July 4th 2013

This 4th of July we headed to Kalispell MT.  We all loaded into the Sequoia.  Eight people, 2 dogs.  That's how we roll!  

Eric, Fay and I took our bikes.  One day Eric and I headed out on an 18 mile ride.  It was absolutely beautiful!  

Fay's Mom and Dad made us some great meals, we spent time swimming in Lake Blaine.  We had a crazy fireworks show Steve and Eric put on.  Two exploded on the ground, one tipped over and shot between the house and garage.  (It was a little scary!) The fireworks are bigger in Montana! 

Rod took Kelly and Avery fishing one morning at Echo Lake.  Rod caught 47 fish, Kelly ate 29, and Avery caught 16.  

We got to see all of Eric and Fay's old stomping grounds.  Fay grew up there and they spent 4 1/2 years of their married life there.  

We got to know Fay's Granny better and absolutely fell in love with her!  She is hilarious.  At some point I asked her what she thinks of Eric.  She said, "I never know what to expect from Eric."  I asked her what she thinks of Steve.  She said, "OH....Steve is wonderful!"  We all busted up laughing.  Poor Eric, he can never catch a break.

Fay and her Mama!

                 

Easton with a Sparkler.  A really big sparkler!

The group: (Left to Right) Keith, Rod, Eric, Connie, Fay, Steve, Easton, Granny, Coach, Jessy, Kelly, Avery

Only in Montana do you see license plates like this!

             We had a big storm one night that produced these beautiful rainbows!

This was Fay and Eric's first home they lived in.  It really is a cabin in the woods. It's out in the middle of no where!  And 100 years old.  

Rod and Connie have a beautiful view!

And gorgeous yard and home!

Huge backyard.

I don't know if you can read this, but Keith loved Montana and loved Fay's family.  He wanted to stay.

I Made The Grade 2013

I did the "I Made The Grade" bike ride again this year on the Lewiston Grade.  This is my third time participating in it.  Last year I couldn't do it because I had just had my hysterectomy, but this year I was excited because I have my new bike and I was curious to see if I could improve my time at all.  

I did beat my last time by 10 minutes!  For me that's pretty good.  I made it up the hill in 1 hour, 44 minutes. Eric went with me and he beat me by 20 minutes.  I expected this because he's so stinking fast.   Can't wait for next year...

1st Weekend Spent At The Cabin

We spent our first full weekend up at the cabin.  The weather was pretty good, still a little chilly, but we made the most of it.  The kids fished a lot and we had some fun campfires.  Unfortunately Fay got really sick and spent half the weekend in bed.  Hopefully that doesn't ruin it for her.  It was as always completely crazy with the Benson's, but that's the way we like it.

Kelly and Avery at Owens Grocery Store in Newport

Keith and Eric with their crazy fire made w/o any gasoline.  Impressive!

Keith snuggling Eric.  What can we say, they're close.  Toby was jealous.

Crazy face swapping.

Keith and Eric all mixed up.

Gorgeous Diamond Lake Sunset

Keith being reflective at Diamond Lake Store.  Actually he's just being a dork!

Eric has A LOT of energy in the morning.

He also has a really BIG fire poker

They don't mess around 

We ate really well!

Kelly fished a lot, Avery slept a lot.

Pretty Easton.

Lots of fishing.

This was a crazy fun weekend, and I'm super excited to make more and more memories up there.  

No Words Required

April Visit With Chris and Carl

We were lucky enough to have Chris and Carol visit over spring break.  I love my in-laws.  I could not have asked for a better Mother-in-Law.  My Father-in-Law Chris (Steve's Stepdad) is about as nice as they come.  We always have fun when they come to town.  We smoked a lot of meat.  Did some shopping and ate out at some fun restaurants.  Can't wait for their next visit in August!  This year we get to have them here twice.  Yay!

A Week Of My Favorite Things #5

I just realized I never completed my 5th favorite thing.

                                      

I know this will sound silly, but it will have to be my Lord, family and friends.  Really all this "Stuff" doesn't matter much when you get down to it.  Life is about relationship.  It's about your relationship with the Creator, and then those that He puts in your life.  Someday all my other "favorite things" will go bad or break.  The one thing that will last are the eternal spiritual things in your life.  So, I'll put some pictures of those that mean a lot to me and know that there are many more that mean a lot to me even if you don't make it on the photo list.