On New Year’s Eve, when sparks take flight,
And midnight waits just out of sight,
We don’t just cheer a brand-new year—
We celebrate you, my kid so dear.
Four candles glow, four wishes too,
A sky of glitter—just like you.
Before the clocks can shout “Hooray!”
You turn four—and steal the day.
Happy 4th Birthday, Rost.
We weren’t even through our first road trip before I started thinking about the next one. Rost was such a wonderful driving and camping companion that I knew right away this trip was a success—and that many more miles were ahead of us. At the time, I didn’t yet realize we’d be taking back-to-back cross-country trips in the years to come.
The route was planned. Stops were booked. Snacks were stocked. Gas was topped off. The truck was packed and waiting.
The toilet, however, had other plans.
Just a few hours before we were set to leave on a 5,000+ mile trip, it sprang a leak. It wasn’t a hardware store run I had planned or a skill I wanted to learn, but I was grateful the tank failed before we left for two weeks rather than while we were gone. New skill unlocked.
I’ve driven across Montana more times than I can count, so I wanted this route to feel more adventurous than hours on the interstate. We headed north to Browning, stopped for lunch in Great Falls, then traveled east on Highway 87 through Belt, Moccasin, Grass Range, Mosby, and more before reaching our campground in Glendive. After nine straight hours of driving—not counting stops—we were still in Montana.
We slept fitfully next to very active train tracks (I can’t recommend Riverview RV Park), so we were happy to pack up early and move on. Our destination was Cousin Jett, Uncle Jesse, and Aunt Jaiden. With only three hours to drive, we headed straight to Mandan, North Dakota, stopping briefly at the border for photos and fresh air.
Rost and Jett quickly reconnected in true toddler fashion.
One night wasn’t nearly enough for two little boys to burn off their energy. Soon it was morning and time to head out again. On our way to visit my cousins, Mark and Beth Ann, we stopped at Sandy, the World’s Largest Sandhill Crane, and at a mall where Rost and I used “Mommy and Me” toilets together—an experience I won’t soon forget.
Before long, we crossed into Minnesota and arrived at a familiar door in Willmar.
This region deserves its own future trip, but this time Brian was eager to keep moving. Our next stop would end up being his favorite.
The drive to Green Bay, Wisconsin was thankfully uneventful. We skipped major stops so we could check into our hotel, explore around Lambeau Field, and get to bed early for Brian’s tour the next morning.
While Brian explored Lambeau, Rost and I played at a nearby cheese-and-football-themed playground. It wasn’t something I ever imagined myself doing, but it turned out to be surprisingly fun. Lambeau is impressive—equal parts history and business genius. As a lifelong Steelers fan, it pains me to admit we’ll be back someday for a game.
From Green Bay, we headed toward Michigan. Shortly after crossing into Illinois, we witnessed a terrifying accident. A vehicle flipped multiple times, and for several minutes I was convinced we’d just seen someone lose his life. When the driver regained consciousness, I finally felt some relief, but I was shaken. Brian took over driving for the rest of the day. We skipped our planned stops and went straight to the hotel to decompress. Thankfully, there was a McDonald’s in the parking lot, so dinner didn’t require getting back in the car. We fell asleep watching Willy Wonka—Rost now requests that a future road trip include a chocolate factory.
To reset after the tough day, we spent the next morning at Wellfield Botanical Garden in Indiana. Rost took photos and smelled every flower he could before we continued through Ohio and into Pittsburgh to stay with Sam and Cait.
Rost was not happy that we weren’t driving straight to Gimmy and Pappy’s that day. He was convinced Sam and Cait “probably didn’t even have anything fun.” Five minutes later, Sam pulled out a box of her childhood toys, and all complaints disappeared. They played, ran around, ordered delivery, and watched Peppa Pig on a giant screen.
Sam and Cait live just a five-minute walk from the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, so we spent a few hours there before continuing to Gimmy and Pappy’s.
