Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Father's Day

 There isn't anything much cuter than a daddy fishing with his daughter!



Especially when you get to have delicious bass for dinner!

(I'm almost caught up on June!)

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Tennessee Part II

There were lots of hiking trails in the Big South Fork Recreation Area, but the one we decided to go on was to the Charit Creek Lodge. The trail was 0.8 miles, all downhill on the way there and all uphill on the way back. It was a really neat trail with lots of big rock cliffs, trees growing right out of the rocks and even a swinging bridge over Charit Creek.

Crossing the swinging bridge.
The lodge was really neat-and really old. You can hike or horseback ride into it and either camp or stay in a cabin there. The main house was built by one of the Hatfields that had moved there to avoid the Hatfield/McCoy rivalry.

Charit Creek Lodge
Luke & Matt checking out the place.
Gravestone of William Hatfield-the original owner of the place.
After touring around the lodge area & grabbing a drink, we started the hike back to the car. It was really hot by this time in the day and like I said, it was all uphill on the way back. Good thing it was such a short trail or we may not have made it!

Debbie was quite the hiker & beat all the "kids" back up the hill.
After leaving the trailhead, Matt spotted a black bear in the road up ahead of us and we caught up to it (in the car) and got a good look at it before it headed into the woods. We had heard that they were around but hadn't seen one until then. Glad we were in the car & not hiking at the time!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Tennessee Part 1

After we had been home from Montana for a few days and had a birthday party for Molly (oh, and did I mention my Mom came back with us too), it was off for another vacation. This time to Tennessee. With Tennessee being a central location for all of Luke's family, we met at the Bandy Creek Campground in the Big South Fork National Recreation Area!

We had two campsites reserved at the end of the campground & it worked really well. One spot we used for all the tents and the other spot we set up the campfire, picnic tables & all the food.


Our tent site.
It was a really nice campground and even had a playground and pool-good times for Molly & Emma!

Molly copy-catting her older cousin Emma at the playground.

Luke & Molly in the pool.


Monday, July 9, 2012

Molly's Rainbow Party

I can't hardly believe Molly is 2 years old (and that I've been a Mom for 2 years)! It has been a wonderful, life-changing 2 years and we have a lot to be thankful for!

We had a rainbow themed birthday party for Molly this year. Luke BBQ'ed and I made lots of "rainbowish" sides, with most of my ideas coming from Pinterest. Molly was much more involved this year and really liked eating cake, opening presents & playing with her cousins. She got some really cool presents too!

Ready for the party!

Birthday girl with her Mom & Dad.
Is it time to open presents yet?

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Hiking in GNP


The majority of Glacier Park was closed while we were in Montana, but Matt & I did make the hike to Avalanche Lake one rainy day. An avalanche had come through earlier in the year & we checked out the damage along the trail.
Matt checking out all the broken trees.
The lake was so pretty and there was so much snow still:

Avalanche Lake in Glacier Park
We even saw a fairly fresh bear track and bear scat right on the trail just before you get to the lake-yikes!

Grizzly track.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

The Start of It All

 The lack of blogging all started when Molly & I started our summer "vacations". It really feels like we have been traveling more than we have been home and that might actually be the case. Our first trip was to Montana to see my brother graduate from Law School at the University of Montana. Here are some pictures from the trip (back in May).

Molly trying to be a good girl during the graduation ceremony.

Matt, after he had been hooded with his stylish new cape.

Family photo.

This is where Molly spent the majority of the after-graduation party.
Matt had a really nice graduation ceremony and after-party in the park. We got to meet his Law School friends and their families and spent some time playing outside in the gorgeous weather. Molly found a giant slide in the park and after going down it once with me, insisted on doing it herself the rest of the day. She did fall down the steps once which resulted in me breaking my new bracelet trying to catch her, but she was no worse off for the wear. She had a blast! Congratulations Matt & we're so happy we got to be a part of your big day!