Summer Lovin'

This summer has been lots of fun!

What would a hot summer day be without orange cream bars?

These kids have sure had a love of fun together thus far.

We saw a moose at a campground near Georgetown Lake.

Our Montana Adventure!

We've had a lot of fun playing basketball together.  Taylor sometimes plays in boots because they are easy to slip on...sigh.  We bought this hoop from Walmart and they ended up crediting us back the money.  So when Mckay inquired about it the person said that someone must have manually changed it, and to just consider it a gift!  What a deal!  (Not long later the van's back breaks all needed replaced since they started locking up, and that was a surprise expense, we counted our blessings that this hoop ended up being free)

It's been fun for the family.

Gavin LOVES Mckay's truck ("guck")!

The pool has been a hit for the kids!

Well worth it!

A truck and a kitten makes a boy happy.

We have also spent a lot of time going to different parks this summer and spending time outside.

The kids were trying to make the weight even on the teeter-totter. 

Sisters

Walking in the stream at the Choteau park is always a good way to cool off.

Having a picnic lunch with Mckay is another family favorite.

Summers are awesome!

Playing with sidewalk chalk and making their own basketball court.

We have been keeping busy making a lot of memories this summer!

Playing Games at the Library

We have been going to the Choteau Library this summer and today's activity was playing different games.  The kids had fun getting to play games together after story time.

"Spot It" is one game we are going to have to add to our collection.

I love it when the play together.

Of coarse, one of Gavin's favorite things in the library is the cool train table.  He goes straight to it every time we walk through the door.

It makes for one happy boy!

Bringing Home Lila

The kids are on cloud nine...they talked their dad into bringing home one of Grandma's kittens all the way from Oregon.  The looks on their faces are priceless...there may have been a few tears to seal the deal.  They are going to name her Lila and I'm sure she will be well taken care of!

The kitten did so good on the long drive home.  She is so friendly with the kids already and boy do they love her.

Picking out a kennel for the kitten.

The kids think it is fun to shop in the pet section of stores now.  They even got a brush for her.

What a fun thing for them to take care of a kitten this summer and learn some responsibility!

Going to Oregon for a Funeral and Father's Day

After getting back from Canada, we hopped in the car the next morning to drive to my parents' in order to be there for my grandma's funeral.

It is always nice to hang out at Grandma's and get together with cousins and extended family members.

These boys are so cute playing together.

Just as long as everyone gets a turn!

Ha Ha!

It will be fun watching them grow up and be buddies.

Happy Father's day to this handsome man.  He truly is a great father and a wonderful example to our children.

Mckay took this photo of Taylor (who couldn't understand why he couldn't get his church shirt on)!

A cute selfie with Dad!

Gavin loves spending time with his daddy.

I think the feeling is mutual!

Life is good and being with family makes you remember the things that matter most.

Grandma Bryson

My dear Grandma Bryson passed away.  She was such a beautiful woman and a wonderful example to those around her.  Grandma cared about everyone and how they were doing.  Although she always had a small stature, (and grandchild after grandchild would pass her up) she was a giant.  She loved writing poems, crocheting rags, taking pictures, sending birthday cards and money to each family member on their big day, fishing and the great outdoors, collecting Beanie Babies to give away at Christmas, music, family getting together and being a part of the party.  I always loved visiting Grandma and Grandpa's and growing up close to them was such a treat!

My dear Grandparents.

Part of my family at her graveside.

Did I mention that my Grandma LOVED FISHING?!  She loved going camping and fishing during the summer.  I was lucky to go along on occasion and playing games and learning to crochet from her will always be a special memory.

Love you dearly Grandma.

Our Trip to Calgary, Canada

We have been looking forward to our trip to Canada and taking the kids to the zoo (it has been a long time since our last visit to a zoo).

This was the kids' reactions when traveling to another country.

That is a lot of cousins and we are even missing some.  Can you tell they are slightly excited?!

The weather was just about perfect and the kids were all so great and happy the entire time.

The penguins were a hit!

Gavin has been really into animals and the different sounds they make, it was sure fun watching his reactions to different animals at the zoo.

Stopping to play on the slides.

Everything was new and fun, the kids had a blast.

Oh to be a kid again...

So curious.

Time to get out of the stroller and stretch our legs.

These two are great buddies.

Kenzie stopping to relax and rest her legs.  We did a lot of walking that day!

Taylor must have some tired legs as well.

There was so much to see and do.

Zoos are like Heaven for Payton, he has always been a huge lover of animals and learning fun facts about them.

We had a fantastic time at the Calgary Zoo!

We will have to go back soon for another visit.  On this trip Isaac and Lindsey came with their kids, Maren and Wade and their kids, and Sarah and Dick.

Gavin has gotten good at falling asleep on the go...poor guy was worn out.

Ha Ha!  Look at Gavin's face and Payton is into something!

 

While we were in Canada, we decided to hit up the Skyline Luge located where the Olympics once took place.  They have a sweet luge that kids can even go on and boy was it a HIT!

Taylor's face says it all as we were riding the lift to the top.  He was thrilled to be tall enough to drive it by himself.

Part of our group getting ready to ride.

It was a lot of fun, but part way down we realized that Taylor didn't even know how to break.  Instead he was just steering and dodging people here and there while flying down.  I was dying watching this all take place in front of my eyes!  Soon we were able to catch up to him and help him learn to slow his cart down.  Although it was entertaining, it was also hazardous and slightly scary.  Needless to say, he did much better the next couple of times!

Brielle and me getting ready to ride.  Gavin was too little this time around, but we are definitely going to have to do that again someday.

 

We also hit up Walmart, Costco and other stores.  It is always fun to see what different countries have to offer.

Kinder Eggs happen to be one of the things Canada offers and Brielle was happy to have her own egg and see what was inside.

Taylor picked out a MR.BIG...how fitting!

The kids with their Kinder Eggs.

Some of these are from Mckay's phone at the zoo.  Brielle the dinosaur.

On the go and head counting all day.

It was a blast.

Dad and his girls on the lift up to the luge.

It was so much fun!

Handsome guys!

 

The house we stayed at was perfect for our size of a group, we had a good time and hope to be able to go to Calgary again in the future.