Pennsylvania in August: Take 2

November 8, 2023Leave a comment

Rost and I were lucky enough to travel back east to Pennsylvania again for two weeks to visit with family and friends.

My dad set up an amazing day for Rost on two nearby farms where he got to feed baby cows and ride many, many tractors.

Of course, we spent as much time on the water as we humanly could.

Rost was old enough to truly appreciate the amazing Idlewild theme park. It’s designed for children and anyone young at heart. This was easily one of the best days of my life; sharing an incredible day with my son straight out of my childhood.

I’ve been promising my brother for roughly 10 years that I’d come home for a Groff family reunion. I finally made good on that promise.

Now that we’ve successfully made it back two summers in a row, this is considered an annual event, right?

Sweet Pickin’s Pumpkin Patch

November 2, 2023Leave a comment

Sweet Pickin’s Pumpkin Patch is a cute little pumpkin patch located just around the corner from our house in Kalispell. It’s so close that Rost and I rode my bike there on most visits until it became too cold to do so. This spot is only open for a few weeks every year so we made the most of the time that they were open this year.

22 Months Old

November 1, 2023November 2, 2023Leave a comment

22 months old! Rost and I had a pizza party, made our very first batch of homemade brown sugar (so easy!), discovered ube (brownies, yum!), attended a potty training seminar put on by Beerus, and even took one of my favorite photos to date.

Happy Halloween [Trash Panda edition]

October 31, 2023November 2, 2023Leave a comment

This is probably the last chance I get to really dress Rost up for Halloween the way I choose. I love and have always wanted a fat little raccoon so chose now to make that dream happen!

Brian’s mom & grandma are both talented seamstresses and custom-made Rost’s costume from my dream idea. Unsure exactly how he’d do, Brian & I took Rost to Columbia Falls on Saturday night to walk a few blocks up and down Trick or Treat Street on Nucleus Avenue. Rost absolutely loved it and had trick-or-treating down within a few candy bars in his bucket.

On Halloween, Rost dressed up multiple times to see both Grandma & Grandpa at their places of work, a special dress-up storytime at the library, visit all the relatives here on our property, and of course, trick or trick-or-treating for a few blocks in town. Overall Rost made out like a true bandit – fitting for his character.

Foggy Hike

October 13, 2023November 2, 2023Leave a comment

Bad weather always looks worse through a window so despite the terrible forecast Rost & I set out for Logan Pass. I figured it might be one of our last days to drive the Going to the Sun Road to the pass before the road closes for the season. We were actually in search of Mountain Goats (I’ve been dying to get an up-close shot of one since I got my telephoto lens) but they were at a completely unreachable cliff a few miles away. Either way, it was a beautiful day spent with my head in the clouds.

Big Helper

October 12, 2023October 12, 2023Leave a comment

Autumn is setting in in northwestern Montana so our seasonal projects around the property are coming to a close. I’ll have another post coming regarding all the work we’ve put in over the last two years but this post is dedicated solely to my big helper. I’m not sure how Brian & I managed to get so much done before we had his assistance.

Selah Farm

October 1, 2023October 23, 2023Leave a comment

A nearby farm opens its doors for only two days a year. Admission is free and includes farm animals, games, and a tractor ride. Rost and I regularly ride by this farm on our bike rides so I’ve been looking forward to checking out this little slice of heaven all year. Rost and I had so much fun on Friday that we had to drag Brian, Don, & Michele back there on Saturday. Also, someday I will be bringing home one of the kunekune piglets!! Also, now I want to grow a pumpkin patch.

21 Months Old

September 30, 2023October 22, 2023Leave a comment

21! Months that is. Rost finally got to ride the neighbors horses among many other fun times.

Happy Fall Ya’ll

September 23, 2023November 2, 2023Leave a comment

Biking the Hiawatha Trail

September 17, 2023October 22, 2023Leave a comment

Nestled in the heart of the Bitterroot Mountains, this iconic rail-to-trail route offers a cycling experience like no other. As you pedal along the historic Milwaukee Road rail bed, you’ll traverse awe-inspiring trestles and pass through several illuminated tunnels, including the famous Taft Tunnel, all set against a backdrop of lush forests and pristine alpine lakes. With its gentle gradient and well-maintained path, the Hiawatha Trail is accessible to riders of all levels, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking a harmonious blend of natural beauty and cycling thrill.

I had to deliver Rost’s old crib to its new owner on the Montana-Idaho border so I decided to take advantage of my proximity to the Hiawatha Trail. My friend Becky joined Rost & me for the ride on the last day of the 2023 season. Perfect timing!