Fantastic Celebration

Natalie hosted festivities on the Fourth. What a fun day. I'm just going to inundate y'all with pictures.

Aquatic Park Memories

I cannot come to the Aquatic Park near Fisherman's Wharf without remembering Sharfest 2000. My cousin Aaron and future brother-in-law Dave Chase swam shark-infested waters from Alcatraz to this beach. My mom, especially, enjoyed that day so it is naturally a favorite memory for me. It was fun to bring Daryl and Ana to this site, as it was Ana's first trip to the Pacific Ocean. She took to it quite naturally!

Catching a Wave & Swinging with Dad

Ana in San Francisco

Daryl and I took Ana alone into the city to pass an entire day while he waited for the India consulate to process a travel visa for an upcoming business trip. We had a great day, killing time. They've completely redone this children's area in Golden Gate Park from five years ago or so, when we brought the other kids. It's just magical.

Meeting Kristin at Kneaders

Another favorite tradition: meeting Robynn's sister at Kneader's Bakery for breakfast. Her kids are getting big! (So are mine!)

Going Out for Snow Cones

We introduced Ben to our tradition of getting yummy (and cheap!) shaved ice just blocks from Katie's house. Notice the big kid in the center of the first picture.

Slip & Slide

Ana, Lincoln, and Scout at Katie's sweet neighbor's house, enjoying some summer fun on one of the first hot days. (6/14/08)

Fast-Track Blogging

For Melissa's sake alone, I will forge ahead and post some pictures after all. We've got a pantry full of top ramen, so what the heck.

Daunting Task Ahead

I had just finished blogging the month of May (near the end of June) when we left for a 2-week visit to see my peeps in sunny (smoky) California. Now it is nearing the end of July and I have soooo much to catch my reading public up on. (Did I really just end a sentence with two prepositions? It seems I did!) I don't have the stamina I once had, so it will probably be a posting here and there for a while. I've got some GREAT cousin pictures at the pool and at the beach, so it will be worth the wait--I promise!

Just as I Suspected

Take the Quiz here!

Ana at the Bunnery

Last vacation stop was in Jackson Hole. We ate a yummy dinner before heading back to Pocatello. Here is Ana after a long day. What a trooper!

View of the Tetons

We exited Yellowstone and began traveling back through the Teton National Forest. Stunning views.

Geysers Galore

More images of Yellowstone. We went to the Old Faithful visitor center and lodge for lunch, which was yummy. We watched out the restaurant windows while people gathered for O. F.'s eruption. The kids and I went down to the obersvation deck and waited about 10 minutes for the geyser. It was pretty spectacular. Daryl had Ana and the camera, though. Check out Old Faithful's live web cam for a view of it. It erupts every 90 minutes or so. Or just take our word for it that it's very cool. http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/oldfaithfulcam.htm

Steamin' Mud Pots

I knew all about Old Faithful, but I didn't realize the entire park is boiling over everywhere. Here are shots of the "painted mud pots" and the family in front of several geysers.