Mountain Man Reunion

We just got back from a Wappett family reunion in Montana. Stratton really got into the spirit of the mountain man theme. He was ready to follow Lewis and Clark! We had a wonderful time seeing everyone and being together for the first time in 2 1/2 years! It is so fun to see all of my nephews and nieces growing up. It seems like the oldest of the bunch should still be toddlers, not 9 years old already! Stratton loved having so many cousins to play with. There are 4 cousins within a year of his birthday, so there was a lot of negotiating turns and sharing, but they loved playing together. Dashell loved being held all the time and being the center of attention. My niece Meridian took especially good care of him. She can come stay with us whenever she wants- she would hold Dashell all day if she could.

This is Stratton taking turns fishing with two of his cousins, Wells and Hannah, in the little creek by the house. I think they could have fished all day. They were always ready to take another turn with the little red fishing pole. Sometimes I wish I could be as unfazed as they were at not catching anything. Although I'm not sure there were very high expectations of catching anything, seeing as the end of the line was a magnet, not a hook. Maybe they could have caught a steelhead.(Bad joke)

Brigg loved being out in the west in the mountains again. Here he is with Dashell showing off how he is still a tough guy. I think he felt like he was proving that he is still a mountain man himself after my sister told him he looked like a dad while we were traveling. Two kids can do that to a person. Good thing he's married to someone who looks like a mom.

Here is Stratton showing off his apple in front of a gorgeous view of the Bitterroot Mountains. It really wasa beautiful part of the country. We loved having the chance to explore, ride horses and spend time with everyone. It is a pity we are all so spread out across the country. Although we seem to be slowly gravitating back to the west, one at a time as we finish school.
Here is Stratton enjoying one of his favorite parts- the horses! The kids got to ride every afternoon, and Stratton did great! He is a natural. When the older kids started trotting while I was leading him on his horse he said, " Mama, my horse is too slow. I need to go faster!" Luckily, a fast walk was enough for now. Maybe in a year or two he can try for a little more speed. Maybe when his legs are long enough to reach the stirrups.