Memories in Missoula

It's been super hot here in Missoula as I'm sure it's been everywhere else too since it's summer. Last week we had a few fun adventures downtown. On Thursdays they have a band that plays in a local park along with tons of food vendors and it's all right along the river. Missoula reminds me in a way of a mix between Idaho Falls and Boise. It has a river that you can float down that goes right along a park, Cara's Park actually (how sweet of them to name it after me :) and it is the seriously the sweetest park I've ever seen! There is also a greenbelt/walking path that goes right along the river. Also located right in the park is the cutest carousel you will ever see. We just had to take Carson for a ride. It was a fun evening with yummy Johnny Carinos, music, heat, walks along the river, Carousel rides and playing in the "dragons castle." Now only if we had a babysitter so we could go float the river!

mmmm johnny's

He was made because I wouldn't let him play with my camera haha

the band

I've always wanted to try one of these

He doesn't like holding mommy's hand anymore ;(

The "Dragon's Castle"

This was the "tot land" for little kids like Carson, best idea ever!

I think I had more fun exploring it than Carson did, he loved the slide more than anything

"Dee, Doe!" This is what he says before he goes down. Cutest thing ever!

This mist things saved us! It was very hot. Every park needs these!

Clearly I need to go tanning, haha

Reminds me of the tire swing we had in our back yard as kids growing up.

Our tunes. The 90s channel is the best!

Thank goodness for AC!

my boy

The 4th in Missoula

We're up here in Missoula, Montana right now and for the fourth we spent a little time with nature, animals, Native Americans, and Red Robin. We headed out to the National Bison Range which isn't too far from Missoula. We saw buffalo, antelope, coyote, eagles, deer, and elk. We drove up and down a steep mountain a lot, this made me nervous.  We took a nice leisurely hike and we enjoyed the whole ride in an air conditioned truck, thank goodness!

Lovin' the ride

Pretty view on top of the mountain

Buffalo!

Daddy & Son

kisses

on our little hike

view from the top









Massive Montana Mtns.

Then we headed to a cute little town- Arlee where they were having a pow wow.



The Pow Wow

Fun costumes

Then it was time to eat! Red Robin's hamburgers sounded good so we headed back to get some food!

We were beat afterwards so we headed back to the hotel for a nap. When we woke up it was fireworks time! We decided to watch them from our window since it was a pretty good view and we didn't want to deal with traffic. Happy 4th!

randoms this week-

Free costco membership- best thing that ever happened to us
Costco food court is the bomb! Seriously everything is so cheap!
Keith stuck on a mtn for 10+ hrs, made me a wreck/worried wife (thank goodness for prayer)
Hurting my back = not fun.

Silver Creek!

This past week we went camping with my family to Silver Creek Plunge. It's a camping site just outside of Crouch, Idaho with cabins or you can bring your own tent, it also has a natural geothermal hot springs! One of the things I love about Idaho is all the hot springs it has. We spent three days there. Keith unfortunately had to work so he wasn't able to come but we fly out to be with him tomorrow :) My family and I grew up going to Silver Creek almost every summer. It was just my parents and siblings and now we've turned it into a tradition of going for our "Lewis Family Reunion" with our own kids. I love all the memories I have up there. I hadn't been for about 7 years because of college, living in Rexburg etc,  so it was nice to go to a familiar place that I know and love and have so many memories of summers, sunburns, swimming, good food, games, hikes and more. Man, I kinda miss being a kid sometimes, it was fun to take Carson though. Here are a few pics from our trip. About six of us kids came with our kids and my parents.

Chillin' with the kiddies in the kiddie pool

My little man loved to hop in and out of the pool by himself

We all flocked to the hot tub

Roastin' smores

All the grankids that came-- 13 out of 33

My brothers girlfriend Grace and I

On our traditional hike through the river

Takin' a break from our hike on the rock