Memorial Day Weekend in Review

Jeff and I had a busy Memorial Day Weekend. We went from track meet to concert to quality family time. Read on to hear more!

The weekend began with the conclusion of track season for me. Our State Meet was held in Laurel, MT this year. Competition began on Thursday evening and concluded on Saturday afternoon. The Knights were represented well by three boys and two girls, who had qualified in a total of ten events, and competed throughout the weekend. Our kids competed well all season and those that qualified for State brought their best efforts to the big show. The two seniors who competed at State definitely went out on a high note-- One scored fourth place in the Shot Put, and the other scored in four events: fifth in 200M Dash, third in Long Jump, second in 100M Dash, and State Champion Pole Vaulter.

State was fun, it always is, but I also felt sort of sad off and on throughout the weekend and the week leading up to the meet. Sad because it was another season gone and there's not much I love more than coaching.

Our team flag flies proudly at the State Track Meet. 

 From the Track Meet in Laurel, Jeff and I made the easy drive to Bozeman, where we'd be staying the rest of the weekend with his sister, her husband, and their six-month baby. We kicked off the evening by attending an Eric Church concert! My husband has been a huge Eric Church fan for many years and I like his songs quite well, too. We had general admission floor tickets for the show, but since we're old and kind of weenies, we stood toward the back where it wasn't super crammed and mosh-pit-like. We still had a great view and it was a really awesome show. I'd definitely go to an Eric Church concert again! We spent the night singing and dancing along. I didn't take any photos because I didn't even take my phone to the concert-- I just wanted to keep my phone away and enjoy the show. Going to concerts is always fun and this one was definitely worth the price of admission!

Katie and Josh live near this beautiful pasture with mountain view.
Bozeman is so perfect. I miss living there quite a bit sometimes.

Sunday was pretty rainy all day, so we spent lots of quality time indoors with Josh, Katie, and Brandon, and Jeff and I got some big-city shopping done. Jeff and I picked up some groceries while we were out and about so that we could do dinner on the grill for Katie and Josh. With their six-month baby, our nephew, they definitely have their hands full. It was nice to be able to do something helpful for them that we could all enjoy, and grilling is definitely something Jeff and I are skilled at! We had some brats and "Hot Hen" sausages, both from Redneck Sausage. They don't have a website, but they are a local, Montana company and their encased meats are super tasty! If you ever happen to see them in the store, grab a package! We also grilled potatoes in a foil packet and grilled corn on the cob, and had sliced watermelon (not grilled) on the side. Delicious! So great to enjoy a meal together. Perfect Memorial Day Weekend grilled feast!

Sunday morning, the guys went golfing with a buddy of theirs and Katie and I hung out around the house with Brandon. It was a lovely, sunny day, and we were able to take him outside for a walk in his stroller, then spent some time later on playing on a blanket in the grass. It was nice to have some quality time with him and Katie. I think the best part of the morning was when he learned what grass felt like. We rolled up part of the blanket so he could touch the grass with his hand. You could really see him processing what that feeling was like and thinking and experiencing that for the first time. Pretty cool. :)

Quality Auntie/Nephew time! 

I also snuck in a run on Sunday morning, weaving my way around some paths and streets in the neighborhood around Katie and Josh's new house. I'm getting better at run selfies, but not outstanding... Highlight of the run was seeing a big red fox pretty close-up. He moved too quick to get a photo, and again, I thought about getting out my camera but decided to just enjoy looking at him for a while instead.

All in all, a great weekend with team, friends, and family, but also a little sad for me at times. I'm always sad to say goodbye to the end of track season, sad to say goodbye to Bozeman, and sad to say goodbye to Katie, Josh, and Brandon. Such is life. Until next time!

Spring wheat right in the middle of town. You can see some of the MSU buildings in the background, and further back, the Bridger Mountains, with the "M" on that south face. So long, Bozeman!