Happy MacKay Day!! (Our Camping Trip to the Grand Teton Nation Park)

I think camping at a National Park for every Happy MacKay Day should be the tradition from now on! This was such a great vacation together and as the kids continue to get older and more capable it will only get more and more fun!!

I have to give a shout out to Kent to start things off. You guys, he is amazing! He made this awesome itinerary for us, almost single handedly did the meal planning and shopping, and packed and UNPACKED the car!!! It was the best teamwork for a camping trip we have done yet and I'm so grateful he is willing to carry so much of the load!

Our first stop was the the Idaho Falls Temple, which we didn't know was undergoing renovations. It was still a fun stop though! The visitors center missionaries were so kind and lifted our spirits for sure. 

Then we stopped to get gas and who should we run into but the MURRAYS on their way to Yellowstone National Park! Just as we were about to leave I saw a little girl and was like "oh that looks like Whitney" but then I saw a guy with neon sunglasses on filling up a white mini van and said out loud "It is Whitney! Oh my gosh it's the Murrays!!" And then I heard Rebecca start laughing hysterically saying "No way! YES YES YES!" as she did a happy little jig and we ran across the station to hug each other with people staring at us like we were insane. =o]

We couldn't have planned it if we tried and I can't think of a better way to start a trip than randomly running into your sister. 

We drove through the town of Jackson and at their central park they had four arches made of antlers. Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable! I was so shocked and appalled I took this picture. Then Caleb said "If they killed those animals for food because they were hungry, then that's fine. But if they killed those animals just randomly, like, for fun or something, then that is NOT FINE! They shouldn't hurt Heavenly Father's creatures just to make that little arch!" I guess I had a smug look on my face or something because Kent said "Ah, so proud, aren't you?" laughing and shaking his head. And you know what, I am! I do believe we should take good stewardship of the earth and all living things, and I'm grateful I have taught my kids that true principle.

We got to the campsite and there was the usual flurry of activity trying to set things up and get some lunch. 

Then we headed to Jackson Hole for some sightseeing!

We got to ride up this tram to the top of the mountain!

It was such an amazing view and the kids loved it!

Once we were at the top we got out to take a look around and appreciate the breathtaking views and sweet smelling fresh air!

Here we are about to summit the mountain!

At the top!!

Actually it was kind of nerve wracking with the littles lol!

Natalie screamed with good cause more than once and finally begged me "can we just go before someone dies?!?!"

The lift mechanism was pretty cool and we got to review the simple machines pulley unit we had done in science this past year. 

The littles were always happy to see their blankets when we got back into the car or into the tent on this trip. It is so funny how much they love them!!

Some of the roads were pretty rough (I'm glad we took Kent's SUV!) but the scenery was always beautiful. Natalie took hundreds of pictures on her ipad!

We had decided to have dinner at this old west BBQ place and we ate in the Teepee =o]

Back at the campsite everyone was wide awake and it wasn't getting dark anytime soon so we busted out all the camping treats!

We collected some firewood- twigs mostly. 

We need to work on our fire laying skills lol! This was definitely not a one match fire! 

We caved and let him sit with his blanket so he would stop whining. It got disgustingly dirty, but at least it isn't white (grey) like Jenna's!

Eventually I put Seth and Jenna to bed and Caleb joined them (mostly so he could use his flashlight I think), and Natalie felt SO SPECIAL being the only one up with us! They were all still totally awake, but we were alone and it was magical to her. =o]

Let's just not write about the night times. Then maybe we will still want to go camping because we will forget what happens when you try to sleep with four children under seven in a tent. 

The morning came bright and early and COLD as it always does when camping!

But once we had a warm breakfast and really started moving around they had the BEST TIME just exploring the campgrounds!

They protested at first when we said it was time to go, but after some convincing that we were going awesome places we loaded up. The places did not disappoint! When I was little and we went camping, there was nothing like these discovery centers we always run into now. They are cool, and I do appreciate them, it is just a different world today. 

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. Really? A woman with her sleeping baby and shotgun? Wow. I do not understand gun culture.

Then we went on this awesome driving tour to all these different historic sites. We had a grand time!!

Natalie got a copy of the ginger cookies recipe we got to sample, made by the adorable elderly couple who were volunteers from the historical society at this home and general store. 

