Elisa's Daily BlogOn My Way to Jackson HoleHello!!! So excited to be on my way out west to begin our Cousins' Yellowstone Road Trip!!  My flight takes off at 3:30pm, so me and the girls will head to the airport at around 1pm. Until that time, I'll be working out, charging devices and double checking that last minute items are packed. We have one connection through Denver, and don't get in until around 9:30pm. That's okay because Tanya and gang will not be arriving into Jackson Hole until late as well. Our plan is to settle into our respective hotels, get a few hours of shut eye and then meet up crack of dawn so we can take advantage of the early morning sunrise views in and around the area and hopefully, some animal sightings. I'm sure we'll all crash relatively soon after that! Recap of Last Night... Alrighty then - so let me give you the recap of last night...I have been talking about the annual Father-Daughter Dance now for weeks and the big event was last night.   The entire day went off without a hitch - I got all my last minute "to do's" done with plenty of time to spare. I was even able to run a quick errand to the dollar store for Denise last minute and still make it home in time to get the kids off the bus at 2:30. Gianna was in such a mood when I met her at the bus stop. She was irritable; snapping at me; argumentative about the manicure and pedicure for which I was taking her. I personally thought she was acting a bit hormonal, but I just let things play out. Both she and Kelsey got their manicure; Gianna did NOT want a pedicure (which was a whole major discussion) and I decided to get a 20 minute neck and back massage while they were getting their beauty treatment. Ok, so the first major issue upon exiting the massage room, relatively relaxed, was to hear Gianna complain about how she hated her nails. She wouldn't let me take a picture of them, so that is why I am not posting them. I thought they looked good - purple with one red nail. She "hated" it and "it was the worst manicure she ever got" and "she hates the women at the manicure place." Non-stop negativity. I tried to ignore it. When we arrived home, I had to hear how we have "no food" in the house and I should have taken here to the deli to get something to eat. I ignore that (well not really - I told her to stop complaining and talking rude to me).  Kelsey getting her manicure Gianna then proceeded to say how she wasn't going to the dance because she "hated her manicure so much" and to that, Rebecca, who was now in the kitchen responded with "well, if you are not going, then tell me now, because I'm supposed to fix your hair and I won't be doing it in the 11th hour if you are just tantrumming." After a minor argument between the two - Gianna finally apologized to her older sister, Rebecca for being rude and confirmed that she would be going. So, I think I'm out of the woods and I proceed to get ready, since I have to be there about 30 minutes early, as I'm working at the dance with Denise and the committee.    NOT!!! Gianna rushes in my room and tells me that the seamstress alters the dress too tight around the shoulders and she cannot move her arms. She is having a complete meltdown and tell me she is not going. Ugh - I'm rushing around, trying to get dressed, get my stuff together and it is at this point, I lose my temper. I just couldn't take it anymore!!! I did some quick thinking and remembered, I had a a very small sized black dress that I thought would fit her. Thankfully, it did with a little creative pinning - but she was still carrying on!!! "It wasn't the dress she wanted to wear" "She looked fat and dumpy." Back and forth - "I'm not going!" "I'm staying home!". Well, I managed to calm her down. I asked her to come early with me and she eventually relaxed - her red, crying face toned down and within a few minutes of being there, she was all better. In the end, she had a great time! I was exhausted, of course!! Overall it was a fun night, but I am not lying when I say, I'm glad it over!! Well, my peeps, I'm off to get my day going!! Hope it's a spectacular weekend for you!! Talk to you from Jackson Hole tomorrow!!! -E xoxo  | Tanya's Daily BlogOn our way to Jackson Hole!Heya everyone! The kids and I are still in Portland, however we are getting on the road this morning and driving more than 700 miles to meet Elisa and the girls in Jackson, Wyoming for the start of our Cousins Yellowstone Road Trip!!! (Check out the cool info down below) Before we hit the road, we're heading over to the PDX airport to pick up Dave C, who left early from LAX this morning to meet us for the duration of the trip! (A big shoutout to Dave B for driving him at 4am!!) Dave C, doesn't manage much traveling and when he does it's typically it's either a trip visiting family or his once a year trip with us up to Lake Tahoe. He's never been to any of the upcoming National Parks, cities, or destinations. So this will definitely be a real treat for him! Speaking of treats...Portland has had no shortage of vegan goodies/treats for us to indulge in!!!  Got plenty of goodies!  Vegan strip mall  Cosette, stoked to find "Coffee" flavored lip balm  Food FIGHT! We spent most of yesterday either eating or strolling around Portland and catching the sights.  The famous Portland, Oregon sign and the Burnside Bridge  The Willamette River  Can't visit Portland without going to VooDoo Doughnuts!  Look at these Crazy doughtnuts  Dessert time...AGAIN  From Mount Tabor So, us cousins are gonna spend all next week visiting our National Parks... And do you know what this week is??? April 18-26th is National Park Week! How cool is that?!?! It's America's largest celebration of national heritage and we are going to be a part of it and be bringing back all of the goings on right here on the Daily SCOOP! And not only that... But we are also going to be visiting Yellowstone on April 22nd, which happens to be Earth Day! Find an Earth Day Event near you by clicking HERE. It's a day to honor the Earth and the concept of peace. This year will be the 45th anniversary of Earth Day and we're super excited to be a part of it and have it coincide with National Parks week! Heading out now and looking forward to show the kids and Dave the Columbia Gorge and Multonomah Falls! Catch ya back here tomorrow, when we will all be greeting you from Jackson, Wyoming!! Ciao 4 Now, -T  |
