Road Trip - Days 23-30 - Billings

 One more week left in June and we are staying at Matt's house.  However, Rhiana is throwing a birthday party for Isla today and she doesn't know we are in town yet, so Gammy and Grandpa will surprise her.  When we arrive, it's GREAT!  Littles are excited and my daughter is so surprised.  This is so fun.  Now to just play and enjoy the day.

When Elena/Matt/Becca are around, hair is always on the agenda.

The older cousins are hangin' together and chillin'.  Warms my heart.

Quite the spread - Rhiana and Kasey must have worked all morning.

Grandpa and Isla getting reacquainted.

They have left the sofa.

Uncle Matt keeping traditions alive.  It's moved to the next generation and I LOVE it!!!

Selfie with Mariel.  Isla is still pretty unsure of me.

Time for presents.  A queen and her throne and attendant.

Opening Gammy's gift.  It came after Bluey so . . . 

Everybody sing!!

Back to play --- new bubbles to have fun with and Grandpa is eager to help.

Family chat time.

And . . . we are back to hair again.

It's been a great afternoon, but time to head back over to Matt's house and relax a bit before bed.  Becca made bread and it's time to get it plaited.  Lesson time.

By jove, I think she's got it.

More hair fun - it is the thing here.  Matt's hair is LONG.

6/24 - A new day and THIS is pretty much what I have done.  Reading and relaxing while Mister and Matt work.

When Matt gets home from work - it's out to the garden for his own form of "relaxation."  I miss gardening, if truth be told, but it's just too dang hot in Texas.

 

However, I'm not wanting to bend over right now while I'm in this short dress, so I'll just watch.  Mister has taken over my vantage point and watches us as Becca joins in.

Unknown to us when we planned our time up here, Zyra has to leave for a camp tomorrow morning.  Drat it all.  Well, at least tonight we can share and talk.

Thought I'd share some pics from the yard so you see why I love it here.  Looking both directions while enjoying the air and chatting with my girlfriend on the phone.

6/25 - Howdy.  Everyone is off to work/do stuff and I'm making a mess.  Seems right.

When Matt arrives home, he instantly makes a call to the fire department as he couldn't even see on the road while driving.  Apparently they are burning the ditches and it doesn't take long before they get right by us.  There is a road right down there and nothing is being done to help traffic.

As they pass by the house, you can see how high the flames are just outside the fence.

I have the best vantage point by the pool - now just try driving through that.  Matt said he couldn't see anything and almost came to a complete stop and hoped no one would come plowing into his as they couldn't see him in there earlier.  Crazy.

Mister and I went out for a bit in the evening.  Stopped in at a place I went to lunch with Rhiana yesterday.  A local brewery called Diamond X Brew Co.  Nice time and a chance to just be together.

6/26 - Not too much today.  Just thoroughly enjoyed hanging at the house and reading outside.  Mister and Matt in garden for evening.  I think Mister is directing chores, hahahaha.

6/27 - I want to get the whole family together at Diamond X (yep, third time this week) for a meal before Rhiana leaves town and tonight is the night.  Once everyone arrives, Mariel is my permanent companion and it just takes a minute for her to want to play games on my phone.  Isn't that what Gammy's are for?  Hard to take pictures though - thank you Mister.

Everyone smile - I need these pics to get me through the long periods without family around.  They make my heart so happy.

Loving the grands.  Check out Elena's hair.

They are so fun, they plan how to sit together and stay as a pod at all times.

Hmmm, common thread - give Gammy the evil eye when she takes pictures.

Hyrum is busy drawing a profile picture of his mother.

Well - my first though is she looks like Ruth Bader Ginsberg.  Is art going to be Hyrum's thing?  We have such a nice evening and I'm so thankful for this time together.

6/28 - Spent some time sewing today before going back outside to read.  I do so love the weather here.  Snack and family time in the evening for our last evening here.

6/29 - It's Saturday and we have a few things to do before making the transfer to Rhiana's house.  We went to Costco on the hunt for swim suits, which we didn't bring.  Matt is having a party on the 4th and we want to play in the pool.  I found quite a few new books that I want to read and made a list for the future.  After that, off to Meadowlark Brewing for lunch and time together.

Then to Rhiana's, where they were not quite ready for us.  We grabbed Elena and Malea and headed off to the greenhouse/coffee shop.

Then, a stop at a thrift shop to see what treasure they could find.

And, finally, a stop up on the rims for a view of the city.  It doesn't take long and Elena is off.

Malea soon joins her.

And they have a sit down to truly enjoy for a bit.

Back to the house and start getting instructions on the next week.  Rhiana and Kasey are leaving on a trip and we are in charge for the week.  Kinda scared, but super excited for time with the kiddos.  Evening dance fun.

Starting to unpack and we have company.

6/30 - Rhiana is sick today and barely functioning and she has to fly.  Not great.  So . . . I guess we officially start today instead of late this afternoon.  Well, let's get to this grandparenting stuff.  We start with donuts.

And move on to play.

Off for a walk.

Some trampoline time.

Elena and I out to lunch since she has to work all week.  Then, shopping at JoAnn's for thread, and a lesson in embroidery so she can decorate her shorts that were picked up yesterday.  I ended the afternoon by taking Rhiana and Kasey to the airport and sending them on their way.  A nice evening with a movie and we made it through the first day and are ready for July.  Bring it on.