My parents celebrate their 50th anniversary this year. My dad asked us kids to arrange a major surprise for my mom this summer. My brother, sister, and I, together with my dad, plotted and schemed for a year. Last Saturday, on my mom's birthday, we surprised my mom at Old Faithful in Yellowstone. I have much for which to be thankful this week.
1. I'm thankful for Dad and Mom, who made this whole reunion possible. Without them, I wouldn't be part of this wonderful family.
2. I'm thankful that on the way to Yellowstone, we were able to visit with oldest son, and also pick up youngest son, who was able to join us for the vacation.
3. I'm thankful my siblings were able to come, along with their kids. Time with my siblings and their families is rare and precious.
4. I'm thankful my kids love to help their cousins, whether that help is retrieving frisbees from trees, or making knit hats for everyone (in the Hogwart's house colors).
5. I'm thankful for the time I can spend with John, even when our eyes are blinded by the sun or dirt.
6. I'm thankful for the many photo ops, and the chance to observe the good photographers in action.
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| The chipmunk didn't stand a chance! |
9. I'm thankful for creatures great and small, including those that were too far away to photograph effectively.
10. I'm thankful we were able to pull off the surprise. We were jumping for joy all week long!
Thanks for family, and memory-making reunions.
Your hosts
A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall, Considerings, Finding Ninee, I can say mama, I Want Backsies, Steps into Parenthood, Thankful Me, The Wakefield Doctrine
Wow, these are some truly fantastic photos - I especially loved those of your family, with the joy of being together being writ large on your faces :)
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking in every way. I've been there twice around this time of year, and I miss it!
ReplyDeleteWOW! These photos are fantastic!!! I've never been to Yellowstone, but after this, I must plan a trip out!
ReplyDeleteOf course of all the photos, my favorite is the one of you and your husband being blinded. :)
The surprise birthday trip looks to be a raging success. Nice job, Everyone!
lol Christine!!*
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wonderful week, beautiful pictures you must feel grounded again;i know when I get together with my family usually for a day I feel so at peace...I feel your joy!!! We surprised our parents for their 5oth at a Chinese Restaurants with with all our extended family and some of their closest friends a few years ago! It was very nice!
ReplyDeleteThis looked amazing and so happy you were able to pull off the surprise. Seriously loved all the pictures and really just looked like a fun time had by all!!! So much to truly be thankful for here :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful things to be thankful for, and lovely pictures!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thing to do for your Mom & Dad and what a wonderful family trip full of fun memories. Congratulations to your parents on 50 years and a life well lived so far!
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for blog buddies who post amazing photos of somewhere I have never been and my never get. They are breath taking -- thank you for sharing them. Glad your surprise was such a great success.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful photos and memories!
ReplyDeletevery impressive photos! must have been an amazing... place*
ReplyDeleteYour photos have moved Yellowstone up at least 3 places on my roadtrip list!
*yeah, I'm a full time blogging, I write a lot...lol
That is a great list and such beautiful photos...and LOVE that you pulled off the surprise. There is nothing quite like that feeling of elation when you pull one off.
ReplyDeleteNicely done and thanks for sharing!
Love, love, love the photos! And especially the ones of you and your husband. It looks like painted backdrops behind you, it's so beautiful there!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you pulled off the surprise party! What a wonderful thing to do for your mom!
That's what I thought too Dyanne...I had to look twice to be sure they weren't standing in front of a backdrop! Beautiful!
DeleteGreat list and gorgeous photos - thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou really are a wonderful photographer, Kristi!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos! And time spent with family - close and/or extended - is definitely something to be thankful for!
ReplyDeleteSO beautiful! You have much to be thankful for, that's for sure! This trip looks to be SO amazing--scenic-ly (I don't think that's a word, but I made it one just now) and looks like you had so much fun & fellowship with family. Awesome-ness all around!
ReplyDeleteThese photos make me want to go there--- now!
And Happy Anniversary to your parents! My parents celebrate 52 years in September. Such a legacy!
Great post!
My mom lives in Bozeman! I love that you had such a great trip to Yellowstone! Such amazing country and your photos (even with dust in your eyes) are perfect!!
ReplyDeleteI've never been, but I'd really like to. Those photos are awesome, and while I like the ones depicting your family I think my favorite is... well, the triple set of geyser, lake (pool?), and waterfall.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were all able to plan such a fantastic surprise for your mother! I'm sure she was ecstatic^^ 50 years is a long time and this was a great way to celebrate that in part.
Have a great week :-)
Jak at The Cryton Chronicles & Dreams in the Shade of Ink
Already read this when you posted, but just showed it to Henk. Love the pictures and now am even more looking forward to going ourselfs!!! The bison!! Those views!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of you and John together having a laugh. We can see you had a lovely time with the family.
Making memories together is the best. Memories stay forever!!!
Absolutely beautiful pictures! I'm glad you had such a wonderful family time.
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