Trek 2015: Day ONE

Without further ado-- Trek Day ONE

Here's our Script for introducing ourselves:

Getting to know the Fam, playing games, being silly!

Practice run with the Handcart:

Independence Rock. Leaving our mark as encouragement for those coming after us! 

Have Faith & Carry on!

Adopting our baby Swag $ Baby Sarah Sue. Dill's her protector (or maybe the death of her ;)

Collecting Cow Chips Competition: 

Meeting Ephraim Hanks. See the buffalo he shot behind him:

Rain Storm. Love the look on Emma Bob's face. It was so wet!!!

Setting up camp & Family Dinner:

Hoe-Down Dance & Pioneer Stories & Songs:

F.H.E. with the Super Saints having Foiled Swag $$ Sh'mores! And enjoying the sunset as a family!

"SUPER SAINTS--- Sleep!"

"Fire of the Covenant" Pioneer Trek 2015

We had the opportunity this week to participate in a Pioneer Trek with the youth of our Stake. Brett & I had the chance to play the role of a Ma & Pa on the journey. Liberty & Justice were both old enough to come along which was such a treat to experience it with them. Our dear friends, the Seedalls allowed Victoria & Glory to hang out with them this week. What a blessing they are in our lives! Thank You so much guys for your love and friendship toward our family. Luv you!

So much happened during our Trek!!! I took some pictures but after the 1st day the battery kept threatening to die so I conserved power and limited my photo ops. (I know- hard to believe that I could actually do that! LOL) I kept a journal each day and it seems like a daunting task to rewrite all that happened here. SO- risking the chance that no one will be able to read my handwriting, I am just including my journal as the text of this journey. And sporadically share a few pictures that can hopefully portray some of the amazing experiences we had this week. {Liberty & Justice were NOT in our family during Trek but they had many of the same experiences I will share with you.} 

Liberty's Family- the Campbells

Justice's Family- the Tolmans

Our Family- the Seamons' Super Saints!!! Swag $$, Baby!

The Stake made us all these awesome journals. Here's my cover:

Message from the Stake Presidency:

Hymns were included:

We had the SUPER kids in our family sign our journal so we can keep in touch 

(and frankly so I could remember everyone Pioneer name. LOL)

SUPER SAINTS- 
Search, Ponder & Pray! MOVE OUT!

Frank Sinatra's Symphony Under the Stars

The Helena Symphony and Carroll College Monday announces their continued collaboration for the 12th annual Symphony Under the Stars concert event and fireworks show on Saturday, July 18 at 8:30 p.m. on the campus of Carroll College. Considered the largest summer event in Montana, the much anticipated Symphony Under the Stars attracts well over 15,000 people from all over the state of Montana and beyond.

The 12th annual Symphony Under the Stars will be celebrating the 100th birthday of Frank Sinatra. CENTENNIAL SINATRA starring Steve Lippia is a celebration of the life and music of the twentieth century’s most remarkable singer of the Great American Songbook - a star of radio, television, movies and countless live performances throughout the world.


At the last minute we realized that tonight was the Symphony Under the Stars. After we made a stop at our friend's Wedding Reception, we headed over to our favorite spot to watch the show. Liberty and Glory got to hang out with her friends that were there as well. It was pretty funny because we didn't realize that we got there at intermission. Oops! But it was still pretty amazing! And we love the fireworks at the end!!!

Justice's Scout Camp

Justice left at 3:30 am this past Monday to participate in a week long Scout Camp at Island Park, ID. 

Island Park Scout Camp is a Boy Scout Camp located in Eastern Idaho near Yellowstone Park and is the temporary home of 500 scouts and leaders each week from June through August.

Island Park Scout Camp is part of the Grand Teton Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Their mission is "to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law, while having fun, challenging and rewarding experiences in the Outdoors."

It was opened on June 1, 1974

http://www.tetonscouts.org/camps/island-park/59489

These 6 days were the longest he's ever been away from our family. It was super quiet around our home this week but we sure missed him!

