Yellowstone Cup

Whew This was a tough tournament! We learned going into it we were playing up an age bracket and also that we'd be playing some travel teams! Oh man these girls had to work! Sadly, we lost most of the games and ended up with alot of injuries, including Mollie. She got her knee knocked backwards and went down in a lot of pain. Coach had to carry her off the field.  She was bummed she didn't get to play much in the last game and a bunch of family came see her. Tough luck. 

she worked super hard and this pic was cute with her medal around her neck and passed out cold. 

 Good fight Miss Mol! 

Bear World and THE bear

Another bucket list item was checked off my list when we went to Bear World! They tell you before you go in, Dont honk, Don't stop, Don't reverse. Easy enough, right? HAH!

Anyway, at first it was amazing! There are hundreds of bears all around of every kind! I loved seeing them and they were fairly active since it was morning. 

They were climbing, bathing, eating and doing all sorts of cute things!

And then this bear.....he walked right up to us! We didn't want to run him over, so of course we stopped. Mistake! We couldn't see the bear and we all of a sudden heard crunching and popping noises. Chad threw it in reverse but we still couldnt see the bear. All of a sudden, the bear stood up on its back legs and had his front paws ON OUR SUBURBAN! Chad again threw it in reverse and the bear went down. It was chaos in our car as we were all screaming and trying to figure out what to do. Rylee was on my lap in the front and she was trying to get down below me to hide! It was funny looking back but scary in the moment. 

Chad had to drive off the path aways to get away from this bear and be able to keep moving! In the process he swiped our tire, bit our bumper and scratched the hood of our car. Chad was NOT happy. I thought it was hilarious. 

After surveying the damage, we decided to go play at the theme park and ride some rides there. Not much we could do about it!

Ok, these baby bears are adorable! I want one!

There was also a petting zoo and Mollie made quick friends with a goat. 

And deer. 

After our experience I figured we better get a souvenir. I don't think we'll be forgetting this trip any time soon, but we needed to trinket to commemorate! 

Here's the damage, scratch down the hood, teeth holes in the bumper and a slice in the sidewall of the tire. I think he was after all those yummy dead bugs on the bumper. 

 

Hymas/Maughan Yellowstone Adventure

When we learned that the Maughans would also be going to the Yellowstone Cup in Idaho we booked an air bnb with them! We planned fun things to do and meals and down time too. It was a super fun experience in an awesome house and the kids all loved it! The first night, the guys were all huddled around the old nintendo having a blast. 

The next day we hit Yellowstone! I've always wanted to come back ever since I was a kid. It didn't disappoint either! I loved seeing all the animals!

We got lucky enough to see a small herd cross a pond. It was fun watching!

We got to Old Faithful and walked around before the show began. 

This part of the world is quite amazing with all its volcanic activity. 

Yummmmmm the smell of sulfur. 

After waiting a long time, Old Faithful, faithfully shot off! Wow, it was incredible and much bigger than I remember as a kid. 

Look at all these colors! We learned it is from warm water bacteria. 

Just wow. 

I totally loved being in nature and finding all the treasures that Yellowstone has to offer. I'd love to go again if we get to go back!! On to more adventuring and soccer games!

 

Almost 9....still

Since we were going to be gone on Rylee's birthday and we didn't really want to lug presents around, we let her open her gifts a few days early. She was totally fine with that! She always said she wanted some dollar bills so I taped a bunch together and put them in a box for her to pull out and discover. She loved that! She even got a bonus dollar because I guess I can't count to nine. 

On her actual birthday, we were in Idaho for a soccer tournament with the Maughans. We rented a house together and stayed there. We had a blast with them and they even got her a gift for her birthday morning!

Before games, we had lunch at Applebees with G&G Reed at her request. Grandma brought her some flowers that were growing at her hotel. 

After soccer games we invited my family to celebrate at DQ with some ice cream before we hit the road home. Even though it was a different birthday, I still think she was very spoiled and enjoyed the day! 

Panama will soon have our hearts

After lots of thought and spiritual growing, these two wonderful parents of mine have decided to serve the Lord for 18 months. They put their papers in in mid April expecting to have a call within a few weeks! The waiting was killing all of us! Every Tuesday we would wait for a text to see if it came. Finally, we got the text! 

We all joined over a zoom call and they joyfully read their call together. 

You have been called to serve in the Panama City, Panama Mission. They didn't have to learn spanish but it is a spanish speaking area. So they started brushing up on their spanish right away. They had 60 days exactly to have things in order and be ready to leave! 

We all immediately started looking up fun facts about Panama and trying to learn about it. I think they were both shocked to death! We learned it is very rainy, that it had a temple, it was only a 3 days drive, but it actually isn't drivable at all. And that it a very large city with tons of sky scraper buildings. We have had fun helping them get their home ready and learning about Panama right along with them. While its going to be hard to have them gone, I know they are going to be so amazing in helping further the work. They are putting so much trust in the Lord and I know they will be blessed as well as their family. I'm so grateful for their example and willingness to do something hard. 

 

Better late than never!

I finally got to celebrate my birthday with friends, we went to Chili's and did a little shopping! I sure love these ladies and that they make an effort to remember me and celebrate my birthday! 

 

Rylee is 9....almost

When we got looking at our calendar to plan Rylee's birthday party, we figured out we'd have to have it early or late since we had some things planned. She opted to have it a week early, because who wants to celebrate their birthday late?! She just wanted a park play day with her friends. Easy peasy! I called the city and rented a pavilion and provided some chocolate chocolate cupcakes (vanilla too) at Rylee's request and let the kids play!

I brought water games but it was almost too chilly for that. Besides the sprinklers came on and we were getting a very nice mist off of them. 

Gaga ball is all the rave right now so alot of gaga ball was played. 

She was perfectly spoiled and perfectly loved at her party and it was a great day for all! G&G Reed even made it up but I guess I didn't get any pics of them! 

 Happy almost 9th bday babe! Can't believe my youngest is in her last year of single digits!