Montana

Whew! We have been traveling. We drove to Molt MT, last Wednesday night, and arrived at 7am. Night driving has its pluses and minuses. On the plus side the kids fall asleep and there is peace and quiet, and the negative side is I think every bush is an elk waiting to jump out in front of me. I was a little edgy, but we made it in one piece. My dad, his dog Gus, five horses, nine chickens, and many many cotton tail bunnies greeted us upon our arrival. The kids were in heaven. They would have been happy with just field after field of dirt and grass. But no, even better, rabbits to chase! Round and round they went. I think we need to get a rabbit for our back yard! Aiden bravely road sassy by himself and with me. Nolen was a little hesitant, Coen had no fear and made a special connection with my dad's 30 year old horse minute. Aiden loved collecting eggs with grandma and she even took him on a 4 wheeler ride. Aiden and Nolen both got to drive the tractor with grandpa.

Next we were off to the Leeming Family Reunion in Roscoe MT. 29 of us made it and it was so much fun. Nine little cousins got to play together, and all of them were well mannered fun little kids. They got along great. We went to Grandpa Leemings church up at Rosebud Lake, and it was the cutest church I have ever been too. The people were lovely, grandpa gave a wonderful sermon from John, and of course the setting has to be the closest thing to heaven.

We roasted marshmallows, which was wild with sticks flying and marshmallows bursting into flame. It was a little tricky being the first time for the boys. Nolen being so engrossed in his smore tipped over in his chair and gave himself some nice bruises on the face.

We had a lovely dinner at the Grizzly Bar, and watched fire works at the Lake. A downpour in true Montana style cut the show a little early.

The ride home was yucky. Aiden got car sick and barfed about 4 hours into the trip. But we arrived Mill Creek 2am, all safe and very happy to be home.

I am so glad we went. We had such a great time and added wonderful memories for the boys.

Thank you to all who hosted us!

Coen is ONE!

Coen got to start his celebration early yesterday with his best friend Dylan who shares the same birthday. They partied with a cupcake celebration.

Today we celebrated by getting Aiden and Nolens haircut, followed by a train ride, playing in the park and a trip to the new toy store. When dad got home we had take out Thai and a birthday muffin. I thought two days of cupcakes might put him in a sugar coma.

Then we unwrapped gifts from grandmas and grandpas, and tried out the new donkeys. Coen was excited to receive his own donkey and quickly figured it out.

The birthday boy got to take a bath sans pushing, yelling, older brothers and is sleeping soundly dreaming of his second birthday.

The Tulip Fields

It has taken me awhile to post these pictures, I think mainly because I was trying to block the whole experience out. On a whim, I thought lets take the fam up to the tulip fields. The three hour jaunt I had planned turned into almost six. Everyone else was on their way to check out the tulips too, it being the actual festival day and all.

Stuck in traffic, blindly following our gps to the very epicenter of the tulip festival, and not the actual fields, we went with two cheese sticks and nothing else. After we finally located the only field, out of dozens left, we and the rest of the Puget sound masses waited our turn to park in the most convenient lot only to realize they only take cash and all we had was half a cheese stick left.

I gave up and said lets go home. Aiden wailed "But I WANT TO SEE THE TULIPS!" Steve calmly found a suitable spot on the side of the road and we hoofed it over to the field.

After sorting the pictures I remembered why we love making the trek. The natural light and rows and rows of flowers make for really cute pictures. Oh yeah, I think the kids are cute too. Especially those cute bare coco toes.

And He's off to the Races

Wow, things just got a little bit more wild around here. There are three of them all going in different directions or attacking one another. Its shaping up to be a fun summer!

Catching Up

We have been busy. We joined the YMCA, went faithfully for a couple of weeks until colds sidelined all three boys. Nolen got in two swim lessons and we all went swimming as a family a couple of times. The pool was super busy, and there is nothing I love more than standing dripping wet on the side lines chubbiness and all waiting for a lap lane to open up. All in all we love it there and hopefully we can stay well and continue to go regularly.

We bought a giant bean bag, it is super comfy and is great for running circles around.

Aiden and Nolen have started to learn how to ride their bikes, we got spiffy new helmets.

Coen is starting to walk. He has taken five steps, but when he needs to cruise somewhere fast he crawls.

Steve put in new bamboo floors on the first floor of our house and took out a bar/island thing to open up the kitchen. He did an awesome job as usual. Ellie immediately started destroying the new floors and consequently has to wear pink rubber toenail tips. She secretly likes them, but pretends she is embarrassed.

The boys and I joined Bible Study Fellowship and it is so cool. Even in Coen's class they are learning about Jesus and how much they are loved. God is so good to me. He pulls me closer and closer everyday.

What else?? Everyday swishes by and I try to remember to kiss them all enough and tell them how much I love them, I know I fail alot, but I'll get up and try again tomorrow.

We are loving the promise of summer and sunshine and looking forward to all the blue skies!
I hope you had a wonderful Easter.

He is risen. He is risen indeed.

No Phone Zone

When Washington State passed the no talking on phones while driving law it was really difficult for me to give up talking while driving. I used my commute time to catch up with family and friends. But the new law forced the issue and I have become accustomed to not talking while driving. Now I have this fancy new phone with wifi, giving me the option of looking at my email facebook gmail, whatever I want, pretty much anywhere. Not to mention the really easy texting.

So, while I don't do this while driving per se, I do it at the stop light, or waiting in line for the Starbucks drive through. After watching the Oprah special on the accidents that happen and the people killed by others talking on their phones and texting, I have decided to take the no phone zone pledge.

I will not pick up my phone while I am in drive. I will pull over and park the car if it is that important.

I cant imagine losing someone important to me to such a thoughtless and totally avoidable accident. And I certainly dont want to be the cause of someone elses loss.

There are a lot of things I cant control, but this is one I can.

Up Up and Away

Here he goes folks. Caught by the camera he relinquished his attempt to pull the bag of markers down. I have to be quick once he spots the camera he drops to his knees and crawls as quick as he can towards the photographer. Go baby go.