Summertime in Montana - Days 1-5

 July 9 - It's my sister's birthday and we are off to Montana.  I haven't spent her birthday with her in oh so many years - in fact, I can't remember the last time.  It's time.  We have snagged non-stop flights from Dallas to Kalispell and that is amazing in itself.  It's a nice day and we are outta here.  Hours later, lakes begin to appear and we are getting close.

There's just a wee bit of construction going on here at the airport in Kalispell.  No jet bridge and very succinct signage greet us.  Hard to get lost.

Mom and Joe have picked us up and a stop for lunch at Sacred Waters Brewing calms my belly down and enables me to be nice once again.  Yep, it happens.  Now, for the drive to Bigfork.  Just look at these lovely canola fields in bloom.  So, so pretty.  Yes, the sky is smoky here.  There are fires raging in Montana and Idaho and I have a hunch it will only get worse.

Once we are settled in at the house, Mister gets to work on Mom's new Cubii that was recently delivered.  It will hopefully help her with some more movement capability.  With such an early morning for us and the way that travel somehow is just so exhausting, I look up from answering emails and see these two crazy energetic people.  Oh my.

We stopped at the store on the way home and picked up a cake and ice cream for Sis.  Jill is picking up the chicken and the rest is just easy peasy to prepare.  Before long, family has arrived and the party gets going.

Great niece and nephew along with my niece, Jill, and sweet Mister.  Their smiles are infectious and the ice cream love is in full swing.

Another great-nephew at the table and the living room has Jill's sweetie and my newest great-nephew.  So much fun and it's great to have time with littles again.

This one is SOOOOO close to walking.

Brother-in-law, Joe and nephew, Zach, round out the attending family.

Peek-a-boo, I see you.  A little blurry, but too cute.

July 10 - Sunday and Mister's day off to relax a bit.  We are just hanging with Mom and Bailey.

Wanting to stretch our legs a bit, a walk to the lake ensues.  As we are going, we notice a deer in a yard along the way.  She sees us, too, but really doesn't care and we are dang close.

Ahhhhh, even with the smoky sky, this view makes my heart happy every single time.

It's crazy how clear the water is right now.  

Not sure what caused this tree to tip, but it's sleeping in the water now.

My heart loves this place so much.  I would really love to be back permanently.

Our return trip shows another doe has joined up for a rest in the shade.

The REALLY don't care about us one bit.

Mister is trying to set up an office here so that being here will not require any vacation and we will be able to split our time between Montana and Dallas.  As a result, we are cleaning out a desk today and hopefully moving it to the front bedroom.  It's twofold, a desk for him and more space/less stuff for Mom.  Lots of paperwork being gone through -- filling garbage sacks makes me feel good.

Back porch looking --- the sun is setting through the trees as I look west, but looking east is as though the day is full still.  Mom's flowers are lovely this year.

July 11- Coffee and chatting on the back porch for hours starts our day.  I miss this so much.  I just can't porch sit in Dallas without feeding the mosquitoes.  Up here --- pure joy.

Sis and Joe suggested an evening of music on Swan River.  The Nest is the location and what a wonderful place it is.  We are meeting up with some of Joe's family along with Brock and Jill.

Right on the river bend.  Beautiful.

Everyone is here and simply enjoying good company.

Hey, the music is good too.

Food is by The Perch and, dang, it's pretty yummy.

Some great-uncle time with a sweetie.

Let's not leave the great-aunt out of the picture, right?  All the girls now.

It's been fun.  Honest --- Thank you all for sharing your day with us.

July 12 - It's a vacation day for my sweetheart so we are off to Kalispell with Mom for a few errands.   More canola fields.

Several stops at thrift shops nets us a new (old) cabinet to put where the desk was.  It's not as deep so will take up less space where Mom walks and still provide her with a place for her modem, phone, etc.

As we are leaving town, Mom asks to stop at a car lot and spots a vehicle she likes.  Test drive with Mister takes place next.

By the time we leave, they have offered her enough trade on her current vehicle and a deal has been made for this car.  We will pick it up in a few days when we return to Kalispell.  Mom has to find her title and get it signed over first.

Stopping at Sis' place, the cherries are AMAZING.

Mister's keyboard and mouse arrive, but oh so many problems along with them.  ARGH.  He needs these tomorrow.  Now what?

We do get the new cabinet cleaned and in place.  It works perfect.  Additionally, the counter paperwork is cleared off and things are looking so much better.

July 13 - Well, after only a couple of hours using a dining room chair, I am off to Kalispell for an office chair and something to make his new keyboard work.  He has robbed the old computer of a wired mouse and keyboard for the time being.  This chair comes home with me (only in black) and his office is now workable.  Unfortunately, the part I needed for the keyboard did not work on Mister's computer, but does on mine.  I guess I have a new keyboard to take home with me.  Otherwise, just a nice day with Mom - visiting and enjoying one another.