Under the Big Sky (pt. 2)

This trip to Montana was a special one for us.

We always go back, at least once a year, but we usually end up going back during the winter to spend Christmas with Blair's family.

Don't get me wrong - Christmas in Montana is amazing!

But I love summer time in Montana the most.

We decided to drive this time (even though I hate that drive) because Blair wanted to bring some some things back.  I must admit it was kind of nice to be uninhibited while packing.  So, we loaded up and left after work on a Friday and spent the night in Bismarck.  We woke up early in the morning and got back on the road.

We made it to Billings just in time for Mary's 50th Birthday Party.

Where there was plenty of good food, great friends, and lots of laughs!

We spent the next couple of days in Billings, hanging out with family, friends,

and

training on the rims for our back packing trip (see previous post).

Which ended up being almost as fun as the trip itself.  I must say, Blair and I make pretty good running partners!  He definitely likes to test my limits - like almost killing me by forcing me to free climb - But that's another story.

I'm not sure why, but I had never been on the rims before.  Its' beautiful up there!



I think I could live in Billings -
in that cute house with the red roof.  Ha!

On our last night in Billings we had a double date with Blair's brother Scott and his wife Brittany.

Sushi and Daniel Tosh...

go together so well.

I have never laughed so hard!

In the morning we were up early and off to Big Sky for our back packing adventure.

After that we were on to Bozeman.

Where we had an amazing breakfast at the Nova Cafe,

then a little shopping downtown before...

...a float on the Madison river...

and an evening drive up Hyalite Canyon.

(where we stopped at Hyalite Lake, hiked Palisade Falls, and watched sunset on the river)

We followed all of that up with a delicious dinner at Ted's!

(the strawberry shortcake there is to die for - I basically lived on it while I was pregnant with Blaise)

Somehow we still found some time to connect with some old friends,

and it was so good to catch up!

Dear Montana,

Thank you for giving us the best vacation we have ever had.

This family loves you.  Even Billings (yes, I said it).

See you again soon!

**In case your wondering - Blaise did go with us to Montana, but when Blair's mom is around he likes to be with her as much as possible.  Those two have a very close relationship and when they are together they pretty much forget about everyone else and do their own thing.  It's so nice that they have a relationship like that, but it's very hard on Blaise when we come home and he doesn't have as much contact with her.

He really loves his "Mary Grandma"!