Story told by: Lainey
On Thursday evening we went to check out a local chocolate shop recommended by a friend, but unfortunately they were closed.
Fortunately right across the street was a fun Children’s Museum, so we were able to make the best of our trip downtown.
Mommy, Grandma, and Daddy challenged each other to build the arch without any help.
It’s actually fairly tricky.
Daddy did it first!
Next up was Grandma.
Not sure her arch would stand up in a wind storm, but we’ll give it to her.
Mommy went next, and just as she was about to fit in the final piece, in comes Brody.
Brody eventually brought it back to Mommy, so Mommy was able to complete the arch as well!
We went to dinner, and Daddy had his typical restaurant experience: beer and a whining Brody.
Daddy also had a GIANT sandwich, and he loved it!
Since the chocolate shop was closed, we checked out another recommended candy store after dinner. Look at this place!! It was insane!
Mommy let us pick out five different kinds of candy. Henry picked his out right away!
After purchasing their candy, Henry and Brody sat down to enjoy it while I continued my careful selection.
My all-time favorite candies at the store were these gummy lambs. It fits perfectly with my dream of being a lamb farmer!
Enjoying my treats!
I took this picture of Mommy and the awesome candle Grandma bought for her.
Henry didn’t want to be left out, so here’s his picture he took of Mommy.
The adults played games every night. Mommy was reminded of how much she despises Phase 10 (mostly just the impossible round with two sets of four), but they enjoyed Euchre and Rummikub on the other nights.
We loved the sugary cereal we got from Grandma and Grandpa each morning! Cookie cereal for breakfast?! Yes, please!
On our last full day in Billings, we went fishing. Grandma and Grandpa bought some fun fishing poles for us!
Brody told Daddy that he wanted to do it on his own.
So Daddy turned his back on Brody. And then Brody threw his fishing pole into the lake.
Grandpa asked me if I wanted to put a worm on my own hook, but I most definitely passed on that.
But I was happy once the worm was in the water.
Henry was surprisingly patient with sitting and waiting.
After only about ten minutes, I caught a fish!!
I later declared this one of my favorite moments of the whole trip, but you can tell from the look on my face that I was NOT touching that fish (and I didn’t really even want to be near it).
We fished for another hour, but that was the only fish I caught. Henry didn’t catch any fish, but he still really enjoyed it, though!
During Brody’s nap time we went golfing with Grandma and Grandpa.
Then we took Grandpa down to show him the river.
We had one last dinner out at the Montana Brewing Company. Lainey colored with Grandpa.
Henry colored with Grandma.
Meanwhile Brody was fascinated with the TV, and he wasn’t screaming, so everyone just let him be.
Check out this amazing pretzel appetizer!
When you’re out with Grandma and Grandpa, you get dessert! So good!
Henry licked his plate clean.
Once we got home from the restaurant, we rode the campground bikes, and then went to the KOA store to pick out a toy. Such a perfect last night!
After saying sad goodbyes to Grandma and Grandpa on Saturday morning we started the 10-hour drive home (it ended up taking us about 13 hours). About two hours into the drive, Henry got gum stuck in his hair. We didn’t get it out until the next day when Mommy used peanut butter and a comb.
At our lunch stop, I drew some princesses.
This was one of multiple coffee stops.
The highlight of the trip home was finding this Rwandan coffee at a coffee shop. It brings Daddy back to when he spent a summer in Rwanda during college. So fun!
Overall, it was such a great week! Mommy and Daddy are still recovering from the exhaustion, but all of us kids have bounced right back. Can’t wait to see Grandma and Grandpa at Thanksgiving!
Kylan and Kristen 