Montana Trip, Concluded

We had a wonderful vacation. It was great to spend 5 straight weeks together. We are very thankful to our Lord, who has provided David with internet teaching positions for the past 4 years, and know that we would not have been able to do this kind of an extended trip without that provision! We are thankful to our families, who fed and housed us and put up with bratty, and sometimes sweet, children. We're thankful to our friends, who conveniently moved to locations where we could crash with them on the drive there and back. Praise God for the blessings that He showers us with!

I have one sweet story to conclude with:
While we were gone, some friends stayed in our house. They were finishing up the process of building their own house, their lease was up where they were renting, but their house wasn't finished yet. The timing worked out perfectly, and they were able to stay in ours. When we decided to go home one day early after Carver broke his arm, we surprised them by calling from Terre Haute and telling them we were only an hour and a half away. When we pulled into the cul-de-sac, we were greeted by a huge welcoming and cleaning party. My friend was there with her 4 kids, she cleaning and they playing, and her sister and brother-in-law, and our senior pastor (who happens to be her dad), all of them scrubbing the house, inside and out. I walked into the kitchen to find Pastor Bayly up to his elbows in comet. We were thrilled to come home to friends, to be reminded of what we had missed on vacation, and humbled by those who were serving us! Thank you, Lord, for our church family!

The Denver Children's Museum

I find it hard to believe that we took no pictures of all the time in the car, but apparently that is the case. As on the way to Montana, we stopped in Denver and spent a full day with the Franciscos. We were able to go to church with them, which was wonderful. It's great to worship with old friends. In the afternoon, we visited the Children's Museum, and the kids all had a great time. I have to admit, I prefer Bloomington's WonderLab, but I think that's just my preference for the things I know!

Last Spokane pictures...

This was out last night in Spokane. It was my birthday, but we celebrated my bother's (who is 3 days later) and David's as well. It was a fun evening with lots of feasting and fun! Here's Grandpa Bray, teaching Ellie a very important life lesson: how to open a wine bottle :)

Violin Lessons with Grandma Bray

Grandma Bray obligingly gave the kids string lessons whenver they asked for it. I think Carver liked the novelty of the violin, but Ellie was much better at it in general (sorry, Carver!). It was just the right size for her, and she like being able to manipulate the strings and bow with her little fingers. I think if Grandma lived next door, Ellie might get somewhere, but for now, we'll have to settle for twice-yearly (or so) lessons.

Long Lake Dam

Playing at Grandma Bray's

Uncle Dan was well loved by everybody and generally viewed as a punching bag. Ellie particularly found a friend in Uncle Dan, though. It took a few days for her to warm up, but he was persistent, and by the end of the trip, they were best friends.



Little Laura found a rocking chair that was just her size, and amazingly hard to tip over. Here she is, having just climbed up and turned around, just about to sit down in it.
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The Christ Church Ball

My parent's church hosts a ball every summer. It's not ballroom dancing, but something closer to country line dancing. This year, my sister BJ was in charge of organizing it, which was a task that I'm not sure she enjoyed. But she did a great job with it, and the event was a success! Here is the very opening dance, which we were too late to participate in. If I remember correctly, it's called the Grand March, and would've been great for the kids. Everybody in the church was able to participate. Can you find Grandpa Bray in the middle of the picture?



David and I attempt to remember things we learned in our social dance class in college:


Carver watches the festivities. He had claimed a dance with Mom, but we didn't realize that the dances got progressively harder. I owe him one at the next dance (which hopefully happens sometime before his wedding :)


And Ellie crashes at the end of the evening:

Stopping to smell the roses...

... at the rose gardens, where we saw another wedding.

Spokane!

David had to do some grading for his internet course on our arrival in Spokane, so Dad and I took the kids over to Manito Park. Spokane has some amazing parks, and this one is about 5 blocks from my parent's house. Here are the kids, rolling down the hill in the Duncan Gardens.




I'm pretty sure we walked right through the middle of a wedding happening at the other end of the gardens:


And here are the kids in the perennial gardens:

Last Day in Montana...

On our last full day, Grandma and Grandpa babysat so David and I could take the kayak over to the marsh. We were able to go pretty far into the marsh, and find the beaver dam. We actually did see the beaver, though I was not quick enough with the camera to get a picture to prove it.




Later that afternoon, David rigged the hammock so the kids could swing in it. Ellie loved it.



We were sad to go, but are looking forward to future visits!

The Lookout with the Brays

The Lookout is a nice little hike with kids. It's just far enough to get Ellie worn out, but not so far that she needs to be carried (most of the time).





This is the actual Lookout, which is boarded and locked up, presumably so nobody hurts themselves:


And here is the biggest chipmunk I have ever seen. It was about the size of a squirrel.

Carver, skiing!

With the help of Uncle Ed's boat, we were able to get people out with the skis. Here's Uncle Dan, getting up (there's a big long story, but I won't put it on the internet :)



Here's David, jumping in the chilly water to help Carver, who is convinced that he can do anything he puts his mind to, including skiing:




Carver was not able to get up on skis, but he sure had fun trying!

Laura's Birthday With the Brays

Grandma and Grandpa Bray arrived at the cabin on Laura's birthday, and they brought with them presents and cake!

They had decided to do everybody's birthday at once, so everybody was a winner! Here are the girls, opening gifts:

And here is Carver, opening his presents: