Many Glacier

We had the blessing of staying in this resort for one of our nights in Glacier.

This was the view from our room.

 AMAZING!

 I felt like we should be in Switzerland, or in the middle of some other country, but I just LOVED the fact that this beauty was right within our own country!

This was BRIGHT and EARLY on the morning of our stay in Many Glacier.  In a desperate attempt for a few more minutes of sleep,
we turned on the little DVD player for the kiddos.

 Isaac starts "singing" and bouncing whenever he hears the "Veggie Tales" theme song, but big sister didn't want to let him have too much fun.

This was on the balcony of the lodge.  Again, I say AMAZING!

Clare and her cousins played in the ice cold water for a while.

 Isaac was happy to play with a stick.

I know it goes without saying, but these are two of my favorite guys!

Snowballs in July

This was Clare's first snowball ever...and it was in 80 degree weather.

Logan's Pass was in Glacier National Park, and it was a full 360 degrees of beauty.

 Clare kept hearing about snow, but this was her first time really experiencing it.

Check out her first snowman.  :)

Yes...Isaac is really in the picture.

No...I didn't get the memo to wear blue.

Hiking through the soft snow, with an extra 30-40 pounds on your back,

 is a good work out...although I'm not saying that from any personal experience.

 Isaac could not have cared less about the scenery.

 Papa was a trooper!

Continental Divide

My sister...in case that wasn't obvious!

 The Durhamillary Bunch

 Just another one of the many scenic spots throughout the trip.

Glacier From Within

Glacier National Park is undoubtedly the most beautiful place I've ever seen within the United States...if not the world.

Here are just a few of the snapshots that back up that claim.

 These pictures don't even do justice to the magnitude and spectacle that is Glacier, but I'm thankful to have a concrete way of showing my little ones (who won't remember this vacation) this little section of heaven on earth.

Helicopter Tour

One of my highlights of our time in Montana was

 taking a helicopter ride over Glacier National Park.

Phil and I thought this would be a fun thing to do to celebrate our 5th anniversary,

and it was spectacular!

Little snippet of the view from above.

The next three photos are taken from the helicopter.

Since the tour was cheaper with four people than two,

my mom and sister decided to join us.

Captain Pat sat up front with the pilot.

Ann rode backwards and enjoyed the view of her sister as much as the view of Glacier.

Oh...I love that handsome man!

Once in a lifetime experience!!!

Happy Anniversary, my love!

Yellowstone - Old Faithful and More

 You can't go to Yellowstone without visiting Old Faithful, right?!

 Sure enough, the old geyser was faithful.

 Quite an amazing place.

My most repeated phrase of the trip was,
"I can't believe this is in the same country as Florida."

Fearless Clare Ann

 How did she get up there?

Who does she take after?

 Of all the sights of Yellowstone, the kids seemed to favor the river.

 All they wanted to do was splash around and get wet.

 We enjoyed it too.  :)