Sunday Sunsets

We were driving through a storm and it was so dark we needed headlights. As we continued to drive west we could see it was letting up a little bit. The sun started to show through and we figured it was worth stopping for. Wow, I guess so. It really was this color, this is SOOC.

Batter up!

Do kids learn what they see? You bet! Take this little scenario for example. He marched right on in there. Grabbed a helmet, then a bat and then a ball.

"Come on! Come on guys! Give me 5! Heads up here! Everyone get their game faces on! Hey, who's on deck here? Let's go now!!!!!"

"That's it, I'm taking matter's into my own hands now. I'm heading out there and show these boys how you really do it."

Anyone think he's ready to play baseball?

in a hayfield, Part Two

You can scroll down or click here to read Part One

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As Lineman approached the Canadian/US Border he wondered what would happen if he couldn't get the dog across into Montana. He had gone all the way to northern Canada specifically to get this dog. It was the only thing that mattered right then. What if they took the dog from him? He had to have a plan....

Shove the dog into the sleeper. Yes, that was his great plan.

He put the dog into the sleeper and closed the drapes that separated it from the cab of the semi. A nose poked through the bulky drapes. Lineman was quickly approaching the border, he gave another shove to the dog to keep him in the sleeper. Then he rolled the truck into the bay for semi's at the border. Out came that nose again and he pushed the dog back. But what if the dog barked? The dogs nose poked out again. He was so curios and wanted to see what was going on.

The Border Patrol Agent was walking over to the semi and the dogs head was now completely through the drapes. One final shove, a hope and a prayer that the dog would stay hidden.

The Border Patrol Agents are suppose to look around, make sure everything looks right and you're not bringing anything back to the states illegally. The agent looked at his logbook and then looked at Lineman.


Then he waved the truck on through.

As soon as they were two feet into Montana that dog leaped into the passenger seat of the truck!
Once a Canadian, now a Montanan and our life would never be the same.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I was overjoyed when Lineman brought the dog to me. We named him Buck and he was such an incredible dog.

Buck went everywhere and did everything with us. However, he did run away once.

It was summer and he was an Australian Shepherd with a thick black coat to wear. We decided to shave him. Well, Lineman did. He shaved him but he left a mohawk on the dog. We went to town later that day, Buck riding in his favorite spot in the back of the truck. We went into the grocery store and came back out to find Buck gone. He had never jumped out of the truck before. But now he was missing.

We drove around town, called the radio station, talked to people.

No Buck.

Two days later the phone rang. It was someone calling about our dog. They found him and we could come and get him.

We were so overjoyed to have him back. We went straight home and shaved off his mohawk. We figured he ran away because he was either mad at us or embarassed. He never ran off again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a few years later when I would cry over Buck. We were headed back to school so my husband could go to Lineman School. We decided we would stay in a camper as a way to save money. We also decided it was no way for Buck to live. He was a dog that deserved wide open spaces.

My mom had plenty of wide open spaces at her Bed & Breakfast in the mountains of western Montana. We hoped she would say yes when we asked her to take him.

I have so many great memories and stories of Buck, but I think his best years were those spent with my mom.

I think it's where his true story begins.

...... to be continued........

22 of 52

What a blast to finally get back on the bikes! This one is me with the middle boy. So, so much fun!

********************52 Weeks********************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!
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in a hayfield

The year was 1993 and we were living in northeastern Montana. My soon to be husband was working for his uncle on his farm and ranch. One of his main jobs was hauling hay out of Canada to the states to resell. There were some interesting trips he made in the semi. Some trips took him way north into some very remote country. I would occasionally make a trip with him if I wasn't working. A lot of times we would drive all night and get to the farmers house in the middle of the night. This would ensure we could get loaded very first thing in the morning and head back to Montana.

There was one trip I made with him that I will never forget. I was just waking up in the trucks sleeper, the rumble of an old tractor approaching awoke me. I opened the sleeper door, it was cold and damp and dewy outside. The tractor wasted no time and began loading the semi trailer with large round bales of hay. Lineman was getting the tie downs ready and guiding the farmer on placement of the bales. After having one farmer drop a round bale on the sleeper he had to make sure they loaded him properly. I pulled on a coat, felt the cool air on my cheeks and jumped down to the ground.

