A Prize Winning few days

Last year, I had entered a photo of mine into a contest and as a result I won a two night stay in Waterton.    We waited until this summer to redeem it, as I knew that it would be the perfect family getaway before school starts up again.  

Some things I want to remember about the trip:

1) 

 I probably won't ever forget what an absolute dive the room was, and the lesson I learned about myself as we dealt with it.   Seriously, I was so surprised when we first arrived, because we'd stayed in other suites this particular hotel offers that have always been really quite nice.   This time though- our three bedroom suite was pretty much the grossest place ever, and I think what happened is that they honestly just forgot to clean it.   If it weren't for the fact we got it for free I would have probably really complained.  Instead though- John and I set to work cleaning it up ourselves.    We washed walls, mopped the floors, changed the bedsheets, picked up the old cobs of corn off the balcony and John found access to a custodial closet and stole the vacuum a bit so we could clean the carpet.   Ew Ew EW!    Looking back I really should have said something, but I'm such a nice person such a wimp who is afraid of being confrontational.   ;)    It's kinda funny how fuming mad I was initially - yet I was still more happy to clean it myself then to ever have to say anything to anyone.

 Which brings me to the lesson I learned about myself while on this trip:

  When I grow up - I want to be a more assertive person.    

2)   

Once we got the suite all ship shape we set out to experience a bit of Waterton in ways we perhaps normally wouldn't have.    Waterton is so fun when you get to spend more then just a few hours there.    

For starters- Sam FINALLY got to ride one of these bikes.   (He's only been asking for the past decade!)   We rented two of them and drove around town stopping every now and then to enjoy the scenery.    

Oh yeah, and I do want to take this opportunity to remember the time that I let Abby drive the bike and she almost killed us!   The combination of controlling the wheel AND the brake at the same time got her so flustered and confused that she steered us frantically right into the way of an oncoming car!!!     

Perhaps she's a little to young to be given control of a vehicle?

I think so.  In fact, we're going to wait until she's 17 before letting her get her learners;)

3)  

 One morning we took the kids up to Bertha Falls.    It's a fairly easy hike, though it seemed a lot longer then I remember it being.  Perhaps, that is just because the kids kept asking (every 3.5 seconds) "why we had to do this?" and "When is it going to be over?"

It was enough to make any hike seem long, no matter how small it really is!!! :)   

Abby snapped this photo during a "rest" and then she said, "There mom.  Now you can put that on the blog."   (Yup- when your kid starts taking photos for the blog-  you know it's time to put the camera away!)       

Here is Bertha Falls!   One day I want to keep going and get up to Bertha Lake- but there was no way our little group of hikers were going to sign on to that.   Instead, we sat and snacked and played here for a bit before heading back to the hotel.   

4)  

  One evening Grandpa came out and joined us for a wiener roast and some fishing up at Cameron Lake.     We LOVED having him with us again, as our evening meals are never the same without him!

We also loved the s'mores for dessert!   Here's a tip I found on Pinterest:   Take a Rolo (the chocolate covered caramels) and stick it on a skewer with our marshmallows.  That combined with a marshmallow on a graham cracker equals pure chocolate, caramel, marshmallow AWESOMENESS!!!

5)  

Perhaps, most exciting for the kids though was the fishing they got to do at the base of Cameron falls!    Actually, I wouldn't let Nate go down and Jess only got to hop the fence for a second, but Abby and Sam both took a turn fishing with Daddy.  They caught SIX trout in total!    (They actually kept two of them, and cooked them up later for dinner!)   They still talk about how cool it was to catch a fish there of all places!

6)

I loved being able to sneak away occasionally for a little bit of time a lone in this beautiful place!  In the evenings, I would walk up and down the streets and pop into each little shop to explore.   One evening I sat outside the theatre.  The doors had been opened to let the cool breeze blow through, and I could hear the sound of the live band as they performed their version of  "Hallelujah."  Love that song, and liked it even better that night.  

In the mornings, I would hop out of bed and walk around the lake, taking pictures as the sun rose.    Everything is so calm and still at that time of the day, and that's usually something I don't get to see and enjoy when we come to Waterton.    

