Montana trip 2009

Well, I know it's been forever since I've blogged, this summer has just been crazy and I haven't had any time to sit down and do this. I've been working for Joel in the mornings during the week now and by the time I get home I feel like I have a million things to get done and blogging pretty much is last priority right now. We went to Montana a few weeks ago and had a great time. There are some awesome fireworks down at the lake on the 4th, so we took all the kids this year, including Christian. I was worried he would cry from the loud noisy fireworks, but he just sat on daddy's lap staring at them in amazement. Kaitlyn was even doing the sparklers. She was a little nervous about them at first, but she got to where she wanted to keep doing more. Anyway, here are some pics of our trip to Montana over the 4th over July. The first few are of the 4th of July parade where they throw lots of awesome candy, including full size candy bars and popsicles! This is the only parade Joel will ever go to. :)

Kaitlyn showing me one of her candy scores.

Christian enjoying a sucker from the parade.

Bailey, Kinlee, and Ashley looking good at the parade.

Here is Kaitlyn on the shore of the lake after she drank a raspberry drink giving her a nice red mustache.

One of the only pics of Dylan where he was smiling at me... he usually puts his hands over his face when I try to take a picture.

The kids caught lots of turtles in a little bay of the lake... they would play with them for a while and then let them go.

Dylan and Ashley posing for the camera :)

Here is Kaitlyn on the U-board... she wasn't even scared to try it and when she fell off into the lake, Uncle Jon swam out to her. She didn't want to get in the boat, so Jon helped her swim back to shore. She wasn't scared of the water at all.

Grandma and Christian having a little swim.

Bailey and Kinlee soaking up the sun.

Christian making his favorite funny face, with cousin Alaina.

Kinlee looking cute in her swimsuit.

Christian making his mad face at the camera.

We had a great time this year, the weather was awesome; never a drop of rain which is rare. Usually we have a day or two of rain, but not this year. Joel took Dylan and Kinlee on a long hike up to Strawberry Lake with the other cousins and aunts and uncles. I guess it was 4-1/2 miles up and then back. They did really well, but I think they were tired afterwards and said they don't EVER want to do that hike again. Dylan enjoyed wake-surfing and wakeboarding. He even went over the wake a few times. Kinlee is a big tube rider... she goes with the bigger kids and doesn't mind being flipped out of the tube... the wilder the better for her. Kaitlyn just loves to put on her life jacket and swim out in the lake. She liked riding in the boat too. Christian mostly hung out on the beach playing in the sand with toys and getting really dirty. He also liked to run away when mom wasn't looking. :) I really enjoyed my morning runs with Melissa, Angie, and Leigh Anne. It's a lot nicer running in Montana than on the treadmill at the gym! We're hoping we get to go back again in August... not sure yet because of Joel's work, but it might be me and the kids without him. It's hard on the mom, but the kids sure love to go!