Epic Saturday Morning of Train Tracks

I don't know why Charlie thought this would be a nice quiet place he could chew on his rawhide, cause he was definitely wrong! Enter River . . . 

River's Favorite, "Tom Tom"

How do you spend your Saturday Morning waiting for Daddy to come home from his week long National Meeting? 

Building the Ultimate Train Track of Course!

We used every single piece of track and it was epic. Ok, I thought it was epic. River just loved playing with his trains, and tearing the track apart once I figured out how to arrange everything. But the important part is, we had a lot of fun.

Do all boys play with cars and trains laying on the floor? I've seen River and a couple of his buddies do it, so I'm thinking it must provide the best perspective.

Cutest thing ever though was when we picked Sky up at the airport that evening. River ran straight to Skyler his hands reaching high in the air for him. (I am not sure I would call it a run though, more like a happy dance/hop in Skyler's direction) River wrapped his arms around his Dad's neck, squeezed as hard as he smiled, and wouldn't let go. Kisses and Hugs abounded. River loves his dada. Too Cute!

Billings, MT

We spent the week exploring Billings, MT. 

River & I played and entertained ourselves while Skyler worked.
And this time we brought a long Charlie Dog. 

River loved it, Charlie was happy, but I'm not sure we'll be doing that again. 

Sorry Charlie, we love you but you're not a good multi-day traveler.

Dog and hotels are tough

Some highlights:

1. Indian Tacos from the Custer Battlefield Trading Post Cafe in Crow Agency. YUMMY! 

via

2. Walking the Black Otter Trail on the Butte in Billings. River loved watching the planes land and take off, Charlie loved the walk, and I loved the fresh air and beautiful views.

3. Pompey's Pillar - Lewis & Clark Expedition. Seeing Clark's signature and River being over the moon about walking Charlie all by himself and also joyously watching trains pass by and blow their horns!

4. Pictograph Cave State Park.

Woodland Park CO - Dinosaur Resource Center

A very picturesque photo of River  . . .  pooping.

The sniff test.

A Positive Result

Run away!

Speaking of poop . . . . .

 

Sky's on a bit of a dinosaur kick, so we packed up and drove to Woodland Park CO and visited the Dinosaur Resource Center. 

Although the building was a bit small, each room was packed with dinosaur skeletons and fossils. They had a lot of cool things to see including some real fossils. 

My favorite was the see monster room. All the Skeletons were hanging from the ceiling and I couldn't believe how big they were. I learned about the Megaladon Shark, and that was pretty cool. It was a contemporary of early humans so they could have seen his dorsal fin the size of a sail cutting up through the water. Crazy!

River was a little bored, you know cause he can't quite read plaques and signs, so we took turns one playing with River and the other reading things and looking at the exhibits.

Then we walked the main street and found the most wonderful thing ever

via

THE DONUT MILL

They had the most delicious and humongous Donuts. 

They're maple donuts, Yum!

via

Not to mention they had Blue Bell ice cream.

To be honest we all had a little bit of Both and it was tasty.

River was in ice cream heaven, and we all know how sticky that can be.

Whenever we go visit these cute mountain towns, I start dreaming of living somewhere like that. I am sure Skyler is sick of hearing me say " Oh I would LOVE to live here, wouldn't you?" and then the 45 minute conversation of debating whether we could really or not. It always boils down to that it's not really our stage of life right now no matter how much I love little towns and being close to nature. We need people. 

 Besides i don't think I could handle the winters in the mountains. Pleh snow.

Thanks Skyler for a fun adventure. You're the best!!