I'm glad we got to spend those few days together, in one of my favorite places!  

Two Amazingly fun Days with my Favorite People ever!

This past Thursday, we checked out of the Meadow Lake Resort, and drove the few minutes to BIG SKY where we would be meeting up with ALL of my siblings!   

John and I had been planning to take the kids to the water slides all summer long, and somehow we managed to get the rest of my family to agree to come too:)  

For most of the day- the kids formed their own little groups and went wherever they wanted, stopping in often to touch base with the parents, or have a quick snack before setting out again.   I personally LOVED just floating around on a tube!  Geronimo was a bit too crazy for me - which makes me think that I must be getting old or something, but at least I can say I did it;)   Sam, Abby and Jess were MIA most of the day, and it was all I could do to keep tabs on where they were.   And Nate?  Well- he was content to just dig in the sand beneath the Volleyball Nets.   I'm not sure if that boy got fully wet once!

Still though- he continually asks to go back to Big Sky - so he must have still had fun?

 I'm so glad that my family all came, even though some of them had already done the whole water slide thing this summer,  but John and I both agreed afterwards that our kids would not have had near has much fun without all of their cousins.    It was a fun day, with lots of visiting.    

Lucky for us though- after Big Sky- things just kept getting better.    Chad and Crystal and their families came back home with all of us and stayed at Jewel's house for two more nights!

On Friday we loaded up the kids and drove out to Waterton to hike Bears Hump.  I'll admit, I wasn't quite feeling the love as we tried to make that climb.   If I thought going down Geronimo was tough, it was nothing compared to going UP Bears Hump!  I wouldn't say I'm out of shape or anything, but I do think I might be getting old;)  

Despite how tired the kids (ahem...and I) all seemed, we all felt energized as we reached the top.  The kids instantly set out to play with the chipmunks, and I hunkered down on a rock to catch my breath and keep from passing out.   (kidding;)    Despite Sam's earlier insistence that he was just.too.tired. to do anything - he seemed to muster up enough strength to try and catch one of the giant over fed chipmunks that live up there.    Before heading back down, we made sure to take lots of pictures because John and Kendall both really love it when we take lots of pictures:)   

Despite my initial hesitancy at the thought of dragging our little kids up that mountain, Jewel assured us all  that we would all be so glad once we all got to the top, and she was right.   

I'll never get tired of seeing that amazing view, and I loved having the whole family together!!

As soon as we'd gotten back down to the town site and had lunch, it was time to make good on the promise we'd made to the kids.    What better reward for a good hike then a stop at the Splash Park to cool down.  

Apparently it wasn't just the kids who needed to cool down, because we hadn't even been there for 10 minutes before Jewel and Chad started the biggest water fight ever!  I'm not sure if anybody made it out of that without getting soaking wet - but it sure was fun! ;)

Uncle Chad treated the cousins to ice cream at Big Scoop, which was an extra special treat for my kiddos, as we don't stop here near as often as they all would like!

We came home from Waterton and had a quick BBQ before making plans for our evening out door Movie Theatre!    Jewel and Kendall really pulled out all the stops to make this a fun thing for everyone!

While the Moms all worked to make yummy movie munchies like licorice, chocolate bars, caramel popcorn, butter popcorn and lemonade - the Dad's set to work outside setting up the theatre!  They moved out couches, set up beds for the little kids to lay on, and hung a giant white sheet for a screen.

As soon as it was dark enough to begin, the kids were able to file through and order the treats of their choice!

And then the movie began!   Kendall and Jewel purchased the Lorax and my family was so excited because that's one we had seen yet.    It was awesome!   

Several times during the movie, Nate who was all bundled up in blankets and a hoody, would look up at the sky and notice ALL the stars!  He was so excited to be able to see them!  

 It was such a fun evening and a perfect way to end a fun day together.   I couldn't help but wish that my parents could have been with us, because this is exactly the kind of thing I know my Dad would have enjoyed!

It can sometimes be a challenge for us to coordinate our schedules and get together, but every time we do, it ends up being the BEST TIME EVER!    

Honestly though, that's probably because these happen to be some of the very BEST PEOPLE I KNOW!!!

