*I’m so sorry that the blog has looked wonky for the last couple of days. I wasn’t sure what happened to it, but I tried removing all the bold sentences from this post and that fixed it. Thanks for your patience, sweet siestas!*
Top ten reasons to ditch Houston in August and head to Jackson Hole, Wyoming
1. There are days when the temperature will make you wonder if it’s December. And you will start singing Christmas carols without realizing it.
2. Instead of dead armadillos on the road, they’ve got these guys.
3. There are no billboards, no skyscrapers, and no sidewalks so hot you can fry eggs on them.
4. Your man might go for a hike and come back with something like this.
5. You won’t have to wait until February to go to the rodeo.
That is my son drinking hot chocolate in August.
My future cowgirl and me.
6. There are good burgers to be had beyond our state’s borders.
Oh, Billy’s Burgers, how we heart you.
7. When life slows down, funny things happen.
That’s a bagel in Jackson’s mouth.
She fell backwards and landed right in her brother’s lap. He was so tickled.
Annabeth fell asleep while we were at a cookout. She had to have her thumb, of course.
8. Your hair may go bump-it in the night.
You are looking at God-given bump-it, siestas.
9. You might see a grizzly bear. Preferably from your car.
(This is zoomed in – we would never get that close.)
10. Yellowstone National Park is like the Disney World of Nature. You cannot believe how much cool stuff is in one place.
We got there early in the morning in hopes of seeing more animals.
And there it is.
I’m not sure what this is. Maybe Jackson was excited about the dirt on his hands.
Jackson and Curtis with the Upper Falls in the background (I think).
Can you see the rainbow?
River water going over the Lower Falls.
This picture makes the bottom of my feet hurt. Does that happen to anyone else when they look down from up high?
After seeing it from close up, we drove down the road and saw the Lower Falls from a distance.
Top ten songs from our vacation playlist
1. “Just Wanna Say” by Israel Houghton
2. “My Brightness” by Charlie Hall
3. “Glorified” by New Life Worship
4. “You’ll Come” by Hillsong Live
5. “Light of the World” by Watermark
6. “A Grateful People/Bless the Lord” by Watermark
7. “Glory to God Forever” by Fee
8. “Since the World Began” by Matt Maher, Amy Grant, Ed Cash, and Mac Powell from Glory Revealed 2
9. “He Will Rejoice” by Trevor Morgan from Glory Revealed 1
10. “Waters Gone By” by Shawn Lewis from Glory Revealed 1
*More pictures than you ever wanted to see coming soon!
Beautiful pictures, Amanda! Love the wildlife, the gorgeous surroundings, and the smiles on your faces. What a sweet little family.
Thanks for sharing!
Shelly
Portland, OR
Was just there last year…and what sweet memories these bring to mind….ONLY GOD could create such beauty. We are just awe-struck at the power of water….just think of all it's uses; it cleans, it feeds the creation and us, shine the light through it and we have glorious rainbows and promise from God to remember us and not flood the world again, harnessed it give us power/electricity, etc. He gives us Living Water – eternal. Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip…I had a little vacation too…blessings from the Lord God Almighty. Heaven must just be the most amazing and wonderful place!
I love living here. It just takes your breath away to live in all this beauty. Yellowstone and the Tetons are incredible. Your pictures were a perfect portrayal of this area.
While I still live a few hours from Yellowstone/Jackson/the Tetons, I have an elk and buffalo park at the end of my street…really. And I live in town. Only in Wyoming!
Melana in Wyoming
I can assure you that we never tire of pictures or hearing from all of you! Looks like a wonderful vacation!
Absolutely beautiful!!! You could never post enough pictures of your family. We love to see them!!!
What beautiful photos…absolutely beautiful! And I did see the rainbow…:)
Sleeping Jackson with bagel in mouth was just too funny! And sock on Annabeth just too adorable.
It looks like such a wonderful place to visit. Thanks for sharing.
