"All Done Car"...... our Montana adventure

So, where do I begin? I feel like I have so much to say about our epic trip but I really don't know where to start first. I must say that Bryn and Henry shocked us to the core as we made it to Missoula in a mere 24 hours of driving, minus the diaper changing, eating and running breaks that we kept to a minimum. Our bag of tricks, so to speak, didn't last as long as we hoped to keep them entertained in the backseat. I think Jay and I secretly wanted to be the driver as the passenger job was a little more demanding. Of course Jay and I paid dearly for the "all nighter" adventure. I think Liz and Leon can attest to our zombie -like demeanor as we pulled into town.

Missoula still felt like home and that was priceless. We had so much fun hanging out with our dear friends Liz and Leon and their kiddos Ethan and Emi. Bryn got introduced to Barbie, complete with a makeover and tiara thanks to Emi and Henry got his first taste of Ethan's obsession..... Star Wars! Bryn also loved the fact the Ethan could pick her up. Poor E!

























Jay and I were dying for a hike so within hours of arriving we strapped Bryn and Henry into the packs and headed up the switchbacks to the "M" on Mount Sentinel.








That's us, at the "M" sporting the windblown look! Missoula is right below us.
So wish that Madison had sprinkler parks like this. And best yet, they were free!






















Blue Mountain hiking area, right on the outskirts of town was a great place to watch the horses and just plain run the trails. Althought we didn't get as far into the backcountry as we used to before kids, it was a blast watching them enjoy the same places we love!


























We also took them to the Rattlesnake Wilderness area (don't worry...no snakes). Bryn had to hike with a baby the entire time while Henry abandoned his early on.





















Bryn HAD to ride Emi's bike so Uncle Leon spun her around the backyard. Didn't quite understand why she couldn't ride a bike by herself.





First Hike in Glacier to Running Eagle Falls. Henry is hanging out with Riggles and daddy while Bryn and I were photographing the views!


On our first morning in Glacier Jay and I hiked to the highest peak in this picture with Riggles. Thanks "Mamma Bapa" for babysitting! The views were breathtaking and it was heaven getting up in the mountains again.
Dinner in East Glacier with friends and family all in town for the wedding! Henry and Bryn had fun hanging out with third cousins (if there is such a thing) Keata and Keaton. Hope B and H took some notes on their good behavior.

Heading home again. Bryn and Henry eating lunch at a rest stop somewhere in eastern Montana. Don't they look grown up?

Favorite pic of the trip!

As I was sifting through the hundreds of pictures we took on our trip to Montana I found this one of Henry that is one of my favorites. We stopped at a little Montana town to change diapers etc., and as we were putting Henry back together a train came roaring by. He jumped up and waved for the entire length of the train shouting "Choo choo train" over and over.

Don't you worry, one of these days I will post our pics from the trip, but until then you can enjoy this one.

Since Jay was working on the grant and I had to work, my parents came down to hang out and run themselves ragged with Bryn and Henry. They swear it was fun so we will leave it at that. Every time I called home to check on them my mom was usually laughing at something they were getting into and all I could hear in the background was chatter and giggles.

Bapa brought down the table and chairs he made for them which are identical to the the set he made for Shannon and me when I was around 3. Henry was fascinated by the sanding process so he had kept a close eye on Bapa. Bryn was the inspector and had to try out every chair to make sure it was up to snuff. Thank you mom and dad for the table and chairs, we love them.

Wow, two mammas and two bapas all at our house. Perfect time for a photo!

1 day and counting till we cram our car full of stuff and head west to Montana. Cross your fingers that we all stay sane!!

Backyardigans

I know, I think that's the name of some random childrens show but I am tired and in the middle of packing for our trip to Montana so it's the best I've got for a title.

As the weather stayed warm this past week, we spent the majority of our time in the backyard playing in the pools and watering our garden containers. They are so funny to watch. Bryn loves slides so she goes headfirst, sideways, backward and sitting cross legged down the little slide into the water. Henry's favorite thing is to scoop up water and pour in on himself, on me, or better yet on the basil in our garden pots. When he really gets going, he lays spread eagle in the water and pretends to swim. It's hilarious. The only pic I have of that is sans clothes so I spared you all......

What a Father's Day

Here are pics from the "DADDY" collage I made Jay for Father's day. It was so much easier having them hold letters last year. They really didn't care or decided to chew on them. This year, they each decided that they had better things to do than stand and hold a letter. They either flat out said "NO" when I asked them to hold a letter or they dropped it as they ran off to play in the dirt. After I failed the first day, I recruited my neighbor to come help me make them look like they were enjoying themselves. Here's what we got. Finn ended up being the best letter holder of them all.

On Father's day we started with a trip to Jay's favorite breakfast place, Lazy Jane's, for scones and croissants. We grabbed our bag of delicious treats and headed to Orton park for a breakfast picnic. As you can see Henry and Bryn HAD to wear their rain boots. Can't remember who put them on first but the other one couldn't help but have their's on too.

At about 4 o'clock the fun really started......... We hosted a Father's Day party for our college friends, families and kiddos. Because it was hot and muggy the kids spent the majority of the day in the backyard running from one water toy to another.

Jay and Josie giggling on the porch!

Bryn and Henry loved to see little baby Sophie who weighs in at a whopping 4 lbs and some change. When I asked Henry what the baby's name was he proudly answered "Baby Affeldt". Good try Henry. Henry is definitely a baby lover as he couldn't keep his eyes and hands off of her tiny little body. What a cutie!

Ice cream anyone?

Finn made out good yesterday getting loved by the ladies...... Lauren, Elizabeth, Josie, and Maya.

No captions needed for this pic............the end of a long day!

Lake Life

The water was a bit chilly for swimming so Bryn and Henry spent their time at the lake cruising around in the boat, doing laps on the boardwalk (with a toy lawn mower in tow), and even tried their luck at fishing. Henry did catch a fish...... all right , the pole that Henry was using caught a fish while Jay was holding on to it. Surprised to report that not a single person got "snagged" by the hook and worm! Maybe that's cause Orville was in charge making sure they did it correctly. As you can see Bryn's favorite spot, whether Grandpa was driving or not, was the captains chair. Did I ever mention she likes to be in charge?

What a lover boy, huh? Henry was just chilling with Grandma and loving every minute of it.

On your mark, get set.....

.... hold on, Bryn has to take a phone call.

First woodworking project

Wouldn't you know they built an airplane while I was gone to Dallas!! Jay took them over to Home Depot to pick up some stuff and noticed they were having a children's workshop. He couldn't resist and before he knew it they had nailed together this cute little airplane. This only intensified Henry's fascination with the winged beasts and he continues to cry out "AAAPLANE, AAAPLANE" every time we have a flyover. He was beside himself at the airport when they surprised me at the gate. Bryn came running over with hugs and Henry just stood at the window saying "aaaplane, all done, momma, aaaplane, all done mamma" over and over and over. That lasted the entire car ride home. He even asked me today when I walked in the house... "aaplane momma?" Sorry Hen, your mom just bikes to work, no airplane rides for me.