Montana 6/24-7/12

Ellen and I went to Montana for vacation for almost 3 weeks. Korey joined us the last week. We had so much fun and never wanted to come home. Ellen got to do all of the "summer" things that she cannot do in Florida--walk barefoot in the grass, go for walks around town, play in the little swimming pool, go for picnics, watch fireworks from the front porch, go camping, explore ghost towns, play outside without frying or dying of suffocation, play with cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmas and grandpas, etc.

Ellen's first camping trip. We went to Farrugut State Park on Lake Pend Orielle in Idaho for a family reunion. My parents have a 5th wheel trailer that we camped in. Ellen loved eating breakfast outside and playing with her toys in the gravel.

Ellen, me, Grama Sinerius, Mom and Dad at the family reunion.

Ellen just being her cute self at my parents' house.

Playing with her cousins Austin and Carson in the little swimming pool. I guess I should have bought the bigger pool but they were nice and cozy in it. We had to fill the pool up in the morning and let it sit in the sun all day to warm the water. It was still pretty cold in the afternoon.

4th of July! Ellen, Austin and Carson being patriotic. I woke Ellen up to watch the fireworks (it takes forever to get dark in Montana!) She "oohed and aahed" and clapped her hands at every burst.

When Korey arrived, we went to a gun shop in Ennis that he had been wanting to go to since Christmas. He didn't find anything he couldn't live without but Ellen found a cute pink rifle. (Of course we didn't buy it--she's a bit too young for that!)

We went to Nevada City (a ghost town). They were having an old fashioned 4th of July celebration all weekend. People were dressed in character and we got to participate in a pie eating contest, sack races, tug of war, and a log sawing contest. Jeremy and Korey were the champs at 1 minute flat (until the next guys competed).

Me and Ellen in the old school house.

Ellen got to pet her first horse. She thought it was pretty great. The horse was very sweet.

A family photo at Nevada City.

We rode the steam train from Virginia City to Nevada City. From the left, Tammi, Korey, Ellen, Austin, Dad, Kaden, Riana, Carson, Jeremy.

Ellen enjoyed looking out of the train and letting the wind blow through her hair.

We toured the old prison in Deer Lodge where my parents live.

Ellen was an awfully happy prisoner! She didn't even have a mattress for her bunk.

As you can see, Ellen is full on walking now. She really mastered it while we were in Montana. She is still a bit wobbly and uses her arms for balance, but she does very well.

Happy times in the swimming pool. This is what summer is all about!

Korey and Ellen at Granite (another ghost town).

Ellen in her mermaid towel. We thought she looked like those little desert guys on Star Wars.

We went on a picnic at Racetrack campground our last day in Montana. Ellen had fun playing in the wild flowers.

Korey did a little gold panning at Racetrack. He didn't have any success here but he did at a couple of other places.

Ellen and Grama Sinerius looking cool in baseball hats.

A rare picture of just me and Korey.

Riana, Jeremy, Carson, Korey, Tammi, Eddy, Rachel, Trina, Jeffrey, Aunt Loraline, Uncle Dick, Austin, Dad, Grama Sinerius, Mom, Ellen, Grandma Shaver, Aunt Pat at Racetrack.

Another family picture at Racetrack.