Waterton - Part 1

There are many reasons I look forward to summer. In spite of the heat (which I do not enjoy) the summer months signify a little bit of freedom and fun that doesn't seem to exist the rest of the year. One thing I look forward to each year is our annual trip to Waterton Lakes National Park. While it is a relatively obscure place for the majority of you, for me it's one of the most beautiful places on earth (if not the most beautiful). Just add a few of my absolute favorite people and it can be breathtaking!

We had so much fun introducing Junior to our yearly tradition. He was a full-fledged participant in all of our favorite Waterton activities. He seemed to love every minute of it.

Hiking:

Enjoying the scenery:

(a bear showed up at this exact spot not 3 minutes after we left it. Seriously)

Posing for an absurd amount of photos:

More hiking:

And the eventual exhaustion that leads a little one to fall asleep on Grandpa's shoulder:

But don't worry...he woke up in time for the infamous Big Scoop ice cream! Yummy.

Eight Years

Happy Anniversary to my other half. Thanks for driving an absurd amount of hours to celebrate another year gone the Canadian way.

Love you!

Off-Road

While visiting Ian's grandmother and other family members in Canada we happened to get a chance to ride a four-wheeler. And boy, did those kids have fun. As Ian drove Lindy around the farm we could hear her squeals of laughter. She had a blast!

Ellie wasn't as vocal about her enthusiasm, but she was there vying for turns just as much as anyone.

Curtis was a little more serious (as usual) and seemed to spend a significant amount of time observing and taking in the experience. Hilarious.

Big thanks to aunt Cindy for letting my kids (all four of them) experience something new and FUN!

Going to the Sun

When we drive to my hometown, there are a couple routes we can take. The majority of the time we have opted for the quickest and most convenient one. Why spend more time in the car with screaming children than you have to, right? This summer, however, we took the opportunity to take the road less traveled...and it was amazing.

We drove on the Going to the Sun Road through Glacier National Park in North Montana. It was breathtakingly beautiful and, in spite of the sheer drop-off on one side of the road, we just love it.

Near the summit there is a pathway to an overlook area which typically provides onlookers with a fairly close view to any number of mountain goats. This year we ambled down the path to the fenced-in area only to find it occupied by two mangy looking parents and their little baby. (I think I might have been a little too close as daddy goat tried to find a way out of his unexpected pen...but I got a great shot.)

After watching the little mountain goat family we spent a little time letting Curtis stretch his legs. He just loved walking around. It might have something to do with the never-ending hours strapped into a car seat...I dunno.

Winners

Thanks to random.org's easy-peasy integer generator July's winners have been picked. Congratulations to:

Jonie Schaeffer:

Kim Hanks:

Emily Lewis:

For those of you who just cursed these three lovely women and their beautiful kids/grandkids, please be assured that you can find your own dose of lovely by either talking to the infamous Holly or visiting the Girly Accents website.

(FYI: Holly can, and does, do custom orders...yes she's just that good.)