Deck Update

Micah was able to get most of the posts set.... he only has 5 more!!!  (he had help - which we were so thankful for).  I was happy to see that the lawn has potential of coming back and may not all be dead!

A look from our front window.  The rock wall is in sad shape and as you can see the beautiful green grass... looks pathetic!  We will have lots of landscaping to do on the yard when this project is done.

Just thought I would throw in a picture of my raspberry/strawberry patch!  Can't wait to see the fruit from this!

A New Deck is Coming....

We are getting a new deck!!!!  Our old was has been falling down ever since we moved into our house 5 years ago!  As Micah was pulling up boards they were falling apart because they were so rotten!  I got a pretty good scare a couple weeks ago when I touched one of the railings and it fell down!  Ethan has been determined to play on this deck every spare moment he has - I will be very relieved when the deck is finished!  For me it is always hard to be patient in the process... today a "big tractor" (as Ethan would say) came and dug the holes for the new poles.  It left piles of rock/dirt all over our beautiful lawn and I just know that our lawn will need lots of attention after this is through - IF it survives.  Part of the beautiful rock wall Micah built for me a couple summers ago was also dug up... gulp... yes I am excited about my deck... the process is just the difficult thing for me!  I know I will sure enjoy the deck when all this construction is finished!

Just Some Snap-shots of Ethan

Enjoying watermelon by the river... one of our recent dinners by the river!

Hooked up to the music!

Sand is his new best friend... these days we go through several outfits in a day - and it is not because I am a picky neat freak - it is because his clothes are solid dirt and there is no way I want to do the extra house cleaning!

A Taste of Summer

Yesterday it was almost 80 degrees.... so nice.... so warm (today we had snow flurries - go figure)!  I bought a popsicle mold for the summer and so I put it to use.  Some fruit juice, pineapple sherbet, and frozen mango.... and wow... it was a yummy treat!   We like to celebrate the signs of summer as much as possible.... notice Ethan's new summer hair cut?  It is super short... shorter than I wanted it - I am discovering that I am not very good at giving him haircuts!  I need lessons!  But at least he will be cool for that warm summer weather that is "just around the corner."

Favorite Pics of the Past Few Weeks

Ethan is not longer a baby.... he has turned into a boy overnight and wow.... not sure what I think!

Making wishes!

Hard to believe we needed a hat and a jacket just a few days ago... here is Ethan on his new love and interest of the week... TRACTORS!

Sunny Saturday and Sunday Snapshots!

I have hundreds of pictures from this weekend so it was hard to choose a few to share with you!  It was SUNNY and WARM this weekend.... after more than 9 months of winter it is nice to feel warm!  We spent EVERY waking hour outside basking in the rays and playing in the RIVER.... Ethan's new FAVORITE THING!  He is now into boats because on Saturday Micah took him down a little bit in the BIG boat - so he is hooked.  He still likes his little boat, but the big boat is all he could talk about.  

On Saturday Ethan and I played by the river all day chasing Micah from beach to beach so we could see him (he was rafting with Adam... a guy we working with).  Then after Church on Sunday we had a picnic at Willow Lake and then after nap time we went down to the diversion dam for dinner and that is where Ethan got to play in "his" boat.  I feel so spoiled by the sun and by having lots of good play time with my boys!  What more could you want.... sand, sun, water, and fun!

A Precious Gift...

This may appear to be a pile of wilted weeds, but to me it is a BEAUTIFUL THING!  These are the first flowers Ethan picked for me!  I was so THRILLED.... most of them were totally swished and mashed by the time I got them, but I really think these are the most beautiful flowers I have ever gotten!

I Love Momma's Day!

My boys spoiled me on Momma's day!  Micah made me crepes with whipping cream and fresh strawberries and then they gave me a massage chair!!!  With this pregnancy my lower back has been killing me and so Micah wanted to ease my pain with massage!  It is so great - I have already spent many minutes reading and getting massaged in my chair!  I love how thoughtful and kind my husband is and I LOVE being a Momma!

A Week Ago...

A week ago... there were 8 ft piles of snow... EVERYWHERE... this week Ethan and I were able to wash the car at 6:30pm and it was WARM.  We both got totally soaked from the experience, but there was a lot of laughter.  If you want to a kick in life give your 20 month old the control over the hose... it is hilarious!  We are still experiencing the affects of the "spring storm" our phone still will not make outside calls.  We can receive calls, but we can't call anyone.  It may not seem like a big deal, but honestly I am frustrated out of my mind.  We are moving onto day 14 without a phone.  It is an internal phone system thing and our phone is the only one affected so who knows when it will be fixed.  I want to have a good attitude, but it is hard.  I couldn't call my mom to wish her a happy mother's day... I can't make dr appointments that need to be made..... and what happens if there is an emergency with Ethan or another surprise early birth of this baby?  Could you pray we get our phone back soon.... sounds like a silly thing - but when you live in the wilderness sometimes a phone call is helpful to ease away isolation and loneliness.... 

A Day on the Ranch!

Today Micah, Ethan and I went "branding".  Micah got right in there and was wrestling the calves.  Ethan and I were the gate keepers - and our job was to make sure the cows stayed in the pen.  We had several cows charge the gate, but we manned our gate well!  It was a partially cloudy day, but it was still beautiful out.  We got our share of cows, mud and outside air.  It was a good Montana experience!

20 Months!

Ethan Cade is 20 months!  Hard to believe... because it seemed like time stood still when he was really little and had colic. Now he is full of nonstop action and energy.  He is exploding with words and will repeat almost anything.  He even has is own cute language;  blank = blanket, track = tractor (just a few examples).  He is really into the word "no" so we have been working on saying "yes" and when he says yes it is the cutest thing.  He signs it with a big smile while really emphasizing "YES" (especially when he knows we understand what he is asking for!)  I love it!  We are still battling that strong will and temper tantrums, but those aren't the norm and we are thankful for his cheerful spirit and fun loving nature!  We love, you - Ethan Cade!

Kite Festival

After being stuck in the canyon for a week... Ethan and I went on a little date with Cassie and Eli (our friends from Augusta). We had heard that their was a kite festival in Helena and so we all loaded into the car and headed that way.  By the time we got to Helena it has started to rain.  There were 15 people at the kite Festival and we just had to laugh.... after driving all that way we were not going to miss out so we took our paper kites, colored them, and then tried to fly them in the rain.  We ran and played and it was a blast!  The kites got so heavy they would not even get off the ground!  While we were running in the field.. the live music and booths packed up and left, but we just made a little kite festival of our own!

After we were worn out we went went to the Carousel Ice Cream Shop and had ice cream and took a ride on the Carousel.  Ethan wanted to ride on the tiger... and at first he was not too sure about it all, but by the end he did not want off.  It was a fun time and it felt great to get out of the canyon!