Missouri River Float - August

The perfect Saturday for a Missouri River Float has presented itself plenty of times this summer.  It's just that, well, we've been busy and haven't always taken advantage.  On this particularly beautiful day, however, we couldn't pass it up when Kristi and Brandon said they would come along!  We met halfway between Great Falls and Helena along the canyon, and hopped aboard the Benedict Boat (aka Raft).  Relaxation here we come!

It's Shake & Bake, and we helped!

We had so much fun swimming and sunning that I didn't take any pictures.  Luckily, Kristi had her camera and sent these to me.  She didn't, however, have any of Brandon in that bunch, so I stole one from her Engagement Pics.  Very cute, aren't they!  Now you all know what Brandon looks like!  I'm excited to help them celebrate their wedding in a couple short weeks!

The borrowed (stolen) Engagement Pic.

Thanks for floating with us, guys! We can't wait to do it again soon!

Oregon/Sequim Trip - July

After a couple of months that felt like FOREVER, it was finally my turn to meet Sweet little Brooklyn Ember.  Oh - and see Jewls and Sam also!  I hopped a plane to Portland (Chance had to stay home) for a quick weekend visit.  Once I landed, I was in such a rush to get to the car to meet them that I nearly bowled over Jewls and Baby as they met me inside the airport.  Jewls was holding a cute "Auntie Beth" sign, and in the other arm my precious little "niece!"  Of course, we had to take a picture right away!

Holding Brooklyn for the first time.

I didn't want to put her down!

It was moving weekend up in Sequim for Auntie Karol and Uncle Mark, so when Sam got off work we all headed up to Sequim to help.  I got to ride in the backseat with little Brookie - "designated babysitter and baby holder" for the weekend!  Wahoo!

First glimpse of Salt Water again!

When we got to Sequim, Ed & Rachel were hosting a BBQ in their new backyard pit.  It is absolutely gorgeous - they have done so much with what used to be a bramble of blackberry bushes!  Mia and Meredith, Leah, Jason & Sarah and the boys, Teana, Ed & Rachel, and Uncle Mark & Auntie Karol were all there!  Moving day is tomorrow!

We stayed busy all day Saturday packing the house and loading the U-Haul.  It was so much fun to be able to help - we had a great day, and I was so happy to put some of my "Buckingham Moving Experience" to good use!  Jason & Sarah took off with the full load for Chelan Saturday night, and the rest of us stayed another night.  We got to be a part of the Sunday morning meeting - Uncle Mark's last as that elder.  It was so touching - I'm so thankful for that experience!

Stopping for ice cream at Penninsula Foods on the way back to Portland.

We got to bring Teana back with us to Oregon!

I love the blue and green - everything's pretty brown in Great Falls this time of year!

We were so glad to be back together again!  Friends like these are few and far between!  We were missing our other "roommate" though...

When we got back to Portland, it was straight to the airport so I could catch my flight.  I made it back to Great Falls at about 11:45 PM, where hubby picked me up.  So good to see him again!  As much fun as that was, I don't like travelling without him!

Chad & Sabrina's Wedding

July 23, 2012 Chad (Chance's younger brother) and Sabrina were married at Ryan Dam Island - just outside Great Falls.  The setting was absolutely gorgeous, and they both looked stunning.  The evening before, we all trekked out to the island for the rehearsal, and took some family pictures.

Ryan Dam Falls

Mamma giving Chance some words of wisdom.

Sabrina and her mom - so cute!

Ella Rose Pumpkin Nose - isn't she just the cutest!

The wedding party came down this foot bridge before turning up the aisle.  Chance and Charity.

Chala, Charity & Ella, Beth & Chance, Mom & Dad, Chad & Sabrina, Chelsey, Chandee

In front of the Falls

The next morning I went over to take some pics of the girls getting ready.  They all looked so beautiful!  This was really fun...

Chelsey

Chelsey, Sabrina, Charity, Shar

Of course I had to take some of Ella getting ready too - an Auntie has got to brag!

The Bride and her Maid of Honor

Sabrina's hair

The Blushing Bride

Finally it was time for the wedding to start - I didn't really get any pictures during the ceremony, but took this next one of Chad's face when Sabrina was coming up the aisle.

Such a handsome groom!

Chala and cousins

Ella playing in my heels

Chance and Mamma

Chance and his best friend - Josh

All duded up in our wedding gear!

Congratulations to such a wonderful couple!  We love you both!

Columbia Falls/Glacier Park - July 2012

Hard to believe, but it's already time for our annual camping trip with Josh and Jazzmyn!  We all piled into the car and headed north to Columbia Falls.  We explored Hungry Horse dam, and then found a neat camping spot near the Hungry Horse Reservoir.  We put up our tents as fast as we could, and then headed into Columbia Falls for an afternoon at the Water Park.  We got in a few good hours on the slides, and then a thunderstorm forced them to close down early - oh well, we had so much fun, and decided to stop for Huckleberry ice cream to mask our disappointment!

At our campsite - drying out from all the rain!

 The next morning we woke up and headed into Glacier National Park.  We checked four more waterfalls off from our book!  This first one was a hike through the woods to see McDonald Falls.  We couldn't get over the beautiful turquoise water from the glacial silt.  So pretty!

Josh and Jazzmyn

Found me some moss!

McDonald Falls

Part of "The Garden" from Going to the Sun Road.

Bird Woman Falls

Boardwalk hike from Logan Pass

On top of Logan Pass - Going to the Sun Road in the background.

Mountain Goat - up close and personal!

We stopped for another hike after we crossed Logan Pass - this time the trail took us along St. Mary's Lake to Baring and St. Mary Falls.

Along the trail to Baring Falls

Living on the Edge!  On a ledge beside Baring Falls

Baring Falls

Upper part of St. Mary Falls

Above the falls, looking down on the bridge.  The pink sweatshirt is Jazzmyn, and the legs top center are Josh!

Hubby above St. Mary Falls

So beautiful!

I can't believe it's been two years since our last trip to Glacier - our honeymoon!  So amazing that we're only a few hours away from this gorgeous scenery, and so amazing to have each other to share it with!