Sweepin' Down The Plains. . .: July 2012

Ever notice how when you get home from a vacation, you feel like you need another vacation just to get over it??? We spent the last week of June in Houston spending time with family, and a week later we picked up and left again for two weeks. We had lots of fun, but it was sure good to get home! Here are pics from our travels - we roadtripped it across Texas, New Mexico, Utah, and Idaho. We even spent a day in Yellowstone (Is that Wyoming or Montana?). I think we'll be sticking close to home for a while. Enjoy the pictures (there just might be a lot of them)!

We FINALLY went on the Bluebell Creamery tour - I now know that Homemade Vanilla is the #1 seller (I actually already knew that, cause it's so GOOD!), and Cookies and Cream is #2 (for good reason - I tried it this week, and it really is THAT good).

A riveting game of Jenga

Beach in Galveston - playing in the sand never gets old.

I can't believe I'm posting a picture of myself (or my sis-in-law) in our bathing suits. She will forgive me someday.

Sweet brothers at play. :)

Cutest grin EVER!

MomE relaxing in the shade.

Taking the ferry across Galveston Bay (just because ferries are cool)

We had to turn off the cars on the ferry, so ice cream was in order afterwards to cool down!

First stop on our next roadtrip - Carlsbad Caverns!

The entrance to the cave - there were thousands of swallows swooping in circles around the entrance. Aside from the bird poop smell (ALL smells bother me), it was absolutely beautiful to watch.

Those are the swallows (not to be confused with bats!) that live in the mouth of the cave.

While we were hiking down into the cave, one of the swallows swooped over us and dropped some food for us. Yikes!

Getting ready to go in.

Edward posing next to one of the bazillion really cool rock formations.

I don't care how safe they say it is - I would NEVER stand underneath that thing!

Pool formed from water dripping from the surface. They said it takes about 3 months for a drop of water to reach the pool in the cave.

Okay, Edward, really, it's time to stop taking pictures.

All the rangers thought we were crazy for wanting to go on a hike. We thought the weather was great - heat + no humidity = AWESOME WEATHER in our opinion!

The view made it well worth it!

Oh, spotting these guys didn't hurt either.

Next stop - Arches National Park in Moab, UT. These guys are called the Three Gossips. Love it.

Our first hike - Delicate Arch. We were the only English-speaking people we met on the trail. I think we heard Japanese (a lot), French, German, Spanish, and who knows what else. That was kinda cool.

Stone age graffiti.

Me balancing at Balanced Rock.

Edward balancing at Balanced Rock. Boy, we're getting really original here!

Landscape Arch - I think this was one of my favorites.

The rocks aren't the only things shaped by the wind.

Stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Nestled in a perfect little nest!

Next stop - Idaho! Time to visit family we haven't seen in 3 years!!!

Poised and ready for fun.

Last time we saw these guys they were eating dirt.

Skipping rocks.

You lookin' at ME?!?

Old Faithful

Hahaha - I couldn't help myself.

Our rainy hike around the geysers.

Back down to Utah - Steele Family Reunion time! Isn't she precious? She looks just like her mom.

Sisters visiting in the shade (I'm in the purple).

Good hair day!

Using my leg for balance. :)

I was tempted to stuff this guy in my suitcase!

These girls played in the sprinklers and with sidewalk chalk for HOURS. It is fun to play with cousins.

Time for a break.

Edward's Siamese Twin for the duration of the reunion. I have to admit I got a little jealous!

Starting the hike up Timp.

Partway up the mountain. Gorgeous backdrop, right?!?

These guys carried that log ALL THE WAY UP! That's 7 miles one way, up a very steep and scary mountain. Just because. Oh, and because I said I would pay for milkshakes if they got it to the top. I guess that's motivation enough for a group of 14 year old boys! And yes, I did follow through with the milkshakes. They were well-earned!