Meadow Lake Resort

Last Sunday, shortly after Sam's early "Birthday Dinner" had ended, we received a phone call from a couple who John knew growing up.    They explained to us that months and months ago they had book a couple of Condos at the Meadowlake Golf Resort in Montana, but now none of their family could make it - and they were hoping to find somebody who could take their place.    

It didn't really taken much convincing for us to want to go.   I mean really - they had me at Resort;)    So...we spent the better part of Monday trying to clean the house, pack, and do all the jobs around the house we'd been planning to do throughout the week.    By later in the day though- we ALL were ready to hit the road!    

We were able to pass over Logan Pass just as the sun was starting to set and it was breathtaking!!    

I loved the feeling of riding on that road, while the evening Sun shone brightly with the windows rolled down, smelling in the mountain air....

This is a photo of "Lunch Creek" which is located just before you reach the top of Logan Pass.  John has told us so many stories of visits him and his family would make to Lunch Creek.   

The creek flows under the road and comes out of this tunnel below.   Off to the right, there is a flat rock bed where the family would always sit to ...well...eat LUNCH of course!!!

...Okay- that's it,  I want to go back!

We made great time, and got to the resort with still plenty of time left for the kids to explore a bit.    

This was the main building.    

We would often take morning and evening walks up to the main building because they had a beautiful pond out front that was full of gold fish.   The kids named them all, and dubbed them our "family pets" throughout the duration of the stay.    

One fish was named "Elle," and one was named "Freckles" if that gives you any idea of the type of names these poor fish had to endure while we were here;)

The first morning there, Sam woke up to a table full of presents, and a pile of pancakes with 7 Birthday Candles.   Of course, he felt extra special because he's the only one who has ever gotten a vacation for his birthday;)! 

For the next couple of days we kept ourselves busy by:

* taking care of our new found pets

* doing a teensy weensy bit of shopping in Kallispell;)

* Swimming at the indoor/outdoor pool

* playing at our favorite playground

* and enjoying some of the programs that the resort offered (the kids loved "Frog-a-rama" which was an hour of games in the pool;)    

On Wednesday night, they had a Cowboy dinner in the park for all of the guests.   We could cook hot dogs over the fire, and roast marshmallows for s'mores.   The kids ate very little, but played a LOT!   

While they played, John and I sat on the hill and listened to this cute local couple play and tell stories about the history of Montana.   Very Cool!

Oh now this picture really doesn't fit in- but I do want to remember this fun restaurant we ate at one day that Jewel and Kendall had recommended to us. 

  HuHot in Kalispell was seriously so much fun!    It was an all you can eat, Mongolian Buffet sort of a thing, and I am pretty sure I ate a weeks worth of food just because it was so fun!    tsk tsk.    

Luckily, the next day we drove up to Glacier and I was able to walk some of that excessive eating from the day before off;)!   

Trail of the Cedars isn't much of a hike, in fact it isn't really a "hike" at all, but rather a stroll.    However, it's the prettiest stroll I've ever done, and I never get tired of it!

Even though I LOVE Waterton, Glacier never ceases to amaze me either, and one day I'm going to do a controlled study to determine which park I like best of all!    The study will involve lots of fancy hotels, fine dining, and a lot of "alone time."    I plan to take it very seriously;)   

We packed a lot of fun into just a couple of days down there, and we are soo grateful for the chance we had to take advantage of the offer.    It was so great to just be alone with John and the kids for a few days, as this summer has been so full of wonderful, (but busy) things like ....camp, reunions, swim lessons, fence building, etc.  

I'll never turn down the chance for a little bit of resort...ur...I mean Family Time!

What I NEED - is a Watch!

Sam came to me a couple of days ago in absolute tears, angry at ME for the fact that he has to have a birthday in the Summer.   (sob sob)    His reasons?  

"In the summer, he doesn't belong to a classroom full of kids who would normally sing to him."

"In the summer, he doesn't get to take cupcakes to share at school."

"In the summer, ALL of his friends are gone- so he doesn't ever get to really have Birthday Parties."

