Yellowstone with the Baileys...

Last weekend, one of my uber-wonderful friends invited us to spend the weekend with them in Island Park/Yellowstone.  I was pretty nervous to go that far by myself with all 6 kids and to leave Bryan, but it just seemed to be something we really needed to do, so off we went.  When we made it to Idaho Falls, the kids saw this and HAD to take a picture while we were driving.  Not bad for a 10 year old :)

The Baileys have 7 kids, and their kids match up almost perfectly to ours.  It was so much fun watching them all pair off and become such instant great friends.  Here is Liah and Sadie, instant BFF's (and Belen and the naked Barbie...sorry about that!)

Aeden LOVED their van!  He has given me his blessing for us to buy one, I'm thinking 'About time Aeden!' I'm pretty sure he thinks that's all we've been waiting on :)  Too bad blessings don't pay car payments ey ;)

We had perfect timing, and made it to the sidewalk right as Old Faithful started going off.

The kids all loved it! 

Here we are at the Old Faithful Lodge.  Little side story:  Belen has an imaginary friend named Carlie.  Somehow, she got it in her head that Carlie lived here...the castle.  So as soon as we walk in, she starts yelling "Carlie.  CAR-LIE.  CARLIE!"  When we reached the top, Zerin, bless his heart, informed her that the dragon of the castle had eaten poor Carlie.  Needless to say she was very upset, and did not want to leave her dear friend to such a terrible fate.

The Baileys & a Groberg...LOVE this family!

We stopped at a little picnic area in Yellowstone to eat.

Zerin and Seth found this amazing little tree to enjoy their lunch in.  

Aeden asked to have his picture taken with every fake bear in West Yellowstone.

It was the perfect break.  I cannot even describe what a gift it was to see the kids all so relaxed and having such a good time.  It was pretty scary for me to descend on a family like that with 6 kids in tow, but they were so fun and kind, and made my 'little' family feel more than welcome.  It was exactly what we all needed.

Thank you Baileys!!!