Montana Trip - Billings, MT Temple

The Billings, Montana Temple has a very special place in my heart. When I was a Laurel, it got built and a lady in our ward's son was a main guy on the construction so we got to go in and help put up chandeliers. I wanted to show my children one of my special Temples. When we drove up to it, Matthew said, "Wow, that is very pretty." It definitely made me feel good. Even though my kids weren't in Sunday best, I still wanted to walk around and show them the Temple and take pictures of them by it.

I got to get up really early Saturday morning and go to the Temple while my mom watched the kids. It was fun to go into such a familiar Temple and even see people that I knew inside the Temple. It is a great experience going in the Temple. I am glad I had the opportunity to take the kids to see this Temple and that I got to go do a session.
This was when I pulled in for the 6am session.

Montana Trip - Horseback Rides

When we go to Montana we have to ride the horses. That is just a given. What other time do we get to ride horses? Only in MT. My mom took us down to there Western Romance Camp and my dad had the horses saddled. Matthew has ridden a horse one other time, when he was 14 months he rode with my dad. I wouldn't let anybody else ride with my 14 month old besides my dad. When it comes to horses, my dad is the best there is. That was four years ago. That also means that this was Allison's first trip to MT and her first time to ever be on a horse.

Just laying on each other..so sweet.

Allison's first time on a horse.

Allison rode Dusty and Matthew rode Montana and then later they switched.

Thoroughly enjoying herself

Doesn't get better then this.

My mom is a real trooper

After this picture, we thought they were going to be done riding horses and we had already walking them around for awhile. I decided I was going to get on with Allison. She did not enjoy sharing the saddle with me.
They enjoyed their horseback rides and were sad when it was over.

She had to make sure she had a cowboy hat on or she couldn't be a real cowgirl.

My cowboy and girl

It was hot and we needed a drink after that, it was good thing Grand was prepared.

Montana Trip - Freezer Jam

I can not tell you how much Strawberry and Raspberry freezer jam we ate. I forgot just how good my mom's freezer jams are. I have many waffles with strawberry freezer jam on it and also on ice cream and German pancakes, and regular pancakes. Needless to say we ate a lot and she needed to make more to put in the freezer. To me it seemed really easy watching her do it because I didn't see her cutting and mashing everything up. I just saw the stirring and pouring parts. The kids wanted to help Grandma with this project and she was nice/brave enough to let them. They were good little stirrers and tasters. It was fun being around my mom so much. She is an amazing women.

Little helpers

Three of my most favorite people:)
My mom is priceless to me.

Montana Trip - Friends

Sam and I have been friends for a long time. The first time I really remember her is in the 6th grade, Mr. Knisely's class. We became friends that year and have continued ever since then. She is actually the one friend/classmate that I keep in contact even before facebook. Every time I go to MT I have to see her. I did see her at the street dance in Worden but she wanted to see the kids too. We met up at a splash pad in Billings. It is fun to see Sam and hang out with her. She is cool to know our friendship has lasted even past High School. I love that she enjoys my kids so much also.

Matthew took this picture and he did a pretty good job actually.

Sam with my kiddos

Sam and I

My cuties with me

Montana Trip - Twins

Allison got hurt and Matthew was right there to make her better. In a couple of seconds this what his hug did to her:) Hugs are such a great tool.

We made these shirts at our McNiven Family Reunion last year so I had to have them where them at least once while we were at Grandma's house. I think it is fun to dress them the same, even if they are brother and sister.

She is just too cute for me.

Matthew and Allison loved looking at the horses and talking to them.

This picture if funny so I had to put it in. The horse was trying to see if Matthew's hair really has a carrot or not:)

Montana Trip - The Cave

My parents live close to a cave. It is not a huge cave but it is still fun anyways. I wanted to take my kids so that was one of the first things we did. We walked up about 3/4 a mile while I was showing them how to look for aggits (see throughish rocks). It was fun for me to reminisce with them. It was a bright sunny day and they thoroughly enjoyed the cave and all the sand it had in it. I am glad to say we didn't end up in any cactus or anything but we were close. It was fun little adventure I enjoyed sharing with my kids.

Before the trek

Showing off the aggits they found...or I found and gave to them.

Before we went up the steeper hill into the cave

The cave

From the cave, looking down to where my parents live

Building a castle or cake or something,
I can't remember anymore and they are asleep right now to ask.

They enjoyed themselves

They were definitely dirty after this little outing that is for sure:) But totally worth it!