Montana Tourists

We made it to Butte, Montana yesterday.  The picture above is of the kids standing on Grandma Margie & Papa Malcolm's porch.  They are still renovating their little Victorian Home.  We spent the day up in a little town called Philipsburg.  It has quite the cute downtown strip with touristy shops.  We had ice cream and went into a huge old fashioned candy store, the Sweet Palace.  

Clayton, Katie, Malcolm, Rachel, Lexi, Jordan & Ammon

When we finished walking through Philipsburg, we drove up into the mountains to see a Ghost Town called Granite.  It used to be a silver mining town with 3,000 people in it.  In the late 1800s, congress repealed an act that ended up making silver prices crash.  Within a week, the population dropped to about 150.  

Hiking through the Ghost Town

Posing in front of the Union Hall, which had a library, dance hall, and auditorium.  Apparently, they hosted minstrel shows, melodramas, and vaudeville.

"Ball park"

First ride in the back of a truck - went off-roading to the silver mill

Silver Mill

Heather's Baptism

Lexi's best church friend, Heather, got baptized today.  Her family wanted Heather to be baptized in Provo where her grandparents live.  When she heard the plan, she was quite sad.  She felt bad that her friends wouldn't be there.  The funny thing is that we just happened to be in the next little town.  She was thrilled about it.  She asked Lexi if she would say the prayer. We went and it was a nice experience.

Grandma's Home Town

This morning, I decided to take the kids to my mom's home town.  I showed them lots of places including the house my grandmother owned when I was a child, the house my mom grew up in, where my great-aunt lived with her kids, the park where both my mom's generation and my generation played, my grandmother's house where she lived when she passed away, and even my grandfather's grave.  

Park by Salem Pond

My grandfather's grave

Bridal Veil Falls

One of the things that I really wanted to make sure to do in Utah is go to Bridal Veil Falls.  Grandma Margie and Uncle Alma wanted to go too.  It was a little too hot, but we still had a great time.  The kids had an amazing time climbing up the falls.  

Jordan, Corban, Lexi & Eden

Lexi & Grandma Margie

Uncle Alma telling one of my dad's favorite jokes.  It is about a string that was desperate for water.

Pioneer Parade

The 24th of July is a state Holiday in Utah.  It is called Pioneer Day and it commemorates the entry of the pioneers into Salt Lake Valley.  It is celebrated much like the 4th of July with parades, bbq, and fireworks.  Lexi, Eden, Corban, and Jordan LOVED watching the parade in Spanish Fork.  The best part for them is that they got lots of candy and treats that were thrown out.  We are staying with my friend, Annette, and her family.  Her relatives have been sitting on the same corner for the parade for about 30 years.  We happily joined them.

Grandma Margie & Uncle Alma

Lexi caught an otter pop

Picture of Annette & me

We went to Glades, which is a burger joint that has been around forever.  My mom and her friends used to walk there for lunch in high school.  It is still as popular as ever.  Right after I took this photo below, I turned to see my mom's cousin and his great nephew walking up.  Of course, I led him back to talk to my mom.