Where did the summer go?

I am actually quite embarrassed as I look at how long it has been since we (a.k.a. I ) last updated this blog.  To tell you the truth I have no real reason why... We did a lot of things this summer and I had a bit more time - although I worked on campus teaching English and teaching English for the Missoula Osprey.  I guess I was just to busy having fun and getting things done.  Well, now that school is back in session I am a little bit better at managing my time, and it is also fun for me to go back and remember all the fun things this summer and try not to think too hard of the cold days to come. 


It would take much longer than I am willing to type or, most likely, than you are willing to read for me to share all of the fun times we had this summer so I will give the highlights.

• Kennetta's birthday - Brian took me up to Flathead lake to a Bed & Breakfast that had a pool and a sauna.  We spent a good time up there golfing, taking in the American museum in Polson, eating lots of great food, and catching a movie one rainy afternoon.  Later we had a game night with some friends.  All in all, it was a marvelous way to turn thirty WHAT????
• Fourth of July - It was a cold fourth of July this year but we made the most of it.  Brian, Hannah, and I went to the Pow Wow in Arlee for their Snake Dance (Not a fan of the name) and then we went over to the rodeo.  I didn't realize that it was Hannah's first rodeo until she asked Brian when they were going to ride the buffalo again!  Later that afternoon we joined some friends back in Missoula for a BBQ and a great view of the fireworks.
• Summer Fun - Of course a summer in Montana (the best time of year here and, I believe, much more appreciated by us Montanans than those with sunshine year round:) must include BBQs, softball, volleyball, floating, hiking, camping, swimming, golfing, folfing, and any manner of activity that gets us out into the sunshine. 
• California Trip - One of the highlights of the summer for us was a trip to California to visit Brian's family.  It was a short but sweet vacation.  It was wonderful to see everyone again, and for them to see just how much Hannah has grown in the last year...

Pictures of some of the highlights are below:

The other side of
Ch-Paa-Qn with the Mission
mountains and Flathead Lake
behind me.



Brian at the top of Ch-Paa-Qn (the highest peak around)
 with the Missoula valley behind him. You could actually see the "M" in Missoula.



Brian and I on our way up Ch-Paa-Qn  Peak (a.k.a. Squaw Peak) 
Only 3 miles but over 2400 feet of elevation gain.







My English students from the Dominican Republic, Columbia, and Korea - All part of the Missoula Osprey





A favorite summer pastime -BBQing in front of our house. 






Brian up to bat at one of our Friday night softball games. We had an amazing team with 10 wins and 2 losses!



Brian coming home after another great hit.



Kennetta trying to hit...It did happen.  It was just getting the ball out of the infield that was the hard part:)



There was no shortage of golfing this summer. 
Brian's dad came down for golfing vacation and I believe
they played 81 holes in four days!



We also had the opportunity to go to California for a vacation
to spend time with  Brian's family. 
Here we are at his grandma's house at a delicious BBQ.



Brian and I stole away for a couple of days to soak up the sun in Santa Cruz. Here we are at the lightouse/surfing museum



Natural Bridges State Beach just outside of Santa Cruz.



The Santa Cruz boardwalk at night from the sky tram.



The beach side of the boardwalk with a full moon.



Brian and I about ready to spend the day surfing.
Although the Montanan taught the Californian how to surf (ironically) the Californian genes won out in the end and
Brian completely outsurfed his wife! 



Some of the waves at Cowells Beach where we surfed.



We ended our Californian stay with an undergroud tour of Old Sacramento. And aside from having fun wearing our hard hats, we really enjoyed learning about the history of Sacramento and how the city is built on top of itself.

Watching the sunset from Higgins St. bridge is supposed to be one of the most romantic things to do in Missoula, and it looks like Brian's dad caught us in the moment:)