The Great Montana Adventure!

Call us crazy, but we decided to make the 13+ hour trek to Montana once again to visit Brian's parents. Even though Talia and I made the trip last summer with my brother (and then on to ND - still can't believe we did that with a four month old!!), this is the first time we've done it since becoming a family of four. Since we've talked about Brian's parents' MT retreat to my family for years, we opened up the invitation for them to come along, too. It was a George/Danner/Donaldson Caravan Adventure!!

Since we had recently purchased our Audi station wagon with the intent to take it on road trips like this one, we knew this would be the perfect opportunity to take it on one of its maiden voyages. Still not sure how we managed to pack four people and two dogs for 8 days worth of stuff!

So crazy to see these windmills line the horizon along the gorge.  As kids, my family and I would make this drive to Spokane every year and these were not here.  Just rolling hills on the Washington side and the jagged cliffs on the Oregon side.  To see these along the hills now is quite the sight!

We left on Saturday and stayed a night at my parents' new property they bought in Idaho - a great halfway point. They don't have a house built on it yet (only a small camping trailer and very rustic cabin), so we camped on their property that night. Which means we had to pack a tent and sleeping bags, too!

Uncle T is posing in front of the "cabin".  It reminds me of something you'd see in a western movie or what you would think of when Little House on the Prairie comes to mind.  Oil lanterns, a cot, one chair and a desk for playing cards.  My parents prefer to stay in their camping trailer for the time being.  But the kids loved playing and exploring in it!  (You can see that and the wood shed in the background :)

Their hammock provided hours of entertainment!

So much room to run and play here!

Posing in matching camo - only when camping!

And this "campsite" also has a pretty great view!

My JLo camping hat & shades

The next morning, we got up early to drive the rest of the six hours. It also happened to be my birthday. No other way I would've wanted to spend it - getting to spend time with some of my favorite people!

Posing for my 34th bday - wow!!

This made the drive a little easier for a few hours!

Northern Idaho is so beautiful

Wide open spaces in Montana

The beautiful sunset that greeted us that evening.  Not too bad of a view for my bday :)

The Georges beautiful property with amazing views of the Madison Range

And of course Brian had to take the kids on a quick ATV ride as soon as we got there :)

There is so much to do and see in and around their place, that we were packed with activities. Yellowstone is an hour and half away, some amazing caves an hour away, rafting down the Madison River, ATV rides in the mountains behind their house, visiting Bozeman, fly fishing, rodeos, 4th of July parades, the list goes on and on... It was hard to pick only a few of these from the list, but we needed to leave a little for next time, too :)

Our first MT adventure was to go rafting down the Madison River.

All suited up and ready to go rafting!

I didn't get too many pics of our rafting adventure since all belongings had to stay in the car, but I did get this cute one of the boys!

The next day's adventure was an all-day ATV trip through the mountains behind the Georges' house. We've done this every time we've been to their house, but this was the first time we had this big of a crew! The Georges had to borrow enough ATVs to accommodate our large group, including one vehicle that looked like a golf cart on steroids. It was the perfect vehicle for Talia, though, who was trying to jump out of the moving vehicle the whole time. Yikes.
Our trek took us to the old-time town of Virginia City. I didn't get as many pics this time around of the quaint little town, but got some good ones while en route to Virginia City.

 

 

On our way!

Loved how Aunt Bridg even rode one by herself.  They are much harder to handle than they look!

This picture does not do the view justice.  Amazing scenery behind us as we climbed higher.

Bridgit owning that ATV!!

A few more years, boys :)

Again, the view

The ATV golf cart that kept Talia from jumping ship

Historic site along the way.  Wish I could remember the story here.  I'll have to make sure to read up on it again for the next time :)

A bachelor's cabin we found along the way. 

Not sure who he invites back to his cabin, but I'll have to remember not to be a guest!

And then these baby birds greeted us when we got back. They were in a nest right next to the Georges' deck.  Two days into our trip, I had no idea they were here until we were outside while they were hungry waiting for their mama to return with their dinner.  It was so sweet to see!

Relaxing on the deck after returning from an all-day trip. Bella always has a smile on here face while we're here :)

A relaxer's paradise

The next day, the Gramas and Papas decided to go to Yellowstone for the day. At first, all of us were going to go, but then realized that going with a four, three and one year old may not be the best idea. So, half our group decided to have a resting day at their house. All we did for an entire day was relax on the deck, play ladder ball and explore outside. Even though we're the kind of group to go, go, go, it was nice to have a "down day"!

Hours of relaxing entertainment and wildlife viewing from their deck.

Endless exploring opportunities for the boys

Yep, smiling again

Even though we were on vacation, these three still managed to find time for work.  But with the view they had, I'm sure they'd rather this be their office any day :)

Ladder ball

Bella and her BFF cousin, Stella.

Love the look of the storm that was coming in.

But a thunderstorm won't stop these boys.  A little competitive :)

And then the next day was the 4th of July. So we got up early to get a good spot for the Ennis Parade, of course!

All decked out in our 4th of July finest

Papa and Tristan :)

Grama & Talia

Front row seats!

Someone was a little generous with the sunscreen

The clowns have been my favorite the last few times we've been!

Tristan thought this looked like Sarge from Cars.  Somehow there is always a reference to that movie wherever we are :)

This reminded me a little of home :)

After the parade, we walked down to the car show.  It was pretty impressive!

Tristan's favorite car because it reminded him of Doc Hudson from his favorite movie ever :)

After the car show, the Gramas and Papas took the kiddos back to the house so the parents could go to the rodeo.  It was well worth it!  And please excuse the Hawaiian wear.  This was definitely not my first outfit pick, but it was so hot outside, that I had no other choice.  Bad planning on my part!  At least I had the cowboy hat to throw everyone off :) And if I thought I could sneak into a rodeo like that, I was sorely mistaken.  The cowboys on their horses at the entrance made sure to make fun of us enough so that we knew we stuck out like tourists :)

Even though the stands on the opposite side look pretty empty, it was actually pretty packed where we were.  I'm thinking we were on the visitor/tourist side and those were probably the locals/real cowboys over there.  It was definitely a mix of people here - many tourists from all over the world!  Luckily I wasn't the only one who forgot to wear my Wranglers and cowboy boots that day :)

And then after the rodeo, we decided that would be the perfect opportunity to take some family pics. Tired, hot, sweaty - perfect timing!

Starting the sparklers!

Firework viewing party

Beautiful sky with one of Papa's fireworks high above

Again with the beautiful night sky!

A great sunset on our last night in Montana

Out in old-town Ennis on our last day

Mustache buddies on our last night at Grama & Papa's property in ID before heading back home!

Oh, forgot to mention that we picked up an extra one on the way back :)  Emma had been staying at her grandparents' house for a few weeks after school was out and needed a ride back home.  Somehow we were able to fit another person + luggage in our already packed car.  And this is how a lot of the car ride was on the way home - they were definitely tired after five days in Montana!

What a great trip! And how lucky we were to be able to spend time with both sides of the family at the same time :)