so a week ago, my family took off for vacation in montana, clark griswald at the wheel. clark takes his job as Family Tour Guide very seriously. the play by play lasts the entire trip, and goes something like this, "hey kids, look! a bird...hey kids, look! a deer...hey kids, look! a train...hey kids, look, a big truck...hey kids, look! a deer...another deer...hey, another deer...wow! look at all those deer!"

finally my oldest says, without looking up from his leapster, "yeah dad. we get it. deer."

for us, the roadtrip is half the fun. maybe it's because we're all trapped in a car and have no choice but to be together, passing time with stupid stories and jokes and lots of "i spy" games. we're big dorks on the road, but it gets us there.

montana was a great time. we hiked in the mountains, drove up to snow, ate at our favorite pizza place, saw plenty of moose, went bowling (we all suck), checked out our favorite local spots and just hung out. life is always good in montana. i'm ready to go back again...