"And in the summer there isn't anything fun to do - just like...boring stuff that everybody else is already doing."   

(I'm not sure that I totally understand the last argument there, but those were Sam's complaints nonetheless;)

Naturally, being the awesome Mom I am - I told him that it is not my fault that he was born in August, but rather that Heavenly Father is actually the one who decides when we all come to earth.  (who would dare argue with that?)   And THEN I set out to bribe him with the yummiest three layered rainbow cake ever! ;)

The recipe for this cake is in the Friend, as it's the cake President Monson's Mom would make for the prophet every year on his birthday.   Sam thinks that he is extra special now because his birthday is close to "President Moroni's!"   (Note: For some reason,  he totally messes up the names like that, and I've grown tired of correcting him;)


Our obligatory "Birthday Wall of Fame!"
(or ..."shame" depending on what photos you choose to notice;)

His birthday was made AWESOME when his Aunt Jewel gave him a Star Wars Lego Watch for a gift.   Sam is quite fond of watches, LOVES Lego, and is CRAZY about all things Star Wars, so naturally this is the perfect gift!   Naturally, I had to point out to him later that if he'd not had a "Summer Birthday" then he never would have gotten that awesome gift!   

(Which, of course, isn't true at all- but I just thought it would help him appreciate the month in which he was born a little bit more;)

Just a funny story:  After Sam opened this gift he was SO excited to put the watch on that he hastily began tearing through things trying to assemble it in a rush.    With helpful intentions, we suggested that he pause to read the instructions, to which he hurriedly replied- 

 "I don't need Instructions!  What I need - is a WATCH!!"   

Well- thanks to Aunt Jewel, Sam now loves his Birthday and would have been completely happy if this is the only thing we'd done do celebrate.    But it wasn't.     In fact, it's been a birthday WEEK for him with all sorts of gifts, and travelling and fun.   If you ask me, I'd say this kid has really been quite spoiled!    

Nope- I'm not buying his argument at all.  

Summer is definitely the BEST time for a Birthday!!

Parade Day!

Parade Day!  

Parade Day was made extra awesome by the fact that Chiam, Oscar and Walden came last minute to enjoy it with us!  Of course, their parents came too:)   I always love getting a chance to visit with my sister Crystal.    Oh, and our friends were set up nearby too, so the kids all had lots of company to keep them happy while they waited for the parade to begin.    

*Nate was content to just sit back with his one lollipop and watch everyone else madly dash for candy.

*Abby, Sam and Chaim one prizes!

* My brother in law Jeremy mastered the art of stealing candy from small children ;)

* And the parade floats were fun to see.   (I loved the horses!)

* This year the whole family stayed up in anticipation of the fireworks.  It was Nate's first time really seeing a fireworks show and he loved it.       

This Summer Moment.....Bear Watching!

I was just scrolling through our photos from the summer and came across these ones.    They reminded me of another summer moment that I want to remember.

Bear Watching with the American cousins!

Do you like how I specify that they are our..."American" cousins?  

I think I just get excited whenever some of them make it all the way up here.

These photos were taken as we were coming back from Red Rock.   The kids (ahem...and LUCI!) were SOO VERY EXCITED to see a Bear off on the side of the road.    Because it was lumbering through bushes it was often difficult to see it though, so the shorter kids had to get a bit creative!

Gosh, we sure miss "those Americans!"

This summer moment....Swim Lessons

The past two weeks have been all about Swim Lessons!  

Every plan we make, every place we've gone, every project we've tried to tackle....

it's all revolved around Swim Lessons!   haha

I'm happy to say that not only are the kids finished for another year, but they ALL passed!!!    

Jessica surprised me and was a fish.    Sam passed level 2 the first time, which is a big deal seeing as Level 1 was such a killer for him;) and Abby is moving up to Levels that actually challenge her quite a bit!   I'm proud of the way she pushes through hard things though;)   

Here's a photo I snapped of the three little ones while Abby was finishing up her lesson.   

For the record, this is usually precisely the kind of thing that happens whenever I say - 

"Now look at the camera and smile!"

Unfortunately for Abby, by the time she'd finished her lesson, I just didn't have it in me to try for another shot:)

I didn't dare!

