Montana

So, while I was dancing my heart out with the youth (not really -- I didn't dance...) Roy took the two 'big' kids and headed to Montana for a family event. Roy's brother was getting sealed to his wife in the Billings Montana Temple. Grandma and Grandpa P were there as were a smattering of cousins. (Roy has 10 kids in his family. There is a plethora of cousins on his side of the family. Too bad we hardly ever see them as the family is spread across 6 states.) Naturally the kids had a BLAST!
They left Wednesday afternoon. Roy came home early from work while I took D to the doctor (cellulitis on his ankle). As soon as we got back from the Dr. they headed out. I should point out that this is the first time I've been away from the kids overnight since... uh.... well, D was an only child. I still had the baby but it was a bit weird. It's good practice for when I head to girl's camp for a week...
They got to Billings Thursday around noon. Then it was off to play at parks and Burger Kings and such before heading to the temple. The kids all stayed in the waiting area while the adults attended the sealing. Yes, there were older cousins there.
That night, Grandpa and Grandma decided to have a sleepover for the girls in their hotel room. Remarkably, K stayed. She has NEVER spent a night away from either of her parents before. I suppose this seems like a strange landmark to some but it was a big deal for me. Not so much for her. Just me. *sigh*
Friday found the kids playing some more before jumping in the van to head back home. Why yes, I do have AMAZING kids who actually don't mind spending hours in the car. Funny you should ask. Since they just spent 28 hours on the road over four days. They got back around 5 am on Saturday.
Here's a funny story. We lived in Spokane for three years until D was almost 4 (we moved a month before his birthday). When they were driving through Spokane, Roy thought it would be a good idea to stop for a break. He asked D where he wanted to stop. D said, "The dinosaur park!" Roy didn't know what he was talking about first. Then he realized there is a park with a big green dinosaur as part of the play structure. D used to love to go there and play. It has been almost 2 years and he still remembers the park. On the flip side, Roy drove past our old apartment complex on the way to the park, D didn't remember it. We lived there. But he remembers the playground we infrequently visited....

ps Roy saw our old Bishop but didn't stop to say hi. So, Leatha, if you see this: Hi Bishop Adams!