we are "that" family

we pulled over at the entrance to west yellowstone.  it started a whole thing....cars double wide onto the highway.  we were embarrassed.  but the boys are doing the summer reading program at the library and they had to get their pictures taken on vacation with "dougy the dog" (not pictured).

this is my favorite picture of our vacation.  we had a picnic on the bank of the yellowstone river.  it was one peaceful moment.  one moment i will have to pull out of my back pocket when the hundreds of crazy moments start to overwhelm me.

it was the 20th anniversary of yellowstone's junior ranger program.  both boys earned their badges.  it took us three days to gather all of the information to complete the requirements.  at the end, the park ranger made the boys raise their right hands (the other right) and repeat a special oath to always be stewards of the park.  and then very proudly she called everyone in the station to order and presented the two brand new junior rangers of yellowstone national park.  they were so proud.

soap box time. it's bison not buffalo.  buffalo are in africa, bison are in america.

that being said, we were driving through the hayden valley enjoying the bison.  sweet pea asked what that white dog was doing out there in the meadow.  WHITE DOG?!  upon further inspection we see what we believe was a wolf, possibly the alpha female of that pack (a park ranger told us she was the only grey/ white wolf), stalking the bison.  AMAZING.  i have waited at least ten years to see a wolf in the park.  it was hands down the best moment for both of us.  sweet pea was so excited to have made that find. 

if you haven't been.  yellowstone is amazing.  truly.