As soon as my feet hit the ground there was a dog there to great me. He was the most beautiful dog I had ever seen. I looked down at him and he took off like a flash. He ran around and around and around that semi. I will never forget the way he had complete joy in every leap he took. He bounded effortlessly with incredible speed. He came back to me, looked at me with loving eyes and I gave him a scratch on his head. Then he took off again, running with pure joy. I fell in love right then and there with that dog.

We said goodbye to the farmer and I longingly looked back at that incredible dog as we left the hay field. Wishing I could take him home but knowing the farmer would not give up such a fabulous dog.

The next week Lineman went back up to to Canada to the same farmers hay field for more round bales. Little did I know what he had in mind. He did get that load of hay. But he had a great surprise in store for me.

The farmer had agreed that we could have this dog. Problem was, Lineman was all by himself and he had to find a way to get the dog across the border back to Montana. He worried about that all the way from the farmers house to the US Border. No records, certainly no shots, what else would they need for a pet to go across the border? What if he got there and the Border Patrol confiscated the dog. Lineman wanted so badly to get this dog to me. He would figure out a way at the border.....


..... to be continued......

Dizzy

I took the kids fishing and to the park early Saturday morning. We were out the door by 8:30. Why on earth am I telling you this? Because I am NOT a morning person. But I was determined to get out of this house. So I was out at 8:30... not too shabby for me on a weekend! The kids had a blast the whole time. I packed a picnic lunch that we had at the park.

I had to try my hand at getting some meri-go-round pictures. I had fun snapping away but let me tell you.... I HATE this piece of playground equipment. There is nothing that will get me sick faster than spinning around in a circle. Apparently my middle son feels the same way, he didn't even want to get near it!

Sunday Sunsets

Taken just last night at some ponds near us. Such a peaceful evening. The birds were active, the fish were biting and even the beavers were busy and swam right by us. Now to figure out how to bottle that up and save it for later.

Reason to smile

Remember this picture ?? Now I will show you the reason for this great grin. Sure he was having fun fishing with his dad, but check out what happened.

WaaHaaa, looks like he's got something on the line. Bring it in son!

This guy put up a pretty good fight! He actually broke the line just as he reeled him to shore. The fish almost swam away but Lineman reached down and grabbed him before he could swim off.

He was so excited he caught this fish! It was actually the 3rd one he had caught but the previous two were so big they broke the line each time. We switched poles for him after that.

There was enough time for him to cast a few more times. He had another bite and reeled this guy in. It was a pretty successful day..... in more ways than just fishing!

21 of 52

The middle wild child and I enjoying some nachos together at my oldest sons baseball game. I still wish I was out there playing but it is a ton of fun watching the kids, too. A girl came over and "stole" my Little Man so I could actually just sit and watch the game.... and share nachos. It was a wonderful evening!

********************52 Weeks********************

52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!**************************************

Please add yourself each week to the Mr. Linky so we can all visit your page too. THANKS!

Together

Over the weekend my middle wild child got a some much wanted alone time with his dad. Our oldest son was with a friend and though the offer was for both of the older boys to go, the middle son was insistent that he go fishing with dad. That was all he wanted! It was quiet, one on one time. No distractions..... well, mostly no distractions......
I wonder what could have happened?
All I know is that it ended up like this.........

LM & LM

That is, a little more Lineman and Little Man!

This was another day of fishing again! I love to see this man with my boys. My heart goes crazy and there's a smile on my face.

All to himself

When Lineman makes it home there is a universal want among the boys. They want their dad all them themselves. Hey, I don't blame them. Mom gets pretty boring all week! When it comes to wanting dad all to himself, Little Man is no exception. In fact of all three boys he is the one who makes his wants known very clear.

Fishing last weekend he was content to just sit right by his dad. To be just like him. To mimic everything he did.

