A New Favorite

What do you get when five women, four men, and TEN children under the age of six spend a long weekend together at Glacier National Park? An incredible amount of beauty, a few melt-downs, a stash of empty wine bottles, tons of laughter, multiple outings and a whole lot of fun! Grace & I spent the weekend in Glacier with the other families from our small group and had a really memorable weekend together. I quickly fell in love with Glacier and would absolutely recommend that you go - it is well worth the drive.

A few of us took the kids for an evening walk around the campsite after dinner. We certainly got our share of looks as we ventured out with our little crew! We found a log and lined up all the kids for a story, Who Pooped in the Park, about animal tracks & scat. Shortly after we got everyone settled, the ranger came by and told us we'd have to move as we were disturbing the vegetation. Seriously. We were about five steps off the road in the middle of the campground! I understand (and respect)the ways they're trying to preserve the park, but really?! Sheesh.




Meals were always a little chaotic. Here are the eight kiddos that could eat on their own, looking rather calm at the moment, I'd say.


Adorable Quinn


The Edmonsons around the campfire



Saturday we took an all day outing by heading up Going to the Sun road. It was about 25 miles from our campsite, but took nearly an hour and a half of driving to get there, as it was steep and windy. However, it was one of the most scenic stretches of road I've ever journeyed down (or should I say up?). We checked out the visitor's center at the top, where the kids turned in their ranger booklets and were sworn in as Jr Park Rangers. We then ventured out on a hike to the Hidden Lakes. It was a three mile hike round trip, and I was really impressed with how well the kids all did. Grace hiked all the way in, about 1/3 of the way out, then proceeded to fall asleep as soon as she climbed onto my back. The hike and the lakes were gorgeous!

Being sworn in. Raise your right hand & repeat after me...


Grace & Addie giggling about something along the trail


The Valentines


At the viewpoint


A chilly but refreshing swim in Lake McDonald after returning from our hike.


Silly faces


Sunday we walked a mile loop along Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Creek. This was mostly a boardwalk path through lush forests of cedars. It was perfect for the kids and again, gorgeous.

Almost all of the kiddos


Grace is really into babies right now and she was often found by Quinn's side. Note: she named her baby doll Quinn after "the real Quinn" was born, and of course, had to bring her Quinn to Glacier as well.


My favorite spot along the walk. This picture doesn't come close to capturing it's beauty.


The Seidels


The Keenes


Avalanche Creek


The Mamas


The drive home. Grace played hard all weekend and really wore herself out which was evident as she slept most of the drive home.


I haven't posted about it yet, but I was very fortunate to get to spend some one-on-one time with each of the kids this summer. I'll post about my times with the boys soon, but I will say that I sure missed them this weekend! A number of different times I wished they were with us, but I knew bringing all three would be too much, perhaps in another year or two...

I really enjoyed this time with Grace, she was a delight to be with. She played well with the kids, was a trooper on the hikes, went to bed easily, entertained us with her songs, helped wash dishes, at one point was deemed the "perfect" child (before a few of her new fits), and may have even developed her first crush or two! :) I am so grateful for my sweet, sweet daughter and am proud of the gentle, thoughtful, creative, outdoor loving girl that she is becoming. I love you, Gracelynn Isabelle!

Many thanks friends for this great adventure. I'm convinced it needs to be an annual event!