July 4th Montana style............

Grandpa (Bob), Grammy (Lana) & Kolton (Ali's oldest) hit the road headed to the wild west. It was important to us for everyone to see Kolton before he starts school. We knew he would love seeing his aunts, uncles, and ooh all those cousins.

Before we left, he would tell everyone he met that he was going to Montana and it was 4 DAYS IN THE VAN! I am not sure which is worse, traveling with a 4 year old toddler or Grandpa who doesn't smoke in the van. Lunch was always fast food with a play area. Grandpa and I were pretty tired of quarter pounders, chicken nuggets, etc.

We had to make a stop at Target in Denver and bought a portable DVD player with a game controller. We had tapes for our VCP in the van but, of course, they were shows Kolton didn't watch anymore...........

Once we got to Great Falls, we had a great time! Hosts Sandy & Bob through a family BBQ at their house. Lisa & family surprised us by bringing Bobby (Rob) & his girlfriend, Cindi with them from Belgrade. Kolton fell right in line with all the cousins. He LOVED all the kids!

We enjoyed Mitchell Water Park, Gibson Park, Hot Springs (oh my knees hurt), and of course the 4th of July parade. We left Great Falls and headed to Belgrade to stay with Lisa & her family and see their house. They made us feel so welcome and at home........................if you get the chance, drop in on them....I am sure you are always welcome!

On the way home, we stopped in Denver at a Kid's Arcade Amusement Park to let Kolton burn off some energy. We ended up staying a little longer than we wanted, guess we all needed the break.

Hope you enjoy the pics...........

Okay everyone.........Here's an open invitation to come to Arkansas for some southern hospitality.

Blog, what family blog........

Okay, so I have kinda let this slide over the past few months.........I am determined to get all of us keeping in touch better in 2009 so please post, comment, and share what is going on in your life!

I will be bringing you up to date through December 2008 with my family news. I will wait until someone else does a couple of posts and then will hit the road running with 2009 news.

Love ya, Lana

One more way for Cindi and I to kill ourselves thanks to the Craigslist free ads!

Yeah!!!!!!!!

More Fourth of July

Abbey pushed Kolton on the swings.

Feeding the ducks at Gibson Park.

Playing at Giant Springs.

Emily and Kolton hanging out.

Abbey looks for more fish to feed.

Look at the brave people who tried the waverider at the water park. Cindi and Alex tried too but we didn't get any pictures of them. Grandpa Samsel did very well.

Lisa pulled the boat to Holter Lake. Uncle Bobby and Cindi went with us to the Gates of the Mountains. The kids (and Cindi) played on the big tube. Alex tried to waterski. Emily and Abeey kneeboarded. Bobby also waterskied. Unforturnately, Chris was working and couldn't go.

Alex's new kneeboard!

Ya gotta love the craigslist free ads!

Cady Family

Trip to Billings - Zoo Montana and Pictograph Caves

Alex's 13th birthday! WOW!

Alex likes to play baseball and football.

The girls love to dance! We took pictures in some of their costumes at home. It is amazing how quickly they grow up!

Fourth of July

Aunt Lana and Uncle Bob visited Great Falls for the Fourth of July. We all had fun visiting and playing! We went to Gibson Park and Giant Springs. Several of us went to BINGO. Grandpa Samsel won! We enjoyed a day at the water park. We lit off fireworks and then went to the big firework show. Farmer's market was fun and of course, Grandma Samsel made sure we had yummy food to eat! Maya and the kids watched the fireworks from the backyard.


















Watching big fireworks!

We all went to the parade!

Very Fun Week!

We were all very excited that Lana, Bob, and Kolton also made a side trip to Belgrade. We treated them to a garbage can dinner at Famous Daves! Go Bob GO!