6/23-25, Hamilton

I'm realizing I wish I would have taken more pictures.  Yes, I just said that.  What I mean is this:  you know those moments when someone says, "let's get a picture of everyone".  Everyone then rolls their eyes, sighs, shrugs and pastes on a smile. Yep, I wish I had been more assertive in making that happen.  There's always lots of pictures of the kids, but what about everyone else?  Take this post for example, I was able to get one picture of Grandma before the shoo-ing away commenced (she didn't know I took the card-playing pic, hahaha).  But what about my aunts and uncles from the other visits we had with family while in town?  Nothing.  Sadly nothing.  So look out everyone, when we come back we ARE getting group pictures!  I'm giving you fair warning now... Anyway.....

Unlike past trips to Montana, this one was smooth and easy.   (No blow-outs.  No sitting on the side of the road in Wyoming for hours. Etc, etc.)  Everyone couldn't pile out of the car fast enough to go give Grandma O. a hug.  And from the smile on her face, I think she was pretty excited to see us, too. We were only in town two full days.  They were a busy two days!  As you already know, we spent a good bit of time one day over at Darryl and Jackie's taking pics of baby Keyera (what a doll!) and again that night for dinner.  We spent the following evening over at Randy and Vickie's visiting with Vickie, Kendra, Kyle, Kirsten and their kids (too bad we missed Randy, though!).  But, from my pictures, you'd never know, would you?!  Sheesh!!  We really enjoyed our time in Hamilton catching up with everyone.  Thanks, everyone, for going out of your way to be sure we had time to visit together.  We sure wish it could be more than once a year.  We miss you already!

Nice dinner outside with Grandma.

Don't let her fool you, Grandma's quite a card shark!

Grandpa Darryl and Keyera.  How sweet is that?!

This is what Nikolas had been talking about...for miles and miles and miles.  Darryl made his day, as well as Emalie's, with a ride on the Gator.  (I even got one, too!)

This made life interesting during our visit:  not one, but two transponders blew over the course of the time we were there.  This was the first one, and the power was out for several hours.  The second, unfortunately blew about 5 AM.  While that's the time we wake up at home, that is NOT the time we wake up on vacation!  We were sleeping in our trailer in the driveway while the power trucks worked their magic in the rain and the dark.  It sure was noisy, but I won't complain (too much) because we were able to wake back up to power once again.

This picture cracks me up.  I guess Emalie wasn't asleep after all!  It looks kind of trashy (total pun intended!) with the garbage sack pinned to the backside of the curtain, but it does the darkening job well.  Well, when she's actually sleeping, I suppose.  LOL.....

Yes, The Sundance.  Can't go home and not eat there.  Yum!

These cousins sure do get bigger every time we get them together.  It was so great to see them all playing together like it's not just once a year when they get to see each other.  Love it!

The crew taking a break from the busy work of playing.  I can't believe Emalie can almost keep up with them.  Happy/Sad mommy moment!!  (And the inevitable question of 'where does the time go??')

Very few people in our family could lift Emalie that high in an effort for her to make a basket.   Thanks, Kyle!

 What?!  It's time to go already?!  We just got here!  Whew-- next stop:  Flathead.