This summer moment ... Thanks to the Spencers

This photo - I love!

And this particular summer moment- I adore.    

I love it so much I can even say it in French:

J'adore ce moment!!!!!   

   

It was just a beautiful brief second that happened on a rare calm evening, as the sun is going down, when everything seemed right in the world.   We'd been invited by our friends (the Spencer family) to join them up at their families land for the afternoon and evening.   This was on of the last photos I took, at the end of a perfect and fun day while we were on our way back from our hike to "Goose Lake."   I'd turned around to John and saw Nate happily perched high on his Daddy's shoulders and it made me so so happy!

Every body knows that a Happy Kid + A Setting Sun = A Perfect Moment...right? 

It's true.  you should always always ALWAYS grab your camera when the sun starts to set. 

Kids just seem so much more perfect and lovable when photographed against a setting sun, that's all there is to it!

Other photos from the day:

As we entered Mandi's families property we were greeted by these friendly Bovines.    My kids were so excited- but I guess in all fairness to them - it's not every day that they see a cow.  

 (Poor little town kids;)

As we approached their campground we drove down a road that was FULL of Saskatoon and Raspberry Bushes,  which of course, we had to stop and pick! 

As soon as we arrived the kids had to immediately get dressed in their swimsuits and head on down to the creek to play.     For the next few hours they swam, waded, dug, and fished!    They were in heaven.   I sat back and took in the gorgeous scenery.   

I was in Heaven too:)

At one point John and I finally clued into the fact that Nate had gotten himself ready that morning and had obediently "got his shoes on" just like I'd asked him to do!   

Yup- I'm a good Mom:)

After the kids had played and gotten as dirty as they were going to get - we started a fire and had supper!   John came up with an ingenious way to roast 8 wieners at one time using a BBQ rotisserie skewer, and I found and brought the yummiest ALL NATURAL pork sausages that were so GOOD!   

(and nitrate free if I might add.  ChaChing!!!)

I thought I was pretty awesome, what with my successful contribution of All-Natural hot dogs and all,  until Curtis pulled out all the stops and made fire roasted corn on the cob!
 Probably the yummiest thing I've ever eaten that was cooked over a fire.   Delish!!!

Here we are taking an after dinner stroll through the hills as the sun began to set.   

I like hanging out with Mandi.   She understands my need to take family photos and doesn't roll her eyes at me when I gather my family for "another photo" like a certain person that I know always does.   

(cough cough... ahem...JOHN!:)

My kids like hanging out with Mandi's kids too - especially when a fire, skewers, marshmallows, and chocolate covered wafers are involved!

It was pretty much the perfect summer day!  

At one point, Abby turned to John and I and said-

 "Okay.   Like, we just REALLY need to get us some land!"

Uh...yeah Abby.    We'll get right on that:)!

Pow Wow Baby

The other night- we all attended the annual Pow Wow, which basically consist of Native dancers coming from all over to compete in their traditional dancing.    

I LOVE it.   

The costumes are beautiful.  

The Drumming is powerful.

And the Dancing is - Spectacular.   And fascinating. 

This young Mom caught my eye, and I found myself wishing I had a little baby to hold in my arms. 

  

Lee & Sandy Paley

When I was little, my siblings and I would often watch a kids show on TV called Ballooner Landing, and whenever we would - my Dad would point to the woman (Sandy Paley) and say, "Hey! She's my cousin!"   

We would always respond by saying, "Yeah right...whatever Dad!" 

   No matter how insistent he was - we never did believe that these beloved childhood singers were actually family. 

This past week our local library hosted a Lee & Sandy Paley concert, and I was determined to take the kids to go see them.    I grew up knowing and singing so many of their songs and I wanted my kids to hear the same fun music.    

Much to my delight- the kids were SO EXCITED and they sang along and danced the whole time.  

Even better - I learned that all those years my Dad really was telling the truth, and that Sandy Paley is in fact his cousin.  They played together as kids and it was fun to get to know her better during those few minutes we got to visit.    

I'm kinda excited to hear my kids singing "One green Jelly Bean" around the house!