Seven flights and nearly 20 hours of travel.  I feel as though I should have ended up in an exotic country.  Where I did eventually arrive was  even better.  I spent a few days in Bozeman, Montana with my parents and most of my siblings.  We gathered to this beautiful place to see my youngest brother graduate from Montana State University.  It was a quick trip, filled with pride, a little sightseeing, and lots of laughter.

We couldn’t miss the opportunity to visit Yellowstone National Park while we were there.  It was a short, cold trip, but well worth it and I have to share a few of the snapshots from the day.  The park is dreamlike in the winter with the combination of  steam and snow.  Being completely void of other tourists makes it wonderful and strange.  After much coercing I took a dip in the boiling river with my brothers.  You have to trek through the snow about a half a mile to get to the spot where the boiling water meets the freezing cold river.  Getting into your bathing suit in the snow is a feat in itself, as is picking your way over the slippery rocks to find the perfect, natural, outdoor hot tub.   The Pabst Blue Ribbon in a can topped off the entire experience!

Both of my younger brothers have attended MSU.  Cori is heading out to Seattle for a new career and Collin will continue with his PHD program at the University.  I am so excited for both of them but sad to see them separated.  They are fortunate to have had this time there together.

As with most ceremonies, this one was full of charged energy.  Parents swelling with pride and students full of excitement and relief.  There was a beautiful Native American drum circle performance and at the end balloons fell on all of the graduates.  It was touching and a little unbelievable to see my baby brother graduating.  I’m sure this is just a glimpse into the future of how I will feel watching my own children reach these milestones in life.

Congratulations to Cori!  I know that your next adventure will be incredible.  I would go to the ends of the earth to be with you, and our family, on such a special occasion.

XOXO~Kate