We went down to the ferry. It is truly amazing what humans can accomplish. Would you put everything you own and your family on that rickety little piece of wood to get across a river so you could start a new life on the other side? Hundreds of people did!!

We visited the chapel. It couldn't have been more quaint. 

THIS is what happened every time were in the car for more than 10 minutes in between stops. 

Some of the stops Kent and I took turns getting out so we wouldn't have to wake the kids. It was indescribably peaceful and beautiful. Seriously, pictures just don't do it justice! 

We got to go on a short hike for a totally worth it view. 

Then went to visit "Mormon Row" where a group of settlers had been sent to start a community. 

It was cool because there were some restoration projects happening and we got to see them hard at work. It was such an amazing place, and I'm grateful others in the future will also get to enjoy it!

We went to one last scenic overlook before heading back to camp, and I'm glad we didn't miss it!

When we got back we discovered our rolls were literally about to explode so we decided to make scones to hold us over until dinner. Best. Decision. EVER. 

Have you ever made scones while camping? I'm pretty sure I will never go camping again without making them lol! 

They were a huge hit with everyone but Natalie, who refused for the longest time to even try one and finally while Caleb was eating his third one she took one tiny bite and said it was good but didn't want any more. Silly girl!

The kids had the best time exploring while the tin foil dinners were cooking. 

Then everyone happily ate a hearty meal! (And actually I saved the leftovers and had an awesome lunch TWICE back at home!) 

Does anyone agree with me that Swiss Rolls just aren't the same anymore. I swear they have changed! Or maybe just my tastes have. I might never eat one again, I was so disappointed. 

The kids were obsessed with whose turn it was to poke the fire with this stick thing Kent got. 

I again put the littles to bed but Caleb didn't join them this time. And really they didn't sleep anyway until we all went in.

Again, skip the cold crowded sleepless sadness lol!

It's a new day! And it's not just any day..... It's Happy MacKay Day!!!

Here is Seth receiving his "Monster-Truck MacKay" award. Nailed it!

The anticipation!!!

Jenna is the "Mommy MacKay" this year!

Look at that face you guys! This is the best tradition ever!!

Caleb gets the "Mighty MacKay" award this year!

Listening to my explanation....

for her "Moonlight MacKay" award!

Then Kent opened presents to the family and I told everyone about them. I updated the family photo album, and finished the book about Grandma Hansen! Oh and we got the movie Babe, since it was one of our favorites from over the summer reading we did. =o]

Then we asked out site neighbors to take our picture. Happy MacKay Day!!

Then we enjoyed the fresh air and forrest for as long as we could before packing up and heading out!

On the way home we reviewed our family goals and adjusted them a bit. I added a major one to this old list about food storage! =o] I didn't get a picture of the updated board though!

We got to drive through Evanston, WY on the way home, the town where my Grandmom and Grandad grew up and fell in love. 

We stopped for an early dinner and got all our wiggles out at the play place.

Saddle seats, huh? Cool. =o]

The railroad where my Pa worked! I am so grateful to know the stories I do. Like that he had a special whistle pattern he would toot so that my Grammy would know it was him coming back into town. I am so grateful my children got to meet their great-great-grandmother and hear about it from her own lips!

Here is the book about my Grandma that was such a long time in the making! Three down, one to go!

When we got home I put their awards on the mantle by their pictures. =o]

We needed some recovery time without the kids underfoot so we turned on The Reluctant Dragon, which turned out to be not really anything to do with the book, but rather how movies are made at Disney and then the last little part they show the actual story. The kids liked it though, and are you ready for the miracle of the whole event? Kent and I got all four kids through the bath, made dinner, and completely unloaded the car and re-cleaned the house before bedtime!!! It was so awesome!

The next day I asked Natalie to take this picture of us before we walked into church because you know what? I want a picture of me and Kent on the day that officially started it all 11 years ago!

That night Kent gave everyone a Happy MacKay Day/ beginning of the new school year blessing, and then I recorded my notes in their blessing journals. I felt so grateful for him and for our children. 

Being part of this family is the best part of my life! I love being a wife! I love being a mother! Hooray for Happy MacKay Day!!