Montana Trip- Part 2

One of our favorite things to do in Montana is to get outside and truly experience this amazing place.  We've found that hiking is one of the best ways to do that.  This summer we went on two hikes... both hikes that we've experienced several times already but they are family friendly and absolutely breath-taking. 

Holland Lake Falls Hike

**All 11 of us went on this one!**

I was so proud of Lucas... he led the way with Uncle Zach most of the time.  This was his first hike that he did completely on his own without Grandpa or Daddy carrying him on his shoulders.  He did awesome!

-- always has to find a walking stick at the beginning

-- spotted our turtles out sunning themselves-- same spot we saw them last year!

Miss Z kept a hiking journal throughout the hike-- I loved it!  It reminded me of something I would have done at her age.

The hike wraps around this lake the whole way to the falls and the views are absolutely amazing.  Even though Eric and I have been on this hike many many times, it never gets old. 

-- The whole crew below- minus me.  Can you spot everyone??

Impromptu rock throwing near the end of the hike....

--which eventually led to Lucas and Sophie swimming

Grandma and Grandpa had prime spots to sit and watch the kids...

Now that the kids are a bit older and some don't use the honkin' big car seats, they took turns riding in different cars.  Caden and I had a great time goofing around in the back of our rental van.  This little buddy makes...me... laugh!!

Hike #2 was just the four of us.  Everyone else had already left MT at this point and we were staying just a few more days.  This is the Glacier Lake hike... which holds some good memories for us.  My first time going on this hike was with Zach, Amanda, and Eric.  It snowed when we got to the lake that time!  This year's trip to the lake was Sophie's first time up and she enjoyed the view from Daddy's backpack.  Lucas, again, hiked the entire thing all by himself!

The mosquitos and flies were absolutely awful and eating us up so Sophie wore my jacket part of the time.

We were the only ones there when we got to the lake so we enjoyed a peaceful picnic of pb & j sandwiches, apples, and trail mix.  A loon kept us company on the water while we ate.