hard in my classroom, playing lots with my family & friends, and doing LOTS of reading. I have read 5 books in the past month, and have LOVED every one. That doesn't happen often. I promise to get back to some really blogging quick here (I have several Yellowstone posts to do) but for now I am going to do a quick book review since I have been so impressed with each of these books.

Tiger's Curse
by Colleen Houck

This book was recommended to me by Suzette, and then later by Lacey. I figured if they both liked it, then I definitely needed to try it out. Though it didn't sound like my usual type of book, I devoured the entire book in about two days. The mixture of Indian culture with fantasy made for a very intriguing storyline. I found myself attached to each character and on the edge of my seat as I waited to see what would happen. I found Tiger's Curse to be very entertaining.

Tiger's Quest
by Collen Houck

Lacey was kind enough to get a hold of Tiger's Quest for me right after I finished Tiger's Curse. I found this book to be a little more difficult to get into, but just as good. I enjoyed watching the characters develop further, and following Kelsey's journey. I did find some of the descriptions of India and Indian culture to be a little confusing for me. An excellent read, and I am already itching to get my hands on book #3 this fall!

The Shadow of Your Smile
by Mary Higgins Clark

Mary Higgins Clark is my go to author when it comes to books for traveling. They quickly pull me in, and have short chapters which makes it easy to pick it up and read just a few pages. Plus, they can make me a little jumpy, so it's better to read them when I am not at home alone. I read The Shadow of your Smile on our first trip to Yellowstone. This MHC book was different because you know who the culprit is from the very beginning. Even so, it was a fun mystery to follow, with just enough romance to make me smile.

I'll Walk Alone
by Mary Higgins Clark

This was the MHC book I read on our second trip to Yellowstone. I was a little worried to read another one so soon, and especially after one that I loved so much. Yet, this one was just as great as the other! I found myself aching for the main character and the injustice she was facing. I really didn't figure out what was going on until the end. Once again, just enough romance to make it fun without making me gag. I'm really hoping for another MHC book by the time we go to Florida in February!

The Goose Girl
by Shannon Hale

How have I not read this already? Seriously! It never appealed to me, though I am not sure why. However, when I finally started it I read it in a day and was captivated from the beginning. I loved watching Ani find herself, become comfortable and proud of who she was, and learn how to be what she needed to be. It was clever and fun and left me smiling and wanting more. I am on hold for the next book in the series, and I can't wait!

Now can you see why my blog has been left behind? I admit I am a sucker for good books! I hope your summers have been full of great books and spectacular adventures! Has anyone read any books they would recommend?

WE'RE ON VACATION!

It may have started off rocky

(tends to happen when you plan your vacation a week early)



But we have finally made it!

It was a long day in the car

though we did stop at a park to play halfway through

and now we get to be in Yellowstone

FOR ONE WHOLE WEEK!

Stay tuned for all the details, plus loads of adorable pictures!

A Thoughtful Question

Maddie and I went on a movie date the other week to see "Monte Carlo". It was great! On the way home Maddie asked:

"Kate, why did Jesus give us belly buttons?"

I LOVE kids and the way their minds work!

Dear Summer,

I'm a big fan of you. I love the break from the rest of the year. I love the warm weather and beautiful days. I love campfires and spending time in the great outdoors.

I love your food. Grilling/dutch ovens/frozen desserts. Really, summer food rocks.

I am SOOOOO happy I can finally go hiking! I love how you look in the morning from the top of a mountain.

I love summer silliness. I think you bring out the inner child in all!

I also enjoy the extra reading time that you have for me! And the extra time to spend with family/friends.

Really, I just love you. Thanks for providing such wonderful times!

Love,

Katie

* How Embarrassing!!! *

Saturday night some friends came over for a movie night. Ashley and I ran into town to grab pizza, then headed to a redbox to pick up the movie. Right after we picked up the pizza the sky opened and it began to pour. Really, really pour. I haven't seen rain like that since Brazil. Ashley pulled up to the outdoor redbox, I jumped out, waited patiently while the person in front of me got their movie, and then got my movie. I turned around in the drenching rain, ducked my head, and ran to the car that was parked behind me.

I threw open the door and went to climb in when the driver looked at me funny . . . wait a second . . . the driver wasn't Ashley! And while the car was silver, this was NOT Ashley's car. WHOOPS!!! I muttered a quick "I am so sorry, wrong car!" shut the door, and dashed off (a bright shade of red) to find where Ashley had parked. I was truly mortified!

Since I was already drenched by this point it seemed a good idea to take advantage of the pouring rain once we got home and play in it. I think playing in the rain is therapy for the soul. Especially when it is a good downpour!