August 2009 - Trip to Missoula

In August we had a little reunion with my family up in Missoula! Melissa and Hyrum drove all the way from Texas, Kelsey flew in from Milwaukee, and we came up from Utah along with Michael and Kristine. The only ones that weren't there were Nicholas and Courtney who were enjoying a romantic anniversary in New York. August is always a great time to go up because the weather is usually gorgeous (I say usually because while we were up there we were wearing jackets and long-sleeved shirts for most of the week), the fair is going on and there are so many fun summer things to do in Missoula.

Our first day that we were all together - at least the sisters.

We went to the mall that morning because it was raining and then headed over to the Western Montana Fair - one of the greatest fairs ever! :) When we got there it was raining but it let up and actually the weather was quite pleasant. We were there with all the kids and watched them ride the rides and ate lots of our favorite fair foods.

Mckenna fit right with this cowgirl hat.

This was probably one of the craziest booths we went in but Jason thought the sign was hilarious and had to get a picture in front of it.

We got Mckenna a few tickets to ride the kiddie rides with her cousins Spencer and Logan - as you can see she was in heaven!

Sitting cool

The only problem was when the ride ended and she had to get out - tantrum of the century.

Happy again!

She could only handle so much.

I think this is probably our second or third round of nachos, not to mention the vikings, fry bread, and cotton candy we had earlier. YUM!! I love the fair.

Trying to make up for our unhealthy eating by picking some fresh veggies out of Dad's beautiful garden.

That night Mom and Dad had everyone up to their house for a BBQ. Julie came into town with her kids and their families, Nancy came up with Jeremy, Jami and her new little baby, Braxton, and then Grandma and Grandpa of course were there with our whole family. I think it was a record for how many people had been up to the house at once but it was so fun to see everyone again and be together.

After dinner some of us went into the living room and listened to some of the grandkids play for a mini recital.

Grandma, Mom, Julie and Nancy

We all went outside afterwards and got a picture with EVERYONE - quite the group!

Later we had a fire and roasted marshmallows with Dad's new firepit. It was great.

Hanging out by the fire.

What did we do the next day?? We went back to the fair!! We got babysitters for all of the kids and went out to eat at the "Mustard Seed" and then headed to the fair to watch the rodeo.

At the grand stands getting ready to watch some buckin' broncos! Yeehaw!

It was so nice being there with Jason and not having to worry about Mckenna.

After the rodeo we went and rode the ferris wheel. So romantic! :)

All of the Anderson grandkids together - not the happiest picture but at least we got everyone in there!

After church we went home and had a delicious dinner prepared by Dad using his fresh garden vegetables - so good - and then packed everything up and drove back home. That's always the hardest part of getting together with everyone is saying goodbye - but I have to remind myself that there's always more good times to be had.