Road Trip to North Dakota

Dylan's Cousin Tessa was graduating from high school. Grandma Ella, Aunt Judy and Uncle Marty, Aunt Donna and Aunt Pam would be there. We haven't seen Grandma Ella for two year since she moved from Missoula to Bismarck. We decided a little road trip along with Grandma Deaette, Grandpa Jeff and Uncle Spencer for a little family renunion was a great thing!

Grandma Deaette's sisters and Great Grandma Ella peeked in on Landon for a few minutes when he was in the NICU. Other than pictures they hadn't seen him since. They were excited to meet our miracle boy all grown up.

We left Friday morning. The kids really don't understand what "all day in the car" means, but 12 or so hours later, it was dark when we made our way to our hotel and they were still smiling!

Daddy had his full mug of coffee, Mama had her books and knitting, Addi had her headphones and movie player and Landon had his hands full of muffin -- we were ready for 10+ hours in the car.

We stopped in Havre for lunch in the park and then for Dairy Queen.

Happy to be out of the car!

We can always count on Grandpa bringing fresh berries.

These two are such great friends. 

Awe, DQ, you were missed.

Frisbee break.

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Patty Cake with Grandpa is hilarious!

 We attended a party to celebrate Tessa's graduation. Tessa is so cool. She is so sweet and so, so beautiful!

Landon was caught dismantling the radiator!

His cheese ball face!

They love to wrestle with each other!

After Tessa's party we went to the zoo. Because of the major flooding that happened in Minot a couple years ago all the animals had to be rescued and relocated. Only a few have returned. Although there were not many animals the grizzly bears were putting on quiet the show. They were fun to watch and made the time worth it.

Look Uncle Specne, Tamarins!

Sometimes I get in front of the camera!

Addi found her babies.

Landon wanted SO bad to touch them!

We ate dinner with Uncle Spencer at Olive Garden and then spent the evening at Aunt Joyce's house.

Okay, Uncle Spencer. I guess you are pretty cool!

Good talks with Spencer. 

xoxoxoxo

Grandma cuddles.

Wake up! Time to drive back home!

Wake up Sister.

Early morning cuddles before heading home. 

It was hard to get a true sense of what Minot was like. We were there for such a short amount of time and we spent that time visiting with family. It was overcast and fogged in for most the day so we couldn't see far into the valley. It seemed like a large place (well, most places seem large compared to our little town), but it was very spread out over a large valley. It is very flat with rolling hills. Everything was green and there are many, many trees. 

The drive home is never as exciting as the trip there. Addi and Landon travel very well. We stop every four hours or so to eat and stretch and they remain happy and easy going. 

We stopped in Fort Benton on the way home and explored a bit. It is a beautiful town with a ton of Montana history and I would love to go back for the weekend. 

He found the river under the bridge!