*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!
Yellowstone and Jackson Hole – two of my favorite places! The beauty of God's creation is all around.
Kay Martin, Tupelo, MS
Amanda,
Please continue to share the pictures, that is truly God Country at it's most splendid! I so desire to see moving water again one day, we live in Florida and not much moves here! Yes we have the ocean but it's not a rushing river.
Sue
Melbourne, FL
The Journey Continues ~
1. LOVED THE PHOTOS!!
2. LOVE THE N E W
BLOGSPOT AND LPM SITE!!!
whooo hoooo!!!!
3. LOVE THE HARVEST SEASON.
4. LOVE THE SMELL OF
PUMPKIN SPICE CANDLES
BURNING IN MY HOME RIGHT NOW
5. LOVE THIS SCRIPTURE FOR
THE SIESTA FAMILY
TO BE BLESSED
May the LORD direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. Now may the LORD of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The LORD be with all of you.
2 Thessalonians 3:5,16
6. LOVE my "Siesta's"
7. BLESSINGS OF THANKS FOR THIS OUTREACH OF LOVE & TRUST TO Beth,Keith
Amanda,Curtis,Melissa,Colin,
Susan,Kimberly,Linda,Evangeline,
Diane, Sherry, Sabrina,Kimberly
Nancy, Jennifer, Michelle, & Steve & the memory of Mary Helen Davis ~
What would we do without all of you???
With "Heaven Bound" blessings,
Kim Safina
Amanda, thank you so much for sharing….those pictures bring back so many wonderful memories 🙂
My middle child was a thumb-sucker most precious, stubborn thing ever (child and habit) LOL!
She finally stopped when she was 7 years old. It was hard to convince her to stop, but those pictures make me miss that stage….sweet 🙂
and a new website to boot!!!!!!
Thank you for sharing. What a great family trip.
Liz H
What a beautiful country that we live in! I could feel that cool crisp air just looking at your pictures. Love the sock picture and the hot cocoa picture…so sweet. Yes to the foot question. I felt a tingle just looking at that photo. Thanks so much for sharing your vacation with us.
My family and I are also from the Houston and spent last week in Ruidoso, New Mexico. What a change — no humidity and low morning temps … but Houston is still home and when we returned – a much needed rain was here! Its always nice to be in a different climate but also nice to come home.
Lisha
West Columbia, TX
Wow! Awesome pix! I love the mountains – hopefully will be able to move to them in a few years. Florida heat and humidity is nearly as bad as Texas'.
Thanks for sharing.
Kim
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
It's so fun to see pictures! And you have me counting down like crazy until next July. 🙂 Oh, and just seeing the pictures made me play Christmas music, which I've been playing for awhile now just because I love it so much. Have a great weekend!
I am so excited!! Thanks for sharing your photos! We live in VA and my husband and I are thinking about taking our kids (dd14 and ds 11) out west to tour around in the summer of 2010. One place my dughter and husband want to see is Yellowstone. After seeing your pictures I cannot wait!
"Just Wanna Say" is the most frequently played song on my iPod right now. It always makes me dance! Glad to know you enjoy it, too.
Great pictures! Can't wait to see more!
Love ya!
Absolutely gorgeous. I want to go.
We just returned home to FL from our vacation to the very same place! I LOVED every minute of basking in the Lord's beautiful creation. Wish I would've bumped into your sweet family. I so would have introduced myself. 🙂
Wow!! Beautiful pictures! I have never been there and now I simply must go see this perfect piece of creation.
I love that your awesome man brought you those flowers. So sweet.
Thanks for sharing, Amanda!
Anne
Lorton, VA
I love it!
And can I just say that I wish I was more like "old faithful" re the old Metamucil commercial. LOL
We love Jackson Hole. My husband served 2 years up there as a USC2 Missionary through NAMB before we were married. So I was able to go up and visit him often. Love the weather and the scenery is just breathtaking. Glad you enjoyed your trip!
