mud monsters

I didn't realize there was a puddle of mud behind the rock pile in our yard. I thought, "oh the girls are playing so nice and quiet out there". I came around the corner and they were so proud of themselves.

Hailey and Emma

I've been having computer issues, so I haven't been able to post about Jess and Matt's bundle of joy. This is my new sweet little niece, Emma. She was born exactly 7 weeks after Hailey. I thought Hailey was tiny and hairy until little Emma came along. Then I realized how much Hailey had grown, and that she has peach fuzz compared to Emma. I'm excited to see these two grow up to be little pals.

We didn't get a good picture of Emma, her little face was an arm-magnet.

Montana

I think I've fallen in love with the great state of Montana.
Every summer, all of Ben's extended family on the Dawson side, takes a trip to Montana. Ben's Uncle Doug has two cabins on Hebgen Lake. This was our first year in going... and all I kept thinking is 'why haven't we come sooner?' We decided to make our road trip a little longer, to go over to Missoula to see Luke and Lisa. I don't even want to count how many hours we spent in the car, but it was worth it. I loved seeing Montana, it's so beautiful.

We got to the cabin last Saturday... we got to hang out with family we don't see too often. Ben's brother, Freddie, and his family were able to come. We went to Yellowstone (saw a few buffalo), rode bikes, swam in the lake, and played games. My favorite part was visiting with family :) I really didn't want to leave, we all had a great time.
Tuesday afternoon, we headed out to Missoula. Our trip from the lake to Missoula was so beautiful. We had a great time seeing Luke and Lisa and where they live. It was like being in Heaven, Luke cooked us all our meals, and he even did some of our laundry. Lisa was able to get off work on Wednesday, so they took us to one of their favorite picnic places. We got up Thursday morning to leave for home. The kids had about all the vacation that they could handle.
Thanks Brenda and Doug, and Luke and Lisa for our great trip!

Luke and cousin Sadie

Abby and cousin Porter in their 'coon skin caps

Luke, using a small bush to roast a marshmallow

Carly and Minnie

Carly, deciding if she wants to nap or swim

bathing Hailey in the kitchen sink

some cousins buried Luke

The whole way to Montana, Abby held her 'pink' lifejacket. That was probably her favorite part of the trip... wearing her pink lifejacket

Ab was so excited to spend some time with girl cousins. That doesn't happen very often on the Dawson side.

so excited

If you know the Dawsons... you know they are pretty hard-core about chess

Abby asked, "why did the buffalo cross the road?" I thought it might be a joke... but she seriously wanted to know.

All the Dawson's except Eli and Ryan.

Abby with her Papa Larry

Our family picture. We should have at least lifted Hailey's cover

Fisher, Dawson, Kaitlyn, Grandma Sharla, and Luke

happy Abby

enjoying the sand

on our way to Missoula, passing Quake Lake.

On our picnic, looking for Grizzlies

Our wonderful hosts, Luke and Lisa
Carly loved being so free in the wild, she kept running and running
looking for fishiesOh good, a family picture where you can see our whole family.

The 4th

Like every year, the 4th was a great time. We had dinner and saw the car show at the park with the Jenkins, then went back to my parent's for fireworks. Luke, Ben and Abby decided to sleep out on the tramp... Luke came in around 3:00 a.m. because of the cold. I couldn't believe Abby stuck it out, she's pretty tough. The next morning we went to the parade and then had breakfast at my parent's with the Jenkins. After breakfast and visiting with family we headed home for naps. When we were well rested we went to the Dawson's for dinner and more fun family time. Later that night we all decided to go to the Hooper fireworks. They were some of the best I'd seen in a long time.

Hanging out with Uncle Jed (Ab calls him one of the crazy uncles)chuggin some delicious shasta

Hailey was SO good the whole weekend. I love snuggling with this baby girl.

I love Abby's squishy sweet cheeks

Good times

Finally a picture where she's not totally cheesin it

You gotta love the marching band

I wanted a picture of the matching dresses... I swear, Carly does love Hailey, I don't know what the glaring face is for

Luke and Carly are petrified to sit on Ben's shoulders. It might be because it's such a long way down .

Grandma Sharla with baby Hailey

Luke with his boys, catching dragonflies. You gotta love Dawson and Fisher... chillin in their boxer briefs (that's what Fisher told me to call them)

watching fireworks with Grandma

Abby watched the fire works from under the quilt. Meaning she really didn't watch at all. Toward the end I kept yelling about how pretty the pink ones were, so she did pop her head out at the end.

Carly also watched from under the quilt. I think she was just trying to go to sleep.

The 4th is my favorite holiday... I love being with family.

willow park zoo

I've felt like being out of the house lately, and yesterday I decided was a good day for our annual visit to Willow park zoo. I just love that the kids have such a good time and it's so cheap.