Ah, time to get outdoors in the wide open spaces of the Montana wilderness and go camping. Weeks ago, our small group planned a weekend of fun camping in the Custer National Forest. Great idea. As the weekend neared, we all noticed the forecast called for cold weather and possibly precipitation (some in the form of snow.) Ultimately, we decided to tough it out. After all, we are Montanans, right? We left Friday morning and arrived at the campsite about noon. As I jumped out of the pick-up after a long drive I said, "I'm so hot!" knowing it may be the ONLY time I might say this all weekend. The day turned out to be great. We set up camp with no problems, ate lunch and decided to check out the nearby lake and do some fishing with the girls. 
Derrick is so good with them, helping them cast and even taught them to put the corn on the hook themselves. (Yes, these fish eat corn...DelMonte Spinners.) Once the girls were finished fishing, we headed back to see if anyone else had joined the camp. The Bichas had arrived and in no time at all had their gear all set up. Before long both the Rauch and Stewart familes arrived and set up tents, just before the rain started falling. Thank goodness Fred was prepared with two large tarps that we could shelter under while the rain fell. As the temperatures fell, it was time to make coffee! No problem, we had so cleverly placed our old coffee pot in the camper and with the battery power, we can use it....except, not quite. Apparently, the battery doesn't supply AC power (I think that what term Derrick used.) Plan B: heat water for hot chocolate. We warmed ourselves by the heater in the camper and within a few hours, the rain let up and we cooked pizza pies and s'mores over the fire. The girls went to bed and we all stayed warm in the camper.
Derrick is so good with them, helping them cast and even taught them to put the corn on the hook themselves. (Yes, these fish eat corn...DelMonte Spinners.) Once the girls were finished fishing, we headed back to see if anyone else had joined the camp. The Bichas had arrived and in no time at all had their gear all set up. Before long both the Rauch and Stewart familes arrived and set up tents, just before the rain started falling. Thank goodness Fred was prepared with two large tarps that we could shelter under while the rain fell. As the temperatures fell, it was time to make coffee! No problem, we had so cleverly placed our old coffee pot in the camper and with the battery power, we can use it....except, not quite. Apparently, the battery doesn't supply AC power (I think that what term Derrick used.) Plan B: heat water for hot chocolate. We warmed ourselves by the heater in the camper and within a few hours, the rain let up and we cooked pizza pies and s'mores over the fire. The girls went to bed and we all stayed warm in the camper. We were thrilled to awake Saturday morning to sunshine. It was going to be a great day! The girls slept in, we had a great breakfast and set off to hike and fish.
Breanne was getting quite good at casting her Barbie fishing rod! And Madison totally impressed us with her patience and endurance fishing. Aliya was a great camper, enjoyed riding in the backpack carrier and especially loved driving daddy's truck!
Breanne was getting quite good at casting her Barbie fishing rod! And Madison totally impressed us with her patience and endurance fishing. Aliya was a great camper, enjoyed riding in the backpack carrier and especially loved driving daddy's truck!The Ottenbachers arrived late in the morning. Lucky for Madison and Breanne, who were thrilled to play with Toby and Karissa. They played in the Ottenbacher "tent camp." Later, they went fishing with Toby and Karissa. The day got colder as it went on. And then the rain began. Foil dinners were cooked over the hot coals in the rain. I was lucky, I "had" to eat inside the camper with the kids. By the time dinner was over, it was definitely without doubt, snowing!
We tried to make the best of it. We bundled up the girls and everyone made s'mores around the fire. By this point, Madison and Breanne can both roast their own marshmellows. Derrick lost count of how many s'mores or s'm-oreos they had. (Charisty had conviced Madison that she could make the world's first s'm-oreos with a roasted marshmellow and an oreo.) Breanne lost her hat hiking, so she had to wear my had. Everyone called her a little nome.
It's amazing what you learn about your friends when you're camping in the snow. I'm sure everyone saw that I was stressed and crabby by this point. I learned the Jon is the realist...not upset about it by any means. Just real! He'd inform us just how cold it really was. (38 degrees, NOT 40.) And that yes, it was still snowing. And Fred, he's the optimist, "I was banking on the 30% chance it wasn't going to snow." As I tried to sit by the fire (in the snow) with Aliya in my lap, I can hear Toby singing, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..." At least now I can laugh about it.
It's amazing what you learn about your friends when you're camping in the snow. I'm sure everyone saw that I was stressed and crabby by this point. I learned the Jon is the realist...not upset about it by any means. Just real! He'd inform us just how cold it really was. (38 degrees, NOT 40.) And that yes, it was still snowing. And Fred, he's the optimist, "I was banking on the 30% chance it wasn't going to snow." As I tried to sit by the fire (in the snow) with Aliya in my lap, I can hear Toby singing, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..." At least now I can laugh about it. We set up a movie theater in the camper for the kids. They looked so cute cuddled up together under blankets. Derrick tucked the girls in bed and asked them, "What do you think about camping in the snow?" They quickly said, "Good!"
Sunday morning I woke up to get Aliya out of her crib (she slept wonderfully thank goodness!) and laughed at God's sense of humor. Six inches of snow (or more) covered everything. And it was still lightly falling. The camper held out great...the heater ran all night. We didn't even know we had a 4-season camper!
At this point, it's best to count your losses, pack up and go home! Derrick started packing right away. Again, I "had" to stay in the camper with the kids. (I'm so spoiled!)
At this point, it's best to count your losses, pack up and go home! Derrick started packing right away. Again, I "had" to stay in the camper with the kids. (I'm so spoiled!)We all headed into Red Lodge for some breakfast at the local cafe. Best pancakes I've ever had and the best company too!
Madison enjoyed her first marshmellow of the season. 
This is our friend Peyton. He just enjoyed the fire. Derrick coined him "Pyro Peyton." He was pretty cute being the master of the fire ring. And here's Toby. 
He apparently likes his s'mores "crispy!" 
Grace got a cut on her finger and we bandaged it up. Amazing what a Barbie band-aid can do!
Here they are with their friend Riley Jo. They liked this little teepee. It was great for them to see it as we just finished reading "Little House on the Prairie" last night. Laura Ingalls Wilder talks alot about the Indians and the girls liked seeing the type of house the Indians lived in back then. The girls had fun, got filthy and were wore out...good for me they all took naps when we got home. 
On Friday, we went to the National Monument for the walk and played at the park. The girls especially looked forward to celebrating Cousin Rebekah & Abigail's birthdays that evening. We got to see all the great-grands too.
Saturday was full getting ready for the big graduation party for Uncle Bryce.
Madison & Breanne loved meeting daddy's cousin Kelly. She's in 4th grade and the girls loved playing house with her.
We were so proud of our girls for how well they behaved on Sunday through a long church service and graduation. They sat very still and even played nicely by themselves at Bryce's Open House. Praise be to God for our wonderful children...even if they drink alot of punch... On our drive home Monday, Breanne asked if Daddy had to go to work that day. He told her that he'd just need to go into work for a little while when we got back to "Montana, Billings." She was quick to say, "Ah, thumbs on the side!" Too cute! 
Today, we took a "road trip to the Zoo Montana," (as Madison puts it.) The zoo itself isn't too much to rant and rave over, but the girls had fun. It was Madison's last time to spend with her preschool class. 
Madison had fun chasing the ducks (here with Abby) and 
we got to see the peacock spread it's feathers. Impressive. 
Here's Madi, Bre and Ana.
Madison is working on tying her own shoes. She's accomplished it twice so far...sometimes she just gets lucky.
We are blessed with some gorgeous tulips in our backyard. A beautiful sign of spring!