~ELKINGTON FAMILY REUNION & Birthday's!!!~

The last few days of our vacation were spent at my sister's cabin in Alpine, Wyoming for the first annual Elkington Family Reunion. We had so much fun playing games, eating cake (it was Easton's & Hailey's birthdays), and hiking through the wilderness! Every day families within the family took assignments of either cooking a fantastic meal, planning an outstanding activity, or preparing for a nightly devotional. We ate like kings and queens, and we played harder than ever! At the close of each day the devotionals added a perfect ending to a perfect day. From Silly Olympics to Outdoor Scavenger Hunts to Family Devotionals...memories were made that will last a lifetime! I am grateful to family traditions, and I am grateful to this new tradition on the Elkington side!

~Happy Birthday Hailey~

~Happy Birthday Easton and Hailey (same day)~

~Outdoor Scavengar Hunt~

~Pop Explosion~

~JACKSON HOLE, TARGHEE, & BAR-T 5 Wagon Ride~

We spent our second day of vacation with some long time friends (Liz and Steven Dalley). We were able to visit Targhee National Forest. The mountains were majestic. It was raining, so we did not spend much time out of the cars, but the drive was worth the view!

After visiting Targhee, we spent the remainder of our time inside candy stores, or other various shops in Jackson. In the evening were able to go to the Bar-T 5 show. It was fantastic! We were able to ride in a wagon, eat good food, and listen to music! Better than that--my cousin, Chase Elkington, played a lead role in the program. My children thought they were related to a "star".

~JUNE 9; YELLOWSTONE PARK~
We had a family reunion in Alpine, and decided to go to Yellowstone Park on the way. We had a fantastic time! The kids loved seeing the geysers, the animals, and the mud pots. Along with seeing amazingly breathtaking sights, we enjoyed holding hands as we walked along the boardwalks, talking and laughing at silly jokes, shaking with fright as a buffalo walked within feet of where we were standing, and laughing (...well, most of us were laughing) as we ran to seek shelter from a sudden down pour. Family bonding was had by all, and we were extremely sad to leave the park at the close of the day. We had no idea that we would need more time in the park... And so the plans are beginning... YELLOWSTONE NEXT YEAR!

~OLD FAITHFUL~

~Buffalo on OUR Boardwalk~

~Castle Geyser~

~TWO cute BOYS~

~Grotto Geyser~

~Morning Glory~
Morning Glory was a looooonnnnnngggggggg walk. However, it was one of my favorite sites.

~Seeking Shelter from a Sudden Down Pour~
The trees did not offer much as far as "protection" from the summer thunderstorm. The ranger was running through the park telling all the tourists to seek shelter back at the lodge (they were afraid of someone getting struck by lightening). As much as we wanted to seek shelter from the rain--the lodge was still quite a distance, and running with three kids all struggling to "want" to walk/run another step...takes longer than wanted.

~Yellowstone Lower Falls~

~KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION~

Congratulations, AMBER!

~OUR SOLAR SYSTEM~

Hailey performed two major roles in a school play. The play was all about our solar system. She played the roles of "Earth" and "Saturn's Rings". She did a fantastic job! It was so fun watching her perform with ease and confidence.

I loved watching her perform Earth! Throughout the entire performance she smiled from ear to ear, and presented herself with such amazing confidence! She was breathtaking!

BALLET
Amber loves ballet! I don't think she loves ballet, because of ballet itself... I think the reason she loves ballet so much is because she loves the process of a ballet performance. She loves to dress-up, wear a "little" make-up, and perform in front of a big audience. She thinks the whole experience is thrilling! OH! ...and she loves that mom buys her flowers every year--it makes her feel special!

~Amber and Londyn~

~FEATHERVILLE~
Last May we went to the cabin with the Forsberg's and the Pruett's. We had a great time riding four-wheelers, playing in the stream, and simply relaxing in the great outdoors. We are so grateful to be able to "getaway" once in a while.

~Amber, Cybil, Nick~

~Jake~

~Jake, Wesley, Jackson, & Nick~