Michelle in VT
I do totally love Wyoming. That truly is God's country. I don't think I've ever been another place where I grasped God's splendor as well as Wyoming.
You had me until grizzly bear! Nope, I'll stay here on the surface of the sun, er I mean South Texas!
But it is GORGEOUS Country! I hear that is where God goes on vacation. 😉 I'm SURE that you saw Him there! Great pictures. When we took a photo at the falls I had to back into the shot, ugh I hate standing at the edge of that little piece of cement holding onto that little piece of railing. Looks like you had a great time, thanks for sharing.
GORGEOUS! I am putting Jackson Hole on my "travel wish list!"
Love your pictures, love Jackson Hole, love the Tetons, love Yellowstone. It's amazing.
these are all FANtastic photos! love them – now I want to go 🙂
Looks like you & your family had a blast!
Gorgeous!! I haven't been to Yellowstone since 6th grade! Would LOVE to take our girlies!
We also went to a rodeo in Cody (is that anywhere near JH?)
Can't wait for more pics! Can't believe you saw that gigundo bear!!
I grew up in Montana, near Big Sky, and whenever company from out of state or out of town would come, we'd head to Yellowstone. I could have been a tour guide back then, and I hated going there… I haven't been in years, and these photos just brought it all back… I have a feeling I'd appreciate the beauty of it all so much more now. I may have to go someday soon. (and I need to remember to pack my bump it.)
What beautiful scenery!
Absolutely breathtaking photos, thanks for sharing your trip with us.
Your pictures are wonderful! They make me long to see the beauty that God made up-close and personal. I need to plan a trip to Wyoming!
Our family has been in some of those same exact spots. Great memories and great things to praise the Lord over!
Yay! Pictures! My feet hurt when I look down from high places, too. It's not just you. Do you ever get the feeling that your falling forward, too? Thanks for posting the pictures, Amanda! Can't wait for the next batch! God bless!
One day God is going to bless me to be able to see those things with my own eyes and take my own pictures. Can't wait till then.
Great pictures Amanda. I have been to Jackson Hole 1 time but it was to ski and snow was everywhere. It is a cool town. Can't wait for more pics. Your kiddos are just precious.
My hubby's feet tingle when he is up high. I never noticed that mine did too until he pointed it out- anythig scary and they tingle-away.
Ah, Yellowstone! One of my favorite places on earth! And speaking of temperature… we've been snowed on there in the middle of the summer!
I want to go now!!!! Love the wildlife that you guys saw, so cool!! And the scenery, just breathtaking, simply beautiful!!
Absolutely gorgeous. Jackson Hole is on my list…someday:) So glad you had fun. Thanks for sharing your playlist. I'm looking forward to checking them all out.
Yellowstone, the Tetons and Wyoming are definitely beautiful, but… come for a visit to Alaska!! God must have had a wonderful time creating Alaska!
Amanda, I am so jealous! This is one of my most favorite places in the continental U.S. to visit! Beautiful, gorgeous doesn't begin to describe it. Now, I ask you..how can anyone look at those majestic Tetons and think God doesn't exist Thank you for sharing your pictures and I look forward to more.
Thanks so much for sharing Amanda. Love the pictures. You are so sweet just like your mom. We love your family as much as our own. Keep them pictures coming. Love ya'll, Mary Anne
Love it! Thank you so much for sharing that!!
That's it……I have GOT to get to Wyoming sometime very soon. Absolutely gorgeous and there is something very appealing about hanging out while buffalo cross the road.
I could almost feel the peacefulness coming right out of those pictures!
