Back in Big Sky Country -- Flathead Days 3 & 4

Day 3 - Malea had a bit of a rough night last night so after changing bedding and clothes along with showering her, I let the girls (and me) sleep in a bit.  I'm kind of running on empty right now even with the extra time.  What shall we do today?  Apparently, whatever was bothering Malea has hit the road and I am so thankful for it.  No one else seems to have anything so all is good.  Again, what to do today?

We decide to go into town to a place called Sweet Pickins' for some fall fun.

Sis calls and she is coming down along with Zach and the kids for a little bit this morning.  Well, by golly, we should all get dressed NOW then so that we are ready to leave right after the visit.

My nephew has three children - Wyatt (7 and the one Malea keeps calling "the seven year old."), Scarlett (4), and Colton (2 I think).  The minute they arrive, everyone just plays together even though that had never met prior.

Malea is trying to teach about sharks but spots me with the camera and takes time to smile.

Elena showing all her cool rocks that she found at the lake yesterday.

"Don't you dare smile for a picture, Scarlett."

Malea thinks Zach is just cool and wants to be near him always.  Zach suggests that we wait until tomorrow to go to the festival and he will take the kids along too.  Okay, we can do that and then we'll just leave right after to get home before the wee hours.

After the visit is over, we now have to figure out what to do today all over again.  We decide to head into town and get some candy in Bigfork before going into town for lunch and then to Woodland Park to feed the ducks.  Time to go.

Our stop is Bigfork for taffy is quick and we are soon on our way to Kalispell for soup.  Pho is soup and soup is good for the belly.  So let it be written, so let it be done.  It's good for me at any rate and the girls are game for it too.

This shop is wonderful as I tell them I am sharing mine with Malea and they bring an small bowl for her and a ladle.  Perfect.  I also order a hot coffee with sweetened condensed milk.  Elena is not at all sure of my "cream" but gives it a try and then proceeds to ask for it repeatedly throughout the meal - not the coffee, the "cream".  I gotta admit, it is dang yummy.

Fortune cookie time -

And mine ---- ooooooh what is around the corner for me?

There is a grocery store along the way to the park and we left home with a shopping list.  Fortunately it is cool out today so now is the perfect time to make our purchase.  On top of that -- we need bread for the ducks.  Everyone helps carry the bags to the truck and we are soon on our way again.

Each girl has a bag of bread and before you start to chastise me, I KNOW that bread is not the best plan and that seed would be better.  The girls and I discuss this and I explain that the ducks and geese really can't find bread in the wild so it's not perfect for their bodies, but everyone is entitled to a treat now and then.  Enough said.

We are no sooner out of the truck and walking toward the bridge when I see a ton of waterfowl making their way down the creek to greet us.  They know what is coming and appear to be hungry.

Let's get off the bridge and feed -- see if they will come to us.

Yep -- in no time the girls are surrounded and not at all sure of the whole thing.  A quick picture and then we return to the bridge for safety.  The big white geese are just a bit demanding -and scary when you are pretty much the same size.

Isn't it absolutely beautiful?

The variety of ducks is pretty incredible.  I spy two beautiful wood ducks too.

We have one lone male mallard that is brave enough to approach us.  Obviously this nets him a private supply of bread that he doesn't have to fight over.

Elena gets brave enough to try and hand feed him.  Yep, she is successful and I love the smile afterwards.

More autumn beauty.

Ah, my girls.

The evening is spent with family and GG's famous pot roast.  Yum.  While shopping in town, the girls picked out a cake for GG and after dinner, they present her with it.

Fun times.

Auntie Den is a big hit too.  That's about it for this day.  It's time for two littles to go to bed and this old Gammy to do the same after I put an hour or so into the gift I am working on.  See ya tomorrow.

Day 4 - Good morning.  While at the store yesterday, the girls also picked out their breakfast for today.  Grapefruit, apple, and yogurt were the choices.  It's pretty hard to say  no to those.

Since we had decided to wait until today to go to the Sweet Pickin's, we need to kick it in gear today.  Everyone is dressed and out of the house by 9:30 to pick up Auntie Den and meet the cousins in town.  First stop is to feed the kidlets.

Now to head for the fun.  The very first moment of fun we come into contact with is feeding the goats.  I'm impressed with how brave the girls are to do this.  Woohoo.

Classic photo moments -- (1) Wyatt, Malea, Colton  (2) Wyatt, Malea, Elena

Malea

Bunnies are always popular, even when signs are misspelled. 

Everyone into the cow ride.  I love that the double up and take care of each other.

I spot a wonderful area fill with trikes of all sizes and soon they are off and going.  Some are more successful than others, but all in all -- smiles everywhere.

And then there are true tire swings.  Again, they work together for some fun while Colton and I spot another photo op.

He's a definite cutie and reminds me so very much of his dad at this age.

How tall are the girls?  Elena was shocked to see how close she is getting to 5' (even though she really didn't want to do this -- obvious, right?)

All together for some water fun.

More photo fun - Malea, Elena, Wyatt

And another ride, only this time a bumblebee.  I am a bit more organized and managed to get a video.

Oh my, what's next.   Quads that seat 1, 2, or 4.  This could be fun.

I even manage to get into the act with these - roping three of the littles into "helping" me.  Elena is giving up when Sis takes this picture.  "Hey, where are you going?"

Finally, we have come to the pillow and some jumping fun.  Go kids go.  Well, most of you anyway.

All in a line

A spider web crawl is requested by Malea so off we go.

Near by are some more goats and these are hysterical.  This baby one just jumps and runs and plays like crazy, even landing on the backs of others.  Colton loves it so much.

Everyone smile.  What?  Hey Malea, the camera is over here and where are your hands?  (Scarlett opted out.)

Try again you two.

And that's about it.  A few minutes for jail, some hot chocolates, back home we go.  I tell the girls it's quiet time so they play cards for a bit and then head for a movie.  Gammy needs some quiet time for sure.

Just before bed, the girls have a card for GG and give it to her.  What a treat to have this time together.

I have finished my crocheting project and it is ready to be gifted so Elena and Malea take some time with the leftover yard, trying to just make a chain.  Yep, it's harder than it looks.

That's it.  We are outta here tomorrow morning, with a long drive back to Billings ahead of us but this had indeed been fun and I am so glad we decided to visit.  See you tomorrow.