Montana Vacation

Looking back at pictures from this summer's vacation to Montana, I wish we could have known how God was about to change our families lives just a week later, so that we could have explored where my families new "home" would have been. Although God's timing is perfect. After returning to the cities after a long, wonderful family vacation with having my dad join us after having worked many months in the oil fields of Western North Dakota without having seen his family it was a very nice, and restful vacation. After coming home, dad interviewed for a couple different positions through the Painter's Union for different jobs out in Montana. He than went on and accepted a job out in Darby, Montana(for those who aren't sure where that is, its roughly 15 hours from Fargo, 18 hours from Minneapolis). My dad was excited to say the least. If you know my dad at all, you know it's always been his dream to live out in Montana, surrounded by Mountains and the beauty of God's country.

 We first made a little overnight getaway to Williston, ND where the oil fields are to see where Dad had been working..

Breakfasts with dad are always such a treat, you can always count on him to get a omelet or skillet, hear about his dreams and have many laughs..

He quite literally becomes speechless when driving through the mountains, and if any one of us kids talks while driving through them, it better be about the beauty of them. Every trip to Montana that we have been on, he will start playing Michael W. Smith's Worship CD, his favorite being Awesome God, which than he turns to as we are at the top of the mountains. The cd has been played so many times that it is now skipping, however he still plays it. It is such a wonderful blessing to have such a father, who loves God's beauty, and will show it to us in pictures that he sends us in text messages and describes to us everything that you can see. He is such a wise man and I am so thankful for him.

Back to his new career. He moved out to Montana the end of July and started working as a teacher at the JobCore in Darby. He teaches skills of painting, wallpapering, etc.. to young adults so that they are better equipped for the real world. He absolutely loves it there, although my mom and the younger kids have only been out there once, it sounds like a very ideal place to live. It is called the Banana Belt as it is surrounded by mountains and the most snow they will get is less than a foot every winter(yes, I am quite jealous of that part). My childhood home is on the market, and it is bittersweet coming home to the cities every time to see that for sale sign in our front yard. I know dad is living his dream, missing his family and friends and wishing he could fly everyone out there. But I am thankful God provided him a great job, that even when he is on his lunch break, he can open up his office door and he can literally walk out and climb one of the mountains. I praise God that he is no longer going up and down the ladders, and exposed to so much paint fumes. Although I miss him badly I know God has greater things for him where he is at. Here are some pictures of our vacation to Montana. I hope you enjoy!

Us kids spent a couple nights along the Yellowstone River..

 More of the Yellowstone River, located just down a long, windy road from our property..

My cousin Cristee, who has just had a little girl named Annee. SO EXCITING!

The Widow Maker

 A group shot, minus Britt & Aaron who couldn't make it.

 Our Uncle Ken is one amazing man..

Legit Indian Paintings.. incredible.

 Spending time with our extended family always means we do it with coffee in hand..

Ice-cream isn't bad either...

We had so much fun with the rope swing & cliff jumping!

Our cousin Adam, my brother Josh & I.

A short video of a family tradition that includes fonduing 3 Musketeers.. YUM!

The cousins together..

 My sister Abby & I, I'm thankful we became closer on this trip.

Ben fishing.

The infamous old fashioned candy store, that literally has any kind of candy, taffy and fudge you could ever dream of.. yes it is a must stop for our family on every trip.