Montana summer trip

From Indianapolis, we flew to Kalispell, MT. We were in Montana for a week (7/26-8/2). I love, love, love a summer vacation to Montana and this trip did not disappoint. 

On Sunday, we hiked down to the Flathead River. 

 Is this not the cutest hiker EVER?

 Seth, me, Bert, and Melissa with the kids (minus that super cute hiker)

 It was tricky getting across the slippery rocks! I think the kids thought it was an adventure....whereas the adults saw it more as "let's not get our pants soaking wet/ruin our shoes/break our necks". Adelyn is sittin' pretty. 

 Grandpa and Grandma with their grands

 These two are quite the pair! They were picking daisies

After our morning hike, Seth, Martha, and Adelyn accompanied me to the North Valley Urgent Care. This is my 3rd visit to one of their locations. This time...POISON IVY. I've gotten it several times this summer from yard work but it's been no big deal. This was a more severe case- very uncomfortable. I got an oral and a topical steroid. Seriously, I'm still itching almost 2 weeks later (but WAY better). :(

Visit #1 was when I got stitches in my chin (attempted mountain bike riding)

Visit #2 here

On Monday, we hiked Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park

 These kids are READY to go! Sidenote...wasn't that nice of Columbia to design a hiking SKIRT for my girl that doesn't care for pants?

The hiking crew 

Scenic views 

 Avalanche Lake

 Adelyn and Emily climbing on the logs

Grandma and James eating their peanut butter honey sandwiches.

This is one of THREE times I had ice cream at Eddy's. Yummers

This was a great hike! The signs and guidebooks said 3 miles, but it was actually almost 6 miles! I was very proud of the kids, especially 3 year old James!

On Tuesday, Bert, Seth, and I went for an all-day, no kids hike.

We started out doing Iceberg Lake, which is a hike I've been wanting to do for a while. We tried it a few years back and it was closed due to too many bears!

 Our first stop: a beautiful waterfall view (like my bandaged poison ivy arm?)

 So pretty!

 Iceberg Lake!

 Y'all...this water was FREEZING. The water had to be 32.1 degrees. We put our feet in, but it was unbearable! 

After hiking this, we decided to add Ptarmigan Lake to it. This was COMPLETELY uphill (yay for a butt workout!). We got to the lake and this is what we saw: 

 I'm not saying it's not pretty....but kind of not worth that uphill hike. Seth and I had done this hike before (it goes on to the amazing Ptarmigan Tunnel). I didn't remember that this lake wasn't that great. Oh well!

 This was what a lot of the hike looked like. Who cares how your legs feel after 14 miles when this is what your seeing? Isn't God amazing?? 

On Wednesday, we ate at Norm's News (hello, bison burger and huckleberry milkshake) and ran some errands in town. Bert and Melissa flew back to Georgia. Grandma and Grandpa took the kids to see Planes: Fire and Rescue

That moring, Adelyn lost her 3rd tooth (top). The other front tooth is hanging by a thread as I type this. The tooth fairy was able to find her in Montana and bring her $1 and a gold dollar coin. 

On Thursday, Seth and I took the kids into Glacier National Park for a hike with just the 4 of us.

We hiked St. Mary's Falls (we've done this hike several times). As we entered we were warned about a  bear sighting so we were being cautious. About a mile in, Seth veered off the trail to pee. Boy did he pick the right spot! In the bushes nearby were a mama and her cub (black bears). He darted back to the trail where the kids and I were and got us all into safety. Seconds later, the bears ran down the path! Talk about scary! 

 St. Mary Lake

 St. Mary Falls (which Seth jumped into later on! Video here)

 Family shot

LOVE these people!! 

 We hiked further to see Virginia Falls

We hiked a total of 3.5 miles this day with the kids.

 Adelyn completed the Junior Ranger Night Explorer and got her badge (she already has the regular Jr. Ranger badge). She may or may not have mentioned the bear adventure and daddy getting his gun out. 

On Friday, we stayed at the house and cleaned/played/packed. The kids all got to have a giant sleepover in the basement! They slept until 7 and were SO good. 

Brenda read them a bible story on her iPad. If you don't have the Bible For Kids app, GET IT now (it's free)!

We had such a great time! Truly, God's creations are seen everywhere in Montana. I love sharing these adventures with the kids and am so glad that they enjoy hiking as much as we do.