The Simple Life

I have escaped from the cyber world and for the past several weeks been living life in the real world. We had an event filled June, our July has proven to be much slower. Parker leaves for scout camp at 3:45am tomorrow morning...still dark and very early. The girls and I are working on fun house projects this week, painting our new office/scrapbooking room, staining the deck and then enjoying fun girly time. Here is a few things we've been able to enjoy during the month of July
Bailey and I hiking in Big Sky

our neighbors spraying their new crop of corn

enjoying an evening bike ride

.."girls like guys with skills"...trampoline jumping skills.

Highlights of Bear Lake

Tuesday: Minnetonka Caves



Wednesday: The Lake

What Happened to June?

We have been busy with Life and not much time to blog. Last weekend we went to Big Sky, Montana and enjoyed the weekend with some friends. We attended a little branch which doubled in size when we arrived. It snowed every night and melted of by noon so we could enjoy hiking,
four-wheeling and just relaxing. Monday we are heading to Bear Lake, Utah with Bruce's family for his family reunion.
Then continuing on to Salt Lake to meet up with my family for a few days. When we get back on Sunday, (father's day) the girls and I pack and head out for girls camp on Monday until Friday.
then June is over. July promises to be much slower:) We'll have a lot to blog about when we return.

The Graduate

Today is Parker's last day at his beloved, Elder Grove. He is graduating from eighth grade. How the years have passed. Oh my little boy has grown up.

Someday I'll be Famous

Sidney is reading the book Yours Truly, Anne Frank. She was reading me a part in it that said Anne frank is famous because of her diary. We would not know much about her if she had not written in her diary. Then she proceeds to tell me, "One day you are going to be famous because of your journal mom, and all those scrapbooks you do, they are going to make us, (her and the kids) famous because they will know so much about us." She was totally serious.

I never knew. All those hours of scrapbooking will pay off. Let me remind you that Anne did not become famous until after she was gone. Oh, well someday I'll be famous.

She has Arrived

She's SOME PIG!

Two weeks ago Parker and Bruce went to the auction in Huntly, Montana. It is about an hour Northeast of Billings. This was Parker's first time at a an auction. He learned a lot and picked out his choice of the top four pigs. This pig was his #1 choice. He had 20 other people bidding against him but he was the last one standing. Way to go bud. She weighed in at 75 this week. By the time Fair comes around in August he should be up to around 270lbs, we're hoping.

She is a gild, which in pigology is a female pig. In the past Parker has always raised a burrow, (a male pig). To educate all those that are interested (pigology 101) she is a Yorkshire/Hemp cross. More Hemp, that is why she's black with a white belt.

We have been trying to think of a name. Bailey came up with a great one: Barbie Q. Parker states that he doesn't want to name her. Any great ideas?

Just to reassure all of you that we are safe up here in Montana from the swine flu. I believe this is how it is passed and I assure you we have kept clear of this kind of contact.

Happy Birthday My Love

Bruce shares the same birthday month as his older brother, David, who just turned 50. His fabulous kids did such an awesome tribute for their dad David, I truly love the idea so I hope you don't mind that I am stealing it. (Thanks Amie).

Happy 42nd Birthday Dad! 42 reasons why we love our dad -

1. Have the patients of a Saint. - Mom
2. He's a good baseball player. - Hannah
3. He makes me laugh. - Bailey
4. Takes care of our cars. - Mom
5. Tells me he loves me every night. - Sidney, Mom
6. After each volleyball game he tells me how good I did and what I can do to be better. - Sidney
7. Loves to be home with the family. - Mom
8. He plays baseball with me. - Sidney, Parker
9. Makes memorable weekends with the kids while I am off scrapbooking - Mom
10. Enjoys his Thanksgiving dinner. While everyone else is done eating he is still buttering his mashed potatoes. - Mom
11. He encourages me. - Sidney
12. Is meticulous when hanging a picture. - Mom
13. He laughs with me. - Sidney
14. Likes to play sports with us. - Bailey
15. I can always trust him, he's honest - Hannah
16. Gives me flowers - just because. - Mom
17. He listens to me. - Sidney
18. Love to go hunting with him. - Parker
19. Sleeps out on the tramp with the kids. - Mom
20. Provides for us. - Mom, Hannah
21. Loves to tickle me. - Bailey
22. He gives me father's blessings. - Sidney
23. He loves to watch Kong Fu Panda with us. - Hannah
24. He always tries to come to our games to support us. - Hannah
25. He reads the scriptures with the family in the mornings. - Sidney
26. He prays with me every night. - Sidney
27. Loves to watch movies with us. - Bailey
28. Honors his priesthood. - Mom
29. He listened to my Chief Joseph presentation. - Sidney
30. He's AWESOME! - Hannah
31. Goes snowboarding with me. - Parker
32. Takes us camping. - Bailey
33. Serves diligently in the church. - Mom
34. Makes yummy food, especially pancakes! - Bailey
35. Helped me pick out Mother's Day gift. - Sidney
36. Helps me take care of my pig. - Parker
37. He's HOT! - Hannah
38. Taught me how to drive the riding lawn mower. - Sidney
39. Helps me make my bed. - Hannah
40. Likes to spend time with us. - Bailey
41. Helps me with my home work. - Hannah
42. He gives me hugs and kisses every night. - Sidney

Since we couldn't fit it all in to just 42 reasons here are two more for good measure

43. Listens to my comments about movies. - Sidney
44. Comes to our sport games. - Bailey, Parker

We love you Dad. Hope you have a fabulous birthday.