Flooding in Neighbooring Towns

This has proven to be a year of extremes here in Montana!  From the late summer fires burning and causing smoke to settle our area for a long time, to a harsh winter this area has not seen in years, and now we've got flooding in nearby towns to top things off.  Once we heard things were getting bad in Augusta, Mckay raced home from work to grab Payton and I and some friends to go see what we could do to help.  Kenzie stayed home taking care of the rest of the kids.

It has just rained and rained in addition to melted snow in the mountains the water in the rivers just poured over their banks.

It was a crazy sight to see.

My heart went out to the people who were flooded.

I can't imagine their worries.

We were helping others and began sandbagging.

This shows the water just flowing over the rivers edge.

Yikes!!  It was awesome to see people come to the rescue and lend a hand to this community in need!

Cub Scout Day Camp

Sarah kidnapped a couple extra grand kids and my kids were on cloud 9!

Emery came over to snuggle our kittens and play with the girls.

Gavin is loving having the kids around to play with during the day!

It was fun to have the cousins join our Cub Scout Day camp at Grandma's.  Taylor had a great time with Asher.

Kason and Payton were helping Grandma as assistants.

Taylor painting his tugboat.

All things blue and orange for this kid!

The Cub Scouts practiced fire starting skills.  They even got a fire starting kit.

Kenzie and Brielle even got one going together.

Payton working with flint.

Eventually Gavin just couldn't take it any longer and went in the stream to cool off/play.

Enjoying a picnic in the mountains.

Fun times!!

Payton being cheesy!

Taylor loves time with friends!

After lunch I strapped Gavin on my back for a hike, while the Cub Scouts were practicing using their new slingshots.

Gavin had it easy!

I think the boys and extra "helpers" had a lot of fun!

Trip to Visit Family in Oregon

It has been too long since we were able to go to visit my family in Oregon during the summer.  So this year we went right away within the first week of the kids getting out of school.  We always jam pack our visits with fun activities, family visits, eating at restaurants we just don't have in Montana, shopping at different stores that hopefully carry BSU gear, and soaking in our time with loved ones.

Mckay got in to cool off with the kids in the Dudley's pool!  Gavin was chilly.

Brielle having a blast with the cousins.

Kenzie looks suspicious with a squirt tube.

Payton had hours of fun!

Any guesses what Kaden and Taylor are up to???

Gavin and Grandpa have been talking back and forth about riding on the tractor together for quite some time now.  It was cute to see Gavin ride in the buddy seat with Grandpa!

HA HA!  Like I said....BSU shopping is always a must with the men in my life!

Brielle and Kaitlyn picking out their earrings.

While we were there, Brielle got her ears pierced for her 7th Birthday!

She was a bit nervous and excited all at once.

Love this little face!

Her new flower earrings!

Gavin was a huge helper for Brielle, they have a special bond!

Being brave with Kaitlyn who had just gotten this done right before Brielle.

Sweet girls.

Now time to pick out some fun earrings!

Brielle waiting for her turn.

What a sweet little brother!

Brave girl!

It is over and earrings are in.

The girls had fun shopping and picking out some new earrings.

While we were there we went to a new Chinese restaurant after swimming at Roaring Springs.

To say the kids loved it would be an understatement...the chocolate all over Brielle's face says it all!

It was yummy!

We were there for Kaitlyn's birthday party.

Kenzie and Ashlee spending time with Grandpa Bryson.

Three princesses!

Brielle and Max showing off his missing tooth.

We love cousins!

We had a wonderful time and already look forward to seeing everyone at the Oregon coast for our family reunion later this summer!  Goodbyes are always hard and that makes our get-togethers priceless!