Monday, August 31, 2009

He ain’t a farmer…

Last weekend we went over to  my in-laws for a visit and to do some shopping.  Little Man’s grandpa was mowing the lawn when this happened…..August_0391 Grandpa said the kid just ain’t a farmer if he can’t stay awake on a tractor. 

Grandpa is out harvesting in the wheat and lentil fields now, I wonder if Little Man could stay awake in a big tractor or a combine?  Hmm, we may have to find out.

I’ll think about it after my nap.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Friday Photo Flashback

Friday Photo Flashback

1977

swimming 2

I loved to be swimming at a very early age. I think I was part fish! These were at my grandma’s house. A few years ago we took a trip to my grandma’s. While we were there my boys began learning to swim in that very same swimming pool, talk about full circle!

swimming 1

You know when they say “DON’T RUN” by the swimming pool, it’s for a good reason. I slipped and split my lip open. Good thing my grandma had a popsicle for me.

She is a pretty cute girl, maybe we should try just one more time for a girl.

Wow, I think I heard Lineman gasp from here.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

35 of 52

Forever In Blue Jeans

52 Weeks 34

Sending them to the bus on the first day of school. Man I love these boys!

********************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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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Perma Grin

It was the first day of school Tuesday. Our oldest boy started 3rd grade. Meanwhile our middle son, started Kindergarten. I’m sure he can remember the very first time his older brother hopped on the bus to go to school. Every day since then he has wanted nothing less than to start kindergarten. This was his day!

Back2School 2He had the biggest smile on his face that started the night before school. By morning there was no taking that smile away. He had a Perma Grin.

Back2School 3 Walking to the bus in the morning, even from behind I could tell that he was still wearing his Perma Grin.

Back2School 4 He rode the bus but we really wanted to see him at his first day of school so we drove to town and hung out at the school until the bus pulled up. Out he jumped… wearing his Perma Grin!

Back2School 5 A quick hug with dad, no coaxing for a smile here. Is it bad that I didn’t cry for his first day of Kindergarten? I was so involved in his smile I think there was no room for my own emotions to filter in.

Back2School 6 I have no idea what he was doing here…. except showing that great Perma Grin.

Back2School 7 He was so excited to play on the equipment. He made a buddy in no time at all.

And now for a great shot of the day……Back2School 8

Just look at these kids. I can see confusion, irritability, irritation, coaxing, wonder, and complete apprehension…. but who is the ONLY kid wearing a grin?

Yup, I would say he’s a bit happy to be at school.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

34 of 52

Forever In Blue Jeans

Last week we went to our oldest sons play at the theatre. During intermission I handed my mom my camera, pulled Lineman into some good light and had my mom snap away.

Us 2 Framed

~

Us 1 Framed

********************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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Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Sunday Sunset

4th July- Reunion_0167 I guess this one would qualify more as a sunburst.  I’ve had fun getting these types of sunbursts and sunflares.  This one is SOOC…. meaning I’m too tired to edit, thankfully it doesn’t need much attention anyway.  Have a wonderful Sunday!

Friday, August 14, 2009

Friday Photo Flashback

Friday Photo Flashback

Seems like with all of the recent fairs this would be a great time to have a p0st about my old Ag days.

Old Photos_0101 This was at the Ag building at my High School. I pretty much spent my entire high school career down at ag…. or on the soccer fields =) This steer was from my senior year, 1991. He was a pain to halter break so I named him “Worfless”.

Old Photos_0104 Hanging out at the fairgrounds. Yowsers, look at the color of those pants. But hey, at least I was color coordinated with Worfless. Right? Or maybe not!

Old Photos_0102

Thursday, August 13, 2009

33 of 52

Forever In Blue Jeans

52 Weeks 33

Talk about a last minute photo! This pretty much tells the whole story though. Give the kid some wheels and he's happy!

********************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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Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Why did the turtle cross the road?

I realized after reading many of your posts about the great things of summer that I had skimmed over several things or left them out entirely.

Case in point: Turtles

I was driving in NE Montana when I spotted something in the road. A turtle, a soon to be a squished turtle, so I stopped and l threw him in the back of the suburban. Much to my cheering kids delight!

We picked up a rubbermaid container, filled it with a few things for the turtle and the boys were happy.

Then two days later I found yet another turtle crossing the road. I saw it the same time as a Border Patrol agent did, but I beat him to the turtle. He said how nice I was to stop to get the turtle safely to the other side of the road. Ha! I said, “well, actually.. um, er… if it’s okay, I’ll just put him in the back of the suburban and take him home, er, if that’s okay”. He said he didn’t think it was a problem. So we had TWO turtles.

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They are Painted turtles. And let me tell you these guys can move pretty quick!

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I told the boys it would be better if we let the turtles go. They thought about it and agreed. We took them to one of our local fishing holes where we had seen turtles before.

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Hey guys, have a great life. Tell us when the fish are biting!

Oh, hey wait!!!! We changed our minds, come back! You can still go but we can’t watch you swim off if you are in the reeds.

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So they picked them off and decided to let them go by the dock.

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Let me tell you what…. when these guys hit the water…..

