First Day of School

Tristan finally started 1st grade and we werent sure where he was going until yesterday!  So today was filled with a lot of not knowing but once i got him signed up i we were at ease(didnt tell tristan that was happening).  we are trying to buy a house on the north side of town and the school he is zoned for if we get that house is the school i decided to put him in.  its such an old school and brings back those great memories of being in elementary.  the school must look so big to him, and the best part they give the kids breakfast!  i never got breakfast in school and if he gets there early enough he can get buffet breakfast-today was pancakes.  his teacher is mrs. jones and there are 17 kids in his class.  although i thought it would be more emotional than it was it really gave me a reality check of how fast he is growing up.  1st grade is a big deal!  so i dont get to see him until 3:00 and its a trip having had him most everyday up to this point in his life.  he was not even scared and didnt even notice that i left.  now i get to spend some quality time with indy. 

Prickly Pear Creek

Missouri River

Holter Lake & Missouri River Montana

The boys and I met my best friends Katie and Angie for the weekend at Holter Lake, some of the best fishing in the area.  Supposedly you can catch up to 20" rainbow trout.  I trailed the boat with the boys and we camped along Prickly Pear Creek.  There were so MANY fish jumping around us all weekend and the boys and I had no luck.  Katie caught 3 small rainbow trout and we cooked them for breakfast.  She is quite the fisherwoman!  We camped 2 nights along this creek and it was the most perfect site.  We had our own swimming hole and cliff area.  The second day we floated on the Missouri River which comes out of Holter Lake.  This was my first float without dad and it empowered me to do it more.  Fishing aint no guy sport anymore!  This was the last time I was going to see Angie for a while for she took a travel nursing position in Idaho, so this trip was a must.  Its getting close to the end of summer for Tristan starts school in less than a week.  I saw a decent size buck and two bald eagels sitting together. AMAZING!

Tristan's 6th Birthday

Tristan's 6th Birthday was spent at the Caruseol and Dragon Hollow.    He met some very special kids this summer at camp.  They got to ride the caruseol for an hour  without getting off.  This was such a great place to have a birthday.  He got a new fishing pole from grandma, crouqet, bowling pins, and the list goes on.  Oh how we missed close family to spend this day with us.  Thankyou all for making this day extra special for Tristan.

Best moments caught on camera.  for the most part they are such lovers and very compatible.  Tristan is so kind and makes sure Indy is always taken care of.  He stepped into the big brother role very nicely.  When they do fight its Indy who's the tough guy and chases Tristan through the house.  Once they were fighting all day and Dad showed them how to wrestle.  It was so classic to see Tristan have Indy pinned down and Indy roll out of it, he is so strong!  We went to the kidfest at Caras park and stood in line to get our faces painted(30 minutes).  Indy wanted a dragon and Tristan got a celtic design.  It was worth the wait, how proud of the art the were.  I love summers in Montana.

Lolo Peak Trail, Montana

Had to throw this pic of Tristan fishing at Georgetown Lake.  He caught his first 12" rainbow trout with Dad while I was at home catching up on some sleep.  When Tristan got home he brought the trout into my bed to show me he was so excited!  We ate it for dinner and it was delicious.  The other pics are of our hike up to Lolo peak.  Tristan hiked 3.5 miles up and we almost made it to the saddle but we were pooped so we turned around.  The views were amazing and I felt very accomplished to have hiked with my family.  On the way down Indy decided to run the whole way.  I was very impressed with the boys endurance.  If only we could bottle up that energy.  It took me 3 days to recover form that hike!

Flathead Lake,Montana & Flathead River

Went camping with Angie and got directions to a rope swing on the flathead river.  We thought for sure we would not find it because it was so off the road, but we found it.  And the best part-Tristan did the rope swing-this was the best moment of the summer.

Arlee, Montana

We went to the nearby raspberry and strawberry patch 20 minutes north of Missoula.  You pick as many as you want and leave money in a drop box.  It was the perfect day full of big sky thunderstorms.  Tristan helped me take pictures.

Here are more of the hike to Avalanche Lake and the campground we stayed at.

Glacier National Park

We hiked up to Avalanche Lake 2 miles up and there were so many waterfalls. The boys made it the whole way running, not walking!  Dad did a full moon bike ride that night on the Going to the Sun road and I stayed to hold down the fort.