Brodie & Desirae Visit Montana
June 29 - July 5, 2026

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We were thrilled to get some time with Brodie and Desirae this summer, and Carter too, of course!  It was a great visit! 
 
   
First stop, Carter's house - we had to kidnap him for the week.
Here we are making Braden & Brodie measure off against each other.
It's close in June, but by August Brodie had grown another 2" to 6' 6".		 The first full day started at the fishing pond at the fairgrounds.  The boys love that spot. 
  
   
 Desirae is a champion at watching people fish.   Buddy likes to watch the extraction part. 
   
 Group photo!  But Brodie wasn't cooperating - no surprise!   Here Carter shows us all how to pet for maximum effectiveness.
   
The next day we took the boys to Libby for a guided fishing trip on the Kootenay river. The boys and their guide, ready for action! 
   
 The next morning we were off to a slow start. Here Uncle Eric checks his height against Carter, who is straining just a bit to grow taller.
   
Next they compare foot size, I think they are pretty close there.  The boys, looking up fishing stuff I'm sure.  
   
Carter challenges Brodie to this silly game where you have to moo like a cow.  The first one to 
laugh is the loser.  It's nearly impossible to keep from laughing at him.  		 Next we head out to Fortine creek, just south of Eureka. 
 
   
Brodie can't fish without getting in the water, it just can't be done.   Now they are off to check out a nearby area. 
   
 Fishing at the confluence of the Tobacco River and Fortine creek. Buddy, during his favorite activity - the pebble game. 
   
I couldn't choose one shot so you get to see two. Next on the agenda - family trip to Stillwater Canyon.  I thought the boys
could fish in this creek but they said it wasn't the right kind of creek.  
   
What they did do was rock climb.  Carter loved it.   Buddy says, "Rock climbing is SO boring!"  
   
 Carter making his way up the first climb.  Now it's Brodie's turn. Brodie seems skeptical of Eric's belay glasses.
They are prisms that allow you to see the climber above you without tilting
your head back - brilliant! 
   
Brodie stretching those long arms and legs out to make it look easy.  At the top. 
   
 Now Carter it tackling the second route. And Brodie on that one.  
   
Some of the beautiful scenery down there.  The gang, waiting for Eric to move the rope to the next route.  
   
   
 Carter, on a much taller route this time.  He did great.   Buddy still thinks climbing is boring.  
   
 Carter loved the climbing, Brodie decided it can't compare to fishing.   That evening they were out in the boat.  And this time Carter did the rowing.  Last year, Brodie
got the nickname, "trolling motor" because he rowed so often.  
   
It is so great to see these two together, They laugh all the time. Also, we told them they could only take the boat if they used the life jackets.  
Notice their unique interpretation of how to "use" a life jacket?  
   
The following day was the 4th, which the family celebrated at Luke & Kristi's house.  
Eric is paddle boarding near the new dock that Ivan built for her as a birthday gift. 
Brodie & Desirae are down the way so that Brodie can fish. 		 Cooper, Hanna, and Carter being pulled on the tube by Ivan.
 
   
Braden, Desirae, Luas, Erik, Carter, and I didn't know the lady in the hat, she was the wife of
one of Lucas' workers.  		 Carter tried to talk Brodie into fishing off of the stand up paddle boards, but Brodie prefers to do
things the more traditional way.  
   
When Braden went swimming out there, I thought he was going to knock Carter off and
take the board, but he just went there to hang out with him.  I should have known better
about Braden, he's a gentle giant.  He is about to sink that board though.  		  This time Eli and Drake join the kids on the tube.  It was Drake's first time at tubing.  
   
Eric had to borrow these amazing shorts from nephew Cody.   
They are so awesome that it made Eric break out in the Trump dance.  		 Eric gives Ivan & Desirae a ride to the house to help prep the food.  It is a rough road, I would
have been down inside the truck bed!  
   
 Enjoying the burgers on the screen porch.   After a bit of family drama, a good-natured volleyball game was undertaken.  Brodie joined in too and did great! 
   
Action shot.  It was as much trash talk as actual playing, which is a given when Jeb is involved.  All too soon it was time to take them to the airport.  Thanks for a great visit guys!! 
   
   
   
 

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