Hiking Big Creek

Since we've been in Montana the kids and I have gone hiking several times. 

We went up Blodgett Canyon first, with friends Anneke and Erik, which was somewhat whiny since Jed was terrified either bears or mountain goats or eagles or all three would kill him.  By the time we gave up and headed back, he was loving it and insisted we eat lunch by the creek at the trailhead.  

Next, we went on a Cub Scout hike up Big Creek with Cubmaster/Poppa Gary and his crew.  We didn't make it as far as the hike, but the four of us made it two miles, which I thought was pretty respectable for a two year old, a four year old, a baby in a backpack, and one gigantic bloody nose halfway back that ruined a lot of the fun.  We had a great time until the blood part.  

Then today we went back up Big Creek with Poppa Gary, just a little ways, to find the "perfect spot!" for our annual Camp Ground-Doggie Family Hike!  We found this lovely little spot, not far up the trail, with logs to sit on surrounding a shallow, kid friendly spot. We thought it was a safe spot for a big family gathering, and Dad even took a tumble off a log and into the creek just to make sure. :) Jed rhapsodized on and on about how pretty and how perfect it was for us. "Oh Gramps, I just love this place!" 

 

Cheesy Grin

Lately Zane has become the master of the cheesy grin.  This only beings to capture it. 

It's almost 10:30, and Zoe is still asleep

Plastered to the bed, bottoms up, baby clutched tight.

Happy Birthday, Zoe Ann!

Three years old today.

Oh how we love you, sweet silly little girl!

 Happy Birthday!

Little Dragon

Jed Glasses

Jed tried on Granny's glasses.  Looks like in a few years we will be solidifying the Stanfill Nerd Tradition!

Dowdle Waterpark

Pool Snuggle

Dance, Dance!

The Happy Hoosier

My fat little Hoosier hanging out in his pajamas, in the backyard, on his lawnchair with faux-Glock.  Obviously lovin' it. All we need is some BBQ mutton and the look is complete.

Building a Fort with Poppa Gary

Poppa's woodpile is providing ample supply for Jed's imagination.  He's had Poppa working hard at it all day every day since we arrived.

Inside the fort at the little table with chairs.

Watering Granny's Garden

4th of July in Montana

Sandhill Crane family

Whuppy Boy!

We spent the 4th of July all day outside playing in Granny and Poppa's back yard.

Roasted hot dogs and marshmallows for dinner.

Jed and Zoe got tired of running around naked in the sprinkle for an hour, so they settled in for a snack from their respective gigantic "snack buckets" Granny prepared for them.

Princess!

Cowboy with tongue

Less dorky cowboy!

Big Wheels!

"Thirtyforty miles per hour! SIXY MILES PER HOUR!"

Everyone out on the dirt pile.

Granny and Poppa got matching 4th outfits for all of us

Even Zane was getting into it.  The kids were FILTHY by bedtime.

Love my snack bucket! It's the same size as me!

Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous

We hopped in our local time machine and took a trip back to the Revolutionary war!  We landed right in the midst of a raging battle, the battle that determined whether the Americans or British could lay claim to the Western United States!

Zoe very much disapproved of their muskets and cannons.  "IS LOUD!"

Jed, you can see, also plugging his ears. Can you see how much fun the kids were having?  Don't worry, though, because MOM was having a blast.  Which is the important thing. Even though it was the first week of June, temperatures were in the high 90s and we were hot, hot, hot!  On the way up, we stopped and grabbed an umbrella which was a lifesaver.

The local military band came through while we were watching the Revolutionary era juggling show. In the background you can see a little 1700s market full of period costumes and foods and wares housed in period tents.  Nearby, a military encampment where the reenactors stay for the week in old fashioned everything.  So awesome.  Me Homeschooler Geek OUT!

We visited the Rotunda at the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park.  We had never even heard of it before, but the lady at the Rendezvous entrance recommended it to me.  We worried we wouldn't find it, but turns out a gigantic monument is pretty easy to find in a small town.

The inside is breathtakingly beautiful.  Also, air conditioned.  The walls are full of old murals depicting the Continental Army's victory in Vincennes and surrounding area.  Did I mentioned it was air conditioned? We took the audio tour several times just for (cool) kicks. Loved it.

But the best part, naturally, was the food.  YUM!