the start of a new year

summer abruptly came to an end, and we reluctantly went back to the routine of the school year.  everybody was all smiles on their first day.  (they had different start days, so i never got one of everybody together.)

wes (6th) and reed (4th)

there's no more walking him in on the first day in middle school....at least not for this mama!

5 of the 6 boys in reed's homeroom 

william (8th)...and i didn't even get a picture of him getting out of the car.  times change, huh?

biggie bag

let's face it.  if we eat fast food, it's chick-fil-a.  other than a sandwich from somewhere, i can't remember the last time we ate anything else.  well, reed has seen the advertisement for $5 biggie bags from wendy's, and he wasn't going to be happy until he had one.

so, after a tournament in new albany one weekend, i finally drove through wendy's and got the boy a biggie bag.  "hey, y'all!!  look!!  this burger has cheese and onions AND bacon!!  and there are nuggets, too!"  doesn't take much to make him happy, i guess!

and there was a little fun had at the tournament as well!

won't be long now

we spent a few days in the delta before school got started.  one of the best things about inverness (according to the little people) is the opportunity to get behind the wheel!  everybody starts learning early there, and nobody cares that short people are driving around town!

reed still has some growing to do to reach the pedals and a little work to do on his backing up and figuring out which way to turn the wheel, but we aren't too bad otherwise!!!

and in keeping with reed and his loves of ropes, he spent hours on the zipline.

and no matter where i go, i'm always convinced that there is no place with better sunsets than delta!

back in the tetons

we made our way back to the tetons again this summer.  we just can't seem to stay away!  it was a tough go getting there with weather delays in dallas, but we made it just before dark!

we were up early this first morning to get going in the park!  reed got us in free this year since he's in 4th grade!!  way to go, reed!

we met up with cousins for one day while they were on vacation as well to do a little hiking and float down the snake river.  we got our favorite guide, reynolds, and he didn't disappoint!

We stopped for a photo op with the teton glacier!

We took the boat across Jenny Lake to cut off 4 miles on foot!

They love a good rock to scramble up.

The lower falls of Hidden falls...

Hidden Falls...

Inspiration point...

Into Cascade Canyon...

We floated that afternoon.  Waiting on the float van...

Ready to roll..

We saw goose, moose, beavers, and had two incredible bald eagle flyovers while we were on the boat.

I guess we are just weird, but we have to get a picture with the bears every year!!

hanging out at rendezvous park on the snake river....

william on the red carpet at the walk festival music hall in teton village...

reed turned 10 while we were there.  baking in high altitudes is a little tricky, but i made it work!!

he wanted to do the ropes course for his birthday, so we spent a TON of time there.  he really could have stayed there all day long.  they all loved it!

we also hit up the bungee jump and rock wall.  we aren't the kind to spend money on these things, so they thought this was cool!!  ha!

we spent a few minutes in town to get our obligatory picture under the antlers with all the other tourists!

gondola ride...

hammock time...

we found a short, but really fun hike this year.  it had it all....views, snow, wildlife, and mountain chickens (grouse).

(it wasn't easy to get down this rocky hill once you got up.  reed took to sliding down it backwards!)

the raptor center puts on the best show at the amphitheater every week.  i cannot stand birds, but i love this show.  it is so interesting, and these raptors really are fascinating if i don't have to actually be too close them.

our tennis friends, the royals, were making their way through the tetons so we hiked with them one day.  it was really fun to do something with them OFF of the court.  10 miles later and a loop around phelps lake, and we knew each other really well!!  ha!!

moose!!

the most photographed barn in america!

wes' favorite spot in wyoming...

the cirque trail is one that we've never been able to hike.  it was closed last year because of rock slides.  once i got up there, i understood why!!!  it was eye-opening at times, for sure!  

we saw a bear on our last night.

reed got his favorite meal on the last night, as well!  and yes, both plates are his. :)

sighting on the way to the airport on our last morning...

we had another fantastic week in favorite place!  we hated to leave, and i'm already looking at the calendar trying to figure out when i can get back!!