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They could taste freedom and they were out of there! Talk about fast swimmers. They were at home and happy.

So I guess we’ll never know why the turtle crossed the road, were just glad they did.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Forever in Blue Jeans

I had been planning to meet a friend and blogger, Darcie, from The Story of Us, face to face for the first time at the beginning of August. Unfortunately things didn’t work out as planned and we weren’t able to meet. I was so bummed I didn’t get to see Darcie, but what a wonderful surprise when she called me and we were able to chat on the phone! Then the sneaky girl asked for my address. Hmmmm, what was she up to?

A few days later there was a package at the post office. Inside I found this…..

FBJ1Can you believe it? How cute is that! I just couldn’t believe my eyes! For those that haven’t been reading for long, this is how I became Forever in Blue Jeans. So when I saw this I just gasped. I couldn’t believe there was something like this out there. Under “Forever in Blue Jeans” it reads “Love and family is the fabric of life”.

Looking further in the box, under all the peanuts there was more….FBJ2This cute little box. So cute! I was intrigued.

FBJ5 Aw, this little guy was waiting patiently inside. Isn’t this just so adorable!

FBJ4 With his faithful companion. Playing together much like my boys and their dog would. Could this be any cuter. Could it be any more appropriate. A boy. A dog. Blue Jeans. That says it all.

FBJ3

Thank you so much, Darcie. I will treasure this so much. It’s a reminder of so many things for me. For growing friendships and fleeting youth. To treasure each one and to never take them for granted. Thank you!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Listen to your mother

A few weeks ago my boys were outside playing.  There was mud nearby.

End of story.

Yeah right!   Is there any young child that can resist a mud puddle?  I told them to just stay away from it because I was getting pretty tired of cleaning up dirt and mud every 2 seconds.   Did they listen?  Of course not. 

And then……  one fell in ….. accidentally……

DSC_0034_0073 DSC_0035_0074

And then I do more laundry.

End of story.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Sunday Scenery

Elevator 2

These elevators are right near my in-laws house in a small Montana town.  The train used to pass by here and we would squish pennies now and again.  But several years ago the track fell into the river and I guess they never cared to fix the track.  So, as Tom Petty says, the train “don’t come around here no more”.  

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Disappointed…

Do you remember the little incident toward the end of the school year? The one where my oldest son broke his nose? Well, seems like he has been at it again….

Bridger fighting 5x7

This time it is a black eye. I must tell you though, we are very upset with the situation and disappointed. We thought we had done a better job in raising him. We thought we had taught him how to handle himself in these types of situations.

Apparently we were wrong.

I mean really, try to teach a kid to keep their hands up to defend themselves, but nooooo, they never listen do they? Hands up next time son!!!!

Ah, just kidding. He is in a theatre camp right now and it’s just make-up. But you knew that…. didn’t you?

Friday, August 7, 2009

Friday Photo Flashback

Friday Photo Flashback



I sure have enjoyed looking back at old photos. These hold some great memories for me. These are taken in the Crazy Mountains of MT about '91.

Old pictures_0025This one is a wonderful friend of mine, Ed. We always had a blast and were always goofing off. Who me? goof off? And to have an adult want to goof off with a teenager was pretty awesome!. I hopped up on his horse for this little picture op. That seemed to be a theme of mine because I have another picture where I hopped on double with Ed too.Old pictures_0022 This is with Ed and his wife, Diane. I have so many great memories with them! We have kept in touch over the years and just got reacquainted through Facebook. I was so happy to be in touch with them again. I have more pictures with Ed and Di I might share next week. Hey Ed & Di, if you’re reading this, thanks for the trails shared, the fun and all the great memories! Miss you tons!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

32 of 52

Forever In Blue Jeans

I had wanted to post several pictures from my Disney trip.... but my computer isn't behaving nicely and I'm on the verge of throwing it on the floor. And that wouldn't work so well, so I have but on picture this go round.

This was taken on the top of the hotel where we were staying so we could watch the nightly fireworks. They were by far the best fireworks I have ever seen. We were with mom's side of the family who all gathered together for a mini family reunion. We had so much fun visiting. I made all of the boys matching baseball style t-shirts and they seemed to go over well. Just all and all a fun time. I'm not sure though... is Lineman smiling? Country boy in the city.... but that's a whole 'nother story!


********************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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You might be a redneck

DSC_0091_0016

If your perfectly able toddler sits in a wheelchair. In a very full diaper. Eating a freeze ice. With a dog lapping up the spills.

DSC_0096_0021

You might be a redneck……. if you use huge pruning shears to open a freeze ice.

DSC_0098_0023

But then again, maybe it’s just a place to sit and a way to open a summer treat. Yup, that’s it!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Brothers & bows

The boys made a ton of bows when we were at my moms. They went through a ton of string and cleaned up a few branches in the process.

July_0165

I love to see when my boys are kind to each other. My oldest was making a bow for his little brother. It was so cute to watch them interact. And yes, his tongue is always busy when he is working on a project.

July_0167

My boys sitting quietly… ahh, I could get used to this.

July_0166

These are the sweet memories I’ll treasure. Hopefully they’ll block out all the arguing later. Please tell me your kids argue too.