He worked hard on getting Merit Badges as he works towards his Eagle Scout Award. He finished up the Environmental Science Merit Badge, the Swimming Merit Badge, the Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge, and the Indian Lore Merit Badge. He also got started on Basketry and Leather Works. Way to go, Kid!

He also enjoyed his friends and goofed around a bit. They found a small piece of wood that they nicknamed the "Boom Stick" which was a multi-purpose toy for the rest of the week. They used it to play catch, baseball, football and throwing it at each other's heads. LOL Sounds like a Scout thing to do!

We are so proud of Justice's hard work and his example to others. One neat story that the Leaders shared with us was:

One of the other Scouts was experiencing some pretty sever home-sickness. One night Justice was trying to calm his friend down. After trying to suggest several things they could do to help the situation, Justice told him that he thought they should pray together. Justice offered the prayer. His leaders said they were outside their tent and could hear Justice's heartfelt prayer for his friend. They were pretty impressed and commented that it was hard to believe that it was a 12 year old boy in there. ;) When they finished, Justice suggested that they read from the scriptures together. Justice had his leader bring him his Book of Mormon. Justice told his friend that he thought they should turn to a random verse and read. Justice shared with us that he found a couple scriptures that totally applied to his friend. One was about being nervous or scared. And the other was about helping out others. Justice has quite the strong testimony and is such a deep thinker. It didn't completely change the sadness that his friend felt but I'm sure that angels were attending them because of Justice's faith and diligent in speaking with the Spirit. Man! We love this kid!

BlendTec Ice Cream

After almost 20 years of using the whimpy $20 Walmart blenders, we broke down and bought a BlendTec this week at Costco (oh well- we joined the Costco World as well- It's been a big week for our family joining the "Mormon shopper" ranks. LOL) Brett and the girls made up some ice cream. Yum!

P.S. Two weeks in & we haven't been very happy with the BlendTec. Brett uses frozen strawberries and blueberries to make a smoothie every day. Even after running it twice- it still has big chunks. The customer service agent said try adding more liquid. But how can they claim it can blend a cell phone but not frozen strawberries??? Dumb!

Brotherson Crew: Clark's Bay

Our Youth Group planned a trip out to Clark's Bay tonight. (Wednesday night) We sent the 4 older kids out in the afternoon and then joined them out there around dinner time. It was a bit chilly but we enjoyed the kayaks, grilled up hamburgers and enjoyed the beach. The kids got to hang out with all the youth in our Ward and play a little volleyball. It was fun to introduce the Brothersons to so many of our new Helena friends.

We said our goodbyes Thursday morning. We are so grateful for their friendship and willingness to stop by each year! Drive safe! Luv you guys! XOX

Brotherson Crew: Great Northern Carousel

This morning, we took the Brotherson Crew to the theater for a morning showing of Night at the Museum 3. Fun show!

We let the kids do some Rock Climbing. LOL

Then we went for a walk to the Great Northern Carousel. It's such a beautiful Carousel! Justice grabbed the gold ring and got a free ride ticket for later! Way to go, Buddy!

Then we treated us all to Ice Cream and a musical concert (put on by ourselves) in the Exploration Works Music Garden.

Brotherson Crew: Spring Meadow Lake

Sean wanted to give Justice & Brett a fly fishing lesson while he was here. Once Brett got off work & we ate dinner, we hauled everyone out to Spring Meadow Lake. We took out the kayaks and played on the beach. It was way chilly and we pretty much had the entire place to ourselves. Kristen & I walked the kids around the lake while the boys fished. The older girls (Bryn & Liberty) spent hours out on the kayaks. Chilly but lots of fun.

Brotherson Crew: Memorial Park

Our Fargo friends, the Brothersons, came to visit us for a couple days. They got in last night and we spent time eating a late dinner and getting caught up. I love friends that things just pick up where you last left off. Love it!

