TravelingMel

Here in Montana we have a wealth of natural resources. Everyone knows that. But what you may not know, is that we also have a wealth of cultural resources. And if we don't have it here, we bring it in.

The Paradise Valley Music Festival was a combination of all three. Superb local talent, amazing bands from elsewhere and the prettiest location you can imagine.

Plus, we had great company in Susannah, Will, Harrison, Colton and many of our neighbors and friends.

The lineup included Ben Burlington, Two Story Ranch, the Infamous Stingband, David Grisman Quintet + and James McMurtry...emceed by our own Rich Hall.

While the rest of the Paradise Valley and southwest Montana got rained on, we enjoyed a hole in the clouds and sunshine all day long.

Finn is ready to get his bluegrass on.

Harrison and Colton "nap" under the blankets and jackets.

Local band Two Story Ranch

Wrassling

Henry with his nephews.

Harrison and Colton dance, dance, dance

Sleepy Finn takes a break.

Covered in kids doing art.

Those are dancing feet.

David Grisman in Montana.

Enjoying the show.

They brought in this lovely backdrop just for the show.

David Grisman Quintet +

So excited to play with the foam clay stuff.

Dancing with Dad

Henry's sister Susannah, her husband Will and their boys came for a Montana visit last month (which was only a week ago, so I am not super late with this...). They stayed at Mogie and Big Henry's place in Ennis, but we were lucky enough to spend several days with them.

The day after they arrived in the Last Best Place, Anders, Finn and I went over to Ennis to play with Harrison (6), Colton (3.5) and the rest of the crew.

Anders and Colton loved playing together. They are just 5 months apart in age and seemed to like many of the same things--playing in the sandbox, making art, climbing on Big H. Harrison was such a sweet big "brother" to Finn--showing him around and reading books.

I had a great time chatting with Susannah and Will (and Mogie and Big H) and playing with my nephews.

Harrison and Finn read and make silly faces.

Mogie listens in on the reading.

Anders and Colton coloring on the deck.

Susannah and I played paparazzi.

Everyone needs a hat.

Finn makes himself at home.

Well, almost everyone is facing the camera.

Anders took swim lessons. Now he puts his face in the water and jumps off the side into the pool.

Finn is psyched to be at Anders' lessons.

Ring around the otter, pocket full of water, splashing, splashing. We all go under!

Not quite ready to jump off the diving board.

For the third year, we entered Anders in the Sweet Pea Children's Run. For the second year, Anders didn't really like it.

Before the kids' run we volunteered at the Bozeman Classic. Anders and I stopped traffic at one corner and H and Finn were at another.

Finn's looking pretty happy...for now.

Anders is happy to be there, too.

Lots and lots of people join in the kids' run fun.

Not so happy anymore.

Finn and I are falling behind. H and Anders are up there somewhere.

Just 27 minutes to go 1 kilometer.

Playing with rocks is much more fun than participating in a race.

After the race we went the the brand new Baja Fresh in Bozeman. Baja Fresh started out in little ol' Newbury Park where I grew up. I think the original one was better.

Finn liked the chips and salsa, though.

Anders dug the quesadillas.

Then we decided to get the boys haircuts. Again, Finn was not happy.

Anders liked the car and didn't mind the haircut.

Mom, Anders and I went to the Demolition Derby during the Park County Fair. It was extremely loud.

This is how Anders and I watched the whole derby.

The cars are revved up and ready to go. Anders really liked the tractor that picked up the logs around the arena to let cars in and out. He'd be upset that I don't know the name of that type of tractor. I call it the "claw thingy."

A kids' bike race spiced up the time between heats (matches?).

I didn't get any photos of mom, which is too bad since she bought us elephant ears (and she's pretty.) I was too busy holding my hands on Anders' ears to do much else.