Home Sweet Home!

Our family had a getaway trip to Montana for a week at the beginning of this month. We flew up from a tiny little airport in Phoenix/Mesa that left at 6 a.m. We had to leave our house at 2:45 in the morning and anyone that knows my children know they lack the sleep-in-the-car gene. I don't know how they missed out on that one, but it makes traveling a real pain in the neck. Luckily on this occasion they were angels. I don't know if they sensed my excitement or it was an answer to my prayers, but they were laughing and playing the whole way up there. They did great on the airplane. I sat by the girls and they thought it was fun during take off to see things getting smaller and smaller. Kate kept yelling, "we're flying!" Once we were above the clouds I don't think she understood anymore because she would say, "Are we going to fly again?" We landed around 9 a.m. (it's only a 2 hour flight but the time change made it an hour later) and my brother-in-law Kirk and nephew Dallin picked us up and dropped us off at my parents church building. My Dad is the Bishop of a Young Single Adult Ward. I was surprised how well the kids did during Sacrament considering they had been up since 2:30 in the morning. My Mom had a stack of sticky notes with her and she handed them to Eliza with a pen. Eliza turns to her and says, "Do you have any paint supplies?" I just have to laugh at how her creative little minds works. She spent the whole Sacrament meeting scribbling and posting the notes all over the back of the bench in front of her. I loved to see my parents in their ward interacting with the kids.
We lucked out and were handed a car when we got there. Richards always have more vehicles than drivers which has turned out to be handy time and time again. My generous brother, Tanner, lent us his Impala since he had his truck he could drive. It was so nice to be able to come and go all around town to visit my family. Marlayne and her family, Laurel and her family, Ben and his wife, Tanner and my parents all live up in Billings. It was so fun to see everyone. We had the most wonderful Sunday dinner together. I got to have some fruit from my Aunt and Uncle's farm that I grew up eating. I had remembered that it was above and beyond anything the store sells, but I had forgotten just how delightful it was. I couldn't stop eating all week. What a treat! Nathaniel was teasing me because I kept telling him how wonderful it was. We spent the week visiting Marlayne or Laurel during the day while Mom worked and then spending time with Mom and Dad at night. I just loved every minute there. It was so relaxing and refreshing I just tried to soak it all in and bottle it up to bring back down here. The weather was so nice. We even wore our jackets (not that anyone else needed to) when we would go out in the morning. The kids LOVED the space up there. My parents have 10 acres and the kids would spend hours playing out there. I loved the slower pace and open space. I didn't have to worry about a constant vigilant eye. I could check on them every now and then, but they had so much freedom that we both were in heaven. Here is Nathaniel pushing Kate on the swings at Marlayne's house. Look at that fabulous grass. How I miss grass!Ashlyn was so great! She is my niece and Eliza has always loved her. She called her "my buddy" the whole time we were there. Ashlyn is at least 4 years older than Eliza, but she would dress the girls up or go outside and play with them. I just love that girl. What a sport she is! Look at how cute they are... I know, the hair on Eliza is hilarious!

Grandpa Nate and Nathan. I love to see my parents interacting with my kids. There is something so sweet about it.
The first day we were there Eliza was going non-stop. She didn't take a nap when we got to my parents house, so at about 5:30 that night, she was playing with some cousins and just reached her limit of awake time. She ended up curled on Daddy's lap and fell asleep! That is a once in her lifetime thing. She slept though the night and at 5:45 the next morning (4:45 our time) she was wide awake. She told my Mom I had gone in her room and woken her up and wouldn't let her go back to sleep. Where does she come up with this stuff?
Here is Uncle Tanner with the kids outside on the porch swing. I just love that kid. He has always had a spot in my heart that I just can't get enough of him. It was so fun to see him. (You need a porch swing if you live on land like my parents. It is so calm and peaceful that I would go out there several times a day and just sit and swing. I loved every minute of it!)
I will post more pictures and the rest of the vacation soon, my children need my attention...back to reality!