Talk, talk, talk. Sometimes I feel that we talk about visiting family and then it goes to - "we'll talk about it again in a month or so" mode. Not this time. We are biting the bullet and trying out how well this "working remote" thing really is. Mister has taken some Friday/Monday days of vacation (plus a holiday thrown in) and will be setting up a small office for the remaining three days each week. We have THREE WEEKS to make our way north and back before I have another commitment. If this works out well for him, I see it happening more often.
Once the decision was made to actually give this a try -- the packing and planning began. People were called and schedules made. It's not a "touristy" trip as we are well aware of the situation in the world right now. It is a "family" trip and just seeing family and spending time together is enough. At the last minute, Mister decides to leave Friday after work and drive straight through. We are outta here.
It's already dark by the time we leave and we'll be seeing much more of that. I'm going to try and sleep during the night so I can drive when the sun comes up. Waiting until we are out of Texas (yes, it's a bit of a wait), the road becomes calmer and I give the sleep thing a try.
The roads are still ice-packed, but I have a glimmer of hope when looking in the mirror behind me. The sun is trying to say howdy. Douglas, Wyoming shows up and it seems fitting to stop there for breakfast. Locating a coffee shop that also has crepes seems perfect. Yep, too good to be true. No crepes, but coffee and baked goods. It's something and will help get us closer to our destination. While in here, Mister is the sweetie everyone knows and loves. A lady has bought more than she can carry and he helps her take everything across the street to a waiting crew. That's my guy.
Back into the car and up to Montana. We arrive in Billings around 2 in the afternoon (20 hours of driving with only two gas stops and the breakfast moment) with one very dirty car. A stop at the car wash and a gas fill happen, then straight to Rhiana's house.
By 2:30 -- the newest member of our family and I get to meet face to face for the first time. Hello Mariel. I'm sure this post will be laden with baby pictures, but wouldn't you do the same thing?
Updated rooms for the girls and as we are here, construction is taking place on the third floor, where the girls rooms are being relocated once the work is complete. They will have the whole renovated attic to themselves. I can't wait to see the finish. Their rooms down here will become an office and a nursery for Mariel. First, Elena's room.
At this point babies change EVERY day so I want to notice that as well. I do relinquish my grip for a bit and give Grandpa a chance too.
She's in a good mood and since the older girls are still in Wyoming until tomorrow, all of our attention can be focused here. That is remarkably wonderful. When they return, we can move onto them and not miss a beat. THIS makes the long drive worth every minute. My sweetie has only had about an hour and a half of sleep -- yes, I did drive for a bit so that he could discover how hard it is to sleep in the car at our age. We are just not as bendable as we used to be.
Once she's asleep and life is carrying on - I get a chance to peek around the house at the things that have changed since my last visit. It's been 3 1/2 years. Where does the time go? In that time, the entire basement has been finished. Here is the LINK to the post from back then. It's worth a look to see the changes in the house and the difference a season can make. At any rate, here's a view of the house now. The new upstairs bath.
There are subtle changes in the main living areas --- you'd have to open the link and look close to see if you can spot them. (hint - dining room chairs, light fixture, curtains, wall items) Somehow, I didn't take a main picture of the living room, but it's fairly similar to before. Changes are coming it's way soon.
The new master bathroom. It's really large and perfect for two people. Fortunately for us, it is also the guest bath as our room is downstairs as well.
This is ALL new since my last visit and there is still a lot of the basement to see. Rhiana has done a great job with it all and I can see her love of decorating shining through.
Our little nest for the next few days is just down the hall from her and if it had it's own bathroom, would make for a lovely little AIRBnB. It will work out just perfect for us and Mister will have a location to work that will be quiet.
Okay, enough about the house. Where is that granddaughter?
Good morning and it's always good when a little one is in your arms first thing.
Elena and Malea are due to be picked up this afternoon in Bridger so Grandpa and I offer to make the drive. It will give parents a chance to breathe and us the chance for two on two time. Since we arrive in Bridger about half an hour early, we decide to explore a bit. I truly cannot remember the last time I was here and I probably didn't stop and look around then.
The town library is quaint and undergoing some outside lighting work, but isn't it just what you what expect from a small town? It was built in 1912 and was originally was the Bowler Flats school. It was moved here and became a library in 1954.
The sign reads: "Jim Bridger arrived in Montana in 1822 as a member of a Rocky Mountain Fur Company brigade. He roamed the entire Rocky Mountain region and often came through this part of the country. A keen observer, a natural geographer and with years of experience amongst the Indians, he became invaluable as a guide and scout for wagon trains and federal troops following the opening of the Oregon Trail. He shares honors with John Colter for first discoveries in the Yellowstone Park country. He was prone to elaborate a trifle for the benefit of pilgrims. It was Bridger who embroidered his story of the petrified forest by asserting that he had seen "a peetrified bird sitting in a peetrified tree singing a peetrified song."
