Hyrum and Zyra Summer Camp - Session 2 Begins - Travel and Day 1

The wedding is behind us and it is time to return to Texas.  However ---- we have the bonus prize.  We are taking two grands home with us for while.  Woot Woot.  With an early morning start, we have the rental car loaded and are soon on our way to Denver.  Yes, one granddaughter flew up with us and two grands are going back.  Such fun times.  I cannot explain how much I love these times.

Psst, I think we woke Zyra up a wee bit early as she is back out in no time.  Hyrum, meanwhile, takes up reading the comics in the newspaper.  Gotta love everything about this picture.  Right down to his legs.

Montana Family Time

Good Morning from the top of the world.  Well, at least it feels that way today.  Oh, remember our two little charges from last night -- you know, Grandpa putting them to bed.  HAHAHAHAHA  Well that didn't last long and Malea was ALL OVER Elena.  Grandpa to the rescue again.  He put the two chairs together and made a snug little bed for Malea.  Yay -- we all go to sleep finally.

Rhiana's Wedding

Waking in Billings to an absolutely beautiful day, it's hard to tell that the weather was so crazy yesterday.  Woohoo --- at least the wedding day will go smooth.  Mister and I are off to wander around downtown before meeting my ENTIRE family for a breakfast Mister and I are hosting at McCormick's Cafe.

We find a coffee shop, peek in antique shop windows and work our way down to the restaurant to make sure everything is in order.  Dang, for some reason they are not prepared for us at all and will now be setting up the room that I reserved a month ago.  Can you say frustrated?

Montana Bound - Wedding Time - Trip and Rehearsal Dinner

My daughter, Rhiana, is getting married this tomorrow.  That means we need to get our backsides out of Texas and up to Montana pronto.  We picked up Bekah from camp yesterday and are taking her with us as her family has already left and let's face it --- a car ride from Texas to Montana with four brothers or a quick flight to Denver and then a drive with the backseat all to herself and QUIET old people?  Seems like a no-brainer to me.  The flight is early and goes well.  In no time, we have a rental car and are on the road.  This is not a stop-and-play type of trip.  We are on the move to make a dress rehearsal dinner tonight and it's at least 8 hours from Denver to Billings.  Drive Mister, drive.

Yard Art

The blackberries have truly burst into color this last week.  I take a trip out and come away with a beautiful bowl in no time.  Yum.

Texas Day Tripping

Today we have the drive back home from Abilene on our agenda and have decided to take a bit of a scenic route and check out a road we haven't been on.  I love these little impromptu adventures and they always yield up wonderful memories through the years.  First stop though is for coffee at this cute little place near Jen's house.  It appears we are the only people needing it this morning.  Such a difference to White Rock Coffee in our hood.  It fits the need and after a warm cup of Chai Tea for me, I am ready to roll.

Bekah is 16 -- No Idea How That Happened - Jon's Camp too

We are on our way to Abilene today but wait -- something else has to be done first.  I am on the DART down to SMU.  Jon is finishing up his Arduino camp and I am lucky enough to get to see his presentation and then take him back home with me.  Mister will be joining us after work for the drive to Abilene.  I've never been to the SMU campus and it is quite lovely.  Since I am early, a wander around is in order leaving me with a chance to watch the hustle and bustle of the camp leaders as they try and prepare for the parents to arrive.

At the appointed time, everyone is brought out to the 100 degree center and the awards presentation begins.  Really?  THIS is where we are doing this?  I try and stay in the shade of a building as much as possible as I can feel my skin frying.  How on earth is Jon standing there with a HAT on?  I am constantly amazed by my grandchildren.  Once the awards are over, we are invited into the classrooms so that they can show us what they have created.

He has built a cool program and shows me how he can manipulate it into doing several things.  It's way over my head, but very cool --- even though he says it isn't working right.  After a bit, we pack everything up and are heading out the door when he is stopped and they take his kit away.  I am in shock and none too happy about it.  I let my feelings be known and we go to gather his luggage and other things before meeting Grandpa.  It's time to hit the road to Abilene.  By the time we arrive there and I tell Jen about having the equipment taken away and she interrupts to tell me that they have already called and informed her that there was a "mistake".  Hmmmm.

Onto other things.  It is Bekah's 16th birthday and I cannot fathom where the years have gone.  I can't possibly have a grandchild that old. Can I?

We are all going to Montana soon for a wedding so while Jen readies the house for the party, I have brought a couple of dresses for Bekah to try on.  One is my senior prom dress and the other is my wedding dress from 35 years ago.  They both fit her perfectly.  She chooses the wedding one and I take the other back home with me.

It's party time.  Dinner is outside in the backyard and everyone laughs and jokes around.  It feels so good to just spend the evening with family.

Fake smile.

Real smile.

After dinner and once everyone is in bed, including Grandpa, three generations get to play around a bit.  I am learning about "selfies" and we take a series of them.  This one is the best.  Yep, imagine what the others looked like.

It's a great chance to just be the three of us and I love these moments more than I could ever express.

What an amazing family I have.

Congratulations Bekah!  Oh -- and slow down with the aging will ya?  I'm feeling mighty old.