We caravanned back to Missoula yesterday and had a big ol’ meal in the backyard last night. And then we had to say goodbye to our family, my least favorite part of the last 10 days.
Lots of love on the river
Margot directing the family to her special swimming hole
Backyard folf
My mom, Queen of Finding the Walking Stick
My little brother and his fiancé
A good way to get to know my future sister-in-law
Cooler bath
One of my favorite nights: My brother and I stayed up late talking and he told me how he planned to propose and showed me the ring, all beaming and excited.
I *almost* threw our still-packed luggage back into the car and followed my parents east for a day. I just wasn’t ready to end it and it felt doable until I realized how ready Margot, Ruby and I were to be home. So we stayed. Cuddled our pets, watered plants, watched a movie and managed to avoid unpacking.
Andy is gone for a week and he wasn’t able to join us last week, making this two weeks apart the longest we’ve ever experienced. Our threesome (plus our 11 furry and feathered creatures) miss him. I wrote about a hard moment in this week’s column. Click to read mama digs: Big Feelings.
My man trekked 27 miles on horseback into the middle of the Bob Marshall Wildreness with five friends where he’ll float and fish the Flathead River for eight days. And, because he is totally off the grid (we won’t even be able to talk until next Saturday night), I can tell you the surprise I have planned for him! I hired a friend to build steps off our east deck into our newly fenced yard. Oh how he’ll be stoked to check that project off his to do list. And oh how Sam, Olive and Alice will be stoked to freely roam in and out the glass door to the yard. I do love surprises.
Our friends having a Top Secret meeting about the stairs. Shhhhh.
And that last paragraph reminds me that I owe the interweb some home reno pics! I haven’t forgotten. I am planning a room-by-room series unveiling our before and after photos. Who doesn’t love before and after photos? I surely do. Coming soon. Also coming soon? A new website! Yes. Lots to share.
x
Oh, I can understand the desire to follow your folks back East. My mom is leaving tomorrow morning after spending a week with me and my girls and it just wasn’t enough time. So hard to say goodbye to the people you love.
Welcome home and what a nice surprise for Andy!
A new website?! How exciting!
It’s tough doing the single parent thing and when you have a partner who really does a lot to help it’s so hard to have them gone. It sounds like you’re rocking it though, even with a few tears! Glad you had such a great time at the lake and WELCOME HOME!
Love your pictures today – grey rainy day here and too windy up high to hit the ski slopes. It’s like having a transportation to long summer days in your photo while I have my morning coffee. – Really liked your column this week, looking forward to your renovation pics.
can totally relate to your mamalode post.
my husband travels a lot and it can get frustrating.
i love the feeling of knowing that even with tears, outbursts, and frustration I can do it on my own.
of course, it always helps to have poppa home.
we leave for a poppa-less road trip in 4 days…wish me luck!
Lady you rock, seriously your blog post can put a smile on my face after a long day or a grin across my face in the morning when I have my coffee.
I too know the whole parenting alone while your team mate is gone. My husband works a rotating shift of days to nights to days every two months. We are gearing up for the next rotation to nights for two months. which means this momma will be a whirlwind of one for most of the day and all night to twin girls a fur child. Gonna have to dust off my cape and boots
Did you find any toad!? Love them.
Your holiday looked quite wonderful. Goodbyes are not good but being home is.
What a great surprise. And before and after pics – my absolute favourite. Seriously cannot wait.
Did you find any toad!? Love them.
Your holiday looked quite wonderful. Goodbyes are not good but being home is.
What a great surprise. And before and after pics – my absolute favourite. Seriously cannot wait.
What beautiful pictures, Nici. I don’t want summer to end & I never want to say goodbye to family..but there really is no place like home!
Can’t wait to see the before & after pictures~my favourit part~I love watching people share the beautiful homes they create for their families. Enjoy the rest of the summer.
Oh man – that post has Happy Childhood Memories written all over it. That bedroom with the wood paneled walls made me immediately think of camp. LOVE.
Maybe Andy will guest post about his fishing trip? It sounds fantastic! I’d love that. Minus the horses, of course. I’m not big with horses.
I can NOT wait for these before/after photos. You’re right. EVERYONE LOVES THOSE. Me included. I’m part of everyone.
Those love heart stones….awesome
I know that bitter-sweet feeling of hoildays ending & family leaving….but the joy of returning home.
I’m loving ALL the photos in this post Nici….so many gorgeous memories for your girls. Time with family is everything!
x
http://blog.scissorspaperrockdesigns.com.au/
Looks like an awesome trip. Love the pic where you sat and talked with your brother. I adore my brother and I just found that pic really sweet.
I hope you have a chance soon to post more about your vegetable garden. How are you using your tomatillos? I’m about to have a ton of them ready in the garden and I need ideas!
We were back in MT for our vacay this summer, hitting all of our old haunts. Love that your blog keeps me tied to Missoula, where my daughter lived until she was 5
1. this weeks mamadigs kicks ass!
2. your family vacation kicks ass!
3. before and after photos kick ass!
4. lavender oil kicks ass! so thanks for the education on that!
i recently burned the shit out of my arm while removing an almond banana raspberry loaf out of the oven!
looks like a great holiday! great pics.
So love all the love in these pictures.
And just so you know, I like your mom. She seems like my kinda gal!
As another Montana mamma of two little girls (3 and almost 1) I so appreciate your authentic and positive writing and perspective. Thanks for what you do!
Such quintessential summer family photos, and I mean that in a good way! Nice collection of heart rocks, especially that one with the white vein.