Bear World

On our way back from Idaho, we decided to stop at Bear World in Rexburg, Idaho. We had been there once before when Trace was only 9 months old, but this time he was much more into the viewing of the bears and all there was to see there. Trace was insistent that we ride the roller coaster that was there and Mom agreed to go with him....only once. We decided to pay the extra money and ride in a large truck and feed the bears. They gave us hay pellets for the dear and elk and plain, old white bread for the bears. They said they sometimes give them day old doughnuts, bagels and even popcorn. Funny how they just eat whatever the facility can get their hands on. They also have a petting zoo area and we were able to feed a brand new baby dear and a pig!

Pioneer Day Celebrations

While in St. Anthony, we also decided to catch the evening rodeo at the fairgrounds. Unfortunately, Kevin had to return to Salt Lake to work that day, but he arrived back in St. Anthony to join us for the rodeo. So glad to have him back safe and sound!

Cute little mischievous Liam

During the rodeo, they called out all the kids to participate in something called a "cash cow". We had never heard of it before, but Trace ran out to participate. Turns out, they attach a bunch of laminated bills to a young steer and let it loose in the arena and let the kids try to grab the flapping cash from it as it runs by. Talk about pandemonium! Trace said he touched one of the bills but couldn't grab it fast enough. It was basically mayhem and I'm glad he wasn't injured during the ensuing chaos.

Island Park Adventures

For a couple of years, the Taylor family has talked about taking a family trip up to Island Park and renting a cabin of a family friend and check out West Yellowstone and St. Anthony. This year my parents decided it would be a good time to actually make it happen. As we headed up to find the cabin for the very first time, we were making our way through the tangle of dirt roads and we stumbled upon a male, female and baby moose! Trace and I thought it was so cute that it was a family just like our family!

Our first full day there, we headed to check out the shops in West Yellowstone. My Dad was embracing the local culture and brought his cowboy hat and boots, Tamara stuck with her mocha latte as we went window shopping along main street. 

Unfortunately for my female family members, one of the shops we stumbled into, was one of those old time photo shops and I decided that Trace and I would do some pictures, but I literally FORCED my mother and Tamara to also participate. Kevin and my Dad just took a nap in the front lobby while they waited for us. 

The photographer told Tamara to "look surprised". I would say she did a good acting job!

I love Trace's tough guy face!

He looks a little too happy to be pointing the gun at the cameraman!

Ah ha! He was cheating! I knew it! Note that the bottle of whiskey on the table is named "Buffalo Trace Whiskey" so cool! I'd never heard of such a thing!

I'm a big proponent of getting souvenirs when on vacation that represent the place that you were visiting. Trace knows that I'm not going to buy him the plastic bubble gun or the dancing hula girl that goes on your car dash. So when he pointed out an adorable vest and fishing hat that had Yellowstone Ranger embroidered on it, he knew his Mom would be on board. I already think the kid is the cutest on the planet, anything that makes him cuter, I just can't say no. After we got back to the cabin, Trace rushed in to his room to change into a shirt and pants that matched his vest and hat and asked me to take his picture. Then, even though it was sweltering hot, the kid wore the vest and hat almost the rest of the trip. 

We structured the trip around the parade that St. Anthony has every 24th of July. They have a huge road that they bring the parade down and the whole town comes out! We got a great spot under the shade and enjoyed the entire thing!

They threw out so much candy, popsicles, treats and cool gifts that Trace and Liam got a huge bag each! At the end of the parade, the street was littered with candy all over it because the kids were so exhausted they just couldn't pick up any more. As we walked through town, I saw candy on every sidewalk on every street and I wondered aloud how long it takes the small town to clean it all up.  

After the parade, we made our way over to the park where they had a car show and food. There were some neat cars there and Dad and Rob had a great time there talking with the local car enthusiasts.