The Greatest of all Gifts

I was asked to go to Yellowstone for a long weekend with my parents and brother.

 

What would you 'a done?

 

Oh, I needed to get away so badly, so I couldn't resist the invite.

Why do moms think that we can't leave our beauties?

But, I learned a long time ago that I am a better mom if I get good, healthy breaks once in a while.  Sometimes it's more work to get the kids ready for me to be gone than it is for me to actually go.  But, I did it and we made it and I left and all was perfect.

 

Marc and I drove up together listening to Jerry Seinfeld and Brian Regan.

It was SO glorious!  and relaxing and funny.  I immediately realized that I needed this getaway more than I knew.

We were there with the Cleggs, a cute couple and their kids who I went to high school with; and with another couple from my parent's ward.

 

The first day we sat on a grassy slope with our books and lawn chairs for literally the WHOLE day.  We took our turns on the canoes.  It was relaxing, invigorating and SO pretty!

Marc and I were on the canoe for so long.  We felt like Indiana Jones out in the wild.

All Marc and I wanted to do was to see some wild life.

And we did...

We saw a moose crossing the river in front of us and we sat for a long time trying to figure out where he went.  We wanted to get close but not too close.  It was exciting!

There it is!!!  

We went to this shortie's house. 

Oh, what's his name?

Can't remember, but he's a German guy who came and built this house and lived there all year round.  He's standing on a stone thing, but look how short he his!



There's his house.  Sometimes I wouldn't mind living there. 

Alone. 

Far far away.

Such cute folks that I went with.

Marc and I like being the kids together.

There's a nice looking couple!

Love those 2 great people.

 

Old Faithful did it again!

We went and saw at a play at the playhouse in West Yellowstone. 

Across the street from it was this awesome Taco bus. 

It was so yummy and so nifty to be on a bus.

On our way home we had to stop in Brigham City to eat at Maddox, the yummies restaurant EVER! 

My parents saw President Monson eating there once so ya know it has to be scrumptious.  Fish, chicken, rolls, honey butter, fresh yumminess.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.  Definitely worth a trip to Brigham City.

  As great as this trip was for me it was a flavor of bitter and sweet  for me.  Only 2 short years before we were on our Slichta Family Cross Country RV trip. It brought back many happy memories of us as a complete, whole, and what we felt was a happy family. 

 

How much life can change in 2 years...

 

Anyhow...

 

The trip was so needed. 

It was perfect. 

It could have even been a day or 2 longer but I won't complain.

It's always a good thing to have your kids miss you. 

Actually,it's fantastic when the kids miss you. 

The hugs and smiles when I returned were the best! 

I think it's healthy all around for everyone when the mom has a get-away. 

How else do you fill your bucket and renew life that has been sucked out.

I was more empty than I thought which made the time away so much more appreciated.

 

I better start planning my next trip.  Where should I go??

My list is SO long.