Sad news from the Taylor family

Our hearts broke this week, but we also have good stuff going on...

I can't wait to share an update that is all only good news. We're out of school now and ready for lots of summer fun, but we started it off on a very sad foot. Before I get into that though, I wanted to offer a quick thought about summer: 

Going awesome places and having adventures together during summer break is great, but being home together and rediscovering your own backyard is also special. Between working parents’ schedules and budgets, some summers aren't as grand as many hope for, and that's okay. I just wanted to put that out there before I start blabbing about what we're doing (which is mostly for work).

Thank you for following along and giving me a place to share our joys and bumps in life. 

Saying goodbye to our cat, Bijoux 

Whether you know us in real life or just online, no doubt you've seen Bijoux in our photos and social media. He was a cat celebrity online and in our neighborhood. Such a special guy.

Between having lots of guests visit us in the last few weeks and then preparing for summer travels, we also said goodbye to our beloved Bijoux. He was the best cat. He came to us nine years ago; we adopted him. He loved the adventure of moving across the country and camping, he loved hanging out by the pool, and he loved the boys so much. His departure was unexpected, the victim of Memorial Day traffic.

We were able to bring him home and bury him in the garden. The boys took it really hard, but I think Chris and I have been taking it harder (not that it's a competition). An empty house without a constant friend is difficult to get through, but we'll make it. I'm tired of hearing how it'll get easier and we'll find another pet. That's just not helpful, no matter the good intentions. Grieving our best friend is going to take a long time.

Montana Adventure - RIGHT NOW

As I write this, we're in the air on the way to Missoula, Montana. I love Missoula and still kick myself for changing universities at the last possible minute to go to the University of Washington instead of become a Grizzly. That's in the past, so now we just visit for the fun and nature. Myself, Oliver and Elliott are going to have a week of exploring together in Glacier County and it's going to be a great distraction (wasn't planned as such).

Tonight we check in with our friends at Glacier Guides Montana Raft where we're going to be staying at their lodge and the doing hiking, booking and rafting with them. It's been a few years since we've been in the Flathead River with Glacier Guides, so this will be so fun!

From there we're heading to East Glacier where we'll be at the Glacier Park Lodge, one of the original Great Northern Railway hotels. This'll be our home base for hiking in Glacier National Park and boating on St Mary Lake.

Our next leg of the journey takes us up across the border into Alberta, Canada. Since I was a kid I've wanted to stay at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park and this trip we get to! We'll be doing a few hikes, checking out the waterfalls and watching for bears. It's a new park for both kids and it's been 25+ years since I've been, so hurrah for something new! 

Pride Month Notes

I both love and loath Pride Month. I love it because getting to see so many people celebrating progress and diversity is so uplifting. I loath it because I struggle to brush off the hate that is spewed ten fold during June. It's difficult for me to NOT read the comments when something positive and Pride themed is shared by a news outlet or on social media. Pride month is ironic because the same thing that's being celebrated (progress and visibility) is exactly what spurns on the trolls who find a renewed sense of power this month. 

Read Why Pride Matter So Much Today

If I can proceed with my best foot forward I will, but sometimes I let the swamps of sadness get me. So what does my best foot look like? It's sharing our family and stories openly and without fear, real and perceived. It's gently AND loudly reminding people that rights that must be granted and to be celebrated. It's also having hard conversations with friends and strangers.

If you think there's not a lot to chat about when it comes to the importance of Pride today, let me share a quick tidbit of what's happening:

• anti trans bills are being proposed and passing all around the country

• in Florida the governor banned rainbow lights during Pride month (for reals)

• international laws, including in Peru which we love, are making life more difficult for the LGBTQ community, despite major advances in recent years

And that's why Pride and sharing it with others is so important. Considering what we've seen the Supreme Court do to women's rights and how that's spiraled in the last two years, it's wild to think how other major laws and protections are at stake. 

Upcoming Trips and Inspiration

We're less than three weeks away from our UnCruise in Alaska!! I feel like I've been talking about it and building it up forever, but it's because I'm so excited. UnCruise is a company that we've worked with since last year, and it's fitting that we're going sailing with them in Pride Month. Many destinations and travel brands come out of the woodwork to ask us to partner up for June… but they ask in May. UnCruise has been an all-season partner and has wanted to reach families like our way beyond Pride season. Maybe we'll get to do one more adventure with them this fall… in Baja…

If you thought our trip to Peru was incredible and something you want to experience, all the details are up on the blog. AND if you want to go with us, we have a few trips back down to the Peruvian Amazon coming up that you can join. Let me know if your want more info! 

That's about it for now. I know summer is going to fly by, but we'll be checking every moment of it. If we decide to bring a new pet into the family this summer, I'll be sure to share the details here, in particular what prices we go through for pet adoption. 

Have a wonderful week, and to see all of our Montana adventures, make sure you're following us over on Instagram. Take care!