We traveled to Montana to GG and Papa's farm in early September to
attend a Memorial Service for James' Grandma who passed away in July. We also
got to introduce Anikka to James' family. She was exactly one month old
the day we flew to Montana. We are trying to start training her early
to be a good traveler. Which she was...she actually slept the ENTIRE
time we were in the airport and on the flight to and from Montana. The noise at the airport and the white noise of the jet engines seem to lull her to sleep.
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| At the airport, waiting for our flight to MT |
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| On the airplane, heading home |
Elin....well she is an old pro at traveling. In fact, she started mentally packing her bag a few days before we left and told her Dad what she wanted to bring to Montana. The list went something like: Stella (her doll) 2 ra-ra's (her silky raggy), blanket, Stella's backpack. The day we left she was up early and ready to "take a ride on the hairplane". She loves to go and is such a great traveler. Which is the way that we trained her ;)
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| Playing with Stella on the flight home |
We attended the Memorial Service for Zella Hunter, James' maternal grandmother, who was 94 when she passed away.
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| Picture from 2010 when Elin met Grandma Hunter for the first time |
Grandma Hunter's 3 children and all 10 of her grandchildren attended the Memorial Service along with numerous great grandchildren. James was able to see all of his siblings and all of his cousins on the Hunter side (many of them I had never met).
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| The cousins |
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| Everyone at the memorial service |
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| Julie, Russell, James and Laurie |
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| Scoffield family |
Although funerals are always sad, it is also sometimes nice to catch up with family that you have not seen in a while. At least I think so....
We stayed in Montana for a week. Elin had such a FABULOUS time learning all about life on the farm. Here are some of the highlights:
-She got to play with her cousin Olivia and the Christiansen's kids who live next door. Olivia brought her dog, Sugar, which is always a fun for Elin.
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| Olivia and Elin |
- Elin was able to pet and feed sheep.
-She went up to the dry farm and was able to drive a tractor with Papa's help
-She got to pet and ride on Papa's horse Snowflake
-She ate fresh corn from the garden everyday and learned how to eat if from the cobb. In fact, sometimes she would just eat it raw straight from the garden
-She was curious about the motorcycle and four wheeler but would not ride on them, she said they were "too loud"
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| Russell, James and Elin |
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| Papa and Elin on the four wheeler (she wouldn't let him start it up though) |
-We went for many walks (sometimes a couple a day) to look at the deer in the field and just explore country life and the farm. She wanted to "touch the hay" and pet the neighbors cat a lot. She LOVED going into the barn with her Dad to explore all the interesting things in there.
She had such a great time and learned so many new and fun things that week. Now when we sing "Old McDonald Had a Farm" (one of her favorite songs) she has a lot of things to relate it to and she still talks about the sheep, Snowflake and "Ontana" as she calls Montana. She loved the farm.
Our little one, Anikka, was only one month old when we got to Montana. She mostly just ate and slept. We were excited to let everyone meet her.
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| Elin, Olivia, Anikka and Julie |
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| Laurie and Anikka |
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| Papa and Anikka |
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| Anikka trying to smile |
We spent the week relaxing and enjoying being with family. James gave Anikka a baby blessing while we were there.
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| PS. NOT a great pic but the best one we got of our family that day.... |
James and Laurie went out riding one afternoon.
We took Elin to the carousel in Helena.
We had a little fun with Grandma Ethel's old wig.
Basically we just enjoyed being together as a family
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| Helping Papa make popcorn |
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| GG and the girls |
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| Sunday afternoon walk |
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| Hanging out on the porch |
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| Elin and Aunt Laurie |
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| Hot tub |
We celebrated my birthday while we were there. I had a nice relaxing day, we went to dinner and then had ice cream cake. Couldn't ask for a better birthday.
What a great week. It's always nice to reconnect with the ones we love.
Maija