I love it that Annabeth's bow was sticking out from under her sweatshirt hoodie 🙂
Oh, Amanda, I took my two sons to this area of the world when they were in elementary school. What a beautiful and remarkable opportunity for us- we rode, rafted, fished on and on-(one son caught a large fish as a Bear worked his way up the side of the clift) my my this dangerous encounter-The photo proved to be quiet impressive! and I "listened" to the Tetons- Oh yes, Listened to the Tetons- I'm not sure any other natural range of this magnificence has ever made a noise(spoken to) me other than the ocean- I love the ocean and love to ski in the mountains of Colorado and Utah- but other than the Atlantic Ocean, I have never "heard" God's land speak except for the Tetons- Thank you for this traveling reflection- You bless us,-An Aunt
Siesta
I went there when I was 10 and I remember all those views. Spectacular and such an amazing example of God's work. Looking forward to my husband and our children seeing it. Glad you had a great trip!
Those photos are AMAZING!!!
I have never been to Jackson Hole, but I think I feel that trip coming on!!!
Thanks for sharing your family vacation!
BLESSINGS AND LOVE!!!
What beautiful pictures. I have never been up that way. Maybe next August. : )
Living in Idaho my whole life, I've been to Yellowstone & Jackson Hole several times, however I found out recently my husband has never been to Jackson Hole so I told him we would have to plan a trip sometime. He would love it as I do.
Beautiful pics you've shared, Thanks. Glad you had a relaxing and wonderful vacation.
Thank you for sharing so much of your family with all of us! We love getting to know you better! It looks like a marvelous vacation! I have never been out there. Someday! God is simply AWESOME! What a creator!
Amanda I also live in Wyoming and I love it. The Grizzly Bear was a great sighting for you. I am going Elk Hunting in 27 days with hubby and we will be in Jackson. I so want to see a bear. Maybe from a car though not up close and personal. Will be taking the grizzly spray. It is getting cold here. However would love to experience Houston someday.
Darcie L. Sheridan, WY
Hey Amanda, I hope you didn't carry your sweet girlie on your hip through all of Yellowstone! That is a steep climb from the top of the falls.
I worked there for one summer during college~at Old Faithful Lodge. AND it was THERE that I was presented the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Yellowstone will always have a special place in my heart!
(and yes, Cody is very close to Yellowstone, about 50 miles.)
There is just one thing missing from your Wyoming post, and that is the state motto:
COWBOY UP!
😉
Jillian
Laramie, WY
Hey Jones Clan!
Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful pictures of your vaca in Wyo! It is so very sweet that you are so generous with your life. And now I want to go to Wyo! Check out my baby boo: http://eliana0204.blogspot.com
So fun!
My dad told me of a time back in the 70's when he was hiking Yellowstone in winter and saw the upper falls completely frozen solid! Seeing your pictures, that seems utterly crazy! Glad you had fun.
such great family pictures.
Thank you :o)
My family had a home in Jackson Hole for years!! WE LOVE it there…so happy that you were able to go with your family and enjoy one of the MOST beautiful places in the USA!!!!
oh Amanda, what a beautiful travelogue! I am enamored with Jackson HOle *AND* with your family! Can't wait to see more pictures!!! :))
Maria Cristina
I wanna go! I wanna go! I WANNA GO!!! It has been over 10 years since we have been there. I LOVE THAT PLACE. Ahhhhhhh –
Thanks – (Jackson is getting so big – he is such a handsome little man.)
Happy Saturday.
Kim . .. who is
Grafted by Grace
Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures, your sweet smiles and also the list of songs. I think I might have to start a travel "wish list." 🙂
These were absolultely beautful pictures!
It's beautiful! I love pictures! Thanks for sharing…so cool 🙂
Btw- I LOVE Glory Revealed I & II. "Since the World Began" is one of my favorites!
Peace, y'all!
Hey Amanda…
We have never been there and now i'm convinced we must go!!!!
I've never seen anything more beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Happy weekend!
Hugs,
Fran
Thanks for the photos.I would love to go out to the western part of the States. There is so much I have not seen!
The view from the falls reminded me of a young lady at our church. Earlier this summer she fell from the top of a waterfall and survived. Thank Goodness.Keep her in your prayers. She is still mending.
I like your new site look. It is good to have a change every once in a while.It took me a minute to find where the blog link had moved but I am made it.