Time for another weekend adventure with the DeWilde family. Grab a cup of coffee and see our weekend unfold. We set out Friday afternoon for Woodbine Campground on the Stillwater River-a new destination for us all. The drive was beautiful and a great time for Derrick and I to catch up on our weeks since he had spent the week in Moses Lake, WA with work. Without any problems, we found a great campsite along a creek nestled among the relaxing smell of the pine trees. We were amazed at our daughters, who quickly took over setting up the camper. 
"No, mom, I can do this," Madison informs me as she lowers the jack from the camper. Breanne had her turn as well.
Aliya was just excited to not be camping in the cold and snow. She had a semi-"safe" place to roam in front of the camper. Truth be told, she probably ate her share of dirt, but we tried to keep the pine needles out of the digestive track.
The weather was terrific! We didn't need winter gloves, snowpants or hats. 
We were forever taking Madison and Breanne to the bathroom! From our campsite, they would like to take the shortcut across the creek to the toilets. Every time it was a MAJOR decision, should I take the rocks or the log across? Hmmm....(Madison only fell in once.) On the first night, we came back from the toilets to find Aliya had fallen asleep on Derrick's shoulder by the campfire. 
I had no idea that sometime over the course of our snowy camping trip, my oldest daughters became marshmellow "snobs." They are quite the roasters and it can't be burnt, they need red coals, no flames.....and they can polish off 1/2 a bag of marshmellows quite quickly! Breanne prefers the traditional s'more.
Madison on the other hand likes the sm'oreo. She very carefully roasts her marshmellow to perfection, untwists the oreo and sandwiches it between the oreos cookies. 
We are unsure of the official count on how many of these she can polish off.
Saturday morning we started off with a big breakfast and got ready to hit the trail to Sioux Charlie Lake. A hike that follows the Stillwater and is 3.1 miles in length. This was Breanne's first big hike as a hiker, as opposed to a rider in the backpack.
The river was raging and loud. Madison often covered her ears, draining out the loud sound of the rushing water.
There is still much snow on the mountains as you can see in the pictures. It is so beautiful!
Aliya is a great rider. And didn't hardly complain a bit! I think she likes to be along and watch everything around her. She also slept a little bit. I have never hiked in Montana among so many flowers and butterflies. They were everywhere. Madison and Breanne loved it!
The highlights of the hike were the exciting words from the trail blazer (or line leader) "Water on the trail," to warn everyone that we were about to cross a little stream or creek of water. It was kinda fun and no one even got wet. Breanne was even getting really good at navigating these crossing on the return trip. It made it exciting. We praised Breanne up and down for this huge feat (hiking 6.2 miles!) We have now nicknamed her "Wonder Girl" (I started this 2 weeks ago when she biked 4-miles..including up and down the big hill on Senators.)
On Sunday, we planned to see the Woodbine Falls. A small hike (.8 miles one way) to see a fairly large waterfall.
Madison and Breanne were more excited about the water trickling off a rock on the way up the trail.
We returned to the campsite and Breanne and Madison were ready for another hike. Apparently a 2-mile hike isn't enough for our girls. We went on a couple little adventures along the creeks that flow into the Stillwater and around the campsite before packing up and returning home.It's so nice to get away, but being home and able to shower is equally wonderful! Here's our newested bath tub fan, smilin' in the tub.
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