Yellowstone (Part 1)

This is runoff from the Midway Geyser basin. It was a beautiful view, I just had to take several pictures!
Another view in the Midway Geyser Basin. These walkways (the new ones) were mostly made of a certain type of plastic wooden board, so that they would not erode under the extreme heat as fast as regular wood. Around all the hot springs we visited were walkways around the geysers (like you see here).
Austin and I in front of the runoff.
More pictures...
This shows a little more ideally how the hot water was running into the stream. On the bridge (where I took this picture), it had a sign "No Swimming." I don't think ANYONE could want to swim in THAT...even if it was pretty!
Another picture.
The Spasm Geyser.
This geyser is called Spasm Geyser. It kept going the entire time we were walking up to it, while we were looking at it, and as we were walking away. Pretty cool, I thought!
This is me at the geyser known as The Fumarole.
Most of the hot spring pools had names, however, either I didn't get a picture of the name of this pool (which is not likely...I took a TON!), or it was just unnamed...which is what I think happened. But it sure looked neat, so I thought I would post it.
This was a bacteria mat at one of the first stops we visited after entering the park. Pretty crazy-looking, isn't it?
Isn't it gorgeous out here? This is my wonderful boyfriend Austin, who took me out here to Yellowstone for a wonderful date idea!!! :) It was so fun to visit the park!
This is the big bull elk that was with the other doe elk. Here he is crossing over a small part of a river to the little island in the middle.
Another good shot of the bull elk. I couldn't believe I was able to get such great shots!
A close-up of the bison. Pretty cool, huh? :)
We saw quite a few animals when we first got into the park...and you can get really close!! This is just to show how close people actually got to the animals. You can see the bison and elk in the background.

Roomies!

These are my new roommates here in Kerr Hall. :) They are so nice and fun! I'm sure that we are going to have a great semester together. The top picture is of Janessa from Missouri. The middle picture is of Sarah from California, and the bottom picture is my roommate Nicole from Utah. Yay for the best apartment ever!!! :)

Nursery Fun Part 3

When you get a new camera, you just can't help posting adorable pictures! Here are some more of nursery...

Melody's little sister Katy, as well as Lindsay and Sister Cannon.

Caitlin is so sweet, but just wasn't in a smiley mood for picture-taking this day.

Dakota and her dolly. :)

Carter trying to open his eyes "really wide."

Stacy and I.

Stacy, Shannon, and I.

Aiden and I.

Bryson and I.

Ian and I.

Melody and I.

I will miss all these precious children when I leave on Saturday. Sometimes I just wish they could add a nursery to my student ward!!! But they can't...and it wouldn't be the same, anyways. So I'll look back on these pictures, and look forward to seeing them again at Christmas! :)

Nursery Fun Part 2

This is Taylor, my best friend and helper (also a nursery assistant) this past summer in nursery. :) We love playing play doh!!! :)

Here is Sister Crane, the nursery leader, and one of the sweetest ladies ever! She is so patient with the kids, and so kind to me. Thanks for the great year and a half together, Sister Crane!

Here is a better picture of Aiden. I thought this was an adorable pose...I think he was planning what to do next! :D He is busy, and so adorable!!!

Stacy and Shannon, best friends forever! :)

This is Stacy looking beatiful! She is a very outgoing girl, and I know that she will always be a good leader! :) I think I lucked out -- nursery has all amazing kids!

Nursery Fun...Part 1

This past year I spent at home has been also spent as a nursery assistant to some of the cutest children on this earth! :) I love them so much, and will miss them terribly when I leave. I took many pictures, but just am posting "individuals" here. What will I do without my cuties to look forward to every week?
This week my class started out playing with Play Doh. The picture above is of Melody, who always has a kind word for me, and loves to be near me, cuddling or just smiling and asking all sorts of sweet childlike questions.

The picture above is of Bryson. :) Here he is busy making a snake, or something fun to play with. He is one of the most handsome boys ever! He is one of the kids I have known the longest in Nursery. (Also, this picture has Aiden in it, who was quite busy making different inventions with his play doh, but didn't really want his picture taken at the time.)

This picture is of Shannon. She and Stacy are best friends, and are my "story tellers" because they like to tell me all kinds of interesting make-believe things when we read stories...they sound like they have wonderful imaginations, which is one of the best things about being a child and playing with others! :) Shannon is so beautiful and sweet, and I will miss her twinkly eyes, and smile.

This picture is of Ian. Ian is a peacemaker, which is very important in a nursery class. He always has a kind word for everyone, and a cheerful attitude about everything in class. He always comforts those who get hurt playing, and plays with those who feel shy and lonely. I will always remember him and try to be more like my young friend Ian when I am in a new situation. Everyone loves a genuine, nice friend--which is what Ian is to all. :)

This is a picture of Carter, my sweet, blue-eyed, blonde-haired cutie who likes to snuggle, and play with all the cars he can find. He likes to color with me, and play trucks, airplanes and cars. I love the way he treats me like his best friend. The other Sunday I took him to his mommy, and Carter said he would rather "stay with Melissa" than go home! :) What a sweetheart! :)

I have LOVED being in nursery with such special children of God. They are such a light, and good example to me. I will miss you all!