This summer went faster than any other summer that I can remember! But it was also one of the best that I can remember too. It was our first summer in our new house, so it was so much fun exploring our property, planting a garden, picking the raspberries, cherries, and strawberries that grew, and watching the wildlife all around us.
But we also had fun going on a couple of trips. We took a vacation to Sioux Falls, SD to visit Paul's whole side of the family that gathered for his brother Tom's wedding to sweet and beautiful Kathleen. And then we continued on to Aberdeen, SD to visit Maria's whole side of the family that gathered for the 4th of July festivities. What a blessing to see all the cousins get reacquainted and to get to see every single member of our families all in one summer!
Other than that we just had fun in Montana with our friends--hiking, mountain biking, or hanging out at the beach. It was a glorious, grace-filled summer and gave us so much for which to be thankful to God!
Here's a summary of our fun in photos!!!
The new bride and groom--Kathleen and Tom--along with Paul's entire family in Sioux Falls, SD.
All the cousins from Paul's side
(Isaiah had just woken up from a nap) :}
All the cousins on Maria's side of the family at Storybook Land in Aberdeen.
The highlight for my big boys was fishing for walleye with Grandpa Pat in SD.
The highlight for my little boys was playing in the lake at Uncle Mike's house.
Dominic and his daddy on the jet ski--with Natey doing a surprise water attack from behind.
Michael would rather fish all day than swim. He lost count of how many he caught!
Joseph playing beanbag toss with Uncle Jon.
Joseph tried skiing this summer...
...and he got up easy peezy.
Next summer he'll probably learn to slalom on one ski!
Storybook Land is always a fun favorite for the little ones!
This year Storybook Land added a rollercoaster---how cool!!!
And the old carousel just never seems to get old!
Dominic and Isaiah helping me pick pie cherries off our tree for the first time!
Nathanael, my handsome cherry-picker!
Yum...can't wait to make our first cherry pie from these bright cherries!
Isaiah lovin' the lake!
Paul and the boys braving the chilly lake
Catching crawdads was a hit for Natey.
Dominic and Natey having a crawdad fight
Paul teaching Isaiah how to be brave in the water
Paul teaching Dominic how to be brave in the water
Paul teaching Dominic how to float in the water
Another big summer event was Joseph getting braces
Hanging out at the beach with great friends
Joseph with his buddy Isaiah
Our little boys playing in a mountain stream after a long hike
Natey hanging onto his new friend Nickolas.
And in the background you'll find the big kids being brave (or foolish?)
Joseph did not get this kind of bravery from his mother!
Dominic and his friend motivating each other to jump
What a fun way to cool off on a hot summer day!
Or, there's this method of cooling off...
I call this "Mountain Man Push-ups" :)
Today the weather is cold and rainy, with a high of 50 degrees. I guess it is officially "good bye summer" and "hello autumn" in Montana!
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