The Total Solar Eclipse in Lander, Wyoming

We went to Lander for the eclipse with my family.  It was incredible! 

I had low expectations for the eclipse.  I've seen some partial eclipses, and though interesting, they always felt like no big deal and not especially memorable.

However, witnessing the full solar eclipse blew me away.  It was like all 5 of my senses experienced it in their own way at the same time.

The sounds were interesting because strangers and family alike yelled and screamed for the full totality.  It felt as if the whole world were yelling with us in one long uniform howl.  And dogs were barking and freaking out. 

The smell was that of night.  I didn't realize how much the sun influences the smell of the air.

Along the same lines, the taste of night air hit my tongue with surprising force.

So it begins!  Through the shadow box my dad made.

The physical feeling was cold!  It dropped 30 degrees in mere minutes and felt eerie, almost haunting.  If I didn't know the scientific explanation behind the experience I would have felt sure it was the end of the world.

And the sight...  Wow!  It was like staring a black hole in the eye.  The park became very dark, and we could see stars (planets really) in the sky.  I especially enjoyed watching my kids as they gawked at the heavens above. 

I will never forget the experience.  What an incredible thing to see!

100% eclipsed sun.

99.9% eclipsed sun.  That tiny 0.1% was a big deal.

We are super cool ;)

In Sinks Canyon we got to see the giant trout.  Too bad we couldn't fish there!

Budding climbers

We went to Alcova for the rest of the vacation.  Here is Blacks Beach

Climbing in Freemont Canyon was sure an adrenaline rush!

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Feeling free!

 Spot Todd?

I was so relieved I made it up the 5.7 alive.  Ha!

 Dillingham Blues

The kids had fun doing their own climbing.

On our way to Alcova we stopped at the Martin's Cove Mormon Handcart site.  Todd and I took a dip in the river.

It's been yearrrrrrrrs since this happened.

These girls think I'm pretty cool.  Glad I have them fooled.

Lydia had a hard time on this trip.  She had a few seizures while we were there.  This photo was taken after I spent a painfully long time trying to get her to sleep and then I o-so-slowly crawled out of bed as to not awaken her.

Well folks, this is just reality.  It sounded a lot worse than it looks.

We LOVED having cousins around to play with.

They didn't really sleep here (but would have if given the chance)

Trying to water Lydia after an epic meltdown

My Dad talking to us in Jefferson City, a modern ghost town. 

His Found Soldier Project is near here and he taught us about it.

I almost biked right over this guy one morning.

"If she's quiet, just let her be"

The paddle boards were a huge hit

My mom is the best

I biked with this buck one morning

What a great and memorable trip! I loved being with my family, since we don't all do vacations very often. The Shults family was missed. Thanks Dad for such a great trip!

Happy 11 Year Anniversary

We usually take a trip for our anniversary, and this year we headed to Zion, where the spark of love started between Todd and me.  12 years ago in Zion we slept on his crash pad under the stars and stayed up till sunrise drunk on sleepiness, talking about everything and nothing.

Well, I accidentally skipped the "booking" part of our hotel in Zion, so we made last minute reservations in St. George.  We love St. George too, plus the hotel had a pool so the kids loved that part!

 

 After a remarkable melt down on the public bus, Lydia fell asleep in Todd's arms and continued her nap in the visitor center parking lot.

 

 

 The girls loved zipping along the trails on their bikes.

   

Lydia did a lot of this (as usual)

   

 Todd did a quick jaunt up to Angel's landing. You know, the fast easy hike?

 

 

The spectacular sunset at Pioneer Park: 

 

We biked along the river in St. George.

 

Climbing lesson by Daddy:

 

Avery is definitely a climber.  Lydia seems very interested in it too and tries very hard to keep up with her sister.

Vernal

I have a sister in Vernal who we visit whenever we can.  She and her husband have 4 kids, 3 cats, and a dog.  We love seeing them!

Sue, Summer, Sky, Avery, and I drove out for a long weekend.

Beth and I reupholstered her dining chairs:

I love the final result!

This picture is about as close as I got to having all the kids look at me:

Sisters.  I wish Tiff and Nat were there!  (And Matt too.)

These little girls aren't so little any more!  They are growing up fast.

Sky

Griffin

Moya

Cora

Pumpkin

Mysteria

Moya read a story to Avery :)

My little stinker with Sue