Week In Review

We got home from LAX after 9 Monday night, and our Tuesday morning started off with a birthday party for Violet's friend Elena.

Amber, her mom, set out birdhouses and paint as one of the activities, so Violet and Cora enjoyed that.

A lady came over to paint the children's faces. Violet asked for leopard print, and the lady said that was the first time she'd had that request.

Cora loved holding Elena's new baby sister.

After the party, we did some grocery shopping and handled the luggage.

Later Tuesday, it was time for Violet's last t-ball practice. To have a little fun at the end, Coach Mike tossed water balloons to the children.

On Wednesday, the girls went to play with Emily and Alli, while I went to get my nails done with Melanie and my mom.

In the evening, we all went to Valencia Glen Park for our "Popsicles in the Park" tradition.

On Thursday, we went to Melanie and Nick's wedding rehearsal in the afternoon, and then to the rehearsal dinner at a cool restaurant called "Masa" in Echo Park. The food was delicious, and it was fabulous meeting Nick's family, who have flown in for the wedding.

Then, on Friday, Melanie came over and we made cookies for the wedding reception dessert table. We also ran a few final errands together for the big day.

Stacey was busy after work getting the MGB polished and ready for its big drive out to Camarillo, as it will serve as the getaway car.

Fireworks, Steaks and Lakes

We got back into Billings on the afternoon of July 4th with a bit of time to unload and relax, before the evening festivities.

Several branches of John's family came over, and we ate, drank and had fun with sparklers and other small-scale firecrackers.

Then, we walked across the street to get a nice view of the local fireworks display.

On Sunday, the hot spell broke and we woke up to cloudy skies and off-and-on light rain. It was a lovely change from the heat.

Thankfully the rain held off while we met up with the extended family again at a big park. Since grass was present, a soccer game broke out. This time, even Genia got involved, and me, for a bit. We were both s-o-r-e the next day! I am not used to sprinting.

Violet enjoyed playing with John and Genia's niece, who is a year younger than she is.

I'm not sure what was so fascinating about the underside of Stacey's shoe...

We went out to dinner, and were able to take over the banquet room. Afterwards, we took a photo of the cousins, and the honorary cousins.

In the evening, after getting the children to bed, we four adults stayed up to play a bit of Boggle, the word-finding game.

Our flight Monday was in the evening, and the airport is super close to Genia and John's home. Therefore we had quite a bit of time to play around before saying good-bye.

After getting packed in the morning, we went out to lunch at a Bull Mountain Grille, where Stace was able to enjoy a top-class steak. This place might become a new "must stop" on our trips.

After lunch, Stace and John went out to the Trailead gin distillery, where they always go together. Genia and I stayed with the kids at Lake Elmo, a fitting last hurrah.

Our flight home was smooth, and we're now back home. Thanks, Roberts family, for another great time together!

Beartooth Pass

After waking up and getting dressed - no shower facilities at this campground - we enjoyed muffins and instant coffee made with water boiled on an open fire.

Then we packed up and headed out to one of America's great scenic drives, up the Beartooth Highway. The road zig-zags up gorgeous terrain, zooming swiftly up to over 10,000 feet in elevation.

Snow was still visible, though we didn't take the time to hike out to it. The wildflowers were in full force, as well.

The lake, the snow, the wildflowers - what a blessing to see all three.

We crossed into Wyoming, to take a photo of the Montana sign.

At a rest stop on the way back down the mountain, the striped chipmunks were well trained.

We stopped at another lake, on the hunt for a calm swimming hole we'd heard about. We didn't find it - and it would have been super cold if we had - but what a lovely hike we enjoyed.

Owen and Violet stopped in an area where dozens of tiny blue butterflies were fluttering around. There were so many, even these two young crazy kiddos had several land on them.

Back near the parking lot, we had warmed up enough that the cool stream felt great.

We arrived back in Red Lodge after the big Fourth of July parade had ended - yes, this was Independence Day.

The tiny town was packed out with visitors, so eating lunch out wasn't an option. Stace and I ran into the town's grocery store and bought sandwich makings, chips and drinks, and we all enjoyed lunch on the town green.

Then, we set off on the hour's drive back to Billings, for more Fourth of July fun.

When in Montana, do what the Montanans do...

