Montana!

Ok, I'm going to attempt to give an abbreviated overview of my trip to Montana. I am sure that most people would not want to hear every detail of an 8 day long trip to visit my family, so here are the highlights (with pictures, to boot!).

When Colin and I got to Helena, MT (home of cousins Brooke, Justin, Quinn, and Cord Logan; Colby, Erin, Kira, and newly expected baby Thomas; and Kyle Thomas and girlfriend Lindsay) the first thing we did was spend a super fun afternoon at Colby, Erin, and Kira's house. Colin and Kira are only a few months apart in age, so had a great time playing together. Kira taught Colin how to go down the slide on his own and how to eat salsa on chips! We had a great time hanging out and talking, and had a great taco dinner.

The next day, after a good night's sleep, Brooke and Quinn (3 years old) took Colin and I on a boat trip to the Gates of the Mountains on the Missouri River. It was absolutely beautiful scenery and weather! Here are some pictures:

Quinn, Colin, and Brooke (its not easy taking two toddlers on a boat!)

Gates of the Mountain State Park

Sharing Sunglasses!

Fields Gulch - Last place visited by Lewis and Clark

Unbelievable Beauty

Spiritual Indian Cave Painting

We really enjoyed this beautiful tour of Montana. After spending two days in Helena with the cousins, we headed up to Kalispell, MT to meet up with my mom, Aunt Lynette, and Grandma Ellie for my grandpa's memorial service. Kalispell is in northern Montana, right near Glacier National Park. My grandpa used to float and fish the north fork of the river going through Glacier, so that is where the family headed to spread his ashes. It was a lovely location and we all had a nice time remembering stories and funny anecdotes about grandpa. Mom also read a really nice poem that she wrote honoring him. Then the four cousins (myself, Brooke, Kyle, and Colby) along with my mom and aunt, hiked down to the river to spread the ashes. Here are a few pictures of the north fork and my mom presenting her poem.

Grandma and Colin at the North Fork

The River

Mom reading her poem

After our time at the River, we all headed back to Kalispell for the little ones to take naps before dinner at the Elks Club. The next morning we had the memorial service for Grandpa, which was held at Flathead Lake, near Grandpa's Lakehouse. It started with a very nice Masonic ritual and then each of his grandchildren shared their favorite memories of Grandpa. Then the minister read some scripture and Amazing Grace was sung. There was a nice turn out and a yummy salad lunch and time for visiting afterward.

We headed back to Helena on Sunday afternoon, and Colin and I were able to have some relaxing time while everyone was at work. It was rainy and cool, but that was a nice change from our 105 degree heat of Florida. On Tuesday, Brooke took half a day off and we took the kids to the carousel downtown! Colin and Quinn had a great time riding the carousel around and around.  We all got some ice cream, too! After the ice cream, we let the kids run around the little park area by the carousel to burn off some of their sugar rush before heading to some western-wear stores to check out some boots. Then we headed home for a steak dinner and a last night of visiting.

Quinn and Colin loved taking baths together!

Colin on the carousel

Checking out the park

Sitting with the bear

Checking out the water

We had a great time visiting our family in Montana. I really wish we lived closer and were able to see each other more often. Oh, and I FREAKING LOVE their weather. I'll totally miss the cool, no-humidity summer they have there.

Btw, here's an open invitation - please come visit! You'll have a place to stay and a good time in Florida!