Montana Vacation

Eleven days on the highway between St. George and Kaytee and Josh’s home in Anaconda, MT – round trip 1470 miles – was jammed packed with friends, family and fun!  Our original plan was to spend our first vacation night in Logan with Stan and Diane Blackett, but our plans changed along the way.  As a result, we kept driving, ending up at the home of Lynn and Sharon McLing (one of Ed’s mission companions back in the day and now “snowbird” members of our Bloomington Ward) in Preston, ID.  We had planned to have lunch with them on Thursday anyway so it all worked out – although I think Sharon was a little surprised we showed up early.

The drive through Idaho and into Montana was long and uneventful but found us in Anaconda way ahead of schedule.  Kaytee and Josh had already had family visiting for about a week when we got there so we tried to stay out from under foot as they prepared for Adyn’s birthday party and baptism on Friday and a large Postma family reunion on Saturday.

On Sunday after church we loaded up the kids and headed for our campsite not far from Yellowstone National Park.  We spent two nights in the Chisholm Campground from which we visited the Museum of the Rockies (huge dinosaur displays, star shows, a wonderful farm house) and other wonders.

Everything for our trip had been completely planned before we left home, but with the possibility of rain in the forecast and since we were already so close, we decided to cross Missoula off our list and instead spend a couple of days in Yellowstone.  We had lovely campsites, saw lots of wildlife and roasted marshmallows over the campfire. 

On the ride home, Ed and Adyn hiked to Lewis and Clark Caverns (Skylar just couldn’t traverse the 300-foot incline to the cave entrance), making it after 7 p.m. when we got back to Anaconda. 

Happy memories of our time with the Postma family:

·      -  Adyn’s baptism and confirmation by her teary daddy Josh - a beautiful service with many friends and family members in attendance.

·      -  seeing the kids’ excitement when we first drove up in front of their house – and getting a big welcome hug from our daughter

·      -  being asked to speak about the Holy Ghost at Adyn’s baptism

·      -  Adyn’s excitement at seeing a Mermaid Barbie doll in her birthday gift bag

·      -  Ending Adyn’s birthday watching “Finding Dory” in 3D with Kaytee and the kids at Anaconda’s Washoe Theater

·     -   Seeing Thoryn’s happy smile, and reaching for her Grandma, when we arrived and her teary frustration when taken off my lap so we could leave for the night

·      -  Two beautiful little girls curling up in the top bunk of the camper at the end of a long and busy day … and sleeping until 8:30 – 9 a.m.

·      -  Calls and texts from Selwin and Simeon to query if we were having fun, wishing me a happy birthday, telling me I was missed and asking “do we have garlic, onions, vinegar …” 

The only unhappy memories were three days of rain and cold … Ed burning up his expensive new trifocal glasses … Skylar getting lost at Old Faithful Inn … and being completely unplugged for four days!!!

Grandpa and Grandma are worn out, but the kids are already talking about “next summer.”  Adyn is excited about the idea of doing something fun again suggesting, “but, Grandma, let’s make it longer!”  Yep, gotta love these little ones!

Selwin Gets Shorn

Today Brianna Teddie Bair declared to the world on Facebook she is in a relationship with Selwin.  They make a darling couple and we are happy for both of them.  She texted him from work wanting to get together tonight for 4th of July festivities.  He told her he and Simeon were going to give each other haircuts ... to which she responded, "I want to learn how to cut your hair." Soon after she showed up and with trembling hands took the razor to his head.  It all turned out OK, but I think both of them were a bit nervous about the outcome.