Floating the Yellowstone River

So we left Hudson, WI at 6pm on Friday night (July 24th) and arrived in Big Timber at 6am Saturday morning. We had plans to meet my family in Big Timber to float the Yellowstone river with my brother Tom as the tour guide. We had just driven through the night and it wasn’t as smooth of a sleeping night for me, Bill, or the kids, but I was surprised by how we were able to rally through.

Here we are setting up (I say “we” loosely – it was mostly Tommy setting up the boats, etc. and nana who did all the food packing. I just applied sunscreen like a crazy person).

Bill and my dad shuttled our car to the end so we could pick it up and head to Bozeman with my mom to sleep for the night. The rest of the crew were camping out on an island and floating more river the next day.

My dad started rowing our boat.

my mom kept telling me to talk some pictures of the scenery. It was gorgeous – with the mountains in the distance.

our boat – including me and lily in the front.

G Pops and Claire.

Tommy’s boat. With Suz & Grant and Miki, Charlie and Bill fishing.

Nana hung out with Ellie on the paddleboard.

more claire and g pops.

Nana & ellie.

we could pull over and wait and cruise a bit.

I did the paddleboard for a bit and Lily decided to join me. ha!

our lunch spot.

exploring with uncle Tom.

We traded and sent the girls over to row with Uncle tom. I think they were super helpful!

Nana had her work cut out for her.

G Pops and Claire adventuring on the paddle board.

Not sure if you can tell I am wearing a hat, a shirt over my hat and then a straw hat on top. It was incredible the sun exposure out there! we were covered and reapplying sunscreen like crazy and I was sure we were totally burnt/really dark for me just by looking at my legs, but thankfully we were all totally fine! I believe in sunshirts, hats and beautycounter sunscreen!

Auntie Suz and Claire!

It was a really fun adventure and after we were done we drove to Bozeman and spent the evening with my mom and the next morning too. We left about noon on Sunday and were home by 5ish. So thankful for our summer adventure and for some time at home too.

Kids at Nana & G Pop’s house

Bill and I left the kids with my mom (my dad was in Green Bay for a friend golf tournament and was returning a few days later). She is a brave woman! I learned later that she was not feeling well the day we left – how she can hide that from me is still a mystery.

The kids were delighted to be in Bozeman and had a blast riding on these toys.

I can only guess that there were probably a few fights over these toys.

Charlie playing legos and Ellie on the phone – pretty standard.

I guess they spent a ton of time at the pool (in their development – with slides, splash pads and most importantly life guards!). Ellie happy happy happy.

probably pretending elsa and anna.

charlie doing the slide.

I think Nana even ventured out to a Children’s museum with the kids.

Claire looks OLD to me here!

intense coloring for C&E.

The deck was a perfect place to play in the afternoons.

Dolly playing.

Ellie feeding Claire at breakfast. Nice work mom!

more legos.

these long dresses are a constant.

These next series of photos make Bill very nervous. the girls are definitely loving horses these days!! My mom brought the kids to meet Buzz and Barb’s horses. Barb & Buzz got their grandkid fix and my mom said filled them up for another year or so.

Barb and Ellie.

Nana and Claire.

Claire riding in her dress (!!?!?! mom – you let her do this?).

pretty cute!

I just love this picture of Buzz and the girls and the horse running.

charlie looks happy with nana’s iphone.

Buzz is a pro and the kids loved both Buzz and Barb.

Charlie got his turn!

Bill loves this shot – both girls running to the car in the road in their underwear. Always little hillbillies.

G pops returned after a long long through the night drive.

more doll hair brushing.

Charlie’s special sleeping spot – even though there are plenty of rooms in that house.

this is a picture of claire where Bill swears she looks like a young kate moss.

the kids loved being in Bozeman, but we were ready to show them the house! So on Wednesday morning G Pops loaded up the truck and drove them to Spokane where we were ready and waiting for them!