Ward Family Reunion - Afternoon at Yellowstone

After the hike, we ate lunch together in the forest.

Trees in the Mud pots

Sam, Lisa, Brian, Tyler, (Katie got cut off.  She was in the stroller).

The mud pots and geysers were very interesting to look at.  

 I loved the variety of colors at this location.

 We got stuck in the parking lot and just missed the rest of the family who got to see Old Faithful go off.  So we got some ice cream, watched the movie in the visitors center, and waited around for an hour and a half.  Finally, the time came... Old Faithful was the highlight of the day.  Before our trip, Brian studied geysers online.  He was SO excited to see a real geyser go off.

At the end of this video, you can watch Old Faithful go off!

720p from Lisa Ward on Vimeo.

Ward Family Reunion - Morning at Yellowstone

Photo taken by me on my iPhone while Sam was driving!

On Friday morning, we were up, ready, and on our way to Yellowstone National Park by 7:30am.
Laura had breakfast in sacks all ready for us to grab and eat on the drive.  

Kevin and Becky had a CD for each family to listen to as we traveled through the park.  

The CD was full of interesting stories and facts about Yellowstone.  

Sam and Brian especially enjoyed learning all about the park.  

For me,  I thoroughly enjoyed taking pictures that day 

as well as having some major family bonding time.

Donned in our matching bright yellow Tshirts, we were ready for adventure.
We followed Kevin and Becky that morning.

We heard that Yellowstone's wildlife likes to roam free mostly in the early mornings and evenings.

Our first wildlife spotting was this bison.
This bison crossed the road right in front of Kevin and Becky's vehicle.

Not more than 5 minutes after the elk, wecame across this herd of elk.  

Everyone had their own preferred method for viewing wildlife.  Some took the timid approach and stayed way back by the road.  

Some pointed while standing in place.

Some got right in there and used their fancy binoculars.

And some felt it was best to have a camera in one hand and sunglasses in the other.

 Minutes later, we saw these guys.

We were super close to them, closer than recommended.  

They were as calm as can be. 

Then it was time for a break at the visitors center.

Staci and Kyle with their 8 week old puppy, Bauer.

Zoey was brave and let Bauer lick her  hand.

Grandma Ward spoiled the kids with some cool hats and sunglasses.

Tyler was certainly thrilled about it.

                                                 We took a hike down to the lower falls. 

And here's my favorite family photo I took that morning.  Cute and classic!

Baby Kristen, Aaron, Sarah, Simon, Kimball, and Eleanor

A video of us at the visitors center and then some live footage of elk and bison!

720p from Lisa Ward on Vimeo.