A "Cousin Reunion"

Cousin Family Reunion, first night at our place, dinner!

Family reunions are very special to me. After leaving my roots in New England when I was ten, I was privileged to live in many different states adapting from east coast to west coast environments...thanks to my Dad's job. Now that I've been away from
aunts, uncles, and cousins for so many years, it's been a blessing to reunite and reconnect to these cousins.

My sister and I prepare a week's worth of activity for our cousins arriving from New Hamsphire and Florida. Our New Hamsphire cousins flew to my sister's place in WA, and our Florida cousins drove (from Wisconsin, where they summer) to my place in Montana. Sis and her gang drove to my place to start off the reunion. Great visits, catching up, story telling, and of course lots of wine sipping!

Kathy and I enjoying catching up!

John and Kathy enjoying our visit and enjoying the view!

The next day we were off to my little town that could (Philipsburg) doing the walking tour of all the shops, candy store, and a bit of sapphire mining. Oh, and did I mention that it was "Flint Creek Valley Days" all weekend...lots of folks in town, parade, and a vintage car show?

Cousin Vi and husband Dean, and hubby

Dan and Cindy (sister) strolling our town.

Cousin John and Kathy enjoying the shops.

Sapphire mining right in town, John and Kathy found some nice gems.

Intense work, looking for sapphires.

Then off to "Glacier National Park" the next day, amazing sites, photo opportunities, and more family time. We stayed over night at the "Belton Chalet", my sister, "In a Garden" posted links of this destination stay over, check out her recent post on our trip also.

Just entering the park, gorgeous day.

Glacier National Park

Mountain Goats

John and Kathy, at the top of "hwy to the sun".

Big Horn Sheep

The Belton Chalet, where we stayed the night.

Next day a boat ride on "Lake McDonald", very relaxing and beautiful. Our FL cousins left us after the boat ride, back to Wisconsin they went. That afternoon the rest of us were back in the car, heading back to my place for the night, only to get up early the next morning to get back in the car to head to my sister's home in WA. More fun to come with our New Hampshire cousins.

On the boat to tour around, "Lake McDonald" inside Glacier National Park

Lake McDonald

John and I enjoying the moment!

Enjoyed the next few days of family dinners, wine tasting, and more late nights chatting it up! 

Dinner at my sister's house, good Italian food!

A little wine tasting at the Farmer's Market

Our yummy cheese platter pared with our wine.

Next day in Prosser WA, enjoying a wonderful dinner at "Wine O'Clock".

Dinner at "Wine O'Clock".

My dinner, a trio of grilled Sole, garden greens and veggies!

A view from outside the restaurant, check out the all the raised beds full of greens and herbs.

More views looking towards another tasting room, check out the lavender.

Leaving the "Wine Village" in Prosser, a long day, heading back to my sister's place in Tri-Cities.

We left the net day for home, cousins flying back to New Hampshire and me...a six hour drive back to Montana. I didn't mind, I'm use to driving long distances to get to family, six hours is nothing, plus it's a gorgeous drive.

Happy Summer everyone, aren't we ALL busy during this season!

Road Trip

Just got back from a ten day road trip...so fun!!! First off to Pocatello Idaho for business, then to Payette Idaho to hang out with some dear friends (Jim & Carol). They moved to Payette a couple of years ago from CA, purchased a 5 acre farm and are living out their dream. We were so thrilled to see the "Forgey Farm", meet their new friends and attend their new church.


"Forgey Farm"

Jim & Carol

Good friends, Wayne and Connie, (who now live in Medford OR) once lived in Payette, and originally from CA too. They joined us in Payette, so exciting to spend time with them.

Wayne & Connie

 Off we went to their friend's (Wayne & Pat) for a Valentine's Day dinner party.  A delicious "Italian" dinner, games, laughter and love was in the air! Then to a beautiful tea house the next day for lunch. And another dinner party hosted by more of their friends...this time a "Mexican Fiesta", so good, great folks!!! What a wonderful time we all had.


Valentine's Dinner Party



Valentine's Dinner Party...Wayne and part of my hubby, Pat.



Hosts, Wayne & Pat



Tea House



Us at the Tea House



Carol, Chris, Connie, Maureen at the Tea House.



Don, Jim, Chris, Carol, Maureen, Connie, Pat, Wayne




Shirley (host), preparing our "Mexican Fiesta" dinner.



Connie and I posing by her (once owned car) at the "Mexican Fiesta" dinner.



Some of the guys checking out the car, waiting for dinner.



Great dinner with new friends.

 Then off to Portland OR for more business and to visit with Pat's family. Great to see my niece (Madison), her and her room-mate showing us their apartment. And of course more eating at "Olive Garden". Pat spent time with his folks, while I was recovering from a bad meal the night before, whew not fun.


Madison, Auntie Chris, Jamie (in their apartment).



Uncle Pat, Madison, Mike



Auntie Chris, Madison, Uncle Pat

Then off to Tri-Cities WA to make a "surprise" visit to my sister's. So fun to just show up on a whim...and surprise the heck out of her and the family. LOL  We stayed the night and enjoyed one another's company and more food!!! My nephew Josh and his girlfriend were there also, it was such a family affair.



Dinner at my sister's, Pat enjoying the kiddos.



My nephew (Josh) and his girlfriend (Olivia) at my sister's.



My niece Jenna



Back home now with our cold weather and more snow....winter isn't over here yet!  :)