The main reason for this trip was my 20-year high school reunion. I still can’t believe it’s been 20 years since Turkeyfoot. It was wonderful to see familiar faces—many for the first time since graduation. About half our class attended, and I even made my first TikTok.
The day after the reunion was our only unplanned day. We spent it with family—getting ice cream, picking corn at a roadside stand, and decorating Eat’n Park cookies with Gimmy.
Then it was time to repack and head west. As tent campers, we often had entire campground sections to ourselves. Eby Pines RV Park in Indiana gave us a peaceful and memorable first night on the return trip.
The next morning started early so we could celebrate the 39th anniversary of “The Event of 1986.” We visited the Shedd Aquarium, where I sang “Baby Beluga” with my baby-beluga-loving boy to a real beluga whale.
We followed that with lunch with Ian’s mom—one of those unexpected, meaningful moments that make travel special.
In Iowa, we settled into our campsite with our newest stuffed family member: Baby Beluga.
To break up the long drive to South Dakota, we stopped at several roadside attractions, including Rost’s favorite—the Corn Palace. For a corn-loving farm boy, it was magical.
Before re-entering Montana, we visited Dignity of Earth & Sky, Wall Drug, and Dinosaur Park.
On our final driving day, we stopped at the Museum of the Rockies to see dinosaur fossils—mostly discovered in Montana. There’s nothing quite like staring at a T. rex before lunch.
The road will always call to me. But as we continue building our life in northwest Montana, nothing compares to coming home and falling asleep in your own bed.
I recently hosted a Painting with Nature party at my house for our local Hiking with Tots group, which I help lead. I set everything up with canvases and paint, and let the kids gather their own “paintbrushes” from around the backyard—sticks, leaves, pine needles, flowers, whatever inspired them.
It was messy, creative, and so much fun. The kids dove right into their projects, and even the chickens wandered through to supervise and add to the entertainment. Everyone—feathered and otherwise—had a great time getting colorful!
Flat Stanley was so excited—he was going on a big adventure to visit the Bennett family in Montana! He packed his little paper suitcase and slipped into an envelope. Whoosh! Off he went through the mail, all the way from Pennsylvania to Big Sky Country.
When he finally reached Montana, he popped out of the envelope and waved hello to his host family. “Welcome, Flat Stanley!” they cheered. “We have so much planned for you!”
The next day, the family decided to take a road trip. “We’re headed to Seattle!” said Dad. Stanley climbed into the truck with his new friends, ready for adventure. But as they drove through Idaho, the sky turned gray, and snowflakes started to fall. “Uh-oh,” said Mom. “It’s a snowstorm!” The snow swirled and piled up on the road, making it hard to see. Stanley held on tight. “At least I don’t have to worry about being cold!” he joked.
After making it through the snowy drive, they crossed into Washington. But just as they thought the worst was over, the truck made a funny noise.
Clunk! Clank! Chug-chug…
“Oh no! The truck broke down!” said Dad, frowning. The family wasn’t sure what to do… but Flat Stanley had an idea. “Don’t worry,” he said, grabbing a wrench from the toolbox. Flat Stanley used his mechanical skills to check under the hood. He turned some bolts, tightened a few screws, and said, “Try it now!” Dad started the truck and—VROOM! It worked!
“Flat Stanley, you saved the day!” the Mom and Dad cheered.
Finally, they made it to their hotel safe and sound. Stanley was so tired that he fell asleep right on the pillow.
The next morning, the family explored Seattle, Washington. Their first stop was Pike Place Market. Stanley loved seeing all the fish being tossed in the air by the fishmongers. “Catch that fish, Stanley!” joked his host Mom. Then, something caught Stanley’s eye—it was Zoltar, the fortune teller machine!
Stanley put a coin in the machine. Zoltar’s eyes lit up, and a card slid out. It read, “Your future is full of adventure and fun!”
“Wow, that’s perfect!” said Stanley.
After that, they walked down to Pier 57 to see the big Seattle Ferris Wheel. Stanley got to ride all the way to the top, where he could see the ocean and the city below. “This is amazing!” Stanley shouted.
