There went July too.

In between our 12 flights, several vacations and nonstop trips to the pool, we filled the rest of the days in July with more fun. Grammie sent Belle on an hour long trail ride to get her prepped for her trip to Montana and our little cowgirl loved every moment of it. We had visits to the dentist where Olivia was rewarded for finally giving up her baby nuk and we spent a lot of time reading books as usual. The summer sped by so quickly and constant suitcase packing and life with two busy little girls kept us always on the go, but the quiet moments, although far and few between, were and continue to be some of our sweetest.

Almost Home - Part 3

After a long and wonderful vacation in Montana we were still a few nights away from sleeping in our own beds. We had left our car in DFW remember and were grateful to be picked up at the airport again by Grandma Ruth. I think seeing her face took some of the vacation-let-down-sting away for the girls and they were happy to not have to call it quits on all the fun just yet. All four of us were glad to get to Flower Mound after a lengthy and early travel schedule and it was a blessing to have excited people waiting at the other end to entertain the girls. We had fun building more legos, playing play dough, dancing and relaxing and as always had a great time visiting with Grandpa Van and Grandma Ruth. One extra treat this trip was getting to spend some time with Ben's Grandma Nathala who is staying in Dallas currently and listening to some of her stories and history. I was glad for the girls to get to see their Great Grandma again and had to snap a picture because as I learned this summer with Grandma Joan, you just never know.

After another couple of days of fun, we finally loaded our own car with 6 suitcases packed from close to 3 weeks and headed south to home. Olivia was asleep before we hit the freeway and Belle road quietly with headphones the whole way. Ben and I reminisced for the next 200 plus miles and laughed and cried at all of the events of the last several days. We are so lucky to have employment that allows Ben the freedom to travel when we choose and to have so much family that supports and joins us. Soon we were all tucked into own beds for the night and slept like babies all dreaming of the recent days passed.

Big Sky - Part 2

After a super long layover and another flight we were finally able to breath that cool Glacier mountain air. The girls were great on the flights as usual and although it was close to midnight at home, were so thrilled and happy to find their suitcases and then Grandma and Grandpa. We have been to Whitefish enough now that they know what to expect and couldn't wait to get the fun started.

We spent the next multiple days free as can be. We hiked to the railroad tracks and left coins for the train to smash, we watched deer and groundhogs and cattle out our bedroom window and we ate most of our meals outside on the giant deck. We played games, did puzzles, took long bubble baths, read books and ate huckleberry ice cream multiple times. We went school shopping, visited the Farmers Market, were guests at the local rodeo and attended the small Whitefish Ward. We drove the tractor with grandpa, rode the ATV with everyone and spent the majority of our time with our horse, LiviBelle.



Isabelle and Olivia were so eager to see the horse and immediately felt at home with their pet. They loved to feed her carrots, sugar cubes, grass and hay and Olivia got pretty good at letting LiviBelle lick things right off the palm of her hand. They brushed her, petted her, sang to her and loved her and she was by far the highlight of their trip. Sadly, LiviBelle got tangled in her rope one afternoon and suffered a bad rope burn on her leg but it just added to the excitement. The girls helped her take her medicine with grain and helped Grandpa wrap her sore leg. Thankfully after a few days of rest, she felt good enough to ride again and the girls were back in the saddle.

Isabelle really loves being in Montana and spending time with her horse. She learned to gather hay with the pitch fork and fit just perfectly in the small saddle Grandpa bought this year. She loved being on top of LiviBelle and left to ride her freely and was tough and firm and commanding like she needed to be, which is usually not her normal countenance. She cried big tears on our last night at the Sigh Bar when it was time to say goodbye to her furry friend and we had to promise we would plan a return trip sooner than later.

Sigh Bar is the perfect vacation spot with little Olivia at 3 years old. She could go outside in her pajamas and boots everyday and never get her hair combed or her hands washed. She could run, jump, dig, throw, anything she wanted and was especially in heaven because she had a partner in crime this trip...Leo. They played hard all day every day and slept hard at night. All three kids were on antibiotics for ear infections/pink eye/etc but you never would have known by the fun they had. Since we have been home Livi has asked more than once to return to Montana.

I turned the big 3-4 while on vacation and we spent the day celebrating at the Big Mountain Ski Resort. We rode the lifts and alpine slide multiple times and had a fun time being on the mountain. We had lunch at a favorite spot, The Naked Noodle, and we topped it off with huckleberry ice cream at Sweet Peaks. It was a great and quiet birthday and I was glad to spend it with those I love most.

No matter how many days we book our trip in Whitefish for, we are always disappointed when it is time to return back home. Not one of the four of us was ready but life was calling us again and so we packed our bags and once again found ourselves at the tiny Glacier Airport. We woke the girls at 4:30am to make a 6:00am flight and were back in DFW in time for lunch. We are so grateful Grandpa and Grandma invited us to Sigh Bar again and continue to make some of our happiest memories as a family of four in the Big Sky Country.