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!

It Wouldn't Be Summer...

...without a trip or two to Priest Lake! We went camping a few weeks ago and though the weather wasn't great, had a fantastic time. Due to all of the wind, the waves were quite rough, but that meant I was able to teach the kids how to jump them.

Not quite big enough to jump the waves


Love this sweet face

Mom & Dad brought scooters as a surprise for the kids. We pretty much wore a path on the road near our campsite.

Hangin' out by the fire. Notice Eli's crossed legs, trying to be a big kid!

Reading with Poppa

Smores and a bandana, loving life in the woods

This kid is all smiles when he can run & climb

Grammie told them to look scared of the "Bear country" sign. They look terrified, don't they?

A new favorite


Eric joined us for our last night at Priest. The kids were thrilled that he brought his kayaks. He and his daughter Lindsay made them (yes, you read that correctly, made them), and they are gorgeous! As it turned out, both boys were pretty nervous out on the water, but Grace couldn't get enough! They're each pictured below on their outings.



After helping pack up camp, we parted ways and Eric & I kayaked from Lower Priest through the thoroughfare to Upper Priest Lake. It is completely undeveloped and can only be accessed by boat or by hiking in. It was a fabulous day-long adventure in a place of incredible beauty!



Check out the moose we saw!

In Reverse

Yes, I'm WAY overdue on posting and we've been playing hard all summer, so there are many pictures to post! Here are a few highlights from the 4th of July, June, and yes, even May. In reverse order...

We spent the 4th of July in Moscow with Grammie, Poppa, Aunt MaryLou & Hal. The weekend consisted of lots of outside play, the farmer's market, meals on the deck and two parades.

First, was the Johnson parade. Johnson is a teeny-tiny farming community that is famous on the Palouse for their annual parade. It really is a riot, anyone can enter and everyone receives a prize. Perhaps we'll enter one of these years. A couple of shots of the kids soaking in the action.





Up next was our own little parade on Nylarol St. Grammie is the best & bought supplies for the kids to decorate their bikes. My favorite part of this shot is Isaac sporting his snowboots. He was insistent!

The grownups had to try out the bikes as well.


This was a separate trip to Moscow, but I had to post this pic of Isaac's first time out on the golf course with Poppa - what a big guy!


Our good friend Andy was in town from Iowa, and the highlight for the kids was a trip to Discovery Park with her. We'd never been there before & there was lots to see and do. I made the mistake of having us go in the middle of the day on a scorching hot day, not at good plan as there is almost no shade to speak of.

We had Andy's camera, so this was one of the only pictures she was in!

This boy is so strong

Trampoline with Coco

Stylin' in Andy's hat

I enjoyed being at the park, but my favorite part of Andy's visit was her non-traditional baby-shower. We spent the afternoon lounging in the pool with a small group of friends instead of playing games, it was fabulous! We're looking forward to meeting Baby Donahoe!


And yes, a few pictures from the Holmes family visit (minus Micah) back in May. Part of the reason Lindsey came home was so that we could celebrate Mom's retirement. Mom was an elementary special ed teacher for 24 years, and truly and incredible one at that. She will be sorely missed at school, but we know she's looking forward to retired living, and we sure are too! Congrats Grammie, we are so proud of you.

We threw a party for Mom with some of her close friends, including Cliff & Holly who came over from Seattle to celebrate with us.


We ventured out to Spring Valley again for a morning of hiking, fishing & picnicking. These two loved to be out of the backpacks exploring own their own.

Snack break. What a crew!

This is my favorite picture from the weekend. Kolby & Grace adore each other.

Lindsey, my good friend Sarah & I all ran the Windermere half-marathon. Mom & Dad win the award for biggest supporters as they loaded up all FIVE toddlers for the trek downtown to the finish. It was the first hot day of the season & we could sure tell as our training had all been done in mild weather...but we made it to the finish just at the two hour mark...whew!

Next up:pictures from Priest Lake, Seattle & Sun Valley!