Just like dad.

He'll do anything he can to get dad all to himself!

Sunday Scenery

Sorry there is no sunset for today. Hopefully you won't be disappointed by today's picture....

Leaning

We pass this delightful old barn every Sunday. What a sight to see. She is leaning pretty hard and I wonder how many years she has left until she is standing no longer.

Bathing Suits & Flipflops

NOT HERE!!! I have to laugh because as I look around at other blogs and I see people playing around the water, in shorts and just enjoying the warmer temps. I'm glad someone has nice weather!

My mom is visiting and we were suppose to go golfing today. Not a good day for that! This picture is from yesterday but my mom looked out the window and it was snowing again today.

I think she's a bit tired of this snow.

I think she wants to golf.

I think she should become an expert snowman maker.

20 of 52

As I typed in the title I could hardly believe this is week 20. I tell you if it weren't for this challenge I think there would be one, maybe two pictures with me in it. If I was lucky!

If you're just joining or thinking about it, don't let that number 20 throw you off. Start right now with #1. Or if you feel like you don't want to keep track that's fine. Just get yourself in the picture, that is of course the ultimate goal here!

I have been told my boys look a lot alike. I wasn't sure about that, until now!

I thought I would take one with my best friend of nearly 17 years, too. It's been nice having him around a little more. This was taken Sunday morning, it was nice to be together as a family.

********************52 Weeks********************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!
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Please add yourself each week to the Mr. Linky so we can all visit your page too. THANKS!

Making it count

Now that we are somewhat settled after our move things have gotten back to the old routine. That is, Lineman has to go to work out of town. However, his current job site is actually close enough he can.... wait for it......

..... actually come home for a good weekend. Who would have imagined!

So what do we do on the weekends? We make 'em count, that's what we do! This was how we spent part of this last weekend. All the boys fishing, it's a wonderful thing.

Our still-black-eyed-boy has been asking his dad for a very long time to go fishing. He is certainly getting his chance lately!

The Little Man even enjoys this time. It's a rare occasion for him to sit still. He sat and played with a collapsible rod and a bobber for almost half an hour.

Last but not least our middle wild child who never stops going was quite content to sit quietly awaiting a nibble.

There wasn't a single fish caught this day but it didn't matter one bit. What mattered was that we made the best of the time we do have together.

I ♥ Faces - Laughter

This weeks theme is "laughter" over at I Heart Faces.

This Little Man isn't one to normally break out into hysterics. It can be done with lots of work though. He was out splasing in puddles and he was laughing because he thought he was going to get in trouble for it. Typical boy.... pushing mom any way he thinks he can!

You can see more great faces by clicking here at I Heart Faces.

My Baby

My Little Man is starting to become more independent. More assertive. More ornery. More smiley. More laughs. More stubborn. More communicative. More kissey. More running. More non-stop action.

The days are long but the years are short. I hope to not take these things for granted.

Sunday Sunsets

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful mothers out there. Make it a wonderful, relaxing day!

On the job

This move has had it's ups and downs. This week was one of the ups. I had a chance to go see Lineman out on a line job he was inspecting. It was only a 2 1/2 hour drive to get there too.

I got there right at lunch time and we drove into town and had lunch together. Lunch wasn't great but the company was fantastic.

We didn't have long to stay as we had to get back home before the bus got there. But to be able to go to the job site and say hi (and bring him things he forgot) was just wonderful.

**The preceding photos brought to you by:

Our Recent Move

Friday Funnies

Leave it to Baby Blues !

19 of 52

Guess who is feeling better?! Little did I know he was making faces while I took this, trying to sabotage my pictures.

********************52 Weeks********************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!
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Please add yourself each week to the Mr. Linky so we can all visit your page too. THANKS!

havin' a blast

It was so much fun to get out and enjoy the fresh air while we all did some shooting. The Little Man was loving his time out there!

Who knew setting up the fallen cans would be so much fun? Even Koda was loving it!

Oh yeah, no doubt he was loving it.

Could it be spring days are actually upon us? It sure is feeling like.