Meet me in Montana

We got to Billings just in time for the Montana Fair!  Uncle David was showing 2 pigs and had a variety of responsibilities at the fairgrounds so unfortunately we didn't get to see much of him that week. 

The first thing we did Monday morning was pick Apples!  Alex is my little garden buddy and loves to be around at harvest time.  I've been telling her for months to leave the apples on Grandma Jake's tree alone, but I still catch her nibbling on the tiny green things.  So when we found out these ones were ready to pick she was thrilled!

We got Uncle Stephen to saddle up the horse for us.

Heidi had just rummaged through the car and found an old ringpop from the drive up, she refused to give it up.

We spent the morning riding the horse around the front pasture.

And Alex even consented to a ride.  She was a bit leery after overhearing me tell Grandma that she might be allergic to horses.

She was then convinced it was the horse making her nose run and I was kicking myself for putting that thought into her head.

Mooters was a good sport through the whole thing.

After the animals, the most popular part of the farm was the trampoline! And plenty of time was spent bouncing around there.

Monday afternoon we went to the Fair to watch David show his pig, eat cheese curds and wander the Fairgrounds.  We had a great time with Mom, David and Grandma Sanderson who was in town for a few days.  The girls rode the Carousel and played in the corn sandbox and eyed all the big kid rides in amazement.  By the time we got home they were down and out for the count.  We decided that the Fair was a lot more fun in the cool evening, or maybe without kids.

Tuesday I took Alex and Grandma and went back to the Fair to see Mom and David with the pigs again.  We missed the showing but spent lots of time wandering around looking at fun things and Alex got to try out a few more exciting rides.  She got cotten candy and plenty of attention and things went a lot smoother without the stroller and competitive little sister.  When we came home we decided to make our own fairy crowns instead of buying the cheap ones all over the Fair.  This turned into me hot glueing flowers and wrapping ribbon for an hour while trying to keep the girls AWAY from the hot glue gun.

The rest of the week we just hung out on the farm and relaxed.  We got a tractor ride from Grandma, which rivaled any kiddie ride at the Fair.

Heidi even got Uncle Stephen to zip her around on the lawn mower.  She is my cars, trucks and trains girl.  Given her choice of toy she will always choose an airplane or train, but then proceeds to play with it like it's a doll.  I asked her while we were packing which train she wanted to bring on the trip to play with, she answered "The sister one".

We got to go on a historical "trolly" tour of Billings which was really interesting and inspired us to go visit the Indian caves.

Heidi had a hard time staying on the path and wanted to balance beam the border rocks instead.

It was a warm day but the views were beautiful.

We almost had a perfect picture, but Alex insisted on posing with the feather she had found on the trail.

They loved climbing around and running and keeping the adults on their toes watching for and warning about snakes.

Afterwards we had a picnic of applesauce and pudding next to the Teepee, and everyone was a bit tired.

The greatest success of the trip was getting Stephen to take our family pictures!

The second was David teaching Heidi how to wink, and her pulling the new trick out every chance she got.

Friday was our day of departure and it was sad saying goodbye to everyone and everything.

I had to get some photographic evidence that both David and I were on the trip, he was never around and I'm always behind the camera.

Family Vacation- Worland style

Friday August 10th we left Provo and headed to Wyoming again, but this time as a family!

We stopped at one of my favorite places - Wind River Canyon, and got out to play in the water.

Saturday we started out at the farm!  Alex and Heidi discovered the wonders of rides on a swinging gate, and got put in charge of feeding the horses.

There was the usual riding of horses.

Unfortunately the minute we showed up at the farm Alex started sniffling and complaining about watery eyes.  It appears she might have inherited Dad's hay fever.

Heidi was Grandpa's little sidekick

And obeyed his every command.

The horse the kids were riding was being treated for a cut on it's face and possible broken bones.  So Grandpa put it to sleep so they could check it out.  Unfortunately it fell asleep on the wrong side and needed to be turned over.

Heidi was very interested in what was going on.

Perhaps she will become the next family vet.

After the farm we went to Thermopolis and spent the afternoon swimming in the hotspring fed swimming pool.  It was wonderful.  We also discovered the park where they moved all the great old playground equipment.

Thank you Worland for keeping around all the "unsafe" and much more entertaining toys, like giant slides, merry-go-rounds and wooden spinning tunnel things.

It took me back to my youth and the hours spent with cousins inside this thing.

In our down time we watched olympics, picked raspberries, cooked delicious food and ran around the backyard.  We got to go to church in Worland and were reminded a million times from everyone we saw, how amazing our Grandparents are!  After a fantastic Sunday dinner and some sad goodbye's we took off for Billings.

Times they are a changing

Last weekend Grandma and Grandpa were out of town.  Tyler and I thought we would plan ahead for a Saturday morning sleep in.

 We set out bowls and cereal and got the milk ready in the fridge.

 I guess one of the kids is still a bit too small to be trusted getting herself breakfast.

 We took the rest of the day and did a 23 mile bike ride up to Bridalveil Falls and back.  Unfortunately the kids were asleep when we reached our destination.

 But of course woke up 5 miles later when there was no place to stop.

 The rest of the week was chaos, planning for parties, and watching Ben and Kate pack for Arizona!

 Ben's birthday on Wednesday was also the final family get together and we had a blast of it.

We gathered the family and had a desert potluck out at Grandma Jake's.

 There were foot races

 I think Heidi is still pretty confused at the concept.

 The adults had a 3 legged race and all the other games turned into a water fight.

 Which didn't end until half the children were crying and cold, most of the adults were soaked, and we had run out of water.

 Then there was wiffleball until the mosquitos drove everyone to their cars.

 Thursday I tried to get a few pictures before Ben and Kate stole Archie and Annie from us.

 It was hard to get everyone to cooperate.

 These two had been getting along so well all week.

 I don't think it had hit the kids that Tucson is really far away.

 We got one last long morning play date (and some cupcakes) before it was time for departure.

 I'll admit I cried as the van pulled away.

 It's hard to see your best friend, AND your kid's best friends drive away in the same car destined for a far away land.

On the same day that Ben's family left to start a new chapter of their lives and graduate school, Tyler submitted 8 applications to P.A. school!  Hopefully in a year we will be taking off on an adventure of our own!