Fun at the Flathead

Every summer for the past 17 years (well, I guess we took a few years off when work was crazy or babies were born), I have had the pleasure of spending time the first weekend in August with John's family in some of the most beautiful parts of Montana -- Big Fork on Flathead Lake, and Ronan, in the Flathead Valley.

John's Aunt Dee has a house in Big Fork right on the lake, and most years, John's dad and his dad's brother and three sisters meet to eat, talk, walk, and play (as you can see by these great photos). There is extended "family" next door, too -- good friends of Dee and Ron's who have kids (and now grandkids) our age and our kids' ages. John's generation -- the cousins -- comes when we can, bringing kids who range from 9 to brand new (with every year in between represented). We all have had a lot of fun introducing them to the wonderful lake lifestyle, which includes a lot of running back and forth between Dee and Ron's and their neighbor's house (and hottub). Olivia was especially fascinated with the 1-year-old Megan, Katie couldn't get enough of the water, and Jack had the thrill of his life riding a jet-ski with the neighbors at sunset one night.

We also usually get to spend a day with Judy's sister, Joan, and her family, at their property in Ronan. The horses, the chickens, the dogs and the barncats, the garden, the shady back yard perfect for a horseshoe-like game... it's just a magical place in every way. This year we got to celebrate Joan's great-granddaughter Sabra's third birthday, too. And what better way to do that with pony rides?

I posted 100 or so of the photos from our four days on our Shutterfly site. Just go to:

jackkateliv.shutterfly.com

and enter the password (my middle name). If you don't know my middle name, email me (lisnjohn at gmail dot com) and I will send it your way. For best results, click on Flathead Lake 2010, then VIEW ALBUM, then SLIDESHOW.

We're already looking forward to next year's reunion!

P.S. No, I don't know what John's cousin Lisa and Sabra's dad are laughing at when Jack is on the pony. I just *love* that they are laughing! And the bottom photo shows our Kate with her second-cousin, Kate B.

P.S. #2 And  doesn't Sabra's dad look a LOT like my brother Steven? And they not only look alike, but have the same easy-going, gentle personality (and are great with little kids). Long lost twins, maybe?