Recap: Thanks to everyone who helped make our vacation to Jackson Hole, WY so much fun! Jon's parents provided the condo that we stayed in. Some dear friends at home fed our fish and watered our garden while we were away. My family, all of them including our Texans, came to visit on Saturday for a family reunion and to celebrate two birthdays. Thank you for coming. We really missed everyone after they left. We learned a lot about vacationing with a one-year-old this time around. After the squeaky condo pack-n-play was replaced by the Crenshaws pack-n-play, the Phillips family slept much better. Thank you Scott and Bethany. You saved our vacation!
Now here's the longer version of our story.
Day 1 We started our vacation last Thursday afternoon. I forgot to put the camera in the car so our final start time was 3:30 pm instead of 2:30 pm. Good thing we remembered by the time we got to Richmond. Dooh! We headed north passed Preston and drove through Emigration Canyon (by Mink Creek). The fall colors in the canyon were wonderful. We came down into Bear Lake Valley and passed Montpelier into Wyoming. We drove through Star Valley, up the Snake River Canyon and into Jackson Hole, where we had a condo reserved for a week. It was 7:30pm when we arrived so we just had time to make dinner and get settled. Autumn took several hours getting used to our condo with its squeaky floors as well as the fascinating carved bear statue at the top of the stairs. For Autumn, the entire week was centered around the carved bear. We made many trips to visit the statue every single day.
Day 2 Autumn got up at 5am on Friday. We decided to take advantage of the early hour and headed out to see the Tetons in the morning light. This is my Grand Tetons photo.
In Grand Teton National Park there is a drive called Signal Mountain. We took it and ended up following a mother black bear and her cub up the road for quite a distance. The baby bear was the cutest fuzz ball ever! (Photo credit Jonathan, through car windshield.)
In the afternoon we met up with my mom, my sister Mandy, and my brother John from Texas with his wife Meli and their daughter Julia. Autumn met uncle John for the first time and I think she really likes him. Together we took the fancy, fast tram to the top of Teton Ski Resort. Autumn rode in the hiking backpack. It was very windy at the top, but we managed to walk around and see the view.
In the evening we ate pizza and then went swimming at the hotel where John, Meli, and Julia were staying. There are more pictures of our Friday adventure at
my mom's blog.
This is the Gros Ventre Slide.
This is the most photographed barn in the world. It is on a road called Mormon Row because that's where the Mormons settled in the area. I think they liked the view.
In the afternoon we met up with my mom, my sister Mandy, and my brother John from Texas with his wife Meli and their daughter Julia. Autumn met uncle John for the first time and I think she really likes him. Together we took the fancy, fast tram to the top of Teton Ski Resort. Autumn rode in the hiking backpack. It was very windy at the top, but we managed to walk around and see the view.
After dinner we drove about a 1/4 of a mile down the highway to the turnoff to Franklin Basin. We found some amazing white rock canyons that definitely beckon us back and some fine looking camping spots. At dusk we saw the most perfect specimen of porcupine ever. He walked across the road in front of us after we stopped and then paused to get his picture taken. We kept driving along the dirt road until it came out near Franklin, ID.
While Jonathan was in D.C. last we got a new pet in the backyard. I thought his picture could be included in the best animal sightings entry.
The party guests were entertained and entertaining. Just ask Celeste what happened after Aunt Mandy lowered her upside down behind her head.
Uncle Brian amused family before dinner by swallowing seven cupcakes in 60 seconds. Luckily, his child was't watching!
Some guests arrived as average citizens...
And then magically transformed into birthday party maniacs! Hey Jackson, where did you get the change of clothes?
Could it really be- candy from heaven?!!!
The Elmo and Cookie Monster cupcakes turned out better than I thought. My neighbors babysat Autumn so I could finish them. How many different facial expressions can you count on the Elmo cupcakes?
The entire Phillips Clan had their picture taken, sans Alysa and Ray who live in New Mexico, but we'll Photoshop them in soon too!
Thanks to everyone who made Autumn feel like a princess!!!
One should always remember
And last of all it seems to me
Happy Birthday, Grammy!!!