Farm Fun!

Summer in Montana especially on the farm where I grew up is one of my favorite things. I just love being on the farm with the wide open fields and the mountains as a backdrop. It is just beautiful and of course I just love summer through and through. We had a great time after the family reunion just hanging out in Montana on the farm, going to feed the ducks at the park, at visiting the twins and Michael as much as we could. Here are some of the picture highlights from our week and a half in Kalispell.

Olivia playing on the 3 wheeler Uncle Josh got for her and Claire.

We didn't have it running but she liked to be pushed around on it.

On Sunday evening after the family reunion we headed over to Big Sky Bible Camp, the camp I grew up going to every summer. I love this camp and have such fond memories of going there every summer. I had never taken Hans out here and thought it was about time to take him to the place I had grown up at. It was strange being there as so much had changed, yet so much was the same. It all just seemed so much smaller but still so beautiful. I can't wait for my kids to attend there someday.
The girls sitting on the bench at Inspiration Point overlooking the lake.

Hans and Claire in front of the dining hall.
They were eating dinner and Olivia snagged a yummy brownie.


Feeding the big geese.

My brother went to Creation at the Gorge with his churches youth group and dyed his hair so that the kids wouldn't have a problem finding him. It was suppose to be dark purple on dark hair, but since Josh has light brown hair it turned out a very vibrant fushia color. I like it.

Just got back and the color is still vibrant. (He buzzed it all off shortly after this pic)

We had some dinners down at the farm where my Aunt Patty and Uncle Ken live. I love going down there to see the animals and be in the space where I grew up playing with Josh, Greg, Carrie, and Kevin. It was fun to now see my kids having so much on the farm playing with cousin Michael.


They all saw a plane in the air.
Patty's garden was beautiful along with her flowers I had to take some pictures.

Claire and Michael playing in the dirt.
A true farm "dog food" bowl.



Another great place to feed an animal on top of a big truck so the dog doesn't get her food :-)
A view of the garden looking towards Big Fork.

We also made it to car parade with Papa Bruce and Great Grandma Betty. It was pretty short but we got some candy so it was fun. After that I went to the farmer's market which is another place that brings back such memories of helping my mom prepare for farmer's market and then learning to sell things and count back money. Of course playing hide and seek with Josh and my cousins in the mall is also a fond memory as we often got bored of the farmer's market after awhile.
Here we are at the parade.
Olivia with her new Penny penguin she got early for her birthday.
My dad has always loved cars so I have been to many a car show and parade. But I definitely like to go and see all the fun cars as well.
One afternoon we were able to take Michael with us to feed the ducks and play at the park. It was so fun as Olivia really loves Michael.
Claire liked the bread as much as the ducks did.
The one picture I got of the three of them. NOT the best but I love Claire's silly expression in it.
Michael is such a big boy these days he did great playing on the playground all by himself.

One evening we had fun playing at Grandma Betty's house. Olivia thought it was fun to play run away from mom as she tried to take a picture. So I got a lot of blurry pictures and pictures with no kids in them (thank goodness for digital cameras). But here are a few fun pictures I did capture.


Do you think she will be a piano player?
Sitting on the pig with Penny.
Good smile Claire!

Passmore Family Reunion

The weekend of July 17th and 18th we had a Passmore family reunion on Flathead Lake. I loved spending the weekend on the lake in a small cabin. It was gorgeous! And so nice to catch up with family that was able to make it. A lot of the family lives in the Flathead area so I grew up with many of my second cousins and aunts and uncles around the area. You may wonder why we were at a Passmore Reunion when neither my maiden name nor obviously our last name is Passmore. Well I will let you know. My Grandma Betty (my dad's mom) is a Passmore. We have had a lot of reunions over the years so it is fun to see everyone now and again. Unfortunately most of my pictures are of the kiddos though, since they are so fun to take pictures of.

This is the cabin we stayed in for two nights. It was rustic but nice to wake up to a beautiful view of the lake.

The view of the lake.

Claire being a little show off.

The first evening we had dinner there and afterwards Olivia was able to meet for the first time her second cousin Tagen(my cousin David's little boy) who is just 5 months younger than her. They had a lot of fun running around and playing the rest of the evening.
Tagen running around.

They were a little hard to catch in action.
Claire found a cousin who she loved to play with.
She was so posing for everyone to take pictures of her.

After dinner Rachel did a great job working with the kids and making some fun art. She is going to school to be an elementary teacher and she will do a great job!
Rachel helping Olivia draw.
Hmmm...what should I draw next.
All the kids doing their drawings.
What you doing big sister?
Playing some b-ball with dad.

Sarah Louden (my cousin Greg's sweet wife)
Sarah is making sure nothing gets out of control in the sword fight between Michael (her nephew) and Tagen (they are second cousins).

On Saturday we had all day to canoe and play in the lake and visit with family. It was really hot out so it was nice to be on the lake.

Claire is ready for the day.
The grandmas helping their grandkids blow bubbles.
Tagen blowing bubbles.



Olivia and Tagen were the best of buds throughout the day and fun "fishing", blowing bubbles, and just being kids. So fun for them.
I made it out on the canoe a few times. Once with my dad and Claire (this picture) and once with Hans and Olivia. I didn't get a picture when Olivia went out with us. Claire was napping and when we got back Olivia and I tipped into the water and got all wet. It was kind of fun for me, but Olivia did not like it one bit.

After that we spent some time playing in the water. It was pretty cold but refreshing.
Olivia riding in her little boat.
My cousin Carrie's little boy Michael.





That afternoon Carrie and Dave came to the reunion with the twins. I was so excited to get to see them. The twins were the highlight of my trip. They are so cute!!!



Great Grandma Betty and all of her great grandkids. Tagen, Olivia, Dillon and Conner, Claire, and Michael
4 generations. My Grandma Betty, my Uncle Ken, Carrie, Michael and the twins.