Whitefish, MT

A month or so ago (I've totally lost track of time!) we took a quick trip to Whitefish, MT, our favorite stomping grounds. On our way over of course we had to stop off for a night at G-ma & Gpa's house.  Oh how D loves her G-ma & pa!

Then it was off to Whitefish to visit our friends the Sabins & the Boyes - it was kiddo-palooza.  Someone had a grand ol' time.  First there was the trampoline....

then a hike in the woods

A photo opt on a log- funny how they all look like they could be related - oh wait everyone is but d.

It was far too short of a trip but a fun one for sure!

Quick Trip To Montana - Cousins Oh Boy And Farewell to Chew Chew

A few weeks ago we took a whirlwind trip to Montana for a film festival that one of Matt's films was in. We flew out late Monday night - Dylan LOVED the plane ride - and the fact that she had her own seat! We got into Great Falls pretty late - and let's just say at 12:15am Dylan was still bouncing on the bed in the motel - oh boy. Oh I forgot to mention right before our trip Dylan's last chew-chew (pacifier) bit the dust. This has been a little traumatic as Dylan "really loved her chew-chew" and we are reminded every night before bed as she says in a sad little voice "I really miss chew-chew.". So with that yes, she was still bouncing around the motel at 12:15! We woke up early the next morning to pick up Piano Pat (the star of Matt's film) to drive to Missoula. Once in Missoula is was cousin extravaganza! Dylan had a blast with her cousins Liam, Henry, and Lydia!




Film festival was great and Matt's film was well received - even made a second showing.



The next day we loaded up the car to head back to Great Falls just in time to race to the airport and hop on our plane. Dylan did fabulous - such a great little traveler. And yes, we are slowly getting over chew-chew - he was a good buddy! And how WE all miss you so!

One Passed Out Little Monkey Girl

I totally forgot about this moment until Matt sent me the photo's. We were in Montana, it had been a LONG day. We barely made it to the hotel before Little Monkey Girl passed out cold! And let me tell you she was OUT. They sure are little angels when they are sleeping. Thought I'd share a laugh with you all.

Saying Good-bye To Great Grandma Ruth

Great G-ma Ruth turning 90!

This past weekend we flew to Missoula to say our final goodbyes to Great Grandma Ruth. She was the best!!!! She lived a good long life. This past Thanksgiving we had a huge 90th birthday party for her - the entire Gardner family was all there to celebrate. You could tell Great G-ma Ruth was very very touched! AND very very loved by all. You could really tell that Great G-ma Ruth loved all her grand kids and great grand kids very much. Last year when Matt had his head injury Great G-ma Ruth was on the phone calling to check in on him. Matt had a very special connection with his grandma and we're all very sorry to see her go.

Her service and grave site memorial were very sweet and touching. Afterwards there was a big BBQ at Uncle Brian and Aunt Vonnie's house. The best part about funerals is seeing all the family. It was a great afternoon. A few tears were shed but all in all it was really a celebration of what a great person Great G-ma Ruth was and what a fabulous life she lived.

You will be missed Great G-ma Ruth!!! And we are so happy that Dylan got to meet you.

Great G-ma Ruth surrounded by all the Great Grand kiddo's. (oh and if you look closely Dylan is the one pulling her cousin, Pike's, ear and making him cry!)

This was from Christmas '07.

Aeroplane

Someone had the time of her life this past weekend! Yes, an AEROPLANE! Oh boy!!!! Dylan's fascinated with airplanes in the sky, so you could only imagine her little face at the airport watching them take off and then to go outside and getting in one - oh man!!!! Yes, someone was very excited plus the fact that airplanes are packed full of people to wave, giggle, flirt, and talk to - you could only imagine how she worked everyone on our flights, she even got the flight attendants security tags at one point. Oh and we laughed because two separate people told us that Dylan looks like Shiloh Pit - ha!


Dylan was a true trooper. Thursday evening our flight was delayed so we didn't get up in the air until pretty late - way past a certain someone's bedtime. But of course what's a little lost sleep when there are people that need entertaining! Thank goodness it was a quick flight to Missoula but of course I called it, minutes before landing Dylan was passed out in her dada's arms.

When we got to the rental car shuttle we had to wake Dylan up to get her in her carseat. She quickly woke up to say 'hi' to everyone in the van before passing out again. We then had to wake her up again when we got to our rental car AND then again when we got to the hotel - poor thing! AND of course up on the hotel waking up she was awake - guess she needed to make sure the room was fung shui'd as she instantly hit the ground and started re-arranging everything in the hotel room. It took some fast work to get her back to sleep again.



Since we were flying we had to leave Maggie home. Our friend Kate stayed with her at night and our friend Kim came and gave Magg's lots of love and walks during the days. We got updated texts through out the weekend with Maggie updates. Looked like some furry one was given the royal treatment! Thank you so much for helping us out Kate and Kim!!!!

Grubbin'

We were just in Montana this past weekend. One morning we stopped by a our favorite bakery, Bernice's. We have now discovered they make the best granola - someone totally chowed it all down! Thank goodness we were in a rental car because not only was there granola all over a certain someone's face but it was all over the back seat! When I turned around to see what a certain someone was giggling about I saw the huge mess and started cracking up. Matt grabbed his camera and started shooting pictures and wouldn't you know the little jokester started saying 'cheese' as soon as she saw the camera! ha!!! Next time we'll buy two containers of granola that way maybe Matt and I could share one.

Oh almost forgot the best part! Shortly after devouring the whole container of granola little missy passed out cold - we're talking snoring and all. Of course we didn't want to disturb her so we left her exactly how we found her - yes, granola all over her face. When we got back to the rental car place they had to give us a ride to the airport - I laughed when the guy saw the back seat and then the passed out kid with granola all over her face - I think he understood as he said he had kids himself but I'm sure was a little bummed to have to clean it all up. I did feel bad but Dylan was so proud of herself that the whole thing made us laugh.

Portraits From The O'Haire Motor Inn

Here's some portrait pics Matt took during our stay at the O'Haire Moter Inn in Great Falls, Mt.





Dylan seemed sleepy, but she just needed some breakfast... and a push on her bee-bo (belly button) to restart her motors.

Glacier Park

While in Montana we visited Glacier Park. It was so beautiful!!! And fun to still find snow in the spring time. Uh, I know one family that LOVES the snow....






Just don't eat the yellow stuff D.




I LOVE this next shot Matt got of Dylan - it is so her little personality - always smiling with a wave of aloha to everyone.

A Visit With The Gardner's

Here's a couple of really cute shots of cousin Stacey and Dylan. Stacey is one of Dylan's biggest blog fans and this picture is long over due. So Stacey here's to you!!!!




Back in June we went to Montana for Ratpod. During our travels we stopped in Kalispell to visit some of Matt's family. His cousin Eric and wife, Amy just had a baby, baby Walt - so cute! They were all having dinner at Amy's family's house - which was amazingly beautiful. It was a great chance to stop in and say hello to everyone. It was also a GREAT experience for Dylan - oh my gosh, not only did she get to hang out with her cousin Stacey but she got to feed the horses, pet a chicken, and run around with a pack of crazy dogs. She had a blast.






Here's Todd, Stacey's husband - oh boy D thought he was the greatest, he was cracking her up!

G-ma And G-pa Montana

Hmmm, doesn't look like Dylan is having any fun at all with G-ma & G-pa. Hee, Hee. She had a blast!