Monday, August 27, 2012

Girls trip to Montana

 Allegiant Air offered a good fare from LAX to Billings so Becky and I took the girls to visit Jen and family before summer was over.
 This was Lexi's first airplane ride and she handled it extremely well!
 Once we were at the Stewarts the cousins had a great time together.
 Saturday morning was quite chilly but we all took off for a walk on the great trail behind Jens house.  We saw horses, cows and lots of dogs!
 Summer couldn't join us on the walk because she has a job at the local Farmer's Market in downtow Billings on Sat. mornings.  We helped out her stand and tried almost every crepe they make.  Yum!  As you can see I was really impressed with the hanging flower baskets!
 The Stewart kids are getting into swimming so we watched their skills for a while and they tried to get Libby into their act!  She loves the water too!
 We took a day trip to Yellowstone (9 people in a van for 13 hours) and had a great time.
 We went from Billings through Red Lodge over the Beartooth Pass that is only open a few months a year.  What a steep and winding road!  We were above the treeline and the views were spectacular.
 We had lunch in the cute Cooke City before entering the park
 Check out our great welcoming committee once we were in the park!
 This guy was just meandering down the middle of the road!
 This was as close as we really wanted to get for a picture with the buffalo
 We took a short walk to this waterfall
 We spent some time hiking Norris Geyser (it would have been another 3 hours to Old Faithful so we skipped it this time)
 Some of the geyser water colors were amazing

 We left by way of the Yellowstone gate that was built in 1872!  It is impressive but we didn't get the herd of elk walking through it like the Stewarts did on their last visit.
Goodbye Yellowstone till we have more time for our next visit.  Thanks Stewarts for a great trip!

Friday, August 17, 2012

A movie star at the pool

 She seems a bit bored with the whole thing!
 Watching big sister, Libby, ride the gator
 the star and her cute mom
All tuckered out and sleeping in the shade

Mr and Mrs Mike Cooper (finally!)

 On Saturday, August 11, 2012 Brit and Mike were married at Crescent Bay Park in Laguna Beach
 Eric and Tammy, the proud parents.  tammy did a beautiful job organizing and decorating this beautiful location.
 It was very hot and Brit was facing th sun but Mike was really sweating!
 The beautiful bride
 Proud papa Eric walking his baby down the aisle
 The bride and groom walking in the parking lot on their way to a great reception at El Torito
Libby was a flower girl and you still couldn't get her to smile!


Saturday, August 11, 2012

Terry and Tammy's birthday at Pageant of the Masters

 The whole gang enjoyed a great warm night out at the world famous Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach.

New Orleans - Aug. 2-6, 2012

 Terry "earned" a free trip to New Orleans through work so off we went at the hottest time of year to the Big Easy!
 We took a tour to Oak Alley Plantation.  I know I was supposed to live in a plantation like this in another life!

 We took a riverboat dinner cruise on the Mississippi
 We saw lots of alligators on our swamp tour
 The big banquet was held at Mardi Gras World where they stor all the floats
 Lucky for us our dear friends, Lee and Rhonda, got to go too!  They had lived in New Orleans and were great tour guides
 Terry loved holding this little gator - notice his mouth is taped shut!
 I loved this indoor Gone with the Wind setting
 Post Katrina housing is very colorful!
 We rode the streetcar to church

 I just love their cemeteries
 Rhonda and I after our cooking class.  We are now experts on Red Beans and Rice, Jambolaya, and Bananas Foster!
Thanks for a great time in the very hot and interesting Big Easy!