Our World Today

Today has been one of those days. Anna is home from school sick because she had a fever when she got out of school yesterday. She also had a big headache in the middle of the night. However, today she has had no fever, she is feeling fine, and she is starting to get on my nerves.
Luke had pictures at school and I forgot. So he wore a bright red lifeguard t-shirt and I asked if I could come at 11 and bring a shirt and they said sure. So I did, but they weren't there and wouldn't be back til 12:30 so we'll try for retakes. (Anna is shooting for retakes too because she had a black eye in hers.) It's nap time but nobody is sleeping, hmm.
Beau has forgotten his spelling words all week and if he forgets them today I am going to be very unhappy. Anna didn't do her homework yesterday so her teacher chatted with me after school, Beau turned it in today because I made her do it last night sick or not (it was just coloring).
On a positive note, our dog Mattie is going to live and should come home today...thankfully because Beau was not going to handle her dying very well.
Owen got a new (borrowed) toy. He loves the exersaucer, he is growing so fast.

Notice in the above picture he is a very bald baby,
and in the picture below the hair he does have looks
kind of funny. I am trying to get the courage up to give
him a little haircut. We'll see if that happens.
He sure is cute though and has so many different expressions.

Photo shoot at Sunset

We had a beautiful sunset tonight and the kids were all dressed nice from going to church so I seized the moment. We went outback and had a little photo shoot. It was fun, the kids cooperated really well and these are just a few of what I go. I also played around with some editing software as I am trying to learn as I go. The sky is natural and amazing. Anna has a black eye from soccer the other night and Beau has a haircut scheduled for Tuesday, but this is the life with kids, it is never perfect but we embrace every moment anyway. Luke had tears in his eyes in some and Owen refused to smile even once, I think he was a little unsure of how secure he was. I think they all look amazing though and I know someday I will look at these and remember the perfect sky surrounding my imperfect children and smile because it was a perfect moment captured by an imperfect mom.

Favorites from Our Week With Pepere and Auntie Gail

We've had two days of getting back into our old routines. Today we our just hanging out and getting some stuff accomplished around the house. Soon I am going to try to accomplish making Luke take a nap he's a little grumpy.
I asked everyone what their favorite part of having Auntie Gail and Pepere here was...the answers follow...some of them surprised me, others didn't.

Luke "I loved playing games with them, and making cookies with Auntie Gail."
Anna "My favorite was when Pepere came to have lunch with me at school." By her reaction to them coming which was silence, we never would have guessed that this was her favorite, but I'm glad it was.
Beau "I really liked when we went to Beaver Creek Park."
Mine was playing cards after the kids went to bed, late night chats with Auntie Gail, Pepere's popeyes and kisses and hugs, and just getting to share our life with them.
Owen really enjoyed dancing with Pepere, everytime he heard Pepere's voice he'd look for him and smile, and he loved cuddling with Auntie Gail, he misses her putting him to bed.
Ben didn't give an answer he was just super thankful to have them come as we all were. We loved showing them our home and our life here in Montana even if the weather didn't cooperate.
Our home is always open, we love company.
Thankyou Pepere and Auntie Gail for coming to see us.

Moments of the Week

We have thoroughly enjoyed Pepere's and Auntie Gail's visit. We are all a little sad that this is their last day of their trip. Pepere and Ben are going to go have lunch with the kids at school today. Anna has really enjoyed reading to Pepere and last night she read to Aunt Gail and Pepere. Luke has loved playing games with them while the others are at school. Owen has loved cuddling with them both. And Beau has loved talking with them. Ben and I have enjoyed playing cards and learning how to play cribbage as well as all the help they have been in our daily routine.
Owen has hit some milestones while they have been here. He slept through the night, and he started to suck his thumb. He is very very close to rolling from back to belly but I don't think he'll pull it off today, but maybe.







We have thoroughly enjoyed Pepere's and Auntie Gail's visit. We are all a little sad that this is their last day of their trip. Pepere and Ben are going to go have lunch with the kids at school today. Anna has really enjoyed reading to Pepere and last night she read to Aunt Gail and Pepere. Luke has loved playing games with them while the others are at school. Owen has loved cuddling with them both. And Beau has loved talking with them. Ben and I have enjoyed playing cards and learning how to play cribbage as well as all the help they have been in our daily routine.
Owen has hit some milestones while they have been here. He slept through the night, and he started to suck his thumb. He is very very close to rolling from back to belly but I don't think he'll pull it off today, but maybe.

Dancing With Pepere The Finale

Owen's fussy time of day is between 7 and 10 at night, not the whole time but usually a little here and there. Tonight was no different, but we are trying to play cards so he doesn't get the attention he wants. During my deal I passed him off to Ben and he stood him on the table where Pepere began to dance with him. Every time they did it Owen would carry on talking...he loved it. So when we were done I recorded it. Watch the two down below first and then this one. They load easier if I take short segments. Owen obviously loves his Pepere he stops and looks for him whenever he hears his voice. Enjoy the dance.

More Dancing

Bears Paw Park and A Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE GAIL
So glad she spent her birthday with us.

We showed her this view.

Took a hike on a trail covered in cow poo.

Owen would rather eat his hand.

Luke took a photo op.

or two.

Auntie Gail lead the way.

Anna gave a smile.

Some of the others posed too.

This is just another view.

A family photo.

Boys discussing a plant.

Pepere and Owen cuddled.

Beau and Anna climbed.

I admired the sky.

I also like looking at this guy.

A daddy and his boy.

Beau.

Auntie Gail and Anna.

A daddy and his girl.