Montana 2013!

Another Montana family vacation has come and gone and once again, it didn't disappoint.  Well, actually it did when my in-laws had to go home because my father in law pulled his back :(

We whiled away the hours splashing in the lake, eating delicious foods, and taking walks.  Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll keep my words to a minimum while trying to provide a brief description.  Enjoy......

Here's where it all begins: Camp Tuffit on Lake Mary Ronan in beautiful Montana.  The rest of the family has been going for decades while I've only gone for the past 3 years.  I think I'm just the first one to blog about it!

My Autumn after a brisk swim in the lake.

 

Autumn playing on the clothesline.  When technology isn't an option, kids get inventive.

Autumn in B&W.

Every year I have a new favorite activity.  Last year it was catching crawdads after dark, this year it was feeding this family of little ducks.

We caught a frog.....and let it go!

Our home away from home, Sunset!  The outdoor fridge is sooooo ghetto, but it prevents taking up space in the cabin, so we like it :)

Cayla is growing up way too fast.  I can't believe she's going to be in the youth group this fall.  Where did my 5 lb. newborn go?

Autumn with her grumpy face on!

My honey, relaxing!

Virginia and Caitlin adding braids and flowers to their hair.

Gorgeous girls!

This is Cayla's "people of Wal-Mart" look.  Swim top, pajama pants, flip-flops and a hoodie.  I accept no responsibility for her fashion sense.....or lack thereof :)

The Crawdad Cafe serves the best pancakes, cheeseburgers, and milkshakes.  Located in the center of the camp, it's a fantastic treat when you don't want to have to do your own cooking!

Steve catching up with grandma.

Lazy dog.  He loves it up there.  He's with his family 24/7, he gets to take long walks, enjoy incredible wild life, and catch any number of things that 20+ people drop on the ground :)

Sydney and Cayla taking it easy before the heat of the day kicks in and they rush to the lake.

Super Chuck!

Another view of Super Chuck.  Cape is courtesy of Arizona's pajamas :)

I'm usually on the other side of the camera, but someone suggested I change places.  So I did.....for ONE shot :)

If you look closely, you'll catch a glimpse of one of the many deer we saw throughout the week.  A few wandered into camp, but more on that later.

Tech alley.  This is one of the few spots where wi-fi is available.  Surprisingly, the kids did NOT spend all their time here!

My mother in law hanging out in tech alley, being annoyed that I 'demanded' a picture!  ha ha

Grandma has been going to the camp since approximately 1955.  The actual date is still up for debate.  The world may never know!

Sydney, Autumn, and Virginia being silly with mustache stickers and faux glasses.

Joe, with his glass eye!

Grandma and Tanner.

Andrea, Kevin, and Tanner.

Tanner's birthday celebration.  We have to get inventive with gift-wrap :)

He received a few gifts that were identical!

Auntie Barb giving him birthday spankings :)

Tanner, opening Barb and Jim's gift.  Balloons filled with cash.  It was a huge hit!

Autumn and Uncle Kevin.

Chuck, smelling breakfast!

Yes!  We hold the bowl for him.  He's part great dane and they have to have their food elevated because they're so tall - it digests easier!  At home he has a custom stand......we don't bring it with us :)

Yeah.....he eats a lot!

Distant shot of a deer galloping past our cabin.

A close up of the shot above.  She was beautiful.....and fast!

This furry little critter was making his way to the side of the road during one of our many walks.

Cory, outside our cabin.

Our clothesline.  It's pretty redneck, but it gets the job done.  There's nothing fancy about this vacation, so if you're looking for the Taj Mahal.........this ain't it!

Argus, hanging out at camp.  He was mesmerized by the bees and even enjoyed tasting a few.  Getting stung didn't seem to deter him!

Chuck and Argus relaxing on our porch.  Don't we look like the Clampetts out on our porch with the fridge, and the dogs?!  lol

The old piano, where we were both entertained and tortured.  Everyone is welcome to play, regardless of talent.

Phalon, Ben, and Caitlin eating snacks from the camp store, and trying to beat the heat under the shade.

The wall of my in-laws cabin has some amusing paintings on the exterior.

The dock!

Autumn and Sydney.

Signs like this hang all over the camp.  Some are funny, some are informative, but all are amusing and part of the camp's history.

The big fish over the public pool table.

Cory and Cayla, deflating the rafts before packing up to go home.  Always bittersweet when it's time to leave, but ooooooh the memories we make!

Another shot of lazy dog Chuck.  I love that boy!

Cayla!

The camp's mailbox.  Very appropriate!

One of the many signs hanging around the camp.

Yep - another one.  I've intended to get pictures of all of them each year, and this year I finally succeeded. 

This is an oar.....what's left of one :)

I don't know who makes them, but they sure are fun.

So, that's it!  A fun week, filled with dozens of outings, and plenty of time to visit with family.  I look forward to it every year, and I'm already making plans for 2014.