Today, we took them up to eat lunch at Memorial Park (Brett walked across the street and joined us). The kids played frisbee, checked out the playground fort, hung out with a lady and her dog. 

Midnight Italian Sodas

After the fireworks at Zinns, the Fifes invited us over for Italian Sodas. It was almost midnight but we're always up for hanging out with the Fifes. Fun times and fun friends!

Fireworks at the Zinns Ranch

Every year, the Zinn Family invites the entire Stake up to their Ranch for a firework show. We heard about it last year but didn't make it up there. So we thought we'd try it out. It was AWESOME! They rope off a field for parking. They have a big field for you to set up chairs. They have a small lake on their property and let off the fireworks across it. They did a flag raising, a prayer a speaker and even had quotes from President Hinckley. Then we watched the firework show! Pretty awesome! We'll have to make this a tradition for sure! Happy 4th!

Last Minute 4th of July BBQ

Our original 4th of July plans changed last night. So we quickly pulled together some friends and had a party of our own. Thanks to the Allens and the Fifes for joining in our last minute party!!! Love you guys! We had an awesome BBQ, sides and a delicious dessert!!! Fun times!

Centennial Park Flag Raising

Happy 4th of July!!!

Earlier this week, I saw a flyer about a celebration happening at Centennial Park this morning. We decided to check it out!
They did an amazing flag raising of the humongous flag by the YMCA. The flag was brought in by a horse and a colonel in a old time uniform. They invited all Scouts or Veterans to help unfurl the flag. Justice and Bryson got to participate. They got to help unfurl and carry the flag to the pole. So neat!

They played a recording of Francis Scott Key and his story of the night he wrote the Star Spangled Banner as they raised the flag. It was a version I had never heard of & so inspiring of the dedication of the people to keep the flag raised. He talked about how as long as the flag stood standing- it meant we hadn't given up. When the flag pole got bombed down, soldiers would hold the flag up. Many lost their lives as they held up the pole and other soldiers would take their place in holding up the flag. Wow! What sacrifice!

Once the flag was raised, we sang the National Anthem and then they shot off a cannon.

Next, we headed over to the other side of the park for some free hot dogs and root beer floats. Yum! We found the Andersons and the Allens to hang out with for a bit.

Then the kids got to play on some bouncy toys and go to the playground for a little while. What fun times! What a good way to start out our Holiday!

Firework Show @ Home

We visited the Firework Stand down by the Montana City Store and loaded up on some fireworks. Then we had our own private firework show tonight in our driveway. Only 2 injuries and lots of noise!!! Brett & the kids count that as a success! ;)
Lots of running away from things that blow up:

Lots of colors in the sky and one goofy family:

Lewis & Clark Caverns

Brett had the day off so we took the family and headed down to check out the Lewis & Clark Caverns.
We have been meaning to make it there since we moved to Helena. Victoria actually missed her class field trip to them this last month because of our "Trek to the Temple" so we promised her that we would get there soon.


<< This picture is a model of the caverns inside the mountain behind the kids in the picture shown below. You start at an entrance up at the top and wind your way through them until you get to the bottom.

It was sooo HOT today!!! But we braved the hike up the mountain to the cave entrance. Because of a miscommunication, we only brought one water bottle on the hike so the kids and I thought we might DIE before we made it to the entrance. ;)

The caverns were pretty amazing!!! It was a 2 hour guided tour. The guide showed us some awesome things and had great stories about the caverns and the stories behind it's history. It was pretty chilly inside- most of us put jackets on before we finished.

We made it! Back into the scorching heat! What a neat experience for our family! (The bottom right photo is a picture of us hiking back down. The Visitor Center is that tiny building in the valley to the right)

A Patriotic Home

As we pulled out our decorations, we realized that our 4th of July decor was severely lacking. Can you believe that??? What is wrong with us? (We usually took off and headed to UT so I think we just never really decorated our home. So weird!) But we found a couple sales and remedy that problem. So fun, patriotic and beautiful!