C.M. Russell Museum

We took the kids to the C.M. Russell Museum.  Charles M. Russell was a famous cowboy artist that lived in Great Falls.  We were not allowed to take pictures of any of the exhibits in the museum but it was really cool.

They did have a children's discovery area that we could take pictures in.  The kids played in the tee-pee.

Cowboy Emma.

Marcus riding a horse.

Emma on horseback.

Olivia flipping pancakes.

Our little pioneer.

Emma dressed in a vest and chaps.

Olivia found an eagle.

Yee Haw!

Riding the bison.

There was a sculpture exhibit outside.  This is C.M. Russell.

Grizzly bear.

Moose.

The kids had fun on the sculptures.

This one is appropriate for these Riverside Rams!  

Giant Springs, Falls and GFHS

We took the kids to Giant Springs too.  They have a fish hatchery there but there weren't many fish.

There were fun places for photos though.

The park sits along the river..so pretty.

Hi kids!

Such a cool place.

Olivia wanted her picture taken in the big tree.

The kids got to play for a while.

Then we went to see one of the falls.  Nana with the girls.

One of the Great Falls that Lewis and Clark ran into...now it has a dam.

Another cousin picture.

We had to drop Riley off at the high school for swimming practice.  So I took the opportunity to show the kids where I went to high school...Great Falls High School...I love this place! 

I took them to the back and let them sit on the "Senior Stairs".  These stairs are reserved for Seniors only.  You cannot walk or sit on these stairs until you are a Senior in high school.

The kids felt pretty special to sit on the stairs even though they are not seniors.

Nana and Papa have a cool fire pit that we sat around to end the night...Olivia is talking to Daddy on the phone but managed to smile pretty for the picture.

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center

Mom and I took the kids to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.  Thomas Jefferson was the President that sent Lewis & Clark West to explore.

This was the coolest place!  The kids each got a packet they had to complete in order to earn badges...it really helped them learn about everything.

The girls are working on their packet and reading about the expedition.

This is a hut that the women lived in.

Some of the animals Lewis & Clark ran into...a Buffalo/Bison...my high school mascot!

A grizzly bear...grrrr....

There were some tough winters on the expedition.

Riley took good care of Marcus during our tour.

We got to feel how heavy the boat was to pull...I think we averaged 5 to 10 miles per day trying to pull it.  We wouldn't have gotten very far back then.

The center is built right along the river.

So cool!

Quick group photo.

There were lots of animals trapped during the expedition.

The kids got to dress up like the explorers.  Aiden, Emma, Olivia, Tanealya, Marcus and Riley.

Lewis and Clark shaking hands.

This was such a fun place for the kids.

Boys.

Aiden, Riley and Tanealya.

The kids got certificates and cool badges.

What a great place...so educational.

A view of the river.

Thanks for taking us Nana!

Visit to Great Falls

The kids and I took a week off and went to Nana and Papa's house.  Nana and Papa have a great back yard for kids.  Marcus found lots to do.

They have an amazing play house that the kids spent most of their time in.  They found the baby dolls...the girls are 10 now so it's not as cool playing with dolls...I made them pose for me.  They did not want this posted, but I just couldn't resist...the look on Emma's face is priceless.  I literally had to put that baby in her lap.  Too funny.

Papa playing games with Olivia.

Nana helped Papa and Marcus helped Olivia...so fun!

Indians Baseball

The girls were invited to an Indians' baseball game by their friend Allison.

They also got invited to help with the singing of the 7th Inning Stretch...here they are getting ready.

I video taped the singing and they were off the field so quickly afterwards that this was the only photo I got.  Marcus joined in too.  Emma's on the right holding the sign, Olivia is on the left holding the sign and Marcus is in between the T and C holding the sign...so fun!