Grandpa Sandes Visit

My dad drove all the way out from Billings MT, to spend a couple of days with us last month. We had so much fun with him! The boys and I took him to the park, we went on walks and we even made it to the Museum of Flight. So much fun!

Halloween 2010

So I am on the hunt for better ways to not celebrate Halloween, and celebrate something with a focus on Christ, and not death and goblins. But I started thinking about this too late this year and we already hyped up the costume thing. And I just couldn't disappoint two spidermen and a cute little duck. At least they still bought the idea that Halloween is just about handing out candy, and not collecting it.

Nolen ended up handing out most of the candy as Aiden ran around and got too sweaty and had to take his costume off. Coen did help out and waved at everyone.

They were cute. And it was fun. And I will try to do better next year!

The Zoo with Grandma

The Schneider's came for a weekend visit. And the boys, Grandma, and I went to the zoo. The zoo is always great, but this time we got to watch the Komodo Dragon eat giant white rats! Gulp! It was gross and the boys loved the slobber and gore of it. Now how come I cant get them to scoop the guts out of a pumpkin??

Pumpkin Picking

Hunting for pumpkins is fun. And each year our group is bigger and cuter. They hunted and hunted for just the right pumpkins. They got their faces painted, they looked at the farm animals and they ate junk food. And from the looks of it Steve got a work out hauling everyone around!

Dress Design for Shabby Apple Dresses

Check out my mom, Linda Schneider's, cute dress designs for the Shabby Apple dresses design contest! I love spending time wistfully dreaming of buying all their cute dresses.

Life Right Now

We are settling into school for Aiden and the new routines that brings. I have a love/hate relationship with morning deadlines. There has been one close call of desitin (diaper rash cream) being mistaken for toothpaste, due to me being overly tired, and WHO?? would put them in the same drawer??

Aiden was so excited his first day of preschool. He was bouncing around me all morning, "I AM SO EXCITED FOR SCHOOL!" I twirled around in a half panic and quietly thanked the Lord I had two other kids who need my attention and distracted me from all the unknowns of leaving your precious first born in the hands of someone else.

Little did I know Nolen would be the one who needed extra coddling on Aidens first day of school. We all three accompanied him to his class. I felt it was a bit much having the whole family out of the van, but we were in minority as many kids had both parents and sibling and cameras flashing as they made their way into academia. Aiden went right in, introduced his brother to his teacher and as we turned to leave, Nolen started screaming, "NOLEN SCHOOL NOLEN SCHOOL NOLEN SCHOOL!" I had to drag him out literally kicking and screaming. Once in the van he whimpered, "miss aiden miss aiden". Aiden was pleased to hear that Nolen had missed him to tears, and now asks everyday, "Did Nolen cry because he missed me?"

I didn't realize how much Aiden did around here as far as entertaining the masses. Nolen drags me out to play legos and wants me to paint with him and go play outside. So far it is not the two and half hours of productivity (or lazily laying around reading) that I had envisioned.

But as this is just the beginning we will solider on and I am sure just as I get the hang of things, they will change.

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!