For some reason totally unrelated to Jim Bridger, the sign goes on to say: The Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone was name for Captain William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Chief Joseph led his band of Nez Perce Indians down this river when he made his famous retreat in the summer of 1877." I'm not sure how that is relevant to Jim Bridger, but . . .
A nearby church catches my eye and the sign outside it reads: "Organization of the Bridger Methodist Episcopal Church and the Ladies Aid took place in 1899, predating by one year the founding of the town itself. As in other small Montana communities, itinerant ministers like the Reverend John G. Clark served the congregation. Services were conducted in the dining room of the Barlow Hotel or in the hall above Hiram Haskin's hardware store. Land for the church was donated when the townsite of Bridger was platted in 1900, but ground-breaking did not take place until March of 1905. The ladies Aid raised funds for the building by giving dinners and selling handmade quilts, clothing, and other items. Under the direction of Reverend Clark, stonemason Eric Forsman prepared the foundation, and construction began with donated materials and labor. By December the steeple was ready to receive its 700-pound bell. The community-built Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated on May 27, 1906, the first in the Clarks Fork Valley. The Bridger landmark is a fine example of Methodist church design typified by the L-shaped plan, corner bell tower, and simplified Gothic windows. Fretwork in the open bell tower, decorative shingles, and stained glass enrich the basic plan. The adjacent gable-roofed parsonage, now detached from this property, was finished in 1914. Three congregations merged in 1939 to form the Methodist Church, and in 1949 an addition was completed to accommodate the growing membership. Renamed the United Methodist Church in 1968, the church today represents the valley's early religious development, and its continued use is a fitting tribute to the pioneer congregations responsible for its construction."Due to COVID, we are not able to enter and I'm pretty dang sad about it. I would have loved to see the interior.
Just down the street, I spot this building. What do you think it used to be? I sure don't know.
The time has arrived. Let's get those girls. Once we meet up, they are moving like lightening bolts and a picture just doesn't happen. This is the best I've got and I'm sure Mister won't love it.Settling in, we are nearing dusk again and the most I'll get from a sunset is the side mirror once again. It seems to be the way of it right now.
Technology reigns supreme with kids these days and the girls have been without it for a weekend. Now is their chance.
Once the girls are in the house, hugs are given to Mom, Kasey, and baby sister, Mariel. The VERY NEXT request by Elena is to do Grandpa's hair. This is such a tradition between these two.
Malea wants in on it and helps with his hair for a bit then moves onto fingernails. Yep, this is a full-service salon. He is always such a good sport and this is remembered. I love just watching them work.
Creativity at it's best -
Older sisters are so much help and Elena certainly does her best to make Mom's life easier. Bath time is always fun and Rhiana has created a method that I simply adore. Elena puts on her swimsuit and climbs into the water. Then the flower pad is added and Mariel is paid onto it while in Elena's control. It's perfect for bathing and the whole adventure just looks cozy and warm. Moments later, the first time using her new towel takes place. Dang, she is just so cute.
Grandpa time - serious and silly
Monday arrives and since it is a holiday ---we will have some special time with Elena and Malea. Plans are being made.
Yes - we both napped.
Smile ladies ---- Gam wants fun pictures to hold on to.
The result ---- looking back at me from the top. I now have to go back the way I came and meet them at the car due to my shoes.
Dinner at Ciao Mambo. The girls are given dough to work with while waiting for dinner. That's a great concept. The restaurant also normally bakes it for them, but due to COVID, they can't right now. Ice cream once again for dessert. Goodness. Dinner was wonderful and the girls were perfect the entire time. Happy Grandparents.
Somehow the next day --- only one picture is taken. I have no idea what to say here. I went to lunch with a friend and neglected to take pictures there too. I'm sorry, Starla, but I really did enjoy our time together. For the evening, we played games and watched a movie as a family.
More fun with hair and then Grandpa and I decide to go and pick up some pho for dinner and manage to find an ice cream cake along the way.
Lots of cuddle time and enjoying each other before bed time comes around once again. School and work tomorrow are on the agenda and then we will make the move to Matt's house. One more bit of day together is what we have.
It's our last morning and my plans are to be busy with laundry and packing and lunch with a girlfriend. But before all that some time with girls. Malea is having a rough morning, but I do manage to get a selfie with Elena
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