sunrise, sunset

montana is known as the big sky state.

big skies + lakeside living = awesome sun effects. 

some of the most gorgeous sunrises and sunsets i've seen have been while staying in our little cabin on hebgen lake, and our week there this time around was full of more beautiful skies.

this trip, however, was marked by some extra special sun occasions.

my mother proposed an early morning hike (we are talking 5:30 AM early) to the top of the miniature mountain sized hill on the other side of our lake to see the sunrise. tempting? only for some of us. the truly dedicated decided to get up and go forge our own trails up a steep, covered in pokey sagebrush, rocky hill. though the upward slope was anything but easy, getting up just in time to see a blood-red sun poke above the mountains and light up the clouds in glorious pinks and oranges... so worth it. 

though cameras were left behind due to strenuous hiking, i got a few pictures after returning to our dock...the lake makes these moments magical, reflecting the beautiful light.

 that lump to the left is the mountain/hill we climbed.

 kind of creepy sun?

 it was truly a morning to remember, we all celebrated by getting back in bed!

the other extra special sun moment was the next night. my dad and i opted out of seeing batman with the rest of the crew and after hitting the town (read: getting ice cream and taking a tourist-riding-a-moose picture*) we drove home around dusk, and a beautiful dusk it was...

after having a baby and mama moose cross our path, we jumped in the boat to head to the midle of the lake for the moonrise.

just me and my dad and some styx tunes as a perfect pumpkin moon peeked over the horizon.

 it was amazing how it lit up the night sky, and i loved having a little bonding time with my dad. 

 can you find the man in the moon?

 and last but not least, there is nothing like watching the sunset on a family boat ride, 

 while playing a few games of telephone. (another great tradition),

and wearing ponchos for warmth.

 so perfect and peaceful.

we love hebgen lake!

*touristy moose picture below

birthday bashin'

how many twenty-two year olds you know still have themed birthday parties?

i can promise you you know at least one!

anj and i just got back from a wonderful week vacation with my family in montana, it was full of sunshine, quality family time, relaxation and tradition. not only have i returned a little tanner, but also a little older. i got to celebrate turning the big 2-2, and with that came the usual birthday traditions that have been in place for sixteen years! 

we arrived last saturday night, just in time to get all dressed up and head to town for birthday tradition #1, the playmill.

 sister, sister!

every year, on or very close to my birthday, since age seven i have been lucky enough to go see a show at this little theatre in west yellowstone, montana. birthdays 19 and 20 were actually celebrated as part of the cast! 

(that white bag in anj's hand is full of delectable candy from the old fashioned candy store we always go to before shows! gotta love sneaking in a little treat!)

just at the candy store!

 if it's your birthday you get to be pulled up on stage and sung to. another great tradition. the show was great and the company was greater. how i love being with my family. 

sunday morning, my actual birthday, i woke up to red-lip decor everywhere i looked and some delectable looking cupcakes ready to be eaten! every year my family chooses a theme and decorates accordingly, this year it was red lips in honor of juju!

(thanks to my barrett fam for the adorable night-gown, one of my birthday wishes!)

and a sunday in montana wouldn't be a sunday without a trip as a family into beautiful yellowstone park. it is tradition to go to church in the park, have a picnic lunch, and explore the flora and fauna that yellowstone has to offer. so we left those delicious cupcakes behind and headed into the park!

 it was the perfect day for an easy hike: a little cloud cover, lovely afternoon light, and stomachs no longer rumbling after some tasty picnic fare. 

off we went!

 there was some pretty intense thistle-kicking

 a lone bison

some serious frolicking 

 and beauty all around!

 is there a better way to celebrate than being surrounded by god's beautiful creations and being with the people you love the most? i think not.

nothing like a quality crooked self timer shot!

 we even saw a bear! can you spot it?

(okay, that is really just dave posing as a bear... hehe)

 happy birthday to me.

 and the best birthday present of them all? being able to be married to the best guy i know!

when we got home it was time for the party to begin!

 we had tasty french dip and all kinds of fun old-fashioned soda

i picked black raspberry, anj had huckleberry.

we had quite the red-lip celebration, and i was truly spoiled.

 it was a birthday full of surprises, including a very different watch than the one anj thought he ordered, this adorable clock from my family, fun french-y magnets from my grandparents...

and a surprise appearance from my best friend!

it was the absolute best birthday yet, and i loved having a husband to celebrate with.

thanks to all who sent sweet birthday wishes my way! i truly appreciate it and felt so loved!

don't worry.. many more montana adventures to come! 

p.s. the weekend before i got to celebrate with my in-laws and fam, which was also a treat! again i just felt so loved!

idaho images

welp, we made it.

idaho, here we are.

while trying to find the grocery store i happened upon our little one road "down-town" main street. 

i found it quite inviting, and today i returned to explore. by the time i got out, many of the little shops had already closed, but i still discovered plenty of objects of interest. 

 i love all the quaint signage and the bright colors.

little houses with heart lined shutters.

 lumber and animal feed stores, vintage bicycles

 color and texture everywhere.

 then i drive home just a few blocks away and i find this:

 abandoned barns, corn field lined roads, sun through the trees, overlarge mailboxes

it's an interesting contrast to go from bustling little town to quiet country in mere minutes. i like it.

(and don't worry, i got myself a pink grapefruit-pineapple shaved ice too.)

it was a fun little adventure and i am excited to explore more.


p.s. this just in... loving my new high-low skirt. trendy, right?
(don't mind the self timer skip-bo cards making it in the frame)

 and loving this gorgeous idaho sunset, still going strong at 10:00 o'clock!