A Penny for My Thoughts: Fox Fam Vacay 2024 Yellowstone

This picture was on the very first post I ever did on this blog back in 2008. Of course this moment had to be recreated!!

Pretty good, eh?

These pictures posted on here the opposite order I wanted. So I guess we'll start with the end of the Yellowstone leg of the trip first. We stayed in this really janky motel that had five queen sized beds all in the same room. Strange. But, somehow it worked and was quite fun. We did have one other room separate from the rest of us. We let Elinor and Clark and Daniel have that room. The family introverts need their time and space without the rest of us. I respect that.

Daniel took his first steps in this janky hotel room:)

The hot springs in the river.

George tried to avoid my camera for much of the trip, but I got him.

These two were tight buddies on the trip-- well, actually they are tight in regular life and always have been. Greta is right there by his side and Clark is so kind and patient with her as she chatters away about anything and everything. He also has detailed, thoughtful answers to all her questions. They melt my heart.

Peter celebrated his 10th birthday in Yellowstone and we had lunch at the lodge by the lake. We made a little cake of Andes Mints

"Dragon's Mouth Spring" near the mud volcano

In some of these pictures you will notice Faith is on crutches. It's a long story of how that came to be the case. I will go into detail in later posts about an earlier summer activity. Ooh, so mysterious!

We make a pretty good team. I'm so glad Abe is good at planning trips for us. I like to think I could manage it if needed. But let's be real... I wouldn't manage it as well as he does.

Look who's together again.

Hello Mr. Double Digits!

Awww, look how cute and happy we look! I shall now share with you a secret. This particular moment was tense. Abe really wanted this picture at "The Grand Canyon". Elinor was feeling overwhelmed and didn't want to get out of the car, much less pose for a picture. It was crowed and we had to wait our turn for the picturesque spot. Some were annoyed because others were annoyed. You get this picture. It's life. But let me say that one of favorite things about looking back on moments of "life", is that everyone kept trying to get along. No one threw up their hands and said, "Screw this! I'm outta here!" Everyone just sort of kept on trying to be pleasant (or at least not unpleasant). And I think that is impressive.

He's sixteen, so, you know. We get a lot of these looks.

And still a lot of this. He's pretty great.

Another dynamic duo of the trip-- Grandpa and Daniel.

Betsy, aren't all these pictures a little repetitive? Same people, same beautiful scenery? Yeah, what of it? And no, it is different beautiful scenery!

Sometimes I think George is just a little too cool for the rest of us.

Do you see the look on Faith's face? This was near the end of the boardwalk trail at Norris Geyser. We told her she didn't have to hike it with us. Someone even volunteered to wait it out with her. But you know Faith-- of course she was coming with us. Poor girl rubbed her armpits raw.

Sometimes I chuckle to myself when I recall the look of udder disgust when we informed 17 year-old Clark that we were expecting our last baby. Even when Greta was a baby and total and severe hater and terrified of all men, she always adored Clark.

Sleepy time

Another look at the janky room

Faith at Old Faithful.

Greta making use of her souvenir binoculars

It had been about seven years since we had last visited Old Faithful, and we had a good chuckle at how badly behaved several family were on our last visit. It's hard to say which threesome has/had the most potential for ill-mannered behavior in public--- Faith, Cannon, and George--- or Clark, Bethany, and Elinor. I'm going to have to give that one to Faith, Cannon, and George. Although, because I'm a little more experienced now, I'm not as horrified as I used to be.