Katy
Fort Worth, TX
Ok, Amanda….LOVE your pictures. Hubby and I were in Wyoming a few years ago and visited Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons!! We were there during the month of September, slept in a tent the first night, slept in the car the second night cause it was extremely cold. Our sleeping bags froze to the truck windows the second night! I took 60 (not a typo) rolls of film!! Doesn't include the 1500 digital pictures hubby took! The animals were amazing and we actually had a grizzly walk right past our vehicle!! To me, it was paradise!!! Looks like ya'll had a great time!!! Thanks for sharing!
Good Grief….my family needs a vacation. Thanks for the reminder that God is showing Hinself outside of our 4 walls….I'm out of here!
Amanda, your pictures brought a flood of memories back from the end of our 3 week journey last summer! LOVED yellowstone and how lucky are you to get to see a grizzly? We saw one (through binoculars) that was smaller than my pinky it was so far away. HA HA
Heard you mention you loved Billy's Burgers and my husband loves a good burger so we went. Waited 2 HOURS it was so crazy busy and then they forgot our order! But I must admit – the food was awesome and yes – I'd try it again. 🙂
Oh Amanda – I live in Louisiana – and have never been near Wyoming – and oh how you have made me want to go! Such breathtaking pictures! I could just run through those fields – unless buffalo would run after me! Do they do that? LOL And that bear – now that would freak me out!
Okay…you convinced me! Maybe one summer we will trade our week at Kanakuk Family Kamp and go to Jackson Hole!!! Thanks for sharing:-)
Amanda,
We stayed at Jackson Lake Lodge for 7 days last year. We went to Jackson Hole one of the days, went rafting one day, and spent the rest of the time in Yellowstone exploring. I recognize the places and have ones extremely like yours. :o) In fact, I took over 3000 pictures over 19 days. LOL
I have to say that I have been more in awe of the LORD's power, wonder and glory. I felt as though He was spoiling me. Totally pouring out His affection. Showing off and Oh how I loved it!
My heart is there. I fell utterly in love with the Lord all over again there. We travel a lot and I find myself saying, "Well it's nice, but it's not Yellowstone/Jackson Lake."
I think it was because at Jackson Lake Lodge there wasn't any media. I had my quiet time in the mornings looking at the incredible creation-the Tetons and felt like I was sharing secrets with Jesus. Honestly I miss that. Quite time is such a struggle sometimes here at home… so many things to distract me. Sigh.
Thank you for sharing these. It's nice to have so many others who share my affection for that area.
With much affection!
Anna
BEEautiful pictures, AJ!!! I haven't been to Yellowstone, but it's one of the places I intend to visit hopefully in the not too distant future! I went to Yosemite some years ago and it was breathtaking there! Thanks so much for sharing the pics with us and the little captions. You have a beautiful family. Glad y'all had a great time!
Missy in SC
Those pictures were so beautiful – and may I say I almost chocked on a french fry when I typed in "Living Proof" and saw the new, cool, hip-happenin' site. Congrats to whomever put in lots of time on that. It's lovely!
Warm in Alaska.
Amanda, my Texas family has enjoyed going to Jackson Hole for the past 4 summers. We fell in love with the area & purchased a condo in Teton Valley, ID, across the pass. We've escaped the Texas heat ever since. I call it God's Disney World of Nature too!
You guys should go to the "Pig Wrestling" next summer during the Teton County Fair. Now that's entertainment!
An impossibility! I can never get tired of pictures! Love them!
Never been to Jackson Hole and yet I live in Idaho, not so very far away. It's just never worked out that we could go. Josh's mom tells me that Yellowstone isn't nearly as impressive as it used to be. I still think I would love it, though.
We are hoping to go out there next summer! Your pictures just add to the desire! God makes such beautiful stuff!
I love your sweet pictures…My oldest son and I took a road trip from Dallas to N.Montana and we hopes and prayed the Lord would show us a herd of Buffalo, and wouldn't you know on the way home there was a sweet herd…it was one of our highlights! It was amazing..I love the picture of the baby crossing the road with it's mama…
I'm so glad you guys got away and enjoyed serious alone time with each other!
Beauty in everything…God's work, the family & especially those babes. How sweet.
