Big Sky Country - Part 2

Tuesday morning my parents left Montana, leaving us Butlers to fend for ourselves. We decided we wanted to head back to Yellowstone to take the other main road which would take us to the East, we told ourselves we were "bear hunting." My cousin had highlighted a couple of his favorite spots in the park, one being Lower Falls of Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, so we headed there first.

Upon entering the park, we knew it was going to be a great day when we saw who was there to welcome us - our friends from the day before:

I love how the bull elk is watching over all his "lady friends."

We stopped in Mammoth to pick up some info and then headed to the Grand Canyon side. We took Blacktail Trail for a little unpaved-road driving. We just knew this would be where the bears were hanging out. So there weren't any bears, but there WERE beautiful sights like this one:

When we got to the parking for the Canyon, we put Lando in the pack and headed down to Lower Falls. He looked pretty cute on his Dad's back:
This is me and Landon on the trail down with Upper Falls in the background (LOVE this picture of Landon, including his hilarious hair):
When we got to Lower Falls, we were pretty blown away with what we saw. It was by far our favorite sight at the park... and yes, that is a double rainbow :)
The boys checking out the waterfall:
More pics of Landon in the pack (I couldn't help it, I thought he was so cute in there):

We also checked out Grandview Point which basically looks onto Lower Falls. If you look closely you can see the platform we had just been on:
Butler family photo at Grandview Point:
For some reason, I didn't take too many pics this 2nd day in Yellowstone, but we basically just took in the sights, "hunted bears," and just enjoyed our Nation's pride and joy.

No, we didn't see bears, after all. In a way it's a good thing because now we have reason to go back, right?! On the way out we did see these beautiful Big Horn Sheep chilling on this STEEP mountainside:
We got back to the resort and took a little dip in the locations namesake, Chico Hot Springs. It was nice and relaxing and Landon loves everything to do with water. After some dinner, these tired Butlers hit the hay.

The next day we were heading out. Nate and I decided we both wanted to go for a run, even though we'd have to take turns since we didn't bring the trusty BOB. I was pretty happy Nate took it upon himself to snap a couple of photos of me finishing up my run. Look closely for me in this one:
Ahhhhhh... running in Montana:
The vacation was absolutely wonderful! Chico Hot Springs Resort has now also become a special spot to me and if we ever do Yellowstone again I definitely want to stay there again. What can I say, I just LOVED Montana! Being a Cali girl, I think often you grow up thinking California is the one and only state in this country. I'm happy that as I've grown older, I've learned just how wrong this is.

Big Sky Country - Part 1

*I don't even know where to begin with this post. We had such a great time and I took nearly 500 photos, I can hardly choose which to share. I've decided to go chronologically, in two parts. I hope I can do this trip justice :)

We arrived in Montana pretty late on Saturday night. Having never been there, it was almost eerie how pitch black it was while we were driving. We arrived at the Chico Hot Springs Resort around 11:30 at night. Without getting too into it, there were a couple of mishaps that happened immediately upon arrival. Nate, Lando and I ended up having to bunk up with my parents in their cabin, and I went to bed that first night not knowing if I was going to like this trip to Montana. Well... then I woke up... and looked outside and this is what I saw:

The view from our cabin was beautiful and immediately the night before was completely forgotten. Fortunately, my parents had opted for the cabin, because it fit us all easily and, besides, who wouldn't want to call this place home for a few nights?

Quickly we learned why Montana is lovingly named "Big Sky Country":


It was Sunday morning, the day of my cousin's wedding (the whole reason for the trip), so knowing we didn't have much time we went on a drive to get a good look around. We headed over to "Old Chico" a local ghost town. Really, it was WAY to beautiful out to give the place any kind of foreboding feel:

Obviously my dad wasn't too intimidated either :)

After the drive we all got prettied up and headed to the wedding. A nice family photo (oh yeah, I chopped my hair off):

My boys:

My cousin, Robert John, and my pops:

My cousin was wearing the biggest smile on his face all day. I could see he was beaming with love for his bride, Senele (who we absolutely LOVE). The scene for the wedding was beautiful and reminded me of Nate and I's- very intimate and personal. A little "You may kiss the bride":

See, he's still beaming, right?

A little stop back at the cabin before the reception turned into a mini photo shoot. My 'rents:

The reception was fun and the food was good. By the end of the night (after a very tiring night before) we were quite tuckered out. We needed our rest, too, because Monday we were headed to....

The goal for the first day was to hit "Old Faithful" with a couple of other stops along the way. My first impression of Yellowstone? It was HUGE. 3,468.4 square miles, to be exact. I felt like something so big could hardly be called a park, especially when compared to the neighborhood parks I grew up with. We saw some great things, but why tell you when I can just show you :)

Roosevelt Arch - the entrance to the park through the town of Gardiner:

Love the quote:


Mammoth Hot Springs:


Maybe I wasn't too up on my Yellowstone facts, but I had no idea that hot springs and geysers were such a big part of the park. They were everywhere. If I remember correctly, I believe there are over 10,000 in the park. The geothermal features didn't seem to bug the wildlife:


Lando waiting in suspense for Old Faithful to erupt:

Waiting... waiting... waiting...

There she blows!!!


We also stopped by Gibbon Falls. Another family photo! We must have doubled our amount of family pics on this trip:

Landon liked the waterfall (or just loves his daddy):
After a big day of sight-seeing, we headed out of the park. But not without seeing this Bull Elk with his "lady friends" (not pictured) posted up for all to see.


And then we ate:

No, that's not Nate eating the elk from the previous picture. But it is Nate eating a big ol' 24 oz Cowboy Cut at the Rib and Chop House. If you do make it to Montana, you have GOT to go. I had the best fillet of my life.... like, ever.... I'm drooling now.

This concludes Part 1 of our trip. Part 2 coming soon.

We Love Colorado

Going along with our "at-least-2-trips-to-CO-a-year" travel plans, Landon got to go on his second trip to visit the Butler clan. I love that when we make the trip it becomes a family affair and everyone tries to make it out there. Although, Nate's sister Emily and her family didn't make it this time (you were missed), we were so happy to see everyone and enjoy some family time.

Landon was a perfect sleeping angel on the way over just snoozin' away:

Landon loved spending time with his cousins (even if this picture doesn't exactly show it):

Cousin Charlie was so great with Landon. I can't believe Charlie is now a little boy and showing Landon the ropes. Seems like only yesterday he was a babe:

We loved spending some time outdoors. Landon especially loved the new infant swing Lynn and Don added to the playset in the backyard:

Boys worked in the yard:

And Landon enjoyed some time with Grandma and Grandpa Butler:
Thanks for having us! We can't wait to make it out there again soon!

Last Minute Trip to CO

Considering I started this post a month ago, I think it's time to finish it...

Last month Nate and I took a last minute trip to CO to go visit the Butler family. For most, it was the first time meeting Landon. Mr. Man got to meet some of his cousins and enjoyed being loved by his grandparents, aunts, and uncles. There were other firsts, too.

First plane rides (Landon was a champion, didn't even make a peep):

First time at Grandma and Grandpa Butler's house:

First meeting with a great grandparent:

First snow (although he's a little too young to play in it, it was still pretty to see):

First fist bumps from cousin Sammy:

First trip to beautiful Boulder:

And meeting some of Dad's CO friends (and their children):

We had such a great time spending time with family and can't wait for more this X-Mas. I know there will be more time spent with this guy:
And this lady, here:
We had a great time! Thanks for having us :)