But the fun wasn’t over yet. The family hopped onto a catamaran and sailed through Puget Sound. Stanley felt the sea breeze on his paper face and watched seals playing in the water. In the distance, he saw the Space Needle—it was so tall and shiny!
At lunchtime, they stopped for something delicious. “Let’s eat at The Crab Pot!” said Mom. Stanley tried crab legs and corn on the cob. “This is the best seafood I’ve ever had!” he said.
Later that evening, they cheered for the Green Bay Packers at an NFL game. Stanley waved a foam finger and shouted, “Go Pack, Go!” The stadium lights were bright, and everyone had so much fun, even if it wasn’t the Pittsburgh Steelers he was cheering for.
After a fun-filled trip, it was time to drive back to Montana. But guess what? It snowed again on the way home! This time, Stanley wasn’t worried. He looked out the window and admired the beautiful snowy mountains.
Back in Montana, Stanley had even more adventures. He went swimming in a big pool and pretended to swim with native Montanan fish. Then, he joined the family’s kids at gymnastics class. Stanley tried to do a flip, but he ended up spinning like a pancake. “Nice try, Stanley!” laughed his host brother.
Finally, Stanley got to sit on Santa’s lap at the local mall. “What would you like for Christmas?” Santa asked. Stanley smiled and said, “More adventures with my friends!”
It was the best trip ever, and Flat Stanley couldn’t wait to tell his friends in Pennsylvania all about his time in Montana and Seattle.
Brian has been a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan ever since the team played for the Super Bowl title on his 9th birthday back in 1997.
Fast forward to May 2024—the Packers’ 2024-2025 season schedule was released, and we saw they’d be playing in Seattle. An eight-hour drive? Totally doable. We snagged two tickets, booked a two-night hotel stay with reward points, and promptly forgot about it.
The trip nearly snuck up on us. We almost forgot to remind Brian’s parents they’d be watching Rost while we took this quick getaway. Honestly, we love our little third wheel, but we weren’t about to shell out the outrageous price of an NFL ticket for a two-year-old. Even the nosebleeds cost a small fortune.
Saturday morning, after a goodbye breakfast with Rost, we hit the road. The weather was perfect, the roads were clear, and six hours into the drive, we were already looking forward to dinner and drinks with Brian’s Army buddy, Scott. Then—my little blue trucklet shuddered. A slight drop in power made me glance at the dashboard just in time to see the oil light flick on. [Insert expletive here]. I immediately pulled over and killed the engine.
We stepped out to investigate and were greeted by the sight of oil pouring out of the bottom of the trucklet. [Insert second expletive here].
I called a tow company while Brian frantically searched for a mechanic who’d actually answer the phone on a Saturday afternoon. Long story short, we were saved by the kindness of an amazing mobile mechanic and a little bit of luck. The tow truck hauled us 30 minutes into the nearest town, where Conan, our hero of the day, met us in the AutoZone parking lot.
Turns out, Brian had gotten the oil changed the night before we left. Since it was a last-minute decision on a Friday afternoon, our usual shop wasn’t available, so he went somewhere new. Big mistake. They installed the wrong oil filter. Thankfully, it didn’t destroy the engine—or our weekend. Three hours later, we were back on the road, rolling into Seattle a little later than planned but grateful it wasn’t worse.
Sunday before the game, we played full-blown tourists with Scott and his beautiful family, exploring Seattle with fresh eyes.
And the game? Even this die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan had to admit—it was a blast. Now I’m already looking forward to catching more NFL games in the future. It turns out, football is a pretty great excuse for a little adventure.
This Thanksgiving, I am especially grateful for the wonderful friends in my son’s life. They bring joy, laughter, and companionship that enrich his days and help him grow into the amazing person he’s becoming. Their kindness, loyalty, and shared experiences create memories he will cherish forever, and I am so thankful for the role they play in his journey. Knowing he is surrounded by such good-hearted people fills my heart with gratitude this holiday season.
In the moonlight’s glow, on a Halloween night,
A toddler dressed as a cow gave quite a fright.