Genia tells me that Montana people love to camp in the summer, and it's obvious why. The scenery is stunning, and the weather is pretty darn good, too, especially after the true winters they experience.

We were more than happy to make camping with the Roberts part of our Montana 2015 trip. Luckily, Stace and John were able to find a spot in a campground near Red Lodge, after getting out before 9 a.m. to hunt for one.

Genia and I followed with the kids a few hours later.

After getting set up and having lunch, we went down to the river to check it out. The main river was flowing too strongly to play in, but a nearby stream was perfect for splashing in. Perfectly cold, with little fish and even a water snake flowing by!

Such fun memories!

On our way back to our temporary home, all the children picked wildflowers to form into bouquets.

I love this picture of Owen.

We then drove down the road to a small lake, created in the early 1900s for recreational purposes. The rainbow trout we saw and caught were too small to keep, but it was fun to pull them in.

Violet was very excited to fish for the first time.

Until she had to share the fishing rod... Then she wanted to go back home. She camped out on the rock by the bug spray, asking to go back, and complaining about the bugs. (Granted, she had already been bitten twice by biting flies, so she had a reason.)

On our way to the camp site, Violet kept asking when we would get to the "lodge," overhearing us talk about the town of Red Lodge. She might turn out to be more of a "glamper" than a camper.

Back at the camping site, we of course roasted hot dogs on the fire for dinner, and later had s'mores.

After dinner, Stace and John went out to the field nearby to practice fly fishing. We had an excellent location within the small campground, on the edge near all this beautiful open space.

Meanwhile, the children set about building a small stone wall with all the rocks scattered around. It was great seeing them working together, entertained without any electronics.

Then, we all split up for bedtime, the girls in the pop-up trailer, the boys in the tent.

Summer Concert

 On Thursday, the dads got up and out early and headed into the wild blue yonder to blast holes into things.

John has a few firearms, and Stace was game (but not that kind of game - they brought along wood and cans as targets).

 Meanwhile, the kids got suited up, and Genia filled the blow-up pool with water. This scene took me back to one of our first playdates together at Genia's house in Valencia.

As old as Ave is getting - she's 10 now - I'm glad she is still young enough to play with the younger ones.

 After a hot time playing, nothing beats a popsicle. I love these kids so much!

 On Thursday evening, we all went out to summer concert series, where John's band was the main act. John Roberts y Pan Blanco plays salsa, funk, and world music, and John has developed it into a popular group.

We met up with other Roberts family members, and picnicked together on the grass.

 Owen dazzled us with his break-dancing skills (until he hurt his knee - shorts and brickwork and break-dancing are a tough combo).

Johnny, with some help from Stace, manned the video camera. Johnny, true to his nature, took his role very seriously.

 And the girls danced!

These two photos came from a professional media photographer - it was fun to later see our girls front and center on the publication's web site.

It was a great evening, and we all enjoyed John's band, and the chance to be there to see them perform.

Back in Billings

We're back with the Roberts!

We made our long-awaited return to Montana, flying out Monday afternoon.

On Tuesday, we went to Oasis, their local water park. It was plenty hot, so we loved the cool water, slides, wave pool and lazy river. With Violet swimming now, we all had a lot of fun.


Here, Violet is peeking through a hole in the giant umbrella Genia brought for shade, while Owen peeks up.

 S'mores!

Prior to our late evening fire pit, Ave played soccer in a little 3-on-3 summer league. Her team wears this shirt, "Things Just Got Messi," referring to the popular Barcelona player Lionel Messi.

Stace had a great time helping coach Ave's team in the fast-paced 20-minute games, and it was fun for all of us to watch her play.

 On Wednesday, we went together to the movies, to watch the new Disney film "Inside Out."

In the same shopping center, we checked out a giant sporting goods store, which features a huge FERRIS WHEEL in the center. Really! Violet and I are waving, and Ave and Cora are behind her.















Then, before we went home, we drove around downtown Billings, and went to an amazing mom-and-pop ice cream store.

 The kids have enjoyed lazy mornings in front of Wild Kratts and Oscar's Oasis. Interestingly, the kids played a game with the latter cartoon, with pretend video controllers, with which they "made" the characters do whatever they were doing.

They also played outside - John has put in a zip line, which is a big hit.