Missing Out

Today was the planned Fairy Falls hike. I woke up to find that my ankle was swollen to the size of a baseball, and bruised in a very disgusting manner. I could walk on it pretty fine as long as I didn't bend it, but it was looking like going on the hike was out for me. In the end, it seemed to be for the best, though. We dropped Ryan and Colton off at the longer trail entrance (making the hike a total of 10 miles), and then dropped Jan and Christian off at the shorter trail entrance (making the hike around 6 miles). Kevin and I kept Lilly and drove up to Yellowstone Lake.

Lilly refused to take a nap, while I could tell Kevin was needing one just as badly as I was. When we got to the lake, I let him hang out in the car while I went exploring with Lilly. By "exploring," really I mean "shopping." I strapped her monkey leash on and let her lead the way. She was cranky, and I knew that, but I thought getting out of the car would help. Nope! When she's in a funk like she was, she will not let me hold her or lead her by hand. I don't know where she's learned it, but she'll just stomp her feet, fall to the floor, and start screaming. Yep, full-blown tantrum mode. The leash didn't help me much. Actually, it just made me feel stupid when I would tug on it to try and get her to go the direction that I wanted her to go, only to realize that she's not a dog and won't take orders. I was having a hard time by myself. My ankle hurt and I kept bending it in painful directions every time I had to deal with Lilly. All she wanted to do was try to get to the giant, lit fireplace or follow other kids around. I didn't get much looking done before I gave up and decided to check out. 

I attempted letting her have another round of picking out a stuffed animal. I hoped she'd forgotten the terror that the stuffed buffalo brought the day before. Sadly, she was just as scared. She settled for just poking all the noses of the bears. I ended up just getting her some bath toys.  I got me a pack of scrapbooking supplies, with the intent of actually scrapbooking this trip. As I was checking out, I had no other choice but than to set Lilly down. Just my luck, the coffee mug display was right at my feet. Lilly ended up breaking one of the mugs before I could stop her. My patience was running thin! I paid for my stuff and tried to lead her out of the store and across the parking lot to the car. We made it half way across the parking lot before she did the tantrum thing and I just decided to grab her by the arm and force her to walk to the car. I felt embarrassed and like a bad mom, but I was so sick of her attitude by that point. Seriously, where the heck did she learn to throw tantrums?! Mom, Kevin said it perfectly. I was telling him how you wished I'd have 10 children just like me, and how at times it feels like you're getting your wish...He said at times it feels like Lilly is all 10 of those children, wrapped up into one. Thanks!

Suffice it to say, we didn't stay at the lake long. I made Lilly and Kevin lunch, and then we left. Part of why I lost my temper with Lilly in the parking lot was because we were getting swarmed by mosquitoes, and Ryan conveniently had all the bug spray with him. Anyway, I couldn't leave fast enough. Thankfully, Lilly fell asleep during the drive back to pick everyone up. We pulled up to Fairy Falls right as they were coming off the trail. Ryan was actually happy that everything happened the way it had, because he and Colton were able to go off trail a bit. They had fun jumping creeks, getting stuck in mud, and dodging herds of buffalo. Ryan's pants were splattered with mud, and let's just say, it's time for new shoes.

The end of the Fairy Falls hike marked the end of our trip. We drove out through Teton National Park, on our way to Alpine, WY to stay with Grandma and Grandpa Moore for the night. We made a quick stop off in Jackson Hole, by my request, for a picture under the antler arch. We always did that with my family when we were kids, so I had to get a picture with Ryan and Lilly. I could sense Ryan's family wasn't too happy that I delayed getting to a nice, warm meal. Sorry!!

Lilly fell asleep right outside Jackson Hole, and woke up literally the second we pulled up to the Moore's cabin. When we went inside to greet grandma and grandpa, Lilly was still waking up and had no idea where she was. Grandma Moore scared her a bit, so Lilly found comfort in bear-bear and grandma Jan. She warmed up quickly, though. Dinner that night was delicious! Jan, I need grandma's recipe for that cabbage salad. I know that sounds dumb, but man was that yummy! Lilly went to bed at a decent hour for the first time during the trip, so all of us adults just sat around and told stories and laughed. Ryan's spent a fair amount of time trying to sell grandpa on the Google Nexus tablet. I love all my tech boys!

The best part of staying with the Moores was the bed! We got the king size bed in the basement, where it was cool. I slept so well! Well, that is until Ryan started snoring again, and Lilly started laughing in her sleep...

Saw this guy on our drive into the park that morning. I sure do love eagles. 

Wolf tracks

Yellowstone Lake. Lots of fun fishing memories with my dad at this lake

Crossing the parking lot at the lake. 

I told her she could have any stuffed animal that she wanted, and all she wanted to do was poke their noses. 

I thought these were appropriate, since we had some pretty cool wolf and bear encounters. Oh, and her very own camping cup 

During Ryan's Fairy Fall hike

Tetons. My favorite mountain range.

Petting the metal bear-bear

TRADITION!!

Is that not the cutest thing, how she hugs bear-bear close?

She's recently started tapping her feet when she feels a surface that she notices is different. She'll also do this if you ask her to dance. I'd just like to take this moment to apologize to our downstairs neighbors...