With spots of black and a tail that swished,
They wandered the streets where shadows hissed.
Little hooves pattered on the dark, cold ground,
While eerie winds howled their ghostly sound.
Candy bags rattled, a spectral scene,
As the toddler mooed, “Happy Cow-O-Ween!”
Another summer has arrived, and with it, our annual trip back to Pennsylvania to visit my side of the family. Before Rost came along, I used to make this trip every four years or so, but now I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the tradition of going back every year.
Rost needed a haircut before our travels and specifically asked to visit Nate the Barber—his friend’s dad.
Our journey from Kalispell to Pennsylvania involved two flights. Rost charmed the Delta flight crews and got the royal treatment along the way. We landed in Pittsburgh, slightly exhausted but excited to start our adventure.
Rost soaked up the humid country air and loved spending time in nature with my parents. I, on the other hand, relished having someone else cook for us (huge thanks to Rost and Gimmy).
The next day, we picked up a rental car and headed to a small town near Hershey for a big family celebration. First, we attended the beautiful wedding of my cousin Nathan and his lovely bride, Rachael. Then it was off to Hershey Park for family time, complete with rides, laughter, and, of course, a chocolate-induced coma.
On our way back to my parents’ house, several of us stopped at a park near Harrisburg to play a real-life game of Chutes and Ladders. Not to brag (okay, maybe a little), but I won—and didn’t let my family forget it!
Back in Confluence, I had the joy of reconnecting with one of my favorite people, Mrs. Ruppel. She was my 1st and 2nd-grade teacher and has been a cherished family friend for years. Catching up with people like her is one of the best parts of these trips.
My brother surprised Brian and me with a rafting adventure down the Lower Yough. Even though I grew up near the Youghiogheny River, I’d only ever floated the Middle section. It was an amazing day filled with laughter and some fun new friends. While we were on the river, Rost was thoroughly spoiled by the family, so he didn’t miss out on the fun either.
Pappy planned a special outing for Rost and his cousin Parker at a nearby farm we’d visited last year. Rost was over the moon with all the tractors—some new ones had even joined the lineup since our last visit. Needless to say, we’re already looking forward to going back next year.
Before nap time that day, Pappy pulled over by a creek and made sure both Rost and Parker reeled in a fish. It was such a sweet and memorable moment.
Our next stop was Washington, D.C., to meet Brian’s Uncle Tommy and Aunt Tina at the National Zoo. Despite the humid heat, Rost kept up his boundless energy. Ironically, his favorite animal at the zoo turned out to be a cow—something we could have easily seen right next door to our house in Montana!
We wrapped up the day with dinner in D.C. with one of my former teammates from Parnall Law. We’ve both moved on to new roles but have stayed in touch. It was great to catch up before heading back to southwestern Pennsylvania.
The timing of our trip was perfect, as we got to celebrate my sister-in-law’s 50th birthday. The intimate family dinner on Friday night was actually a decoy for a surprise party the next afternoon, which was a total hit.
Before heading back to Montana, we squeezed in one last big event—cheering on my oldest nephew, Ben, at his football game.
Thanks for all the fun and memories, East Coast. We’ll see you again next summer! Xoxo
Turning 38 is a solid milestone—a reminder of how much has been accomplished and how far there is still to go. At this age, there’s a good mix of experience and ambition, with enough lessons learned to appreciate the wins and handle the challenges. Here’s to more good times, fewer worries, and plenty of memorable moments ahead.
To celebrate the day, I rallied my friend Breanna, her son Rocky, & Rost, & we set out for a part of Glacier I had never explored before – Two Medicine. This was my first time venturing into this part of the park, but it won’t be my last. I’m so grateful to live close to such a beautiful, majestic place.
40 is on the horizon… should it be something extra special?
My friend Becky visited us from the Missoula area for a day of sightseeing in Glacier and around Kalispell with Rost and me. The weather was absolutely perfect for our adventure. Rost adores his “Aunt Becky,” and I cherish both her and the special bond they share.
