New Mexico

This month while Luke was in Seattle, Brynlee and I went down to see Grandma and Grandpa Nelson at the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch. We were able to stay with them for a week. It was nice to get down to the Ranch and spend time them. Brynlee enjoyed hanging out with her Grandparents and when it was time to leave didn't want to go home. I didn't blame her, we had a lot of fun and home was a long trip away.

Here are a few of the things we were able to do while visiting.

Here is Brynlee's action shot. She has been jumping off everything lately.

Brynlee with Grandma and Grandpa

Brynlee playing on the toys at the Ranch. She could have spent hours on the swing and slide.

Brynlee was able to paint stamps and made this T-shirt at the craft center. Way to go Brynlee.

Brynlee was able to cook Smores several times.

She really enjoyed catching them on fire and then liked to shake them. Thank goodness grandpa helped stop the flame so nothing started on fire.

Here is my Cow-Girl. Brynlee was lucky enough to have a new outfit and cowgirl boots to ride her favorite pony, Butterscotch.

Grandpa and Brynlee setting off for her pony ride

Brynlee riding all by herself. (Kind of) At least she is Happy and is touching an animal.

We had a lot of fun and can't wait to go back again to the Ranch.

Hippie

With a three year old there comes a time when they insist on dressing themselves. I have been documenting Brynlee's concoctions of outfits and I've decided she is a hippie. Here are a few of our favorites.

Fouth of July

Yellowstone National Park

This fourth of July Brynlee and I headed up to Yellowstone National Park to meet up with my family. We were without Luke this year so it made it feel a little different. Luke is in an ER rotation in Seattle Washington so we missed having him around for the holiday.

The first day we were in the park we went out on Yellowstone Lake with my Dad and Jake. They were able to do a lot of fishing that morning. Brynlee and I had fun hanging out in the boat with them. Brynlee fished for a while but it didn't last long. She just had fun driving the boat, playing around, and eating snacks. It was fun speding time with Jake. He was leaving for Basic Training a few days later so it was nice to have some time with him before he left to SouthCarolina. Brynlee will miss her Uncle Jake a lot.

Driving the boat with Papa.

Brynlee attempting to catch a fish. No luck.

Papa, Uncle Jake, and Brynlee on the boat.

Cousin Aliza and Brynlee with their matching Ranger hats that Papa got them.

Later we took a drive to see the Canyons of Yellowstone. It was fun to watch Brynlee see Yellowstone for the first time. She liked walking around the paths and looking at the huge water falls. She impressed all of us when we walked down to see a section of water falls. We walked down an exposed metal stair case that was over 300 steps long. Brynlee got down just fine with the help of me and my dad, but we were worried about the way up and how she would do. Considering she has most of her dad's blood running through her I should have known not to worry. She climbed all the steps and did it faster than we could. Then to rub it in she ran most of the way up the trail back to the car.
Brynlee and I at the lookout point for the falls.

The big stair case, heading back up.

We also checked out the stinky sulfur pots. It was funny watching Brynlee as she tried to figure out where the smell was coming from. This is at a "mud pot" geyser, the next one to it sounded like a dragon and she liked that one a little better.

Brynlee and my parents on a beach along side Yellowstone Lake.

Brynlee and I at the "Black Pool." I loved the bright colors of it.

Brynlee and Grandma eating Tin Foil Dinners.

Brynlee cooking her first marshmallows by herself.

Eating Smores, our favorite camping dessert. Yummm!

This was the mighty 4th of July Parade in Grant Village. It consisted of a few cars and the employees of the area...most of which were not from the U.S. It was pretty funny. Brynlee was the only child watching the parade and ended up with a handful of 4th of July mints for candy.

Old Faithful. I wanted a photo with Brynlee by it, but she was more concerned with going to the car and watching a movie than seeing the Geyser. Guess we'll have to go back when she is older.

On the way home we stopped by Big Springs and Brynlee fed the fish. They were not very interested so we found a group of baby ducks that were much more fun to feed.

Thanks Dad and Mom for a fun 4th!

Bye Uncle Jake, we will miss you and look forward to seeing you at Christmas.