One of the only things that the boys really request is that we are around friends and/or family for holidays and birthdays. We do our best to accommodate in out situations. We surprised them big time by booking a spot in an RV park next to our dear friends Bob & Pat in gorgeous Whitefish, Montana.

We had something special planned for every day of the week! They even got little gifts every morning. It was such an amazing time and we absolutely love Whitefish. The celebrations started when we arrived and they realized we were right across from Bob & Pat. Bob and Pat are like their second grandparents and we love them dearly!! They next day we rested and got settled. You almost always need a day of rest after towing your house for several hours! The next day festivities began!

On 8/26 we took a trip into Glacier National Park over to Many Glacier. Glacier holds a very, very special place in our hearts as that’s where Mike and I got engaged back in 2001. It was neat being able to take the kids. It was not quite what we had expected as there we so many fires all over the place and the beauty of this place was blanketed in smoke. It was still gorgeous, just not how I remembered it in my head. Glacier is another blog post altogether!

On 8/27, Bryce’s 12th birthday, we started the day with homemade, delicious cinnamon rolls. We later went to the local skate park where the kids tested their “skills”. We had a blast 🙂

The next day, 8/28, the boys were surprised when another full-time family showed up and camped just a few rigs over. They were so excited! We met the VanKirks last Thanksgiving in Las Vegas when we were both camped at the Clarke County Shooting Complex. We actually shared Thanksgiving dinner together 🙂 We have stayed connected and treasure our friendship.

On 8/29 we had a birthday party for both boys at Bob & Pat’s with the VanKirks. The kids played together all day and then we celebrated that evening! The next day, 8/30, we took it easy and just hung out. We got to visit with our friends and the kids all got to play before the VanKirks left the next day.

On Brooks’ 10th birthday, 8/31, we started the day with homemade gluten-free birthday pancakes with candles. We decided that day that we would venture back into Glacier, but this time we went up to Polebridge and got their word-famous bear claws. YUMMMMMMMM! We took the boys to the lake where we ended our backcountry trek when we got engaged. It was pretty special to be in that place with our boys. It was pretty cool to be safely up close to a grizzly as he ate berries on the side of the road.

On 9/1, we did something VERY important! We rested. We’d had a busy, long day at Glacier the day before and Mike dan I knew what the next day would be like. We had a lazy day and ended up going downtown to the olive oil store and to get deep dish pizza. The boys also got Bike Bucks for their birthdays so they could purchase mountain bikes. We stopped in the local bike shop to check some out for size.

The 2nd of September brought one of the best adventures! We went to Whitefish Mountain Resort and got an all day adventure pass! We started with the aerial adventure park. It was amazing and SO much fun. We had an absolute blast!!! The kids were fearless. Me…..not so much. I may have had a slight bit of anxiousness on some of the obstacles. I would TOTALLY do it again!

After the obstacle course, we took the lift to the top of the mountain where we had a late lunch and enjoyed the views. Such a beautiful place! We came down after lunch and hit the alpine slide. Mike decided to try and break a personal speed record because it’s always a good idea to not use your brakes! He ended up searing off a piece of his jacket onto his arm. He had a black jacket piece burned into his arm where he hit the side so fast it melted right into the skin. Ugh… It was so much fun, though!!

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September the 3rd was yet another day of fun. Bob and Pat invited us to go along with them on a boat with their friends out of Whitefish Lake which is AMAZING! The boys and Mike got to tube on the lake. It was a bit chilly!! What an awesome afternoon!

September 4th was yet another fun activity! I found a local climbing gym RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET! Everything was so convenient to where we were which was basically in the middle of town, walking distance to the cute downtown area. My boys LOVE to climb, especially at a gym. This one, Rockfish Climbing and Fitness, was pretty spectacular!! Oh my goodness did they have a blast!!

On September 5, we had the last of birthday week activities. Pat offered to watch the boys and do movie night so we could have a little down time. We headed downtown for a quick bite to eat on a rooftop restaurant to watch the sun set. It was a nice nite cap on the week of awesomeness.