My girlfriend moved from Lincoln, Nebraska to Jackson Hole and will barely return for a visit! She's living her dream with her man & twin boys!
Oh my word… absolutely beautiful, and I sooo want a bump-it, haha!!! 🙂
I really enjoyed seeing your pictures! Your family is so precious.
Those pictures are amazing!
Amanda,
Beautiful pictures! Was Jackson good at the park? I was so mesmerized by the beauty that I found myself jumping out of our car and walking up to a buffalo. Later I found myself walking past the "danger" sign and nearly sticking my finger into a small geyser. All at the age of 20-something. I promised myself I wouldn't take a curious child should the Lord bless me with one (He did) until they were grown. I'm encouraged that you took Jackson at such a young age. Maybe I'll be brave enough to do the same.
Amanda
I cannot get over how big Jackson is getting. He is so handsome and how big Annabeth is getting. It seems like just yesterday we were ogling over pictures of her as an infant,so tiny in your arms. I am a true naturalist.I love Gods creativeness in the landscaping and the wildlife. I remember when I was driving trucks for a living and drove through Georgia and saw a cotton field for the first time I was so thrilled I got out of my truck and picked 2 pieces and brought them home. That was like the greatest thing. Now I was born a city girl but I am a country girl at heart. I'll share this tidbit with you. I was on my way to see some friends locally and the road to their house sits on a preserve that is part of the Mohawk River and I was talking to the Lord(I do that when I drive)and I said to Hims "I am so in awe of what you have made for us here it is so beautiful". I didn't expect an answer but he said to me "This is nothing compared to where you will be going".It was very emotional moment to say the least. Thank you so very much for those breathtaking pictures. I can only hope the Lord will someday make a way for me to travel and see the Tetons I have always wanted to go there. I am so happy you had such a well deserved rest and lots of fun. I am still laughing at Jackson with the bagel in his mouth asleep
Ginny
Schenectady NY
Oh, Amanda! You have made me NEED to go there for our next vacation! Your pictures are so beautiful… and I'm sure you already know, but you have such precious kiddies! Love the ones of Annabeth in the hoodies!
Casper native says THANKS for the pix! We're going next summer (finally!).
Dear Amanda, Great pictures! Can't wait to see more. The kids are so precious, and growing fast! Tahnk you for sharing. In Jesus' Love Kathy Knoblock
Great playlist! And, of course, I completely enjoyed the bump-it!
i finally found an accurate description of that 'funny feeling' when you look down from some place way up high. 'it make the bottom of my heart hurt'. yep, i get it too.
I could feel the cool air, Honey! For just a moment, I could feel the cool air!
I relived every second of it with you. I also love my Bumpit there, as you know.
I am so glad you got to get away as a family! The Tetons are my favorite place to visit in the US. Your family is precious! Thank you for loving Jesus and sharing your life with us. Amanda, what are you enjoying about the LORD today?
Move your family and all the Moore's to wild, wonderful Wyoming!!! I came here 23 years ago and have had a love affair with this beatiful state ever since. My pastor husband died in 1991 and I married my second husband whose wife also died and we live in CHUGWATER, WY. Can you believe they would name a place that? I married the real McCoy… rancher and all. God had an amazing plan of "beauty from ashes" in Wyoming!!! I am glad you love it too!
For the record… I didn't get to proof read my post… I hit publish when I wanted to preview, so there are a few mistakes on it. LOL
Anna
One more thing… my feet don't hurt when I look down from heights, my fingers do. They get all tingly feeling. It's disconcerting. :o)
The pictures are amazing! It's been years since we've been to Jackson Hole, but I'm ready to go again! The mountains are breathtaking and I love the wildlife you got to meet.
The Gog-given bump-it is great!
Miss Amanda,
Thank you for sharing your family pictures with us. Loved them.
We visited Yellowstone last year on our summer vacation of Nat'l Parks (Tetons, Yellowstone, Mt Rushmore, St Louis Arch, Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park). It was so amazing. My then 8 yr old son was so disappointed after weeks of talking of Nat'l Parks to learn the name "Park" does not always mean playground. grin.
Amanda, that looks like a simply amazing time together!! Praise God!!!