Sleepy time!

I'm working on weaning Payton and as a result have found some new tactics to get him to sleep other than nursing. He's become attached to his baby and sippy cup at bedtime. I tried to take his cup once he was asleep and he woke up and reached for it! Oh well, whatever keeps him sleeping :)

Nugget Falls.

Today was so beautiful, and we were afraid this might be the last nice day til next year so we made the most of it! We drove out to the glacier and hiked to Nugget Falls. Of course Payton fell asleep on the way there and was VERY cranky for the first 5 minutes of the walk, we almost turned around and went home! But I was able to distract him by asking if he saw any Moose (what a sight that would have been out there!) and he woke up enough to enjoy the walk!

The happy hiker(s?)




Throwing rocks in the lake.

If you listen closely you can hear him saying "moo" (moose).


He's loved moose meat ever since he was a baby. We used to give him Moose sticks to teeth on. They worked like a charm, and were nutritious to boot! In fact, that's how we get him to eat any kind of meat. We just tell him it's moose and he'll try it!! Someday he's going to catch on...then we'll have some explaining to do :)

Here's Payton and Dad showing off the horns. He doesn't look too thrilled, but he was really having fun!

Moose Hunt

Ready for takeoff!

The valley of hunting.

The happy hunter!

Home Sweet Home.



The landing strip. Notice how flat the terrain is, not real easy for scouting moose!


But despite it all, they were glorious!! Here's the happy hunter with his catch!


Their "front lawn". Looks like they're having a yard sale to me....

Packing up to head home. Moose Antlers in hand.

Animals.

I think Payton's favorite part of our vacation (other than being spoiled by relatives) was seeing all the different animals. We walked through the barns at the Sanders County Fair and saw goats, sheep, cows, horses and pigs. At first Payton didn't seemed too impressed...I think he was overwhelmed.

Meeting Mr. Goat.


While in Plains, Erik's family camped out in a Connie's back field and Payton and I were lucky enough to snag a nice room in her house with a queen bed, and toilet near by :) (gotta love running water and flush toilets!!) Payton played outside a lot that week and discovered he loved watering flowers (playing with the hose.) Connie's dog Toby wanted in on the action.


Connie has about a dozen chickens running around her back yard. Payton became obsessed with them. All he wanted to do was chase them around and pet them. I didn't let him get that close. I figure the chickens didn't want anything to do with a curious toddler either!


Brian and Charlie (Erik's parents) have 4 acres of grassy fields. As you can imagine, it can be a pain to mow it all. So they let Rancher Bob keep a few cows there to help keep the grass down. We would go out to feed them treats every day. Payton wasn't too sure about those big animals with the giant tongues. They might slurp your face!!

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Montana.

Payton and I just got back from a great 9 days visiting family in Montana. Payton had a blast exploring Grammie and Grandpa's yard, feeding all the animals, picking apples, watering the grass, driving tractor...but most of all, watching the Demolition Derby at the Sanders County Fair. He sat for 3 hours watching before I was finally ready to leave.


Erik's parents have a HUGE yard.


They let a local farmer keep a few cows in their pastures so they don't have as much yard to mow.


I love mowing the yard since I get to ride the lawn mower rather than push it!!


Payton liked to help too.


But quickly got tired.